The State of Epinions - And What's Next (For Me)
May 31 '08
The Bottom Line Time to write for good.
Dear Epinions Friends,
When I started on this site in December 1999, it was a completely new world for me. Write. Get paid. Seemed a little too good to be true.
But I wrote. And I got paid. And along the way, I made some really great buddies, I learned a lot about myself, and frankly, I became pretty obsessed about posting reviews.
And then - life got in the way, and my participation waned - but always, I felt part of this community and because of that, I always came back to read, research, and even write.
Know this - I'm not a writer - I'm just an ordinary person who happens to be passionate about people, places, and things. And so when people would come along and say that only the best and the brightest belonged on this site - or - only the best and brightest deserved the titled recognition, I fought against that because to me - this is a consumer site - not high school.
To me, it has always been about offering up relevant content to consumers - someone like myself - so that when we're curious about a new product, we can mitigate some of our risk by waiting on the feedback of others.
And I don't know about you, but I know I've saved a ton of money based upon the trial and error of others trying out new products.
This past month, I've thought about posting several times. I haven't followed through because of the state of the site.
You see - the money itself, was never a huge motivator for me. The hit count - the knowing how many outside (of this epinions community) people I was reaching - this was a big deal for me. Well - it still is.
The last handful of reviews I have posted, they've had issues. The hits aren't being tabulated and posted. Sometimes, they don't show up for awhile (after being posted). Sometimes, I can't find them on a search engine.
All of this has been disappointing to me. As a eight year + veteran of the site, I am used to the "issues" and in the past, I have somehow got over them/navigated around them.
The final kick in the stomach though, was when a handful of Epinions Staff left the company for other positions.
While I can't expect that everyone will stay put for the rest of their lives, I will tell you that those individuals - Greg, Tomiko, Crystal, Garrett, Andy - they held the site and the community together - and for many years. They were the heart and soul of this place - and now - within a short period of time - they are all gone.
Again - because they all chose to be - but still - gone nonetheless.
I look at the site today (May 31, 2008) and it isn't the same site that I joined. It isn't the same site I enjoyed for many years. Will it ever find its way back to a place that I think it should be?
I don't know.
I honestly don't know.
But here's what I do know.
For months, I've been avoiding - giving in to this 10 for 10 pay for reviews thing. Why? Again, because while that's great (and I applaud Epinions for offering it), it wasn't my main motivation.
For the month of June however, I'm going to be participating in the pay per review program.
Why the change of heart?
Because my motivation this month will be all about the money.
All money earned this month (and what currently exists in my account) will be donated to my local Easter Seals Crossroads organization.
I know first hand that these folks make a tremendous difference to my community. My son Ethan was able to participate in their speech and occupational therapy services and in a short period of time, he made tremendous strides.
This summer, he will be participating in a day camp with other kids who have asperger's. I feel fortunate that there are programs around for him - ones that make him feel comfortable and supported while at the same time, help him continue to realize his potential.
Anyway - although I'll be writing - there will be a marked difference - in what you may be used to seeing posted from me.
There are many of you who won't feel that my reviews warrant a rating that in the past, a review of mine would have garnered. Please know that my intention is to not spend hours and hours, hashing over each, individual review (something I would do for the reviews of the past).
I'm okay - whatever you rate it.
I'm also okay if you feel the need to drop me from your WOT because you don't believe my writing is up to a particular level of standard for you. I understand that everyone has a particular (individual) level of standard that they want to uphold and I bear no ill will if I do not meet that for you anymore.
Once upon a time, the rating and the WOT adds/drops used to affect me - I took it personally. With my new thought process on the site - I now know my focus is to write reviews that are helpful to other consumers, while at the same time, taking advantage of the monthly payouts (so that I have yet another financial avenue which allows me to give back something to my community).
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy day to read this. And I hope you have an awesome summer.
Much love, KFH
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Epinions.com ID:
kristinafh
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 - Top 50 |
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Member: Kristina Frazier-Henry
Location: Indiana
Reviews written: 1344
Trusted by: 1169 members
About Me:
Cannot breathe. Missing Barbara.
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