(at least for now!)

The Problem.

This is a hard discussion for me to have, because it’s been something that’s been building up for a while. You see, the following is true:

• I like reviewing printers
• I enjoy having access to the leading edge hardware
• People do value my reviews and I think I’m quite good at it.

But the problem is, the following, is also true

• Reviewing takes a lot of time.
• Reviews don’t get many views and don’t (usually) pay the bills.
• I have a lot of really great ideas that have been waiting around for months (years!).

The Unsolutions.

What to do about it? Well, I’ve tried a few things over the last year but most of these attempts have, to be blunt about it, failed.

I tried reviewing less stuff, but it’s unfair to manufacturers to say “oh, I only work with X, or I only look at really important stuff”.

I tried reviewing faster, but I can’t. The bulk of the time spent is actually on editing, and the results are then pretty superficial but I still spent 4-7 days editing. So that solved nothing.

I tried scheduling in reviews and pacing them but it just means I have hardware waiting for x months and then the next model is out.

So there’s one last option really – to stop reviewing. At least for the moment. I don’t speak in definitives if I can help it. I might make exceptions, I might change my mind, but broadly speaking I can’t do this because something has to change.

So what other options are left?

I am finding my way through this by trial and error.

• I am open to the idea of combining hardware with a project to be able to “showcase” something being used. This is actually quite hard to do well, and it has to fit with my video’s storyboard – I have to be strict about that, I do not want to become a walking advertiser.

• I am continuing to accept sponsorship placements for integrated sponsor segments. Meaning “middle of the video ad” basically.

What this means in practice might come across as mildly arrogant, but it’s not. If a company approaches me about a product that is an “aha, I need that to do x video” then I will be very keen to suggest option 1. If a company approaches me about a product that I don’t have an obvious use for, then there’s really only option 2. If the company wants only product reviews and doesn’t like option 1 or 2, then actually, that’s fine. We can remain friends.

So, that’s about the size of it. I have a lot of really cool stuff coming up and I want to make sure I get chance to do it.

That being said, if you would like to contact me about anything, please do, using the contact links.