DC Rainmaker and DesFit discuss the life of a sports tech reviewer, covering topics like review processes, earning money, being blacklisted, and the evolution of their content creation. They also touch on challenges with embargoes, NDAs, diversifying income sources, and the complexities of testing cutting-edge tech products.
Authenticity in reviews is vital to maintain reviewer credibility and trust with their audience.
Balancing embargo agreements and release schedules is crucial for timely and comprehensive product reviews.
Thorough testing processes involve data collection, feedback loops with companies, and meticulous analysis for accurate reviews.
The potential risks of being blacklisted due to embargo breaches or negative reviews underscore the importance of transparency and fair critiques.
Deep dives
The Reviewer's Journey
The process of becoming a sports tech reviewer is detailed by the individuals from the podcast, where they started with personal blogs to chronicle their fitness journeys. They transitioned into reviews by sharing their experiences with various tech products like smartwatches, bike trainers, and more. The journey involved accidental entries into the field and a gradual buildup of content over time.
Embargoes and Product Release Management
Embargoes play a crucial role in the product release process discussed in the episode. Various types of embargoes such as hands-on previews, full reviews, and delayed release schedules are explained. The challenges of balancing embargoes, especially during busy tech release periods like Tech September, are emphasized, along with the importance of receiving products early to ensure thorough reviews.
Behind the Scenes of Reviewing
The detailed process of testing and reviewing tech products is laid out, from unboxing to baseline data collection and feature exploration. The reviewers prioritize accuracy and data collection, highlighting the importance of thorough testing, capturing b-roll footage, and seeking replacements if any issues arise with the products. The involvement of multiple devices, feedback loops with companies, and thorough data analysis are key elements of the review process.
Life Scheduling Challenges and Content Creation
The episode delves into the impact of product releases on the reviewers' schedules, particularly during Tech September and other busy periods. The need to adjust personal plans, vacations, and commitments during these intense review times is highlighted. Balancing family life, travel, and content creation demands during peak review periods like Tech September poses unique challenges for sports tech reviewers.
Challenges of Product Review Timelines
Meeting embargo deadlines, planning post writing, video filming, scripting, and editing are integral to content creation. Despite best efforts, challenges like last-minute edits, late script finalization, and unexpected delays pose hurdles in producing timely reviews.
Navigating Blacklisting by Companies
Blacklisting risks stemming from embargo violations or negative product reviews can impact reviewer relationships. Transparency in critiques, feedback reception from well-managed companies, and distinction between fair and clickbait reviews can influence brand interactions and potential blacklisting.
Balancing Content Creation Challenges and Friendship
Addressing the nature of competitive collaboration in product reviewing, despite reviewing identical products, emphasizes diversified testing scenarios and separate emphases on unique aspects. Friendship enhances assistance in shooting videos, sharing experiences, validating issues, and collectively problem-solving for content quality improvement.
In this episode, DC Rainmaker and DesFit talk about what it's actually like to be a sports tech reviewer from the products we review, how we make money, our review process, as well as the darker side like getting blacklisted by companies.
0:00 Intro 1:35 Accidentally becoming reviewers 5:40 DC Rainmaker’s First YouTube Videos 7:35 How early we get unreleased products 10:10 How much money we make per video 16:16 Why we don’t review certain products 19:30 Handling not-ready devices 22:30 Companies making house calls to fix issues 25:00 When we delay product launches 26:56 Giving up on a product review 30:31 Bad reviews can kill a company 32:36 The secret embargo shell game 39:40 Last minute announcements 42:30 The busiest times of the year 45:15 Accidentally killing unreleased products49:00 How long to create a review? 53:23 Why is Ray always late? 55:40 Des’s rule of YouTube production time 58:20 Getting blacklisted by companies 1:06:10 How many reviews never get finished? 1:14:00 Why we film each other 1:16:42 The infamous paper bag story 1:19:07 Product release trips 1:22:00 Aren’t we competitors? 1:25:00 Do-over time
