I completed the survey in the invitation email. Now what?

Great! We'll be in touch as soon as you match with one of our brand partner's criteria. New opportunities to test come up all the time and will usually have the following as the subject line: "Stellar Panel: Are you interested in testing out...".To make sure you don't miss any opportunities, be sure to add hello@stellarfeedback.com and support@stellarreviews.com to your contact list.

I received an invitation to try a product, but I haven't heard anything back.

It can take us up to two weeks to process our list and have the brand ship the product out to you, so sit tight! When it’s on its way to you, you’ll receive a welcome email letting you know to keep an eye out. If you haven't received an email after a few weeks, you probably weren't selected for that program, but don't despair! You’ll have lots of other chances to participate in other programs. (Also, keep in mind we choose qualifying panel members on a first-come, first-served basis, so try to reply as soon as you can if you’re interested in testing.)

I'm not sure how this whole testing and reviewing process works.

It's pretty simple! Once you are selected for a panel, we will send you a welcome email letting you know the product is on its way. In this email, we’ll also send you a few key features we think you’ll love. Once you’ve had a bit of time (a couple of weeks, usually) to test and use the product, we’ll send you another email asking for your feedback. In this email we’ll give you a link to a form to collect your review. As always, if you have any questions along the way, let us know.

What is an example of a helpful review?

We know sometimes it's hard to know what to write. To help out, we've provided tips for you and examples of especially helpful reviews in our Tips for an A+ Review section.

I didn't really like the product... will I get penalized if I write a negative review?

Of course not! In our view, a "good" review is one that is honest, constructive, and thorough. Brands—and other consumers—depend on people like you to tell them everything—the good, the bad, and the ugly. This provides great insight as to what is working and what is not, and in turn both allows brands to create better products, and helps other people make an informed decision if a particular product will work for them too.

I haven't gotten an email to test a product in awhile. Did I do something wrong?

Most likely not. Sometimes we have programs that require certain criteria that aren’t a match for you at that time (ie, we won’t send a beard trimmer to someone who’s always clean-shaven), or brands have specific requests to test in a new market (ie, they want to hear how a stroller popular among suburban parents does among big-city-dwellers). So sit tight and one will come along soon! In the meantime, here are some helpful hints to become a Stellar Superstar:

✭ Did you respond promptly to the Stellar email invite? Opportunities go quickly, so don't delay when you see it in your inbox!

✭ Did you submit your review in a timely manner?? We know life can be busy, but writing and posting your review as soon as we prompt you to do so helps keep you in good standing.

✭ Was your review helpful? Did it provide pros and cons as well as good feedback?

Do I need to include a picture with my review?

Yes! We hear all the time about how helpful seeing real-life pictures of the product can be. And if you’re stumped on how to take a good pic, check out our tips and tricks here.

Am I required to post to social media?

We respect your privacy about what you choose to share on your social feeds. Sharing on social can help make you eligible for certain programs —brands may want to see their product featured on the feeds of folks willing to share. ✭ And it's totally okay if you don't have a huge following on Instagram. We're not looking for influencers in the traditional sense. We love scrolling through our feed and seeing real folks showing just how they use a product in their everyday lives—no matter how big their following.

I need to make updates to my profile (ie, I’m moving, need to add a new family member, got a new phone number, etc.) How do I do that?

When something changes that can impact how and what you’re eligible to test, you can update your profile by clicking Update Preferences in the footer of any email that we've sent to you. You'll recieve a link where you can update your information.

I already responded to a survey and now I'm being asked for a review. I thought the survey was the review?

Nope! We know it can be a little confusing, but sometimes brands choose to survey testers first if the product is brand-spankin’ new or totally innovative. With a survey, brands can often surface issues or concerns with the product before it launches, affording them the chance to go back to the drawing board if needed. If the panel responds well to the product, brands often moved forward with having you write a review. When you’re selected for a program that begins with a survey, we will be clear about that and the expectations from the beginning.

The email said I need to mention that I received the product as a gift. Is that really necessary?

Yes. FTC (Federal Trade Commission) guidelines state that if you received a product in exchange for a review, you must disclose it. It's part of their truth-in-advertising principle and as fellow consumers, we appreciate it and take it seriously.

I don’t want to test a product I was emailed about. Can I say no and not jeopardize my standing?

Absolutely—and we appreciate your honesty! We will never just sign you up for a product to test without soliciting your interest first. If you’re not keen to test something, we totally get it (and it’s why we offer you the option in that first email to pass. And your status won’t be impacted at all.)