I write for
a number of sites, so I am sumarising my review policy here. In all instances,
I attempt to provide a professional review.
WEEKEND
NOTES
-
Does
not allow me to do self-promotion in a review, but allows the promotion of any other
book or product available to the public.
-
Reviews
are for entertainment purposes
-
Public
interest and the experience of the reader are considered in the point of view.
-
Links
to the product may be included at the editor’s discretion (not mine).
-
Links
to the supplier’s website are encouraged
-
Does
not allow negative reviews. (These would set a poor tone for an entertainment
magazine).
-
Once
posted WN claims copyright. You could quote 10% as “fair usage” when referring
to the review – but not reprint the review.
-
Pays
its reviewers a small amount when views have accumulated. This amount comes
from advertising revenue.
-
Has
editors that check the reviews for spelling errors, misrepresentation and major
red flags.
-
More
terms and conditions are available here: https://www.weekendnotes.com/faq/#what
HUBPAGES
-
Does
not allow commercial use, but is open to literature, self-help, media reviews
and opinion.
-
Requires
original content, so a review posted elsewhere would not be accepted.
-
Third
party contributors (eg. reviewers) retain copyright. However, as the review
needs to be original to Hubpages, it cannot be reprinted elsewhere without
being removed from the site.
-
Has
affiliated sites it may display the review on, if it feels the article meets
the criterion.
-
Limits
what it considers “promotional links”, so may not link back to the provider’s
webpage, or sales platform.
-
Has
a revenue system whereby a very small amount is earned by clicks. This is
generally very slow.
-
Has
editors check articles for formatting, spelling and grammatical errors.
-
Full
terms and conditions are available here: https://maven.io/company/pages/terms
AMAZON
These are “customer reviews”. I consider them different to literary reviews or “peer reviews”, so I will always MAKE THEM SHORTER.
-
The
audience is the general consumer, so reviews will be LESS TECHNICAL.
-
“Spoilers”
devalue the product, so I will be avoiding summarizing the plot or telling the
story.
-
It
is against “Terms of Service” to pay for a review, accept payment for a review
or pressure the reviewer into giving a positive review.
-
As
a keen reader, I am generally happy to give out positive reviews. HOWEVER, I
feel effusive praise reads like advertising copy, and will avoid this.
- Please do not be disappointed if your review contains an honest response or piece of constructive criticism.
-
Other
Terms and Conditions can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=G3UA5WC5S5UUKB5G
GOODREADS
-
Goodreads
is a more relaxed site and does not require the purchase of the book.
-
It
allows positive and negative reviews, and to some extent, thought provoking
opinions.
-
The
focus is required to be on the work rather than the person.
-
Links
appear to be allowed, as long as they provide useful information and are not
spam. (Blogs appear preferred to sales platforms.)
-
Content
must be original, so the same review cannot be posted on Goodreads, Amazon, Angus
and Robertson and a blog. (These would all have to be written separately).
-
Due
to the above requirement, the review can only be quoted with acknowledgement.
-
Dialogue
between reviewers is allowed so long as it is polite.
-
Commercial
reviews are not allowed.
-
Goodreads
does not endorse reviews and may remove them at their discretion.
-
These
are not so much “customer reviews” – the book may have been obtained anywhere, (eg.
lending library), but “consumer reviews”.
-
Because
Goodreads appears so casual, it is not my primary choice for posting technical
criticism.
-
More guidelines are available at: https://www.goodreads.com/review/guidelines
ALL OTHER SITES
-
The
review must abide by the terms and conditions of that site.
-
The
review will be designed for the readers of that site.
