FAQs

1. Why did you start this blog?

I’ve been a blogger on other sites for about a dozen years and The Journier began in 2015 but I didn’t get a chance to spend much time on it until after I graduated from Oregon State University.  Go Beavs!

The Journier allows me to write about a number of topics including science, technology, and of course all those gadgets I enjoy reviewing.  Mostly, I started this blog because I love to write, do research, and share topics I think others will find interesting.

2.  How do you choose what products to review?

I try to review products I think people are most interested in.  Of course, Garmin, Samsung, Fitbit, and Suunto are some of the big names for fitness trackers and GPS watches but I like to find new companies and innovative products to share as well.

3.  Do you pay for the products you review?

Yep, so far I always have.  If a company out there would like me to review their product they can make that request and I’ll certainly consider it.  I generally only review smartwatches, fitness trackers, and outdoor/hiking/camping gear.

4.  Where are you located?

I live in Decatur, Illinois so expect to see a lot of Illinois in my video reviews and hiking adventures!

5.  How do you choose what to write about?

Sometimes I write about things that I personally find particularly interesting.  Mostly, I look at what visitors are most interested in.  What information are they searching for? What posts are most popular?  I try to tailor the site to the needs of the visitor more than anything.

6.  How do you make money?

Yeah, I know you were probably wondering…  My main some of income from the site is Amazon but I am integrating in new income sources as well.

7.  How long does a review take to write?

The writing part usually takes a few hours but there’s a lot that goes on before I write the review.  Some products require weeks of testing before I’m ever to the point of writing about it.  For example, the Garmin Fenix 5s took several weeks of testing because it does so many things while watches that do less I test for a couple weeks to ensure that I’m experiencing it like a real user would.  This way I can make sure I catch any bugs or issues, as well as truly experience all the features.

8.  Can I trust your reviews?

I hope so!  I include the good, the bad, and the ugly for every product I review.  It’s rare to find a product that is perfect at everything.  While it would be in my best interest to write glowing reviews for every product to try to convince you to purchase it through an affiliate link, I’d lose your trust and without trust a review site isn’t worth much.  I don’t create infomercials.  I write reviews!