Think about how many products you use every day. Lost count? Well how many of them are earning you an income? None? Then you’re missing out. Write reviews for money UK (or globally) and you could get a nice side hustle going.
What are reviews for?
Reviews serve two main purposes:
- They can make a company look good (or bad). But ultimately brands want to be able to share positive reviews from customers.
- They help potential customers during the research and decision-making stages of a purchase.
Companies want reviews because they know how important they are to the sales process. A good review can make a sale whereas a bad review can break a sale. That’s especially true now that more sales are taking place online than ever before. Think about when you buy clothes online. When you can’t look at, touch, or try on an item before you buy it, it’s difficult to know what the item is really like. Aside from product information such as the type of material or garment size, there isn’t much to go on. That’s where reviews come in. Reviews from previous customers can help you make your purchase decision.
Can you get paid to write reviews?
Getting paid to write reviews is a genuine way to make money online. Similarly to making money doing online surveys, this probably won’t replace a full wage but can be a good side hustle. Make your free time pay!
But who will pay you to write reviews? That depends on a few things, like:
- where your review is used,
- the brand, product, or service it’s for,
- how detailed the review is,
- the popularity or demand of the product or service.
Review sites
There are hundreds of dedicated review websites where you can submit your writing. We’ll look at some in more detail further in this article but let’s take a quick look at an example now. ReviewStream is an online platform that features reviews for thousands of products. There’s no way they’d be able to produce this amount of content from an inhouse team. Instead, they have built a community of review writers. These review writers are based in the UK and across the world. So as long as you have a good standard of English, your writing should be accepted.
Once you’ve signed up to a site like ReviewStream, read their submission guidelines. The type of content required will vary from site to site. You need to know what the specific site you submit to wants, otherwise they could reject your content. Which means that you won’t make any money for writing reviews! ReviewStream offers 6 templates in order to guide your writing and maintain consistency on their site:
- How do I?
- Interview
- Text based
- In-depth research
- Images based
- Viral
In this case, you’d pick a category and review type, based on the available templates. Then you’d write and submit your review. It’s then up to ReviewStream if they accept and publish your writing. Again, different sites have different guidelines, so check before you start writing.
Own channels
Alternatively, start a review site yourself. Although we’ve used the word “site” this doesn’t necessarily need to be in the form of a website. Instead you could host or post review content on a blog, social media channels, or a video platform like YouTube. With this approach, you’re usually able to include affiliate links if you’re doing affiliate marketing. Which isn’t usually something you can do if you post on dedicated review sites. If readers click on your affiliate link and then sign up or purchase something, that’s where your payment would come from.
What can you review?
What can’t you review?! If a product is out there, the chances are that someone somewhere wants to know about it. And you could be the one to tell them. Practically anything can be reviewed. From clothes, music, books, and films to apps, software, and tech.
What can’t you review?
However, avoid writing fake reviews for companies, products, or services. Although online freelance copywriting is generally free reign due to the creativity it offers, this could get you into trouble. For example, in 2015, Amazon filed a lawsuit against a number of freelancers offering to do just that. 1,114 copywriters operating on micro task site Fiverr.com were sued for offering to write fake reviews for companies. Some ads even offered to put their name to and submit 5-star reviews to Amazon that had been authored by the client. This is barely even a copywriting gig! And definitely something to avoid doing.
Some companies have taken things even further and paid people to write negative reviews about their competitors. Again, this is something that you should avoid doing. If you are caught writing negative reviews, you could face legal action.
Only ever write reviews for products or services that you have actually experienced. And write truthfully. Obviously you want to make money for writing reviews, but keep the end user in mind too.
How to write reviews for money UK
Find a paid review writing opportunity
Decide where you want your content to sit. We outlined some of the options earlier, for example: review sites, personal blog, YouTube channel. There are pros and cons to all of these options. For example, using your own blog or channel and including affiliate links, can take a while to earn you any money. You’ll need to build or attract an audience. If there’s no one coming to your site, it’ll be difficult to get clicks on your affiliate links. Making money writing reviews and posting them in this way can be a long-term process.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean that review sites are the way to go. For example, it’s worth remembering that not all review sites pay for reviews. So if you want to write reviews for money (UK), then make sure the sites pay out to UK accounts. You’re looking for review writing opportunities that are paid. If you’ve got something interesting to say that will inform, educate, or help someone, then writing reviews is something you should think about doing. And if you can get a reward for that assistance, then why not?
You could even potentially make money on fiver by advertising your services as an expert review writer. This could also help establish yourself as a freelance writer, building a client based portfolio.
What’s it all about?
So what do you want to review? Reviews can be written about practically anything. If you have a strong opinion about something (good or bad!) then you can write about it. Is there something you wish you’d known before you bought or did the ‘thing’? Then chances are that other people will feel the same way. And who will tell them, if not you?! Once you’ve found a paid review writing opportunity, it’s time to get started.
Use it or lose it
First you’ll need to use/watch/listen to the thing you’re reviewing and jot down all of your initial thoughts. You can’t write an honest review if you’ve never had first-hand experience of the product. You could make things up, but a dishonest review could have a negative impact on someone who buys something based on your review.
Check submission guidelines
If you choose to write for a review site, check their submission guidelines to make sure your content matches their criteria. If you write a review without checking the guidelines, it may be rejected. You’ll have wasted your time and won’t receive any money on top of that. It really pays to check first.
This point doesn’t really stand if you have your own review site or channel. However, in that case, it would be good to have your own guidelines. That way, you can maintain consistency on your site pages which will help both in terms of SEO and user experience. For example, carry out keyword research, use headings to signpost the reader, and write in a style that is easy to understand. And with that in mind…
Write to be read
Writing is a skill. One way to improve your review writing skills is to read as many other people’s reviews as possible. Another way is to practise your writing as much as possible. Aim to write as naturally as possible. Don’t make reading your reviews feel like a chore.
It’s always a good idea to give your work a final read-through before sending or publishing it. This is something you can do yourself but it can be better to get a fresh pair of eyes on your reviews. If this isn’t possible, you could either give yourself a couple of days between writing and proofing or use something like Grammarly. Grammarly is a sort of AI assistant that you can use to check things like spelling, grammar, and punctuation. It also offers suggestions for appropriate alternatives for any mistakes it finds.
Payment setup
Have your payment system set up so you can get paid for the reviews you write. The type of payment system you use will depend on the review site you use. For example, on SwagBucks payments are given in the form of a voucher, such as PayPal. Therefore you’ll need to make sure this is set up correctly so that you can withdraw your money as soon as you want it. Or as soon as you hit the minimum payout amount.
Submit or publish
It’s time to submit your review to a dedicated review site or online magazine. Most sites will want to check your review before they post it or pay out. This means that there could be a delay between you submitting your review and receiving payment. Unfortunately, your review could also be rejected. If this happens, you won’t be paid. That’s why it’s so important to check the submission guidelines first.
If you’re posting the content on your own site, then it’s time to add your affiliate links and publish. Then you’ll need to monitor it to see how well it’s performing. Ultimately, your aim is to earn as much money as possible from sales made through those affiliate links. So you need to see if your review is attracting and converting traffic.
Best review sites
There are lots of sites online where you can write reviews for money UK. In this section, we’ll look at some general review sites as well as some niche review sites. Over time we will try out each of these review sites and update this article based on our experience. In the meantime, we’d love to hear your experience, so please drop us a comment.
You may see some crossover between review and survey sites, but for more information see our article on online surveys.
General review sites
SwagBucks
Chances are that you’ll have heard of it as somewhere to do online surveys. In a way, surveys are a form of review, only there isn’t much writing involved. Usually you’ll be asked to click or tick. However, you may sometimes be eligible to test products and then write reviews based on your experience. When you complete tasks on SwagBucks you earn SB points which can be redeemed for gift cards or PayPal cash.
ReviewStream
This site is pretty clunky in terms of user experience. However, if you can find your way around, then you can write reviews for money, UK or internationally. Reviews need to be honest and as helpful as possible. As we mentioned earlier in this piece, the review you write will need to fit one of ReviewStream’s 6 templates. If your review is accepted and published, you’ll receive payment. You’ll receive extra payment if a reader clicks ‘helpful’ on your review. Another way to earn money on ReviewStream is by providing answers to questions that have been asked by other users.
Payment is made via PayPal and there is a minimum payout amount. The minimum payout amount is set at ten times the value of the first review you sold.
Amazon Vine
In an attempt to combat an influx of fake reviews, Amazon introduced Amazon Vine. The invitation-only programme invites the site’s most trusted reviewers to become Vine Voices. Members are selected based on the quality and consistency of their review history. It’s important to note that Vine Voices are not paid for writing reviews. However Amazon does provide them with free products that have been submitted to the programme by participating sellers.
Influence Central
Influence Central is a little bit different to some of the other review sites on here in that you’ll need your own channel. This platform connects brands to freelance writers which means you’ll have to be set up as a freelance copywriter, so check our article for more info. When you sign up, you’ll see all of the currently-available writing gigs. As a member, you’ll also have the opportunity to join Influence Central’s Consumer Insights Panel where you can share honest feedback with brands. You’ll receive payment for every review you post on your blog, social media channels, or website.
Unfortunately Influence Central is only open to US and Canadian residents at the moment, but we’ve included them in case that changes.
The following review sites have specific themes, so if your interests are focused in one area, one of these might be for you.
Software or tech review sites
UserTesting
Interested in giving your opinion on products, apps, or processes? If you’d like a break from your keyboard, you can try UserTesting. Once you’ve signed up and completed a trial test, you can choose to do video reviews.
You’ll still have the option to write reviews and the payment amount depends on the type of test you do. For example, you could be paid anywhere from $4 to $120. According to their site, a 5 minute test could be worth around $4. Whereas a 20-minute test which involves screen and audio recording and written questions could pay $10. You can also take part in live conversations. For these, you join a scheduled video conference call and could receive between $30 and $120, depending on their duration.
Payments are sent via PayPal seven days after you complete a test. Amounts are shown in USD but UK residents can apply and receive payment.
SoftwareJudge
SoftwareJudge pays up to $50 for well-written, informative reviews on any of the software listed on their site. Not every review will earn you that much but the site promises to pay at least 10 cents for any review they publish. Bit of a difference in potential payment amounts but it all adds up into a healthy side hustle. The minimum payout amount is $200, which is sent via Western Union because it’s a speedy method. With Western Union, money can be sent anywhere in the world in 15 minutes.
Because the minimum payout amount is so high, SoftwareJudge offers another interesting reward option: “If you have at least $20 in your account, you can request any software, game or an e-book to be purchased” and downloaded.
Book review sites
Reedsy Discovery
Pick from hundreds of unpublished books and read and review them before they launch. Your review will go live on the author’s launch day and readers can send you $1, $3, or $5 if they enjoy what you wrote. Authors can also request that you write them a review if they like your style of writing.
Online Book Club
You won’t be paid for the first review you have published on the Online Book Club. Instead, you’ll receive a book to review for free and then become eligible to write reviews for money. UK reviewers are welcome although the site is based in the US. There are extensive guidelines you’ll need to stick to when writing your review and a list of points to cover. For example you should write between 400-800 words (minimum 300 words for children’s books) and a justification of your rating.
Potential payment amounts are shown when you choose a book and payments are made via PayPal. Speaking of books though, you could even publish a book online if that is a passion you also have.
Kirkus Reviews
Again, this is an opportunity where you need to have prior experience of writing book reviews or being a freelance copywriter. This is because you need to submit your resume, writing samples, along with a list of reviewing specialties. At the moment, you can apply to become a book reviewer for Kirkus Indie. This arm of the brand is dedicated to self-published authors. Once you’ve been assigned a book to review, you’ll have 2 weeks to submit around 350 words. Payment is around $50 per review and paid via PayPal.
Film review sites
UK Film Review
This isn’t a paid review writing opportunity, but you can get your work published on “a (very) popular film reviews website”…they’re pretty vague. You can also get access to some of the latest indie films, as well as invitations to press screenings. While it isn’t money, it’s quite exciting for those interested in cinema.
Taste of Cinema
Taste of Cinema will pay you to contribute film lists, like “10 Great Classic Thriller Movies You’ve Probably Never Seen”. Although they don’t mention an exact payment amount, pay will increase the more clicks it gets.
Cineaste
A print and online magazine, Cineaste is a quarterly publication, founded in 1967. According to the site, the magazine offers a “social, political, and aesthetic perspective on the cinema”. Again, this feels like an opportunity that is more suited to an experienced film review writer or a freelance copywriter. That doesn’t mean you should write it off if you’re neither of those things, though. At the very least, add it to your list and have it as something to aim for.
The quality of writer Cineaste is looking for is perhaps reflected in the payment amount, when compared to some of the other sites on this list. For example, they currently pay:
- $18 for “Short Take” reviews
- $36 for book or DVD reviews
- $45 for Film Reviews and short articles, columns, sidebar interviews, or essays
- $90 for feature articles or feature interviews.
Music review sites
PlaylistPush
If you have a playlist with a strong following on either Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube Music you could apply to write reviews for money on PlaylistPush. One of the perks is instant payouts and you could earn up to $12 per song review. As well as writing reviews about the songs you listen to, the idea is that you add them to your playlists and encourage your followers to listen.
Slicethepie
Anyone can sign up to write music reviews for Slicethepie. Reviews are shared directly with unsigned artists as a form of feedback. You could earn between 5 and 20 cents per review, although the exact amount depends on things like:
- your member rank,
- the music category you choose,
- the quality of your writing,
- the length of your review.
The minimum payout amount is $10 and payments are made via PayPal.
Other ways to make money online
If you find that writing reviews is a good way for you to make money, you might also consider becoming a freelance copywriter. Writing on a freelance basis gives you the freedom to choose your jobs in terms of client and number. Another way to make money online is by doing matched betting with OddsMonkey. Matched betting is a technique that lets you make money from the free bets offered by online bookmakers. For more ways to make money online, check out our main Hub.
