Quick Survey

Marvo General

I’ve been thinking about changing the Impulsive Buy a little bit.

For years, I’ve been doing a long format review, which was great when I was unemployed, had no girlfriend, and had no life, because I could post three or four reviews a week. But now that I’m employed, still have no girlfriend, and still have no life, it’s been hard to post more than two reviews a week.

I try so many products every month and get many requests to review a number of products, but at a rate of two reviews per week, it’s impossible to review everything I buy. In order to change this, I’ve been thinking about doing much shorter reviews, perhaps less than half as long as they are now.

But I’d like to know what you folks think. Should I stick to the long format and continue to have two reviews a week or should I try doing significantly shorter reviews and possibly have 3-5 reviews per week.

Please let me know in the comments.

Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto!

79 thoughts to “Quick Survey”

  3. Quality over quantity. I’d prefer long, well-written reviews; I can wait a couple days in between. Maybe you could write one or two long ones interspersed with a couple shorter ones each week?

  4. Man, I really can sympathize with you on that one. People don’t realize how tough it is to write longer reviews and how much time it takes. So shorter reviews would seem to be the ticket. But the longer reviews are what sets the better blogs apart, in my opinion.

    I would do both – as in mostly the shorter ones, but once in awhile when you have time throw in a longer one. I think I’m gonna have to start doing that soon.

    Either way, I think most people will still come to the site to read. Since you’re such a farkin funny guy…

  5. I think you should do what you feel like doing. If you feel like writing a bunch of short reviews – go for it. Come across a particularly awful product that brings out extra snark – make it long.

    I’ll read either way.

  8. Talk about Sophie’s freaking choice…Umm I guess if forced at gunpoint I would say more frequency, shorter reviews, but what I really want is more frequency of the longer reviews. Why don’t you just get unemployed again already? I think that Bryan is the one with the right approach though probably, moderation in all things and all that, don’t give up the longer reviews entirely, but step up the number of shorter reviews and step back the number of longer ones…

  10. I think having more frequent shorter reviews would be good. I like reading new and interesting things daily. 🙂 Maybe you could write shorter reviews on a regular basis and then once every week or 2 you could write one longer review…?

    ~Monica

  11. Dude, whatever you want to do! You’re the one in the driver’s seat, and I’m the one coming along for the ride. You pick the direction you want to go.

    I mean, I ain’t a paying customer here.

  12. I think that you should just do whichever feels better to you. If that means shorter, more often reviews, then go for it! By the way, where do you work?

  13. As long as the short reviews have the same wit as those that are long, I’d read ’em. If they’re just listing the facts in point-form, I can find that else-where.

    Witty reviews for the win! 😉

  15. Your longer reviews are set apart from all the crappy shite out there. I especially love the segways into your personal life and I’m fearful that you’d need to eliminate these in shorter reviews. Another vote for quality over quantity- The Impulsive Buy need not morph to quick fix format to please me.

  18. I think you should outsource to India, or maybe China. Most of the products you review probably come from India and/or China, so it just makes sense. Or, barring that, you could just write every review as a haiku:

    This toothbrush made me so sad
    My plaque still remains
    Crest, I demand a refund

    See? It’s as easy as that.

  19. I think you should do short reviews, but have a monthly (or bi-weekly, or is that fortnightly???….hell, once every two weeks) special, long review(s).

  21. Even though I enjoy reading the comments section, and that means therefore that there’s always something new to read even if I come every day, I wouldn’t mind having more reviews, since that’s what I really come for. But I agree that I’d still like to have long ones once in awhile, when your muse strikes.

  23. I think shorter reviews will work but some of the set-ups for the long review are classic. You should be a writer in Hollywood with some of the comments on this site. For my money, which is none because this site is free. Keep the long reviews.

  26. I agree with Lola and Bryan. Try to mix up the lengths as your schedule permits. I have an RSS feed for TIB on my Google home page, so it’s always a nice surprise to see a new entry whenever it’s posted.

  27. Coming out of the woodwork here–

    I’ve been reading your blog for some time now, and I must say that the unique charm of “the impulsive buy” is your ability to carry on jokes for 1/2 page or so.

    Keep’em long.

  29. I vote for frequent short reviews with the occasional long one. We’ll know the product really something (good or bad) when we see a long review coming.

  30. it’s your blog, do what you want. But I know how it is to have too much going on so I say shorter reviews for your sake. But I’m happy either way.

  31. I’d personally prefer the longer reviews. For whatever reason, when you do the shopping cart reviews, I always find myself skimming over them rather than fully reading through them. But, like others have said, it’s your blog, so do whatever you feel most comfortable with.

  32. I like the longer reviews, myself, even if we can only get served a couple times per week. If you occasionally want to throw in a “shopping cart” of mini-reviews like you’ve been doing, I have no problem with that, but my preference would be to continue seeing the longer reviews rather than a bunch of short ones. And it may help you find a girlfriend if you tell her that you have a very long…review….to share with her.

  33. I agree with the people that want short reviews and a long one every so often. The best of both worlds.

  34. It has taken me all night to write this, I keep thinking of more things to say. Well, here it goes…

    As much as I want to say more reviews, it’s the quality that counts, not the quantity. As I can see from the Shopping Cart PoC, one-liners are not what I come to this blog for. I love the whole stories, you just have so much room for detail. My vote is for the lengthy reviews. I would also like to put an amendment to the floor, about the other blog. Write some more. Write about why the taco bell guy annoys you, why they give you the free penny at the gas station. The other blog should be a review of life, and I am willing to sacrifice a TIB review for a blog post.

    Thank the lord they found James Kim. If anybody doesn’t follow tech news, just read all of the headlines on digg or search for “James Kim”.

  35. I like the longer reviews. That’s not to say the shorter reviews wouldn’t be any good, but, like many others have said, I wouldn’t want to see quality sacrificed for quantity. Also, like others have said, it is your blog, so do as you like, and I’ll keep reading.

  36. Longer reviews give a lot more story, rather than a small paragraph about something sucking/being awesome.
    Longer reviews have more heart, and I hardly ever read the “Shopping Cart” ones because they just seem a tad bit too short and lack the depth I enjoy from the long ones.

  37. I know exactly what you’re going through. I found that writing more than a couple of reviews a week meant a definite decline in quality. Thank goodness for multiple reviewers on my site.

    Yours is a slightly different issue once you consider the cult of personality on TIB.

  38. I agree about keeping the longer reviews. I love the stories about asian prostitutes or naked britney spears, post-hillbillying.

    Choose Quality (length and hilariousness long) instead of quantity (five pithy reviews/week). Although Quantity should be chose about quality when it comes to matters of your stripping videos, this is not true for the written word. 🙂

  39. I vote for both. I think your humor has a chance to come out more in longer reviews, and that’s what I like.
    But anyway, sometimes you’re in the mood for short & fast, and sometimes long & well, long, so whatever you feel like. 😉

  40. I vote for the combo deal -mostly short, but if it’s something that deserves a bit more length, then go for it. Just don’t stop being funny. And don’t get a girlfriend or you won’t have time to post at all!!

  41. Longer. I like lengthy posts much more than I do short ones. More opportunities for creativity and amusement.

  42. I know what you mean, Marvo. When you have the free time, it’s a lot easier to write. But when you’re working and stressed, it’s a lot harder, and the more you try to write, the more stressed you get.

    You’re doing us a public service with these reviews, so I honestly think you should do what feels best for you. I would try both. You’ll eventually find one you prefer.

    God, that sounds like a commercial for feminine products or something. But I think you know what I mean. 🙂

  43. Would much rather have shorter reviews. I never read the longer ones. I just come to see what new products there are and how you felt about them.

  44. long reviews, please! I read your blog because of your reviews, not the products itself…

    However, if a product is so dull it gives no story for a long review, make a short review.

  45. I like the shorter ones, because HAVING a life, I don’t always have time to read the whole of your rant… even though I DO want to.

  49. I just look at the pictures – so shorted reviews will give me more of those and I will be happier

  50. “I think you should do short reviews, but have a monthly (or bi-weekly, or is that fortnightly???….hell, once every two weeks) special, long review(s).”

    i agree with kagai.

    + pictures, still.

  52. If you can manage to pull off MORE impulsive buys, I’m down for the quick and dirty. The problem is, it’s STILL gonna take time to buy that one, new, weird product.

    Hey! BTW… Have you tried the Wassabi Funyons? Shoot me an e-mail and I’ll send you a bag.

  53. I say quality over quantity… would much rather have the long reviews that are actually worth reading, even if it means waiting longer between reviews. That’s what sets this site apart from others.

    Keem ’em long, please.

  54. I love the longer reviews, I really do! Your writing keeps me laughing and entertained… but I’m going to have to put my vote for shorter reviews so I can get my Marvo fix more frequently! Sometimes the long reviews are too long… I love the shorter & more frequent… oooh sounds sexy! 🙂

  55. Quality over quantity.

    How about what some game mags do, like EGM.. have a couple of longer reviews but then a “Stuff we couldn’t get to” wrap up section between them that goes over the things you bought to review but never had the time to get to. That way we’ll have the best of both worlds.

  57. I agree with reluctant housewife; write ’em however you like on any given day. It’s your blog; and it’s all good.

  60. Quickie’s are also welcome, as long as you throw in a few long, slow sessions to satisfy us.

  61. You my friend are Marvolicious. So whatever you decide- quickie or not, I’ll show up with bells on.

    However….I am a fan of the long review because you are so hilarious!

  62. I’m going to put in a vote for “longer and less frequent”. I’m not so sure it’s a “quality over quantity” thing, as I’m sure the quality would be good regardless, but the length of the reviews as they are right now seems just about perfect. Of course, if every now and then you mixed it up a bit and did a few short ones instead, that would be cool too.

  63. I say write how you wish. If you want to review more products weekly, go for shorter. If you enjoy writing the longer reviews, go for it. I know that I’d enjoy seeing your posts more often, so if I had to choose, I’d say more shorter reviews 🙂

  64. Well, considering that only have a job, but no girlfriend or life, you should still have enough time to keep up with the lengthy reviews. What do you think we pay you for? Oh, whats that, you still haven’t received the check in the mail?? Hmmm, it should be there any day now! 😉

  66. Shorter, more frequent reviews will lead to more frequent longer reviews. The more you write on varied topics, the easier it is to write long on varied topics in less time.

  67. A girlfriend could definitely help in trying and reviewing products. I’m sure there are many out there available for hire.

  68. i read for the writing and not the actual review, since you eat like a sugar and caffeine crazed frat boy…

  69. U R a goud riter so whatevr format you choose will be fun to read.

    that said, i gravitate slightly towards “longer”, only becuz you have a unique skill in your ability to keep it up on a longer review – which is something that not-everyone-else can do

  70. I would love it if you would write shorter reviews. I really enjoy your writing but I am rarely on the computer long enough to read a whole one. I too don’t have a life but I do have a job. Even though it seems like a lot of people are attached to the longer reviews, my vote is for shorter, more frequent, but equally enjoyable reviews of an assortment of different products. I seem to enjoy the food ones the best. So for what it’s worth, SHORT!

  71. Marvo, your long reviews are what brought us here. It’s why you’ve become so popular. Writing condensed versions just doesn’t seem like they would be as good since it would be tough to squeeze in the actual pros and cons of the item along with your humorous take on it.

    I know most people want to see you update more often, but I think that in the long run they would feel shortchanged. Like one of the posters said- quality over quantity. Sure, I can go to Jack in the Box and get a crappy “sirloin” burger in 3 minutes, but I would prefer to go to a real steakhouse and wait 15 minutes to receive perfection.

  72. I’d bet you could go somewhat shorter without losing your unique style. What I’d ask is this: Is the difficulty with posting daily in (a) finding the time to write at length or (b) finding the energy to think of your hooks and clever bits?

    If it’s (b), it doesn’t really matter what length you write — when you’re tired, you won’t be up for it, and when you’re not tired, you will. (Words to live by in so many contexts.)

    If it’s (a), you’re probably busting out with ideas and would do your readers a favor in getting them expressed, whatever length they come out at.

  73. Even though you can’t post as often I really love the long reviews. The things like the shopping cart just don’t have the heart of the long review. It’s not about what you review or how often, it’s how you do it that counts! (END PEP TALK)

  78. You could alternate….one week have the longer reviews and then the next week have the shorter reviews. 🙂

  79. I don’t read you because you’re consumer reports…I read you because you’re hilarious. So, short, long, whatever, as long as you keep your humor =)

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