The Real Way to Write a Product Review (For Blogs, YouTube, and Staying Ahead of AI)

byJDenesovych

829 followers

6 months ago

You ever get offered a product and think, “Sweet! Free gear and content!”
Yeah… me too. More than once.

Sometimes I write a blog post. Sometimes I film a YouTube video. And other times? Well, I do both — plus test it in the real world, give it a nickname, and probably break it once for good measure.

But here’s the kicker:
I never really had a method to the madness.

WA gives us a great template (the long-form review one), and it’s killer for SEO and structure. But if I’m being honest, there’s more to writing a product review than just plugging in numbers and checking boxes.

So today, I want to break down:

🔧 What Actually Makes a Good Review (in 2025 and beyond):

Whether you’re blogging, filming, or both.

1. Start With the Story, Not the Specs

Forget specs off the bat. People want you — the experience, the moment you opened the box, the “holy crap this is awesome!” or “uhhh, is that supposed to rattle?”

Hook them with how the product fits into your real life:

• RV life in the mountains? Tell them how the power bank held up during a week of boondocking.
• Fly fishing in Costa Rica? Show the rod flexing in the current while you nearly lose your footing on a rock (ask me how I know…).

Story = trust. Specs = backup.
Most AI reviews start with features — beat it by starting with life.

2. Don’t Just List Features — Test Them

Anybody can regurgitate Amazon bullets. But can they say:

“After 3 hours in the dust and heat, the fan didn’t quit. My kids did.”

That’s your edge. Test it where it counts:

• Durability (drop it once “accidentally” if you must).
• Use-case (not just what it says it does, but what it can do).
• Who it’s not for (yes, warn people!).

Bonus: If it broke, say so. And why. Some of my most trusted content came from reviews where I said, “This failed, and here’s how the company responded.”

3. Blog or YouTube? Here’s the Formula I Use Now

➡ Blog Structure (my evolved WA method):

• Catchy title with intent (Ex: “I Took This Solar Generator Deep Into the Woods — Here’s What Surprised Me”)
• Quick Summary Table (Rating, Price, Where to Buy, etc.)
• “Why I Tried It” (personal context)
• Real-Life Use Breakdown (daily use, field test, stress test)
• Pros/Cons (honest and skimmable)
• Final Verdict + Who It’s For (CTA here — affiliate link naturally flows in)

➡ YouTube Format:

• Hook (first 10 seconds — tease the result)
• Setup/Unboxing (if it matters)
• Field Test Clips (visuals, humor, real life)
• Key Features Highlighted (with overlays, not lecture-style)
• Wrap Up & Final Thoughts (face to cam or voiceover)
• CTA (subscribe, blog link, affiliate offer)

CapCut note: add those jump cuts, bloopers, or quick stats flashes for energy. Especially for nomads or RV crowd — raw footage = trust.

4. Use AI Tools, But Don’t Let AI Replace You

Let’s be real — AI can give you a template and help organize info.
But your voice, story, and experience are what makes that review clickable, sharable, and convertible.

So yes — use tools to help with:

• Outline creation
• Feature summary comparison
• SEO optimization

But always write from the field. Your fingerprint is your future-proof.

5. Bonus Tip: Affiliate Flow Should Feel Like a Favor, Not a Pitch

If your readers/viewers walk away thinking,

“Oh sweet, I’ll grab it from Jeremy’s link to support him,”
you’ve done it right.

If it screams sales page, you’ve lost the trust.

Embed affiliate links where it feels like, “Oh hey, here’s the gear I used — grab it if you want to try it too.”

🧭 Final Thoughts

So — is there one perfect way to do a review?

Nope. But there is a better way:
👉 Blend your story with structure.
👉 Let people feel like they’re camping/fishing/hiking right beside you.
👉 Be brutally honest, and use AI to enhance your creativity — not replace it.

That’s how we win.