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No, this really isn't a review per se but more of a review of why I review!
Let's kick off this top 10 list!
THE TOP 10 REASONS I AM AT VIEWPOINTS
10.) Comment and Friends' Reviews Emails
I love that I get those everyday. I keep up with people's reviews on my friends list and I keep up with comments to me. Before those emails came along, I never knew if people left me a comment and never answered them. Now I know everyday who is commenting and can easily answer the comment. It's much friendlier this way. I also like the profile page comments where we can stop by and just say hello. I think it is a great way to let someone know you were at their "VP home" and left a note on their door.
9.) Reading Other People's Reviews
I learned a lot around here! I really enjoy most of the reviews I read and have bought things and used websites on the recommendation of other reviewers. I have also steered clear of products and services that I was warned about. But mostly, I enjoy the personalities of the reviewers. Some are very straightforward and serious, some share their lives with us, some are funny. All are part of the family that makes up this site and makes us unique.
8.) Making New Friends
I knew some people when I started here and have gotten to know them better. I have met countless others via this site and have found new people to enjoy reading and to comment to. It's amazing that, even as we grow, we have stayed friendly and have a great family atmosphere. I hope we never lose that because it's one of the main reasons I enjoy the site so much. No drama, no negativity, just good people being friendly. How many user generated sites can you say that about?
7.) Pictures!
I love looking at profile pics and the pics people post with their reviews. Pictures do tell stories and the ability to post pictures is one of the best features of the site in my opinion. I really do look at all the pics on a profile page and feel like I know new to me reviewers. And user pics with products and services help me understand a review much better. I also love posting pictures and haven't posted a review without at least one since we had the ability to do so. Sometimes I get crazy and post silly pics but they also stay on topic. Sort of. ;)
6.) Being Part of a Growing Community
It has been very fulfilling watching the site grow and become known. We have a long way to go but we're infants! We started out with a few members and a staff with determination. Now, we have thousands of members and people come to us for opinions on everything. I thought I would hate seeing our tiny tight knit community grow but it seems the people who join fit right in and become family. We can just set another plate (or 30,000) at the table for newcomers.
5.) The Ability to Review (Almost) Anything
I have reviewed gossip websites, stick on bras, and my local veterinarian. If it pops into my head, I can review it. I have shared intimate experiences about my father's nursing home and silly stuff that probably had people rolling their eyes. The freedom to review just about anything I want is so much fun. Because of the ability to review anything and everything, I have shared more of myself here than anywhere. My reviews come straight from my experience and my heart.
4.) My Family Has Become Involved
My sister, LaurieM, is a fantastic reviewer here. I forced her to come and she did and stayed. My niece, TracieFadian, has all the makings of an amazing reviewer. With three young kids and a demanding job, she has had to step away a bit but she'll be back. And my son, Mr----X aka Dan. This is a kid who laughed at me for writing reviews and who said he hated to write. I challenged him to write just one review and eventually he did. He started getting into review writing and now he is working behind the scenes here. I am proud of him and thankful to Viewpoints for giving him a chance. Sharing Viewpoints with my family members means so much to me and has certainly brought my son and I even closer together than we were. (We can actually discuss people we both know now. Jolie, Matt, and the whole staff are people we both agree are awesome and that we really like. Otherwise, I think his friends are dorks and he thinks my friends are, well, dorks.)
3.) Freedom
No word limits. No minimum word counts. No structured ways to write our reviews. No one telling us to change this and to do that. We write according to our personalities and our styles. I can be a little silly or a little sarcastic. I can write a 200 word review or a 2000 word one. I don't have to be a computer expert to review my computer or a music critic to review a CD. All I have to do is give my opinion and hope it helps others make a choice.
2.) The Generous and Caring Staff
I have spoken with all of the people who work behind the scenes via email and on the site and I have talked at length to Jolie by phone and email. These people really care about their vision and their site and they aren't trying to take shortcuts to gain success. They are honest, caring, and really listen to our concerns. It's kind of a thrill for me to see something I suggested actually implemented on the site. I started here before Viewpoints had a name and I watched the site go from an outline to an amazing success for such a young venture. That is due to the unwavering dedication of the VP staff who actually listen to our suggestions and somehow make many of them workable.
And the number one reason I like being part of the Viewpoints Community....
1.) Acceptance!
I can get away with writing this goofy top 10 list without people telling me it's useless and to take it down. You all accept me for who and what I am. You've all been SO friendly and accepting of me and my rather quirky style of writing and there's nothing like feeling like you actually fit in somewhere. I'm one of the gang! I'm one of the cool kids! I'm a Viewpoints reviewer. And I thank the Viewpoints staff and the members for allowing me to be me here - and to be one of the gang.
Here's to another 1000 reviews next year!
From my heart,
Patty
Last edited on Dec 30, 2007
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