Yesterday we discussed the little know Amazon review program (owned and ran by Amazon), that allows reviewers to get everything from laptops to bedding, appliances and more, 100% FOR FREE via "Amazon Vine". As promised, today I am going to tell you how to increase your odds for getting the coveted Amazon Vine invite…

As mentioned yesterday, since this exclusive club is invite only, so there’s no way to apply for a spot. Invites are based on Review Ranking (you can learn more about this by reading yesterday's blog post); and nobody genuinely knows Amazon's algorithm that determine review ranking. BUT, what we know for sure is that review ranking is based on the VALUE of your reviews, not necessarily the QUANTITY, although quantity can absolutely help you get a higher ranking. With that being said, here’s some awesome tips for maximizing your reviews:

1. Videos get THE MOST views!!!! Everyone loves watching videos; heck, they like it so much that here at BigBrandWholesale.com we take the time to video 100% of our products so people know EXACTLY what they are buying, even though videoing everything is a total pain in the as*. Because we take the time to do this, we sell a LOT of stuff! So, be sure to post a video on your Amazon reviews if nobody else has already beat you to it. I guarantee that if you post a video review, people WILL watch it.

2. Photos are fantastic... especially if you know this secret...  Most people just take a generic pic of the item, which is nice, but not always helpful. If you want to rack up views, take a photo showing the SIZE of the item. A tape measure is great but if you don’t feel like busting one out, just use something common, like a dollar bill, a quarter, a crayon… anything that is a standard size. These photos really help! ALSO, if you want mega-views, get CLOSE-UP PICS! Zoom in and show the texture, stitching, paint, pattern, etc. People rarely ever do this and close-up pics are a big deal when deciding if you want to make a purchase! Additionally, show angles of the item that other people aren’t showing. If the item is a deodorant or a chapstick, take a pic of the product label! If the item is a lamp, show what it looks like from a “sitting-on-the-couch-POV”.

3. Make a PROS AND CONS List (and make sure your title says PROS AND CONS). For some reason people want to read these a lot. Even if the item is really great, a total 5-star, is there anything that could be better? It’s ok to have a PROS list with 5 items and a CONS list with only one thing that says “My only complaint is that it’s very heavy. I’m 5’2”, 135 pounds, and it’s hard for me to lift”

4. Make your title really, really interesting because interesting gets views: “3 REAL Reasons Why this Kitchen Table Changed My Life!”, “Oddly Undecided: Pros and Cons of This Swiffer Sweeper”, “The ULTIMATE REVIEW of the P90X System - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW!”, “Before You Buy This Glass Cleaner, READ THIS!!!!!” - When creating your title, think of it like your writing for a magazine; you have a handful of words to grab the readers attention.

AVOID titles such as:

• Good (This boring title already explains what the review will say so there’s no point in reading the review. People will skip past this review and read the next one down that says "The perfect height if you're 5'9! It's a Game-Changer for Taller Women!")
• It Works (We already assume it works, the question for the potential buyer is “how good does it work?”)
• Arrived Broken (If it’s an Amazon Prime item, breaking in transit is Amazon’s fault, so this review will be stricken from Amazon.
• Meh (not exciting. The word “meh” says enough that there’s no point in reading your review)
• Slow Shipping (If it’s an Amazon Prime item, this has absolutely nothing to do with the product or seller and will be removed from Amazon)
• Bad Packaging (Again, if it’s an Amazon Prime item this review will be deleted)
• It’s a Shirt (Ok, if the item is actually a shirt, people already know it’s a shirt)
• Ugly (Although this may possibly be of value, it doesn’t explain WHY you think it’s ugly. Instead, clarify WHAT SPECIFICALLY is wrong with the listing that makes the item different than what is shown, such as “Wasn’t Expecting What Arrived! It’s Definitely Purple, NOT Sky Blue Paint!”

5. When writing a review, make it EASY to read if you want views.  Lists are great! Look at the difference in these two examples and decide which you think is easier to read:

EXAMPLE 1: PARAGRAPH(S)

I really love this plant pot because its a super nice green color and it has nice texture and it fits my big, tall avocado plant perfectly! I like that it is self-watering. The thick plastic makes it difficult to break! The shade of green is very neutral so it works with almost any kind of decor. I also enjoy that it is made in the USA!

EXAMPLE 2: LIST

I really love this plant pot because:

• its a super nice green color
• it has nice texture
• it fits my big, tall avocado plant perfectly!
• It’s self-watering!
• The thick plastic makes it difficult to break!
• The shade of green is very neutral so it works with almost any kind of decor.
• Made in the USA!

As you can see, the list is much easier to read than the paragraph.  This is why websites use lists instead of paragraphs when making specific points. 

6. CLARITY is key. If you say “I hate it!”, explain WHY  you hate it. If you say “It’s the BEST PILLOW EVER!”, let readers know what makes you so happy. Use descriptive words that explain the product in detail. If you want some ideas, we have a blog post 60+ Words to Use to Increase Sales - but this list is the same regarding words you can use to emphasize your review opinions and explain your thoughts.  It's OKAY TO NOT LIKE IT!  Honest reviews are more valuable than artificial, only-perfect-reviews!  

IN CLOSING

Amazon prioritizes "verified reviews", so if you haven't bought it through Amazon there is no way they can truly confirm that you own it, therefore you likely will not see any boost in ranking if you spend time reviewing non-Amazon purchases on Amazon.com. 

If you want to be offered an invite to the Vine program, spend time writing honest reviews that really show the item, regardless of what the item is.  

And, if you haven't had a chance to read our blog post, What is Amazon Vine Reviewer Program, be sure to check it out!