When you’re disappointed by a product – when you absolutely hate it – you’re scathing mad. You might be tempted to write a scathing review of that product online – to vent your frustrations and keep others from falling into the same trap you did. While it’s tempting, a scathing review isn’t going to help anyone. If you’re going to take the time to review the product, why not take the time to do it right? Here are some tips on how you can write a useful review of a product you hate.
Control Yourself
Like I just mentioned, a scathing review won’t do any good. Try to control your emotions, and avoid writing things that are over-the-top and dramatic. Don’t say, “I want to burn this product in my backyard!!!” Those visceral reactions don’t help anyone. Also, lay off the exclamation points because they always make you come across as super aggressive.
Be Specific
Don’t just say you hate a product – say why. Give specific reasons for your disappointment. For example, don’t say, “It was useless.” Say, “It was supposed to remove grass stains, but my son’s soccer uniform still looks exactly the same after trying three times.” When you give your personal reasons, you’re proving that your opinion is legitimate, and you’re helping other people evaluate whether or not they’d feel the same as you did about it.
Don’t Be Biased or Unreasonable
While you should give your personal reasons for your feelings, be careful that those opinions aren’t too personal. For example, it isn’t fair to say you hated a brand of frozen yogurt because you’re lactose intolerant, or that you got bad service from a waiter when you wanted a lobster and the kitchen didn’t have any left. If your reasons aren’t impartial or practical, you probably shouldn’t even bother writing a review, and if you do anyway, people will see right through it.
Identify Yourself
Writing an anonymous bad review is kind of cowardly. Identify yourself by providing your name and email address. If you do that, you’re demonstrating that you’re sincere and that you stand by what you’ve written. Offer to answer questions if people have any. You might even get contacted by the company with an apology or even a sweet offer, like a refund.
Compare It
If you can compare the product to another similar product, do so. Point out exactly why this product didn’t measure up, and why you prefer the other. Once again you’ll be helping people really visualize what disappointed you, and you’ll be pointing them in the direction of an alternative if they want one.
Include the Pros
It’s extremely important to also identify anything that was good about the product. You’ll be giving a much more accurate, complete picture of the product. You’ll sound a lot more reasonable/fair and a lot less bitter, too, and your review will be more helpful to people who are still trying to make a decision about whether or not the product will suit their needs.
