A few people question why I didn’t choose to run the WordPress BankRoll plugin or why I don’t sell my reviews direct and bypass ReviewMe. A few even suggested that I run ReviewMe and run BankRoll at a lower price.
I have received direct requests from advertisers asking me to do reviews at a discounted price. The thinking goes something like this. The ReviewMe price is $300. Of that, ReviewMe takes 50%, leaving the publishers with $150. Therefore, offer the publisher $200 directly and everyone is happy. Everyone but ReviewMe.
The Internet is about more than just making money online. It’s also about building relationships and that is more important than money. ReviewMe has provided me with excellent service and support. They’ve sent me customers I would have never gotten if I was not part of their network. They gave me the scoop on new products like Post Level Text Link Ads. I will not cut them (or any other ad networks) out just to make a few extra bucks.
Another thing you have to consider is ReviewMe is offering a very valuable service. As I’ve stated in my last post, I wouldn’t get even 10% of the reviews if it were not for ReviewMe. In addition, I would have never dreamed of charging $300 for it. ReviewMe laid the foundation and proved that advertisers are willing to pay big bucks for reviews on targeted blogs.
Let’s say I accept a direct review offer at less than the ReviewMe price. I could make more money but look at all the bridges I maybe burning. ReviewMe would be upset and may not recommend me to advertiser or exclude me from testing new beta products. Advertisers that I’ve done reviews for would be upset because they’ll feel ripped off.
The Relationship Is More Important Than Money
I’ve made a lot of money on the Internet. I’ve also made a lot of friends and formed many relationship with people and companies from all over the world. Those relationships are worth far more than the any monetary gain. I get offers all the time from ad networks trying to steal me away. Sometimes they succeed, sometimes they don’t. What is the deciding factor? The relationship.
A good relationship is worth more than a few extra bucks. And it’s because of this that all reviews must be done through ReviewMe.
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Yeah, it’s quite unlikely you’d get the same volume of review requests without ReviewMe.
Loyalty is a great virtue. Well John, looks like you’re not as evil as I thought!
That’s true, it is a great virtue, but what I think John’s trying to point out is that it’s a profitable one too.
No matter how impersonal the web may feel at times, business is fundamentally built upon relationships. When you start destroying those relationships you end up shrinking the field of people who will do business with you both directly and by reputation. When you do solid business and don’t try and hose anyone, everyone’s happy and everyone grows.
Loyalty’s not just something to help you sleep at night. It’s a pretty solid road to consistent profitability.
To be short, keeping healthy relationships is a win-win situation for all…
It’s true, you should avoid burning bridges in business if at all possible.
I don’t know, that’s not a very evil attitude.
I was thinking that too, but then again, I suppose even evil takes a break every now and then
If only you guys knew
It’s a smart attitude. John would make a lot less money if he cut out review me…and the other perks would be lost too…
Not very evil but still a good decision… relationships are far more inportant than couple of extra dollars.
I also find it hard to believe that you would get as many review requests without ReviewMe. They add a trusted third party into the mix and makes a difference.
Your reasoning is very plausible.
Well said, John. I also strongly believe good relationships are the foundation to good business.
God you’re quick john
I strongly agre with John Chow. Relationship Is More Important Than Money. Without reviewme, John Chow wouldn’t earn so much money from last few months.:D
Don’t forget that I believe John has mentioned that he has a better deal than the 50/50 split that many of us have with ReviewMe.
No sense in burning that bridge when it has been so rewarding to John and his readers.
He does?
I had no idea…now that IS evil
stop kissing ass, everyone can see right through you.
That’s an odd comment… What makes you think that John doesn’t practice what he’s preaching? From what I’ve known of this blog it’s completely align with what John covered in this post.
Kissing who’s ass? Review Me? Why not, they are the largest source of income on this blog
Good advice, John. It’s never a good idea to burn bridges, especially in business.
John,
I have edited one of your photo and have it published in my blog :
http://malaysian-agloco.blogspot.com/2007/04/john-chow-is-truly-evil.html
Feel free to check it out. I hope you like your “actual” looking – The Evil John Chow
well said JC…..with good friends you’re already rich.
You can’t buy a good friend, that’s for sure
I agree…relationships are extremely important…not just making a quick buck…or lots of bucks…although that is nice too
“I get offers all the time from ad networks trying to steal me away. Sometimes they succeed”
Well isn’t that the case here? Wordpress BankRoll plugin trying to steal you from ReviewMe?
Yes, but they only steal him away when they can make a superior offer and the BankRoll plugin offer isn’t.
I expected an ‘eviler’ response from you. I’m dissapointed
Five bucks says JC’s ReviewMe price goes up tomorrow!
Kumiko
Didn’t it go up to $500 for a few days already?? Then it went back down to $300?? Or am I imagining things??
Just checked…it did go up to $500…when
John was in the top 100 in Technorati
http://www.johnchow.com/my-review-price-just-went-up/
It’ll go up once he breaks the top 100 in technorati. Up to $500 and I bet when he breaks the top 50 the price will go up to $$750
$1000 wouldn’t be impossible!
You got that right. Relationships with your readers will lead to a loyal fan base. It has helped me a lot.
And then there is the guy like me who said :
“Now , how can you use both without depriving Review ME or underming it? Offer something a bit similar but priced twice or three time as much.”
Let me put it in numbers :
Review me deal = 300$
With already discussed details.
John Chow review = 2000$
Now , what you would promise the client is 2 personnaly uniquely written reviews on your blog with prize of there choice from a selection you offer.
What did I just do ? If your the average person I just made a crazy offer , I your John Chow you enter the special code : Add more value and service to my friends.
Now the new Review buyer is going to look at the two offer and compare them , First thing that come to mind will be 300$ is a bargain if the guy can charge 2000$.
If your good at math what does 600$ buy you ? 2 reviews From review me. Hey 600$ is still a bargain I can include some copy of my own product and still come out a winner , that mean increased viewership …
600$ = 2 reviews
900$ = 3 Reviews
1200$ = 4 Reviews
1500$ = 5 Reviews
1800$ – 6 Reviews
Ha Ha Ha !!! The Buyer , thinks to himself , I am getting More value going true Review Me !!!
Why do you think Honda made Acura ? Only to make more money on Rebranded Honda ? No , Its because it add value to the Honda , Individual look at 25k car and at 45 000$ car and think , hey at 25k I am getting a bargain !!
Why do you think the small bucket of Pop-Corn is 1 dollar less then the Big Popcorn and the medium one only 50 cents , when you can put the two other bag in the big one and still have room to spare ? Its not cheap either. Its conditionning that say to people your an idiot to pay 1$ less for a small one when you can have the big one for 1$ more. Its the same principle in reverse here.
Now off course I left out the part that if they buy a John Chow Review at 2000$ you buy 3 review me without the buyer knowing it.
I agree 100% , it’s about The Relationship , but you ever heard someone receiving more money and good visibility and complaining that they don’t want it ?
Does that mean that the lowly apprentice Blog Padawan that I am is stronger then the Evil Grand Master John Chow at Blogging !! I am the evil Grand Master now !!!
-=Rock Flying and coming from Vancouver hit side of head of Moulinneuf=- **Thumppp**
Me wake up with bump on head , and see Master and Dotcom Mogul BoB buskirk from http://www.bobbuskirk.com/ looking down on me :
“You wish ! Get yourself your own money making real Blog first !” ” I also said webmaster , not Master ! ”
Note : No Panda where hurt during the making of this comment so be happy.
Lemoncello !! It’s not just lemon juice
To Evil
That’s so true…building relationships and KEEPING them are definitely more important than money — both online and offline.
The not so evil John Chow, good advise
I love relationships.
They get 50%? That’s quite a hefty money making machine right there =)
Guess your relationship with AuctionAds wasn’t more important than money though?
That’s what can happen when you don’t double check a TOS. I guess I should have used a make believe example.
There’s no need to
. Everybody makes mistakes, it’s in the human nature..
Do you think you’ll be able to get them to give you a second chance?
That’s not up to Auction Ads. It’s up to eBay and CJ.
Well, good luck with that!
It’s not a huge deal. I only had them running for 3 day.
You have lot’s of back-up programs. If nothing, you’ll always have TTZ Media
.. and cookie stuffing can begin
how very non-evil of you mr. chow.
Honorable AND genius actually. It’s a win-win situation; you solidify your network and earn some money, if not a lot.
If you notice, a lot of John’s evilness is creating win-win situations that get him what he wants
I know, he can’t lose can he? LOL This is me
I’m simply green with envy.
I respect this article. Ethics and honesty are in the end all you have. Those who deny the importance of decency end up with nothing.
You really can’t cheat anywhere in life without affecting every other part of your life. There may be those who think, “All very well for him, because he’s already made it, but I’m still not making money.” They have a hard time understanding that establishing yourself as trustworthy is why what you do has value.
Booms come, busts happen. The survivors of the bad times are those people and businesses can rely upon.
In a position like yours its a lot easier to keep the relationship as being more important but thats not the way with everyone! I need the cash
“Booms come, busts happen. The survivors of the bad times are those people and businesses can rely upon.”
I predicted what you said. If you don’t have a day job, get one. The only way your reviews will have value is if you establish your opinion as valuable.
Why would I care what you had to say about anything if you are a review whore who will say anything about anyone for the money?
If it’s more about the relationship, then why does Kwan do some ReviewMe reviews?
Because he’s good at it.
Maybe so, but if it matters at all, I don’t read any of the reviews he writes, and I doubt I’m the only one.
When someone writes here, it’s because John thinks they’re more than capable of writing good quality posts. You are not the only one who dislikes guest bloggers here, there maybe 5-10 other people who think like you..
I’ve got no problem with guest bloggers, but if I’m buying a review from Chow then I’d want Chow to do it, not his friend he’s offloading the work onto. Granted this might be a good review, but if I wanted his friend to do it then I’d have gone to him directly.
People buy reviews to get traffic, right? When they get published on John Chow dot Com, they get a flood of traffic, am I right (again)? So why would they care who writes the review as long as they get their money’s worth? Believe me, it’s about the site, not the author.. Note this – If I ever buy a ReviewMe review at John Chow dot Com, I want Michael Kwan to write it! Michael, you rock!!
The point is that I’d want Chow to do it, not his hired gun, even if they do an acceptable job.
I guess there’s no reasoning with you
I dont like review me or sponsoredreviews.com I feel they take more than they should. They should be taking less then they do they will still make a profit.
alot of people do not realize how important some relationships with online companies / people can be, they are just in it for the money
More friendships, more money..
Trustworthy affiliates are so hard to come across these days; sustaining these relationships prove to be worthwhile.
Money comes and goes but Business relationships last for ever in some cases those relationships transend business and become long lasting friendships ( which money has no monetary value).
And those friendships get monetized
yes they do!
A relationship is key to everything, so you’re spot on.
mo money mo friends…
business is all about relationships
yes, but for the small guy review me is just taking away their profits.
It would be hard not to take the extra money.