The $39 Experiment

[dgridley]

I used to do product reviews and one of the greatest difficulties was finding the right person or department to contact for review products or press kits, so I can sympathize with this guy. He searched all the products in his home for mailing addresses and contacted the companies asking for free stuff.

Here are the details and results of his $39 Experiment (Cost him $39 for postage to 100 companies):

http://www.the39dollarexperiment.com/

 

[dgridley]

People have tried things like this in asking for autographs from famous people.. one famous case involved a guy who wrote to world personalities and said he was naming his son or daughter after them and asked them to reply with a word of advice.. he got many valuable replies from celbrities, heads of state, etc. More than a bit shady tho!

 

[Lord]

haha, that is so sweet!

i think im gonna try it :p

edit: im thinking of writing all the car companies for one of them keys they got ;p

 

[dgridley]

Review products of ANY kind are easy to get IF you reach the RIGHT person. Most times it will take a phone call (think Skype) or a letter on a company letterhead, plus promises to syndicate or publish your reviews, PLUS tearsheets of any previous reviews or the review for their product. Local shoppers and community newspapers are normally glad to use reviews for filler so that's a good way to get started. Review a couple products at your expense, then start asking for the freebies once you can show a track record.

I was actually thinking about doing the same thing for one of my blogs. My only concern is that my blog is tech related, and I don't know how willing the big tech companies are going to be to send out free stuff. Sending out a candy bar for free is a lot less of a sacrifice for a company then sending out anything a tech company has to offer. Who knows though maybe I will still do it...

Tom

 

[jeter4982]

Review products of ANY kind are easy to get IF you reach the RIGHT person. Most times it will take a phone call (think Skype) or a letter on a company letterhead, plus promises to syndicate or publish your reviews, PLUS tearsheets of any previous reviews or the review for their product. Local shoppers and community newspapers are normally glad to use reviews for filler so that's a good way to get started. Review a couple products at your expense, then start asking for the freebies once you can show a track record.

Not a bad idea Dave, but I think the key is what you said - you have to talk to the right person. If I decide to give it a go, I will let you know how it goes.

Tom

 

[WiiSaid]

I can't beleive I actually read all of that what's wrong with me :D That was awesome nice find.

 

[Six]

I can't beleive I actually read all of that what's wrong with me :D That was awesome nice find.

I'm now wondering the same thing about myself

Anywho, it's certainly cool to see that it can work - maybe I'll even try this (but probably not by snail-mail :P)

 

[dgridley]

Trust me, you get a better response via snail mail or phone...

I'm now wondering the same thing about myself

Anywho, it's certainly cool to see that it can work - maybe I'll even try this (but probably not by snail-mail :P)

Exactly right.. unless you can get thru to whoever is in charge of sales or promotions, you'll seldom get anywhere.

Not a bad idea Dave, but I think the key is what you said - you have to talk to the right person. If I decide to give it a go, I will let you know how it goes.

Tom

 

[YesBrilliant]

Thanks for this excellent and entertaining forum, Dave.

Make me start thinking about it, too.