Back in 2010, in the new stages of my marriage, my husband and I discovered what a joy sex toys could be. Through an online search I found a site that was tasteful and looked welcoming and fun. We made a couple purchases there and I soon discovered you could earn points for actions preformed. I had no idea what I was doing, but I jumped in head first. My first few reviews were terrible, I was shy and you could tell I wasn’t used to writing about sex. Overtime I started relaxing, opening up more about my experiences and learning a lot about myself along the way. People started coming to me with questions, asking my advice, wanting products suggestions, etc. I put all my free time and effort into building relationships, giving advice, and writing reviews; but my investment into the site was overlooked and eventually treated like it didn’t matter. I wasn’t ready to throw in the towel, so I decided it was time to bite the bullet and start a blog.
I started a blog in December of 2012, only to post twice and delete it. It felt hopeless. There were so many other amazing, established bloggers that I nearly gave up before I even started. It was the support of my friends, my husband, and my desire to continue to help others that gave me the final boost I needed.
What draws you to writing sex toy reviews?
My first experience with sex toys was terrible. I had no idea what to look for, which materials were safe, and purchased cheap products expecting pleasurable results. I felt like there was something wrong with me when I didn’t respond to the vibrations. It wasn’t until four years later that I even considered making another purchase.
When I started doing my research, I realized that all sex toys weren’t created equal and everyone’s experience of them varied based on preferences and anatomy. Once I started trying out a few different things, I figured out what worked for me and what didn’t.
Sex toys aren’t cheap, and it’s a horrible feeling to spend money on something that doesn’t end up working out for you. That’s why toy reviews are so important. I want to give potential customers as much information as possible to help them make educated decisions before they make a purchase. If my suggestions help someone find an amazing product (and avoid the crappy ones), I feel like I’ve done my job.
Hands down: best toy you’ve ever tried?
I’m a big fan of We-Vibe and fell in love with Salsa a couple years ago. They’ve since discontinued it, but I own three that are constantly in rotation. I love it because it’s compact, powerful, and can be used in a variety of ways. It’s the one I reach for most often because I know, without a doubt, I’ll be able to climax from using it.
Hands off: worst toy you’ve ever tried?
A friend recently asked me this question and I struggled with an answer. There have been some pretty terrible products I’ve used over the past few years, but figuring out the absolute worst is a challenge. The most recent product would probably have to be the highly anticipated Ida from LELO. I had a lot of high hopes for that product, but it actually caused me discomfort during use. The vibrations were buzzy, the rotations were weak, and it was all around disappointing. Not something I would ever tell someone to spend $199 on!
Do you receive feedback on your reviews? Do you find people generally agree with your opinions?The amazing thing about reviewing sex toys is that we all truly do have different experiences. I receive a lot of feedback from people telling me that they feel the exact same way about a product, but I also receive the opposite. When I write a review, I look at the product from all angles. If it’s a good quality product that didn’t work for me only because of my anatomy or tastes, I’m not going to trash it. I don’t sugarcoat my reviews, but I’m also not going to damn a product to hell because it didn’t work for me. There needs to be a balance, and I look at the quality, innovation, ease of use, etc. before even considering my personal experience. I’m only one person, and no one else has the exact same needs. I think that’s one of the most important things to consider when writing a review.
You’ve posted a few things with information for new bloggers. What is the one, most important piece of knowledge you can share from your experiences?Be yourself. It sounds like a simple piece of advice, but it’s so important. It’s easy to look at the established reviewers and think you have to be like them in order to succeed. It’s not true. Your individuality is what will set you apart. It’s hard when you first start out, but don’t be afraid to reach out and ask questions. We’re all just regular people, just like you. And we all started off the same way you are. Don’t idolize anyone and just do whatever you want to do. It’s your blog, love it, nurture it, and watch it grow!
Can you please explain the Disclosure notice you have on your blog?My blog is covered with banners and is full of reviews. It’s important for the companies that contact me to know what I stand behind, and I want my readers to know that the information I provide is my own opinion and isn’t influenced by anyone else. Out of all the reviews I’ve written, only two weren’t sponsored by companies. I want everyone to know that no matter how I received the products I review, I’m going to be honest about them.
I ran into an issue several months ago that truly challenged me. Someone I was working with requested I change the wording in my review to make their product sound more classy and favorable. My words were honest, and I couldn’t go against what I felt was right. I was threatened when I politely denied the request, and was told that lawyers would be contacted and my reputation would be ruined. I held my ground and remained professional while I watched this business owner act like a fool. The review went unpublished (it’s still in my drafts, actually) and nothing ever came of it, but I can hold my head high knowing I did the right thing.
What other types of writing do you enjoy (when you’re not reviewing so many sexy toys)?Writing has always been a way for me to express my emotions. When I was a teen I used poetry as a form of self expression. It provided a way to release the pain I felt in a productive way instead of allowing it to consume me. It’s still something that brings me a lot of comfort now. I love writing without structure more than anything else. It’s freeing and allows my thoughts to naturally flow.
More recently I’ve started dipping my toes into writing erotica. I’m not nearly as confident in myself when it comes to fiction, but I’m hoping to eventually start adding more to my blog.
What can we look forward to from you and on your blog in the future?Many more sex toy reviews, I can promise that much! In the year ahead I plan on redesigning the look of my blog, getting back into erotic photography, working more on articles, and of course posting more giveaways! I want my blog to be a fun and informative website, and am open to any suggestions! I’d love to start featuring guest posts, interviews, and highlighting companies that are worth checking out. I have a lot of big ideas, I just hope I have enough time for it all!
