PASADENA, Calif.—As more consumers are looking for suggestions and education on sex toys and other pleasure products, they are increasingly turning to bloggers, sex toys reviewers and even sex educators. And manufacturers can create relationships with those internet savvy people that are mutually beneficial, according to panelists at the seminar The Role Bloggers/Reviewers Play in the Adult Industry, which took place Friday at the AVN Novelty Expo.
Brandon B., a manager at The Pleasure Chest in New York, explained that he started blogging as a way to drive traffic to the brick-and-mortar store, and the relationships he’s developed between himself and customers and himself and manufacturers has been invaluable.
But Brandon B. and other panelists offered some tips for manufacturers and retailers to make inroads with bloggers and reviewers and how to do so effectively.
“Make it easy for us,” said Jaiya of New World Sex Education. “You’ve got to make it simple.”
If reviewers have to jump through too many hoops to receive products or find information to download or upload links, chances are they will turn away she said.
Brandon B. also suggested not putting restrictions on reviewers or being afraid of a critical, yet constructive, review.
“And don’t throw a bunch of spaghetti at the wall and hope some of it sticks,” noted Pamela Madsen of BeingShameless.com. “Get to know us, see who we are and see if we are a fit for your company or your product.”
Buck Angel, performer and sex educator, echoed those sentiments, suggesting that manufacturers or retailers do a little homework about the reviewers/bloggers/educators before blindly sending them product: Known as the “man with a pussy,” the TS performer said he’s a little baffled when people send him cock rings for review.
Dr. Charlie Glickman, who handles the education department at sex-positive retailer Good Vibrations, said that good relationships established between bloggers and reviewers and their customers as well as good relationships between those bloggers/reviewers and the manufacturers and retailers can translate into good business.
“The more you use bloggers to build relationships with your potential customers, the more people will come your way,” he said.
The seminars at the AVN Novelty Expo were sponsored by Sinrex. For more information, visit AVNNoveltyExpo.com.
