FreePint Product Reviews - How We Choose Who to Review
Jinfo Blog

By Sophie Alexander

Abstract

Sophie Alexander provides insight into FreePint's product review process including how we select which products to review, what's included and the unique way FreePint works with vendors.

Item

Having read FreePint for many years I've always been impressed by the variety of topics covered as well as the diverse range of talented contributors. Having been given the opportunity to write for FreePint myself, I've been able to see just how comprehensive and professional the review process is.

FreePint aims to write in-depth and unbiased reviews of information products, dividing our coverage of those products into three broad categories: Sources, Technology and Value.

If you've ever wondered how we choose and manage products for review, this item is for you:

FreePint's Audience

The majority of FreePint readers are information professionals but the publication benefits anyone who interacts with information on a daily basis as part of their work. Readers are based in the UK, the United States and Canada as well as those in other European countries, Australia and New Zealand. The key industries served include banking and financial services, biotech and pharmaceuticals, government, law, manufacturing and technology.

How We Decide Which Products to Review

There are a number of ways that products are brought to FreePint's attention, including:

• Requests from subscribers & reviewers - our most important source! Requests come in via email, and also through our Contact Us form

• Relationships with vendors - FreePint has long-standing relationships with many vendors who advise us of new products or releases that may be of interest

• Ongoing bespoke research - gives us insight into markets and products of interest

• Press releases, exhibitor lists & industry publications - reviewed on a regular basis for ideas.

How We Work With Vendors

Once potential vendors have been identified, we will approach them to see if they'd be interested in having us write a review. We explain the process and provide them with a sample review. There is no cost to the vendor to have a review researched and published; this gives FreePint full editorial control over the content of the review.

When a vendor agrees to a review, we work with them to arrange access to the product for our researcher, as well as demo time and proper contacts for follow-up questions.

Unique Fact-Checking Process

One reason vendors are willing to give us close access to the product is that we allow them a chance to conduct their own in-depth fact-checking of a pre-published version of the review. This gives the vendor a chance to correct or comment on anything that is factually incorrect. It also enables us to extend the "shelf life" of the review for our customers, by commenting on development plans the vendor may have that are not yet apparent in the working version of the product.

However, to ensure an objective review, we don't allow marketing-type commentary during fact-checking!

What's Included in a FreePint Product Review

FreePint aims to standardise all reviews, whether full or mini, on three areas of interest which include:

• Sources and coverage - Highlighting the content included in the product, its source(s), different types of documents, as well as the geographic regions and languages covered

• Search and user interactions - Testing and explaining search options and outputs

• Value and competitive placement of the product - Focusing on the vendor's aim of the product and whether it creates efficiency, reduces costs or risk or improves outcomes such as sales or revenue opportunities. It also briefly covers any competitors and may discuss how the product is likely to develop in the future.

Because readers want to know the drawbacks as well as the benefits of products, reviewers are encouraged to state their opinions as well as facts, as this helps the reader make more informed purchase decisions.

Most vendors welcome this approach as some of the points raised in reviews can often help them improve product features and functions. As Kurt Sedo, vice president of PharmaCircle, recently commented, "We certainly appreciate your effort, comments and professionalism. We are looking at your valuable feedback to improve our system even further."

If you would like to suggest a product for review, please contact us. We welcome your input.

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