FAQ
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Here are some of the most often asked questions we get here at Viral Conversations. We suggest that advertisers and bloggers read both sets of FAQ’s so they understand how the entire process works. As new questions or issues arise down the road, we will add to this section.
Advertisers FAQ
How does the process work?
You submit an application to our advertisers sign up form, there is a one time business review fee. Once we verify that you are a legitimate business in good standing within your community, you will be approved. For a self service campaign we will send you a data sheet. Once you send it back, we’ll review it and publish your ad. Once your ad is live you will receive emails from bloggers interested in your offer. You then interact directly with the bloggers.
For a managed campaign one of our account representatives will take care of all the leg work for you, and will keep you up to date as the campaign progresses.
For a private campaign we will make your offer by email to the bloggers within our network. Again our account representative will keep you up to date as the campaign progresses.
What Does The Review Process Cover?
We’ll review your website, and do some background research to make sure you are a legitimate business in good standing. The review process may include but is not limited to background check, D&B, Better Business Bureau, address and phone verification. We will try to work with you to help you get approved, however not every business will be approved. We reserve the right to reject any application for any reason. If your approval is rejected your review fee will not be returned or refunded.
How Long Does The Process Take?
A business review will take from 1-3 business days. Getting your ad approved should also take 1-3 business days. For self service ads we’ll leave them open until you tell us you have enough offers. Usually within 2-3 weeks you’ll have enough interested people contact you.
What if No One is Wants to Review Your Product?
Hopefully that never happens, if no one applies to your ad we’ll run it again at no charge. If you get people that apply but you don’t approve, we’ll work with you on a case by case basis to try and resolve the issue. Our goal is to help you find people who will review your product.
How Much Does it Cost?
There is a one time review fee of $75 ($49 dollars through August 2009).
A self managed campaign costs $249 (free through June 2009)
A managed campaign starts at $999 ($499 through June 2009)
A private campaign is priced on a custom basis, please contact us to find out more.
What Kind of Reviews Can I Expect?
We encourage all of our bloggers to be as honest as possible. Sometimes there will be negative aspects or criticisms, as this is to be expected. This not only makes the review more believable but gives you suggestions on how you can improve your product.
What if the Review is Negative?
We strongly suggest that all bloggers contact you beforehand if the review is more negative than positive. Hopefully this gives you the opportunity to fix the problem. If a resolution can’t be reached we suggest that the review not be published. We can’t force anyone to not publish or take down a negative review, but we will try to help.
Will I Get Any Links?
We recommend that bloggers only link when it’s editorially relevant and serves the end user. So you should NEVER EXPECT A LINK. Additionally we also recommend that bloggers follow all google guidelines for advertising links, so any links you get will contain a nofollow tag or use a redirect script. Please don’t attempt to offer any cash, cash in kind, or other types of incentive for other types of links.
Can I Specify or Suggest the Way Someone should Link to Me?
No. This isn’t a paid linking service, since links aren’t required, there’s really no reason to suggest how someone should link to you.
Will I Get a Link On Viral Conversations.com?
Any URL’s that come through the advertising process will have the nofollow attribute applied 100% of the time. While you are paying a fee for a service and not a link, we don’t want to blur the line of editorial integrity. You can elect to run a non public campaign where we won’t mention your company name or URL at all. All of the links in our article and blog sections are editorially given and not in any way influenced by advertisers.
What Types of Products Can I Use With Your Service?
We are looking for physical, real world goods such as clothing and consumer electronics. We even think our service could be used for travel items like hotel rooms, food and restaurants, or shows and entertainment, or even a test drive in a new car. We’re flexible, the only thing we require is that it has to be a tangible real world item. If you are interested in having a website or online service reviewed we suggest services like Pay-Per-Post, Social Spark, or Reviewme.
What Type of Products Can’t I Advertise?
This is a list that we are going to refine over time. We don’t want any weapons, firearms, or products that might be considered dangerous or hazardous. We also don’t allow any pills, supplements, or stimulants, however normal food items are fine. We reserve the right to refuse any item at our sole discretion. If we refuse your item your fees will be refunded.
Do I Have to Let the Bloggers Keep The Item?
No, you don’t have to let the bloggers keep the item, in the end it’s up to you. It’s going to depend on a number of factors such as cost and shipping difficulty. Letting the bloggers keep a $25 coffee maker is probably a no brainer, but you may feel a little differently about an $1500 espresso machine. Be as clear as possible in the beginning to avoid any confusion. Additionally if you are letting bloggers keep the item, expect that to be disclosed in the review.
Do I have to manufacture or be the sole distributor?
No, you don’t have to manufacture or be the sole distributor for a product. For mass consumer goods like an iPod we’ll only accept advertisements within 6 months of its release date.
Can I Request/Block Pictures or Videos?
Yes, you can. Generally we recommend that you let people use whatever medium they prefer, and nothing tells a story better than pictures and video. If you absolutely don’t want pictures or video specify that in your ad, and be sure you are clear in any communications.
Do I have to Reveal My Company Name or URL?
That’s up to you. Letting people know who you are and what you want reviewed will usually get you more interested bloggers. However sometimes you want to keep you marketing strategy secret, so the choice is yours. We will need to know all of the details, but we won’t publish them unless you tell us it’s OK.
Can I Coordinate a Publishing Date or Embargo?
Sometimes you’ll want to tie the reviews into a larger marketing plan and operate with an embargo date. Just be clear about that up front. Be aware that not everyone is a technical expert and server timezones don’t always coordinate with local time zones, so sometimes posts may slip out a few hours early.
Can I List More Than One Item?
Absolutely, in fact we encourage it. If you are releasing a new line of cameras there may be more than one level of product (good, better, best). If that’s the case we strongly suggest offering multiple items.
What if We Already Advertised Once and Want to Do it Again?
You won’t have to pay the review fee but you will have to pay another advertising fee. If you are going to be using the service regularly contact us about a volume discount.
What if I am an Agency or PR Firm Can I use this For My Clients?
Yes you can use this for your clients. You’ll pay the review fee, and we will review both you and your client. The next time you want to advertise with us there won’t be a review fee, if there is a new client just let us know.
Bloggers FAQ
How Does This Work?
If you’re a blogger and you want to see our offers the easiest thing to do is subscribe to our RSS feed or email list. When new offers are published they will be sent directly to your feed reader or inbox. If you see an offer advertised on our website you would like to apply for, use the email address from the ad.
You can also sign up to be included in our private offer network, but this isn’t required.
What is the Private Network?
Some companies keep their marketing strategies secret, and don’t want offers advertised in public. If you are in our private network you will receive emails when an offer that matches your interests comes up. We also wont sell or rent your name – we hate spam just like you do.
What Do I Need to get Into the Private Network?
We are looking for established bloggers who have been publishing at least 3 months. We will make exceptions if you make a strong case.
What if I Want Out of The Private Network?
If it’s something we did wrong or we could improve let us know. If you just want out drop us an email through the contact form.
How Do I get Chosen – Is It Like a Contest?
No, it’s not a contest or raffle. When you express an interest in an offer some of the things a merchant will use to evaluate are, how long has your blog been around, how often do you post, how many subscribers (email or RSS) you have. If you can prove your traffic with a service like Quantcast it usually helps.
What Types of Offers Should I Apply for?
You should apply for offers that match your subject. If you’ve never talked about cameras on your blog it probably won’t work for you or the merchant. So choose offers that match your blog subject matter and readers interests.
Does the Review have to be Good?
No, the review should be honest. Most would agree that the IPhone is a great product, although not everyone likes the touch screen, and it’s safe to say everyone wishes the battery would last longer. These do not make the IPhone a bad product. Talk about the product’s good points, and mention areas where it needs improvement. If you find that your review is more negative than positive or almost all negative, please put on the brakes before you publish. Send an email or pick up the phone and let someone know first.
Do I have to Link to the person who sent me the product?
No, you absolutely don’t have to link to anyone. You should only link where you feel it is editorially relevant and improves the overall experience for the end user. We suggest you consult the Google Guidelines for more information about advertising and linking and use a nofollow tag or a redirect script, if you do link. If the person sending you the product is letting you keep it, using disclosure that is human readable is advised. We suggest that any bloggers who will be doing a reviews on regular or semi regular basis follow The New York Times Company Policy on Ethics in Journalism.
Do I have to Link to ViralConversations.com?
No you don’t have to link to us, but if you’d like to we’d think it would be really swell. If you are participating in a private network offering, that is the one instance where we really don’t want you to link to us or mention us at all.
Do I need a Disclaimer on My Post?
We really recommend you do it to be upfront and honest with your readers. It could be something as simple as “The John Smith Camera Company sent me their new ABC-123 DLSR camera to review”. If you do a lot of reviews on your website a more formal review policy should be something you should look into. If you are keeping the item, you should disclose that in your review.
Do I Have a Certain Amount of Time to Complete my review?
Sometimes there will be an embargo and the company won’t want you to post until a certain time. We urge you to please respect those wishes, and be aware of any server/local time differences. Other times there will be a finite window for a review, but most times there won’t. That should be communicated to you upfront, but if it’s not please ask.
Can I Use Pictures and Videos in My Reviews?
Usually we’ll let you know upfront any restriction on video/pictures. If you can show yourself using the product, that is usually a safe option. If you are planning on doing something creative or unusual, let everybody know first. If you are reviewing an XBox 360, a merchant might not want to see a video of baseball bat destruction test.
Do I Get to Keep The Product I am Reviewing?
That’s going to vary from offer to offer. Sometimes you will sometimes you won’t. That information should be communicated to you before hand. If you do keep the item you are responsible for any tax liabilities that are incurred. If you do keep the item we recommend that you disclose that fact in your review.
Is There a Limit On How many Products I Can Review?
No, but we do hope that you are only review products that make sense for your blog, and that reviews aren’t the only thing on your blog.
