Have you ever wondered how people get free stuff in exchange for reviewing items online? Look no further. Here is the best comprehensive guide for how to get free stuff.
Edited to add in 2020: I wrote this post in 2015 and it was my most popular post for years. People love free stuff! When I was big into clipping coupons I discovered how to get free stuff and wrote this post to share my findings. So many websites will send you free things in exchange for a review. I have since moved towards a more minimalistic lifestyle and no longer do this. However, it is still a great way to get free things in exchange for your honest review.
How to start reviewing items online for free stuff
Step 1: Read these two posts
Free Stuff Through Word of Mouth Marketing Sites
How to Review Things on Your Blog Without Becoming a Review Blogger
If you’re a mom or a mom to be, you’ll love this post on how to get over $500 worth of baby freebies: The Ultimate List of Baby Freebies
If you’re a regular reader, you know how much I love freebies. My favorite part of being a blogger is getting the chance to try things out for free and review them. When I first started doing reviews I only got samples, now I regularly get free furniture!
It’s so easy to get free stuff in exchange for reviews. Not just for bloggers, but for everyone. Not everyone knows where to start. That’s why I put together this comprehensive list of how to get free stuff in exchange for reviews.
While you don’t have to be a blogger for all of these programs, it certainly helps. It can’t hurt to have a large social media presence when you are trying to get the word out about products. I definitely suggest getting a Twitter, FB, Instagram, and Pinterest account if you plan to review items regularly. YouTube is another great way to review items.
Learn more about becoming a social media influencer by reading this post.
How to get free stuff in exchange for reviews through word of mouth marketing companies and influencer companies
If you love to share your opinion on social media, you’ll love working with word of mouth marketing companies. It’s a great way to try free full size products in exchange for spreading the word about it on social media.
Here are my favorite word of mouth marketing companies:
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How to get free stuff on Amazon
UPDATE: Amazon no longer allows you to review their items in exchange for freebies. This being said, many sellers still do it. You can still do this on an individual basis, but most big groups listed below are limiting their reviews on Amazon.
This is the most fun and easiest way for me to get free stuff because independent sellers put stuff on Amazon all the time and they need reviews in order to sell more products. People trust reviews!
Here are a few sites that help you get products in exchange for reviews on Amazon:
The best way to get an item for free is to contact the seller directly and ask for the item in exchange for a review and social shares. I’ve had better luck doing that!
If you really love Amazon, you should consider selling on there too! Check out this course from The Selling Family to find out how to get started earning big bucks on Amazon.
Blog Ambassador Programs that Give You Free Products
Here are my two current favorite blog ambassador programs:
I’ve also had a lot of luck contacting the PR people for companies I’d like to work with. I just contacted Rustoleum for a collaboration and they sent me free paint!
Get the complete list of blog ambassador programs
From searching online, I found a fabulously comprehensive list of blog ambassador programs from Tiffany Reviews. It’s the best list of Ambassador Programs I’ve ever seen.
She has even more on her blog! Please make sure to visit Tiffany Reviews to get the full list of blog ambassador programs.
Am I missing any? What’s your favorite way to get free stuff?
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Oh wow! What an amazing list! Thanks for compiling this. I haven’t done freebies yet, but I will be checking into it. :)
I hope you get some good ones!
Wow…I LOVE this post! I can’t wait to get home and start looking into some of these!
Wow! This list is amazing! Bookmarking so I can reference later and sign up for as many as possible!
Keep me updated on which ones work for you!
This is a great list! I applied for a few though I know a couple aren’t doing it any longer (like pearista sadly). Have a great day!
Oh, thanks! I’ll update it.
This is great! Getting freebies when I’m actually in need of something would be WONDERFUL! Especially helpful when you’re on a tight budget, right? Thanks for this list – I will definitely be checking it out!
That’s a HUGE list! I will start working my way through it immediately. Thanks for sharing such valuable knowledge!
Thank you! This is exactly what I’ve been looking for :)
I have been trying to find a way to get into doing product reviews! THANKS for this post It is so helpful! #thisishowweroll
JEM
Hannah, I love hearing about your good experiences! I’m working to build my social media accounts and I’m going to Pin this to go over again and again! I also shared it, I hope it can help other bloggers also, it’s a great list! Thanks so much!
I’ve been a book blogger for years and my blog supports my reading habit; I’ve been reviewing for Snagshout for a few months; it’s ok but you still have to pay something. I’ll bookmark this page for future reference
I’d love to break into the book reviews! What a fun way to support the habit.
Wow, this is a super comprehensive list. I’ve been doing WOMM companies for years and really enjoy Influenster boxes, but I had no idea there were so many ambassador companies!
This is an amazing list!! I am a member of MANY of these on this list, but there are quite a few that I’m NOT already signed up for. I’ve been doing reviews for a long time now and am an active member for many sites.
Thank you for sharing this amazing roundup on #SmallVictoriesSundayLinkup. I hope to see you again next week.
Woah. Great list. Thanks for compiling and sharing it :)
wow! Thank you so much for all your research and hard work compiling this amazing list. I pinned so I can check it out when I have more time!!
I am going to apply to some of these. Thanks for your great lists
This is a great list! I’ve pinned it for future reference. I’ve done a few gift reviews but nothing organised yet.
Wow what a comprehensive list! It’s nice to see so many brands want to collaborate with bloggers.
Sally @ Life Loving
#LifeLovingLinkie
Isn’t it? I love that brands recognize that bloggers are perfect for marketing.
Wow! This is an amazing, comprehensive list! Thanks for sharing on Meetup Monday.
This is a really useful list! Thank you so much for compiling it!
I hope it helps you!
Oh my goodness, this list is awesome!
How helpful and who doesn’t LOVE freebies?!
Thanks for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
This is an amazing list. I am an influencer/member with a lot of the places listed but most of them I have never even heard of. Thank you for sharing – I will have to pin this for later.
Thank you for crediting me, but please in your comments don’t act like you made this list.
I apologize if my comments came across that way. I did still put my time into vetting all of the word of mouth marketing websites. I’m a member of all of them so I do feel like a lot of my time and energy went into putting this post together.
Of course. I spent months upon months, to years gathering the list I made. Hours of googling, a lot of my time went into that list. Thats wonderful your top list of like 20 links took a lot of time and energy.
I value my fellow bloggers. You are obviously upset, which was never my intention. Let me know what I can do honor your hard work. I do not feel as I have done anything wrong. I did not steal your work. But I don’t want a fellow blogger to feel wronged. Send me an email and we can figure out what to do about this, even if it means deleting this post.
You’re fine :)
Hi Hannah,
Thanks for the information! It is exactly what I was looking for. My 10 yr old son would like to review toys, games… He wants to make you tube videos and review products. Any advice for a starting point for a 10 yr old?
Thanks,
Cary
I’d have him start reviewing items he already owns in order to practice. Set up the channel, and put the videos up. Then send the link of the reviews to a few of his favorite companies. Many big companies have contact information for reviewers on their contact pages. It’s addicting! Once you start looking for PR friendly companies, you can’t stop! Keep me updated!
Heads up..Amazon terminated my sisters account because she had to many reviews for free or discounted items, she tried to open a new account but Amazon recognized her card info and denied her new account set up. Its against Amazons rules to get paid in product for reviews.
Hmmm. I know that if you do it improperly they will delete your account. You have to actually try out the item for at least 7 days for it to be considered a real review.
Also, it’s good to review the things you buy too!
Great list. Can’t wait to get into reviewing freebies.
This is a great list! I’m excited to try some of these :) One question for you though… When you’re messaging them, what do you say? If you wouldn’t mind, Could you give me a little sample of what to say to get the free products, please? Thank so much! :)
Great article.. Thnanks for this
Thank you for this great list. I have given a couple of these a try. I think this is great money saving tip too, getting free things from companies in exchange for a shout out or review.
Wonderful! Thank you for the wealth of helpful information. I’m sharing this. :-)
Thank you for sharing!
This list is fantastic, but just makes me want to move to the US (or even UK for some) where you can participate in the review process. There would have to be something similar in Europe but I haven’t mastered the local language yet! :) I’m still pinning for inspiration though!
I’ve wondered about this happening in other countries! It’s interesting to know that it isn’t going on yet!
Wow great list and thanks for sharing it.
Thanks for this great list .. Do any of them work internationally?? I’m not from US or UK or Canada
I think most are for the US, but it can’t hurt to try!
Thanks for sharing such an informative and detailed post. Bookmarking this post :)
-Shamira
Thanks!
Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was a enjoyment
account it. Look advanced to far delivered agreeable from you!
By the way, how could we keep in touch?
I signed up to SQM where they pay me to shop, fly, take buses, eat at restaurants, stay at hotels and more. It’s a really great company and I’m really happy with them.
Hello,
I am confused about how this might work. Do i have to contact the seller and ask for them to ship the product in exchange for a review? Thanks so much, and I am super excited about this!
Hi Anita, sometimes yes if you want to work directly with the seller. Some companies like Tomoson let you apply for opps instead.
Hi I am in South Africa do i qualify in any of the list
I’m not sure, but it can’t hurt to reach out and ask!
Amazing post. i really like your efforts.
Thanks!
This is great thanks for sharing this who doesn’t like to get free stuff lol,
My thoughts exactly!
Do you know some sites that are open to sending samples in other countries like the Philippines? Tia
Does any of this worked?
did you real get any freebies?
if yes then could you please tell me which one really legit and good.
OMG, yes! That is why I wrote this post. I was getting so many freebies that I didn’t know what to do with them all. There is a section in this post that talks about the ones I personally used. Def check that out!
Nice Tips!
I just wanted to enquire that are you allowed to keep all the products you review??
Absolutely. I’ve never been asked to return anything.