Is is b/c a provider requests a review?
Originally Posted by AshleyAshton
Bingo.
Unless the lady is new with very few or no reviews -- and I almost never see such ladies -- a positive review (and I manage to mostly avoid negative experiences) is rarely about sharing information. After all, there's relatively little real information a review CAN provide. Are the pictures/description accurate? Does she provide the advertised services? Any noteworthy issues (professionalism, location, etc.)? Would you recommend? Where can you find additional information (website, etc.)? Just about everything else falls under YMMV or CASG.
If she already has 20 reviews, the 21st -- unless inconsistent with the 20 -- doesn't really add information. The real reason for the review is some combination of:
Qualify reviewer for Premium Access/BCD/VIP (I don't care that much)
Feed the reviewer's ego (either as a great lover, or that everyone is anxiously waiting for one of HIS great reviews; I know better)
Express appreciation to the lady (that can be done privately, even more easily)
Relive the experience (I can do that without expending the time and effort to write and post a review)
Build credibility for the reviewer (I know better)
Entertainment/titillation (not interested, even if I were good at that sort of thing)
As a reminder, helping the lady's business by keeping her name in the public (much like a PR person for a Hollywood star
)
Unless I see a newbie lady (very rare), the last reason is likely why I post a review. I still write it as honestly and objectively as I can, but it's essentially publicity rather than information, and I would be deluding myself if I thought differently. But that's still a legitimate purpose, in my opinion.
But between other reviews and other ways to keep her name out there (ads, participation in discussions, etc.), it's not always that useful or even desirable. She may already have as much publicity as she needs or even be over-exposed.
And, if this is a business (and it is), she should take some responsibility for that herself. If she wants the publicity from a new review, ask, rather waiting passively and hoping. That's what other businesses do. If done properly, very few clients will be offended. I don't recall ever turning down such a request.
When I first started at ASPD, I reviewed a lot. But today, I have a better sense of the limitations of reviews. If a lady asks, sure, and sometimes I will even offer. Other than that, I assume it's not worth my time and effort.
[/curmudgeonly rant]