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Wow. (Reply to this comment)
by luquillo
Incredibly informative and even though I've been reviewing for some time. Your essay still helped me and I learned a lot. Thank you very much.
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May 22, 2010
8:29 am PDT
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Great advice... (Reply to this comment)
by beefchop
With only 30 or so reviews under my Epinions belt, I consider myself relatively new. Like you, I feel the pressure to produce quantity, but am not comfortable submitting a review unless I really get to know the product. That's why I stopped reviewing the hotels I stayed in everytime I travel for work.
This advice was really helpful, especially the part about developing a firm web of trust to improve your popularity. I find that I'm often the first to review many of the products I use (I like seeking out and finding interesting products that provide the best value for money) but am not getting that many hits.
I appreciate the thorough column. This is a great service to those of us on a quest to improve our craft.
Best,
Zachariah
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Dec 30, 2008
5:24 pm PST
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Thanks (Reply to this comment)
by alladinjw
Just wanted to say thanks for your well thought out article. Sometimes when I write a review, I have difficulty figuring out what can take it from helpful to very helpful.
I re-wrote my review of Purgatory Chasm after reading this. Perhaps, you'd take a look if you have some time.
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Apr 30, 2008
11:34 am PDT
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Re: Some good advice (Reply to this comment)
by smallmouth
Thank you for the advice, you are 100 percent correct. I think I will update this essay soon by using the advice from the comments section. This should be done periodically to all reviews. I am always suprised to run across another long time member for the first time. I guess I should venture out of the Sports and Outdoors a little more often.
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Feb 22, 2008
4:23 am PST
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Some good advice (Reply to this comment)
by adriennefoster
You raise a lot of good points that I hope newbies will take seriously, but you're missing one that never seems to emphasized. The best critiquers are usually the best writers. Having been active in writers workshops off and on for about 25 years now, being able to recognize the weaknesses in other people's writing make it so much easier to avoid them in your own. It isn't enough to just read the reviews of other Epinionaters, offer constructive criticism when you can. Receiving constructive criticism is much easier than forming it yourself, believe it or not. Being able to give it enforces what you have learned. The biggest challenge is learning to deliver it tactfully.
Good job on this essay. I'm surprised our paths haven't crossed sooner.
Adrienne
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Feb 21, 2008
9:26 pm PST
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Re: Welcome to my Web of Trust.... (Reply to this comment)
by smallmouth
Thanks, It is really quite simple to get it from word to here. After you have finished writing and editing in Word, select all by either double clicking and dragging over the text, or push ctrl A, or go to the drag down menu at the top under select then all. The ctrl C buttons pushed together will copy the text then go to epinions and under the Write Your Own Review section push the ctrl V buttons and the selected text will be pasted there.
It is an incredibly helpful tool. I can remember how hard it was to write the reviews in the allotted space by epinions and sometimes losing them somewhere in the publishing process. It is never easier to write the review the second time contrary to most belief.
In this section if I am writing a long Comment, I will at least copy it by pushing ctrl C before it goes to Preview or Publish because I have lost them in that process as well and I can simply push the ctrl V button to paste it all back. Thanks and keep up the good work.
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Feb 21, 2008
4:28 am PST
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Welcome to my Web of Trust.... (Reply to this comment)
by talyseon
...I am in yours, but I did not put you in mine, because you mainly review things that I am not interested in. For me, camping is a Motel 6.
However, the courtesy reviews I did showed you were an excellent writer, and I was happy to have someone so skilled trust my opinions on books and movies (my forte).
But now, after this excellent review, I must say I do trust you, and next time I decide to buy a katana, you will be the first person I check with.
I also intend to leave a link to this review for some of the newbies. (Like me...Jan 17, 07)
So many people were helpful to me, including sleeper54 whom you mentioned, and most especially eplovejoy, who has answered so many of my questions.
Now, if I can just figure out how to get it from word perfect, to here on the site....
Thanks for an inspiring comment.
Mark.
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Feb 20, 2008
2:37 pm PST
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couple of thoughts (Reply to this comment)
by kevintipple
What one says is professional (using a lot of headers) others would call cluttered. lol What goes on here has nothing to do with professional writing. I stay becuase it is fun--usually. I'm not a fan of the latest promotional fad of the moment.
My other quick thought is sleeper54 is still the very best at this sort of advice thing. He doesn't do it in public as much now as he works behind the scenes mainly but he was a huge help to me when I started several years ago.
I'd quibble here and there a little with what you wrote but in the balance--good stuff.
Kevin
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Feb 17, 2008
3:39 pm PST
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Re: I plan to do just that :) (Reply to this comment)
by smallmouth
Thank you very much, its nice to get such an overwhelming psitive response. Feel free to link it to others if you find it helpful.
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Feb 17, 2008
1:54 pm PST
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I plan to do just that :) (Reply to this comment)
by KMINER
rather than typing out a messload of comments, I'm just going to link them to your review!
Thanks so much - Kimm
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Feb 17, 2008
12:32 pm PST
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Thanks a ton! (Reply to this comment)
by boringmonkey23
Thanks so much for the pointers and this review as well! It was very helpful for writing reviews! That is a great idea about using an outline! I am going to try that. Thanks again! Oh, and by the way I did edit that review from yesterday. I think it turned out a lot better!
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Feb 17, 2008
5:00 am PST
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for a smallmouth... (Reply to this comment)
by jankp
you sure have lots of great advice! I haven't noticed any top reviewers writing subpar reviews luckily, but I would rate them what they deserve if I did. This promotion is making me write more, but still same quality.
Jan
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Feb 16, 2008
10:49 pm PST
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I printed this for future reference (Reply to this comment)
by longjourney
Thanks for the great advice!
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Feb 13, 2008
7:49 pm PST
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Hiya Mr Reliable! :o) (Reply to this comment)
by smorg
I'm so bookmarking this essay for future reference, bro.
Thanks a bunch for taking the time (especially in the middle of a promotional month) to write this wonderfully thoroughly helpful piece! I hope lots of newbies find and read it.
Cheerio,
Smorgy :o)
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Feb 13, 2008
2:39 am PST
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Re: This is simply... (Reply to this comment)
by smallmouth
Thank you very much, Happy V-Times day, is it here already? I felt compelled to be helpful I guess.
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Feb 12, 2008
1:58 pm PST
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This is simply... (Reply to this comment)
by faithforever
Awesome:) It must have taken a lot of time and I hope everyone appreciates so much effort ~ Happy Valentine's Day for Thursday & God Bless !
Thanks ~ Gina
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Feb 12, 2008
12:44 pm PST
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BIG words (Reply to this comment)
by pinksteeler
from a small mouth - lol.
Seriously, THANKS!
You put a lot of valuable information and honest emotion into your time consuming work and I appreciate it. I related to your thoughts and feelings and learned from your advice.
Well done,
Sherry
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Feb 12, 2008
9:04 am PST
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Re: Fantastic (Reply to this comment)
by smallmouth
Thank you very much, i am actually thinking of adding some more info to it such as Editing Reviews, and Setting up an epinions home page. Thanks for the kudo's
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Feb 11, 2008
4:05 pm PST
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Fantastic (Reply to this comment)
by ace3502
review here. Great guidelines and insight that only an Epinions Vet could boast. Very well done.
~Ace
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Feb 11, 2008
2:02 pm PST
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Very nicely done. (Reply to this comment)
by ladyconsumer
I really enjoyed this article. Great tips for newbies and some of us not-so-newbies, too.
Mona
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Feb 11, 2008
1:46 pm PST
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Some great tips... (Reply to this comment)
by JediKermit
Some great tips for newbies AND those of us that are a little long in the tooth around these parts. Some great reminders there, smallmouth...thanks.
-Quinn
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Feb 10, 2008
6:11 pm PST
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Thanks Barb (Reply to this comment)
by smallmouth
I have recently found a lot of members who have been on the site as long as I have or longer and wondered the same thing. Perhaps it is because I/we are reading and rating more frequently and paths finally cross. Or perhaps one of us crosses into a new category, who knows. It always amazes me when I do. I also took a long hiatus from the site and have been known to go into the wilderness for several months at a time far away from any electrical power or civilization.
Elzora, You are definitely correct and it becomes challenging to call a spade a spade. But we all know when we publish something that might not be up to par or adequate and we respect the people who actually rate them correctly. I wonder the same thing you mentioned about the Newbie and the Seasoned Epinionator. Must appear a little bit like a "Good Ole Boys Club".
Thanks for the kudos.
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Feb 10, 2008
5:21 pm PST
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I agree (Reply to this comment)
by elzora
I think Advisors and TR's have a harder time rating seasoned reviews that don't meet the VH rating.
I have tried to stay true to my conscience, and have actually lost people from my WOT because of it. So be it, the integrity of the site it what is the most important factor.
I do wonder what some newbies think when their reviews are rated SH and they see a seasoned members review get the VH, with very little difference in quality between the two.
I applaud you for your article, well done!
Sue
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Feb 10, 2008
2:55 pm PST
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Re: Definitely a must read... (Reply to this comment)
by ifif1938
absolutely a must read...I've been writing more than ever before and find it exhausting, taking up most of my day...I don't know how others do it, I mean write 3, 4 or even 5 reviews a day...today I published two the record for me but one was nearly finished which I started yesterday..:)
Keep up the great writing...wow you've been here 9 years? how come we just found each other recently...
Cheers
Barbara
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Feb 10, 2008
2:41 pm PST
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Definitely a must read... (Reply to this comment)
by Magick1
for everyone, new or old on the site!
Great job!
Kim
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Feb 10, 2008
2:18 pm PST
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- (Reply to this comment)
by George_Chabot
Very pertinent advice, bud - thanks! :>
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Feb 10, 2008
11:38 am PST
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Re: Great Advice... (Reply to this comment)
by smallmouth
Yeah I couldn't publish the comment with an html mark-up code for your template so I emailed you one. Notice in the comment by Chad that there is a number 0 in the address, this would not allow the user to get to the link and I ran itno this problem when I was learning how to do it. Now I just check them ahead of time and delete the un needed numeral.
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Feb 10, 2008
9:45 am PST
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Re: Great Advice... (Reply to this comment)
by smallmouth
Oh that is no problem setting up the link, try this. Copy my template by holding down the control and c buttons while highlighting the code. Paste this template code on your review or wherever you write your review. Once you have it there, go to the page you want to set up as a link. Highlight the address at the top of the page and copy it again using the control and c buttons. Using the control and v buttons will paste what you copied. Paste the address in between the first set of parenthesis. After the closing > type what you want the link to appear like. There you have it. Some problems that might arise is if the address has a number between the www. just remove the number and the link should work correctly.
I guess I cannot sent the html code here, it is prohibited so i will email it to you.
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Feb 10, 2008
9:37 am PST
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Great Advice... (Reply to this comment)
by MississippiMom
...for Newbies and Veterans alike. I get writer's block at times and when those days hit me I find myself reading and rating more reviews... I wonder how some members can write so many reviews in one day... I get exhausted easily writing one. Not only have I learned about other members writing styles but I have learned about so many other products and services I may have never heard about otherwise.
Now if some of the Newbies will take time out from writing 100 reviews and actually read your advice it may help them tremendously with improving their reviews from H/SH to VH.
Now if I can just learn how to add the links to my other reviews on my reviews I would feel like a true Veteran writer. I have tried the codes but for some reason they don't show up in linkable form...
Thanks for taking the time to help others looking for ways to improve their reviews.
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Feb 10, 2008
5:51 am PST
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If I were to say "wow" (Reply to this comment)
by henry_thoreau
so soon after I commented on a certain other recent review of yours, it might seem redundant.
Therefore, I'll just say "thanks" for all the forethought and hard work you've invested in your writing.
Mike
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Feb 9, 2008
10:21 pm PST
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