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【Paid Manga Reviews】
Today a competitor who has key roles in two manga publishers expressed disappointment that Irodori Comics doesn't pay people to review their doujinshi.
We have never paid for reviews, and will breakdown the reasons why we do not.
1/19
Today a competitor who has key roles in two manga publishers expressed disappointment that Irodori Comics doesn't pay people to review their doujinshi.
We have never paid for reviews, and will breakdown the reasons why we do not.
1/19
We believe paying for reviews becomes "paid advertising". When we do our accounting at the end of each quarter, "marketing" is probably where we will have to record that expense.
But that's not the issue. When a review is paid for, it creates a "power imbalance".
2/19
But that's not the issue. When a review is paid for, it creates a "power imbalance".
2/19
The publisher is now employing the service of review writing. This puts pressure on the reviewer to give a satisfying review, not necessarily for the reader, but something the publisher is happy with.
Maybe a bad review might lead to the publisher cutting them off?
3/19
Maybe a bad review might lead to the publisher cutting them off?
3/19
Which then questions the very sanctity of an "honest review". Is that review a proper reflection of the manga? Or is that review packaged in a way that promises future financial dealings between the publisher and the reviewer? Securing the hustle?
4/19
4/19
Being a big fan of video games, I follow and watch a lot of Youtubers who review video games. The comments section are always full of accusations of reviewers being "shills/ simps" when a game is showered with praise. Even more so during No Simp September.
5/19
5/19
The last thing we want is for followers of the Youtubers and bloggers we provide review copies to, be accused of being shills.
When they post their review is usually when we read it for the first time. We believe that is what makes a fair review.
6/19
When they post their review is usually when we read it for the first time. We believe that is what makes a fair review.
6/19
For career Youtubers with a big following, asking for compensation is definitely fair since that platform is most likely their job.
Except, we don't work with big influencers. We partner up with reviewers who reach out to us, or with reviewers with a smaller following.
7/19
Except, we don't work with big influencers. We partner up with reviewers who reach out to us, or with reviewers with a smaller following.
7/19
When we collaborate with reviewers, our most important requirement is that they write an honest review for the works they get.
And when they tweet and tag us, and publish those reviews, we retweet it with our official Irodori twitter accounts, even if they scored low.
8/19
And when they tweet and tag us, and publish those reviews, we retweet it with our official Irodori twitter accounts, even if they scored low.
8/19
All reviews submitted on our http://irodorilite.com website are published. Even if the numerical rating is low or even if the work is criticized. Because that is fair.
It's not a reflection of the work if all your reviews are the stellar ones written by people you paid.
9/19
It's not a reflection of the work if all your reviews are the stellar ones written by people you paid.
9/19
While we do not offer financial compensation for reviews, we try to accommodate reviewers as best as we can. We don't set strict deadlines. The people we collaborate with all have jobs. So we let them choose when they want to do stuff.
10/19
10/19
We often provide a press kit which emphasizes the importance of honest reviews of how they felt when they read it.
And we love the reviews that we get. Some of the best reviews we got were reviews that were critical of our recent @Irodori_Sakura @irodori_aqua releases.
11/19
And we love the reviews that we get. Some of the best reviews we got were reviews that were critical of our recent @Irodori_Sakura @irodori_aqua releases.
11/19
There were a few reviews that touched on concepts of dubcon and LGBT representation which could have driven away some potential buyers. But those were the honest opinions of the reviewers, we respect that and we made sure to retweet that on all our accounts.
12/19
12/19
And while we don't give money to the reviewers, we often help them out with giveaway campaigns so they can increase their follower numbers too. A quid pro quo, if you will.
There's also merit in reviewing Irodori Comics works for smaller reviewers.
13/19
There's also merit in reviewing Irodori Comics works for smaller reviewers.
13/19
The doujinshi we publish are very very niche. So when manga reviewers review some of our titles, their review often "competes" with only a few others at most. Compared to reviewing One Piece or MHA, you're probably able to provide something more unique.
14/19
14/19
That is not to say that reviewers with smaller platforms should work for free. Valuable time is spent for the review. If you want to ask for compensation, reviewers should definitely voice that out to publishers. Whether they work with you is another matter though.
15/19
15/19
I was caught off-guard with today's accusation. I was under the impression that most manga reviews in the industry were unpaid reviews.
If that's not the case, please let me know. If the standard is to pay for all reviews, that's something we were not aware of.
16/19
If that's not the case, please let me know. If the standard is to pay for all reviews, that's something we were not aware of.
16/19
If it does turn out that reviews in the manga industry are paid for, then personally, I might feel a little disappointed. I'd have to start second guessing every review on Twitter, Youtube, Tumblr etc, and wonder if those are their honest opinions or not.
17/19
17/19
The nature of manga reviews is still very new for me. If any manga reviewer wants to chip in with their opinions and takes on this issue, please feel free to comment and do so.
I just wanted to make clear that we never paid for reviews for the reasons stated above.
18/19
I just wanted to make clear that we never paid for reviews for the reasons stated above.
18/19
As for our competitor's accusation of us being cheap for not paying reviewers, I'm genuinely curious if all the positive reviews I see on their products and doujinshi are honest ones or paid ones? It would be kinda sad if it was the latter...
19/19
19/19
