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Become A Set Toy Reviewer: Part 3 – Writing A Review

writing your blogFor those of you just getting into this series I highly suggest you go back and read the first article “Getting Into the Sex Toy World: Part 1 Building Your Blog“. The article outlined free sites you can use to build your blog, provided examples of online sex toy reviewers that I think are fantastic, included what you will need in regard to categories, and provided some “do’s and don’ts” that I think would be very helpful in developing your blog.

Once you’ve read the first article, and taken the time to build your blog, I suggest you read the next in the series “Getting Into the Sex Toy World: Part 2 – Becoming an Online Affiliate”. The article outlined the steps to take in becoming an online affiliate, provided a list of online sex toy shops you can affiliate to, and offered some tips to help you fill out the necessary forms.

If you start to feel like you’re missing out or losing track don’t worry. There is no way to fall behind. Go at your own pace and remember, this isn’t a race and you don’t have to rush to “keep up”. If it helps, I’ll be linking to previous articles in the series just so you can make sure you didn’t miss anything.

For this weeks article I’m going to cover writing a sex toy review, the next step in getting into the sex toy world.

As with the previous articles I need to stress that in order to write reviews and have affiliate accounts you need to be of legal age before getting started. As long as you are 18/21 (depending on where you live) you should be fine, but it’s always better to be safe then sorry.

Where To Begin

PostItI’ve heard from many people that writing about sex toys seems embarrassing, overwhelming, confusing, and a little discouraging, especially if you don’t have much experience or know where to begin.

The best advice I can give when it comes to writing a review is… stick with what you know.

For instance…

  • If you don’t have a lot of experience with toys, but have tried a handful of different condoms, write about them; the way they felt, if there was any noticeable difference between types or brands, what you liked about them (or didn’t), and why. Sure, many bloggers don’t like covering this subject (they have their own reasons), but I think it’s a valid place to start since it gets you talking about sex, thinking about the way things feel, what you like and don’t, allows you to explore and experience your body in a new way, and gives you the opportunity to write about your findings in a relative way.
  • If you recently watched an adult movie (porn) and it’s fresh in your memory write about it. There is nothing wrong with critiquing a movie, even if it’s porn. For all you know you could become the next Roger Ebert of adult flicks. Not a bad gig if you can get it.
  • If all you’ve ever tried is a massager (one that wasn’t actually designed for sex play) feel free to write about it. It’s surprising how many personal massagers double as some of the best sex toys. That’s how the legendary Hitachi Magic Wand started out.
  • Finally, if you’re really stumped you can always take $20 to your local sex shop and purchase some basic toys to review. Decent products like the Power Bullet, My First Vibe, V-Ring or Butterfly Kiss can often be found for less then $20. If you have money left over you can also usually find products like cock rings or other novelties for under $5 to review. Just make sure that whatever you purchase is body safe and phthalate free.

After you’ve written a few reviews and linked to products through the sites you’ve affiliated to, I’ll show you how to apply as a ‘toy reviewer’. I’d do it now but most companies want examples of your work to go on, which is what this whole series is meant to help you create.

Bare Necessities

No matter what type of item you’re reviewing there are basic key features or benefits that need to be included which will allow the reader a better understanding of the product in question;

*not listed in order of importance, that’s for you to decide.

sextoy material guide

PHOTO: Burke Denning

Material: Many people have allergies to materials like latex, or have issue with the harsh chemicals that can be found in most jelly toys (phthalates, among others). By listing the material you allow the reader to make a decision with their health and well being in mind, while also giving them a better idea of what the toy might “feel” like. If you’re not sure what type of material the product is crafted from (after checking the box or online) I suggest you read the “sex toy materials” page located on the Babeland website.

tantus dildo measurementSize: For some people size does matter, which is why it’s always important to list the size in length, girth, and/or width of a product. Although you may think I’m mentioning size because of the myth that “bigger is better”, you couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s my experience that most buyers want stuff on the ‘smaller’ side. On that note, by listing the size of the product you allow the reader to make a decision based on whether that particular size will bring pleasure or pain. Also, not everyone is comfortable with leaving toys in the open, sharing the size let’s them figure out if it’s something they could easily hide.

Function: The best way to describe the function is to suggest the type of stimulation the product has to offer; is it light/indirect or moderate/direct stimulation? The idea here is about the “power” the toy gives off rather then the actual type of stimulation you use it for.

Intended Use: This is where you want to cover what it’s meant to be used for; is the product designed for nipple play? clitoral stimulation? is it great for helping to find the g-spot? can it be used anally? These are all questions you want to ask yourself when using a toy. Sometimes you’ll find that a product designed for one type of use is actually better for something completely different. If that’s the case, write about it.

Style: Most people assume that a vibrator is a slim, pasty white, elongated shaft with a dial on the bottom that simply vibrates. Little do they know that sex toys now come in 1,000’s of different styles, colors, textures and shapes. By describing the product you’re reviewing you give your reader a better visual picture of what it looks like and if it’s something they might like. It’s also a good idea to include pictures of the product so that your readers can see it for themselves.

jimmyjaneCleaning Instructions: While most reviews I’ve read tend to leave this out I personally think it’s a very necessary issue to cover, especially considering the number of products that can be ruined due to improper cleansing techniques. Aside from that, it’s also good to note cleansing instructions as it helps your readers avoid any possible infections.

Compatible Lubes: This is another area that I find tends to be forgotten or left out of most reviews. You may opt to do the same but I think it’s a good thing to mention in order to avoid causing more damage then good. With so many luxury products on the market it would be a shame if someone ruined their toy by using something that wasn’t compatible.

The Bad: No matter what it is that’s being reviewed, there is almost always something that a person can find that they don’t like. When mentioning the “negative” aspects of a product be honest but always try to be careful of your words and respectful of the company that makes it. You are allowed to offer constructive criticism, and if you have the je ne sais quoi to bash a product without totally offending retailers and companies to the point that they don’t want to work with you, go for it (I think Epiphora does that best).

You don’t have to write your review in this order, nor do you have to include headings or titles if you don’t want to. This list was simply created to give you a good idea of what you consider when writing your review and what you might want to include. Feel free to take out or mention anything you want. It’s your review, not mine.

As for length, it doesn’t have to be long or winded; it just has to speak of your experience honestly, openly and with some sincerity… especially if you are someone that wants to have others read their reviews and trust their judgment on toys.

Be Creative

vingtage typewriter ad

When it comes to the actual review do your best to be creative, and remember, there are no rules or right/wrong way wrong to share your experience. Be honest, responsible, and respectful with your approach, but don’t be afraid to have fun with it.

Tip: You’re fully allowed to use choice words like “cunt”, “pussy”, “cock”, “dick”, “vag”, “coochie”, “va-jay-jay”, “fuck”, “ass”, “shaft”, “shlong” if you want to. Just don’t go overboard or it’ll come across as tacky or unprofessional.

You’re also allowed to talk about your own “personal” experience with the product if you want, for instance; “Last night while I was masturbating I tried using the new xxxx in my wet pussy…” – see where I’m going with this? Again, you don’t have to share in such a graphic manner, but I’ve read some reviews that were explicit and found them to be not only hilarious, but also very informative and fun. Just choose your words carefully.

For those of you that want some inspiration or ideas of how to write a review, I think these might help;

Hey EpiphoraThe Alumina Motion
Pop My Cherry Review Pirates (porn)
Lorax Of SexEpic Menstrual Cup Guide: Cup Comparisons
Kinky WorldMoist Lube Dispenser
Hey EpiphoraThe Rock Box
Dangerous LillyRechargeable Magic Wand
Redhead BedheadSwan Wand

Wrapping It Up

I’m sure most writers would agree that the key with writing the review is to just write it. Don’t let your fear of failure or judgment get the best of you and if you get stumped take a break. You’re allowed that. Remember, this isn’t meant to be stressful. Actually, sex toys are fun, so make your review fun… make it something you would want to read if you were someone else. Allow it to be that place where you let loose and just let go for a minute. It’s your space and your blog. Claim it.

Once you’ve written your first review I can pretty much guarantee that you’ll want to write another, and another, and another. There is something quite thrilling about talking about sex toys… even more so, writing about them.

Remember guys, I was once in your shoes and know just how confusing it can seem. That in mind, with a little help and support I’m sure you can learn how to be successful at doing something that is not only liberating but tonnes of fun as well.

For those of you that already have a blog up and running, next week I’ll be focusing on linking to your affiliate account through the toy review you learned to write in this article. The article will cover the steps for linking to words in your blog which will drive traffic to the sites you’ve affiliated with (hopefully making you money), offer suggestions of more affiliate programs you can sign up for, provide examples of links from others that I personally love, and help you find companies that will provide you with toys to review for free (should you be accepted).

To make it easier I suggest you take this coming week to write a review of something you’ve tried, even if you didn’t like it. That way you’ll have something to learn how to link through when the time comes.

If you have any questions about setting up your blog/becoming an affiliate do your best to find the answers online, if you can’t feel free to send me a message and I’ll do what I can to help.

 

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Getting Into the Sex Toy World ~ Part 2 ~ Becoming an Online Affiliate

Hey Everyone,

For those of you just getting into this series I highly suggest you go back and read last weeks article “Getting Into the Sex Toy World ~ part 1 Building Your Blog“. The article outlined free sites you can use to build your blog, provided examples of online sex toy reviewers that I think are FANTASTIC, included what you will need in regard to categories and provided some “do’s and don’ts” that I think would be very helpful in developing your blog.

*If you start to feel like you’re missing out or losing track don’t worry, this is a typical “class”. There is no way to fall behind. Take the time you need to go back to previous articles and when you’re ready read the next in the series. Go at your own pace and take your time, this isn’t a race and you don’t have to rush to “keep up” 🙂

As for this weeks article I’m going to cover becoming an affiliate, the beginning step to making money online.

Getting set up as an “Affiliate”

Before I even begin I have to stress one thing; in order to receive toys and make money through affiliated sales you have to be the legal age within the Country you/the company resides. For the most part if you’re 18/21 you should be fine. That said it’s always best to check what the legal age is before getting started.

Now that I got that out of the way…

Just in case you don’t know what an affiliate is; an affiliate is someone who sells products online, and makes a commission through the sales that come through their links. Pretty much any advertisement you see on a website/blog is due to an affiliation.

Since most companies want to make money they will allow you to become an affiliate for free and provide you with all the necessary tools like banners, text links, customizable links etc. to succeed. For the most part all you have to do is fill out the necessary forms (takes about 5 minutes) and hit the “send” button.

Affiliate Sites I Support

During my online travels I’ve come across some great companies that employ helpful, honest, hard working and respectful people. I’ve also come across some shady, manipulative ones that sell crappy products and don’t care about their customers…that said, the sites that I’m linking for you are all ones that I support due to their level of quality, integrity, honesty and willingness to work with their affiliates to help them be successful.

*click or copy and paste the urls to your browser

Eden Fantasys ~ 20% payout ~ application can be found @ http://bit.ly/99qBdq

(the Eden Fantasys hosted program is MUCH better than the Commission Junction one, just click “Join Program” and follow the simple steps)

Babeland~ 20% pay out ~ application for affiliation can be found @ http://bit.ly/9HRWCA

(pretty simple, just fill out the form. Where it says “URL where banner will appear” enter the URL of the blog you created with the help of last weeks article)

My Tickle Spot ~ 26% pay out ~ application for affiliation can be found @ http://bit.ly.s87s

(just fill out the form, it’s simple)

Good Vibes ~  20% pay out ~  application for affiliation can be found @ http://bit.ly/93bs4K

(just fill out the form and hit submit. This program has a waiting period for approval but you should know in a couple of days if you were approved)

There are many more but I don’t want to overwhelm you all too soon…I’ll post more soon:)

*If you are not accepted as an affiliate to any of the above sites don’t fret. It will most likely be due to the fact that you haven’t written a review and therefore have nothing for the affiliate manager to see as a sample of your work (I’ll show you how to do that next week).  Once you have written a few reviews and have content that meets the standards of the company you wish to work with you can reapply 🙂

Some Things To Note

*Where it says ‘website’ enter the blog you created with the help of last weeks article. (If you don’t have a blog I suggest you read the previous article and set one up. You’re going to need it!)

*If you’re Canadian, where it says tax ID number or anything relating to that you can just enter your SIN number. The sites are safe so don’t worry about your info, it’s well protected.

*Make sure the information that you include for your payment is correct. The last thing you need is a check being held due to a silly misspelling or sent to the wrong address.

*If the site you are affiliating to only pays via direct deposit you can very easily call the bank you are with and ask them for the necessary information.

*if you have to enter a name or user ID, use a name that will help you build your ‘brand”. I suggest you use the same name you used for your blog (or a shorter version of it) as that will once again help to build your online brand 🙂

*some affiliate programs have a box you can check to receive monthly/weekly newsletters that include updates on sale items, new product launches or other sexual health info. I highly suggest you sign up for these newsletters as they can help provide you with information that will increase your success rate as an affiliate.

*If you check the blogs of any successful affiliate they all have more than one advertisement/affiliation on their site. That said, don’t pick and choose. Instead sign up for all the affiliation sites you can handle and pick one or two to promote each week. This will not only allow your readers a variety  of places to shop (and possibly get them better deals) but it will also increase your chances of gaining income from more than one source.

*as for how much you’ll make…well that all depends on you and how much time and energy you’re willing to put into promoting what you do.

*some of the affiliate sites I mentioned above will pay out a small % to me when you get sales, but don’t worry it won’t come out of your pocket/commissions, it comes from the company in a tiered structure. In a future article relating to “being a successful affiliate” I will show you how to gain affiliates under you like I have. I’d do it now but I don’t want to overwhelm you with too many steps/information.

Wrapping It Up

In regard to becoming an affiliate there isn’t much more that I can suggest. It’s rather easy to fill out a form, hit the submit button and wait for approval.  The challenge lies in becoming a successful affiliate, something I plan on helping you become with this series.

As for the series itself, while it will be slightly technical in nature, I will do my very best to help you learn in a step-by-step way that is fun, easy to understand, provides insight to the industry and shows you ways of getting involved when you have no previous knowledge to help.

Remember guys, I was once in your shoes and know just how confusing it can seem. That in mind, with a little help and support I’m sure you can learn how to be successful at doing something that is not only liberating but tonnes of fun as well!

For those of you that already have a blog up and running, next week I’ll be focusing on writing a review. The article will cover the “do’s” and “don’ts” of writing a respectful and professional review, offer suggestions of what you should include(regarding the products your reviewing), provide examples of reviews from others that I personally love and help you find companies that will provide you with toys to review for free (should you be accepted).

For those of you that don’t yet have a blog but would like to participate I suggest you go back to the previous article and get started.

If you have any questions about setting up your blog/becoming an affiliate do your best to find the answers online, if you can’t feel free to send me a message and I’ll do what I can to help 🙂

Hope your having a great afternoon!

Kara_Sutra <3

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Getting Into the Sex Toy World ~ Part 1 ~ Building Your Blog

Hey Everyone <3

If there is one thing that I am constantly asked its “how can I do what you do?”…while I’d like to give a simple answer, unfortunately there isn’t one. I’ve gotten to where I am by working hard, paying my dues and dealing with a lot of bullshit along the way. I’ve spent 3 years dedicating myself to making videos and done my very best to keep what I do honest, reliable, fun, educational and up to date.

That said, while making videos on the topic of sex/sexuality isn’t something I can give much help on (since it’s all a matter of perspective, comfort level and education), what I can help you with is becoming a sex toy reviewer and/or making some money on the side selling products online.

Over the next few weeks I’ll be writing a weekly blog dedicated to different aspects of the Sex Toy industry that are geared to helping you find great companies to work with, learning how to write a sex toy review, finding companies that will send you toys for either a really low price or free and helping you learn how to link/market them to your potential customers.

As I’ve said before, it’s not easy…but if you have a passion for doing something you love, helping others discover great toys, learning about their body, becoming comfortable in their sexuality and aren’t too interested in keeping up with the Joneses (i.e. you don’t really give a shit what people think) then this is a great way to get into the business…

Now that that’s out of the way, lets get started!

Creating a Blog for Reviewing Toys

Before I even begin I have to stress one thing; in order to receive toys and make money through affiliated sales you have to be the legal age within the Country you/the company resides. For the most part if you’re 18 you should be fine. That said, it’s always best to check what the legal age is before getting started.

The first thing you’re going to need in order to review toys is a blog; it doesn’t have to be flashy, sophisticated or highly technical ~ it just needs to be a site that allows you to add links, pictures, post “adult” themed content, be cheap (if not free) and relatively easy to use/update.

To help you out these are a list of sites that I suggest simply because they have all of the above needed features and are completely FREE! With most of them you have the option of paying for the upgrade, but it’s not necessary when you’re first getting started.

WordPress – http://www.wordpress.com/

Blogger – http://www.blogger.com/

Blog – http://www.blog.com/

Livejournal – http://www.livejournal.com/

Of course there are many more but these are the ones I tend to frequent most simply because they have been the easiest for me to navigate. On that note, you don’t need to sign up for all of them (unless you want to) just posting to one will suffice. That said, if you want to take on the challenge of managing more then one blog feel free, just know it will be time consuming and may quickly become overwhelming.

*Quick note – when it comes to entering your user information make sure that you have chosen a username that you like and want to actually use. Some sites don’t allow you to change it after you’ve hit the send/accept key and then you’re pretty much stuck with it.

*Also, if you’re trying to remain anonymous on the web don’t pick a nickname that people know you by, instead go by something that’s rarely ever come out of your mouth. That way if someone decides to do a random search you’re more likely to stay hidden.

Customizing your Blog

Once you’ve found a site that you like and have received your confirmation that it’s up and running, feel free to take some time and see how it works. Press buttons, go through pages, experiment, accept, delete; basically just see what things do and have fun. Don’t expect to be able to manipulate the site the moment you sign up, that rarely ever happens. Instead take the necessary time to allow yourself to figure things out and if you get overwhelmed don’t forget, you can always do a search the problem you’re having and more often then not find an answer.

After you’ve gotten comfortable with the way the site works and think you have a good idea of how to change things, spend some time customizing the site. Make it something that is easy on the eyes, easy to read and navigate, highlights the things you want to show and is something that you feel is a good representation of you/your alter ego: remember you’re building your “brand”.

If you find that you’re having some problems with coming up with a background or color scheme there are sites online that can help you find just what you’re looking for. One of my personal favourites is ColorLovers, it’s great or coming up with color schemes and finding combinations you might never have thought of – http://www.colourlovers.com/

*If you’re still not sure what type of look you’re going for take some time and go through other bloggers/reviewers/companies sites and find features that you like then see if they fit for what you’re trying to do. Just do you’re best not to copy others too much, unfortunately some people do take offense to that. Also, make sure that you NEVER take someone else’s review without permission and if you do, never claim that it is your own.

Here are some examples of reviewers that I LOVE!

Pop My Cherry – http://popmycherryreview.com/

Epiphora – http://www.heyepiphora.com/about/

Essin ‘Em – http://essin-em.com/

AAG – http://aagblog.com/

Garnet Joyce – http://askgarnet.com/

Brit Is Shameless – http://britisshameless.com/

Tristan Toramino – http://www.puckerup.com/EN/home/

Ducky Dolittle – http://duckydoolittle.com/

Pleasurists – http://pleasurists.com/

The Beautiful Kind – http://thebeautifulkind.com/

(there are many more, which I’m sure you can find links for on each of the above mentioned pages)

The Bare Necessities


Once you’ve got your design figured out you’ll want to start adding headers and categories for all the reviews/articles/posts you’ll be creating.

Some things you may want to include in your blog are:

An About section (and header)
-this section lets the reader know about you, who you are, what you do and how you got into it. You can divulge as little or as much as you’d like. Just remember to keep things like you’re real name, address, phone number and personal info out of the picture for safety reasons.

A Reviews section (broken into subcategories if possible)
– this is where you will place all your reviews for your readers to easily find. If you are able to break it into sub categories (i.e. vibrators, dildos, butt toys, lubes) you’ll be able to help you’re reader find what they are looking for without much of a struggle.

A Contact section (and header)
– this is where you post the information for companies, readers, fans and friends to get in touch with you. I suggest you create a secondary email account that is specifically used only for this. Your safety is important!

A Links &/or Resources &/or Advertising section (and header)
-this is where you’ll put the links to companies that you are an affiliate for, resources like websites you’re on and promote, as well as provide information about your advertising rates (when the time comes)

*Of course you can always add more categories/pages as you feel necessary. These are just the basics that I think should be present in every toy review blog.

Wrapping It Up

I don’t think there is much else I can tell you in regard to getting started and setting up your blog, especially where the very basics are concerned. As I said, it does take some time and will require that you fiddle around a bit until you find something that works for you and that you really like.

Just remember, if you find you get stuck or start o get overwhelmed don’t worry, we’ve all been there and when you don’t have a tech person to do the tech work for you it’s just part of the process. Take a breather, step away from the computer and come back to it when your ready…just be patient…it will come in time.

For those of you that already have a blog up and running, next week I’ll be focusing on setting up affiliations (that’s where you can make money), linking you to great companies, helping you fill out forms and getting you ready to start writing reviews.

*I’d start with writing the reviews but if you have nothing to link to in your post, it’s almost silly.

If you have any questions about setting up your blog do your best to find the answers online, if you can’t feel free to send me a message and I’ll do what I can to help.

Hope your having a great afternoon!

Kara_Sutra <3

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