My channel isn’t the largest on the YouTube platform, but I truly value the relationship I’ve built with my community over the past four years and hundreds of videos.
“Sponsored” content is scarce on my channel. Suppose I choose to work with a company. In that case, it will always be because I use the product or service myself and genuinely trust the company to provide excellent customer service and support. More importantly, I will always make it abundantly clear that such content is sponsored.
Most of the equipment and products I use and review have been purchased by me, but sometimes, I rent or borrow equipment for a video. Occasionally, companies send me a product for free, and I always clearly state in the video and description that it was provided to me at no cost.
Free products never guarantee a positive review (or even a review/video). Like with sponsorships, I’m highly selective about accepting anything for free and will only do so on rare occasions after discussing this Ethics Statement with the company.
There are a few additional non-negotiable points I’d like to make just for the sake of clarity. I’ve made all of this info publicly available to viewers and companies alike so that we’re all on the same page:
- My content is my own. I create and produce each video based on what I’m excited about and what will be relevant/helpful to my audience at the time.
- My reviews are always as objective as possible, and my opinions are always mine.
- I do not submit previews of videos to anyone for approval or revisions. No exceptions.
- I have complete control over my content calendar. While I’m happy to work collaboratively on scheduling when possible, no outside party can pay or otherwise influence me in exchange for scheduling priority.
- Just because a product is provided to me at no cost does not mean I will review it or feature it in a video. I do not make videos in exchange for complimentary products or services.
- I have never worked with Amazon resellers– only directly with trusted companies.
- I do not review or accept “preproduction” versions of products/software.
- I appreciate companies offering information about their products/services, but I will only include what is relevant and necessary in any content I create.
- I will work to seek answers for anything about a product/service that I need help understanding.
- While it usually makes sense to include certain links in video descriptions or social media posts, I retain complete control over what is shared on my accounts across all platforms.
- YouTube’s “includes paid promotion” option will be checked any time a video features a product or service provided at no cost, even if it’s not a ‘”traditional” sponsorship.
- I’m more than happy to let others share my videos as long as the post links directly to the original video uploaded to my YouTube channel. However, my videos may not be re-uploaded.
- Suppose I consider a sponsored campaign of any kind that includes other creators. In that case, I will work to confirm that there is a representative and equal mix of genders/ethnicities.
- I do not guarantee any number of views or audience engagement on any videos or content. While I want everything I create to ‘perform’ well, there are too many variables beyond my control for me to make any claims regarding potential viewership.
- Finally, this one may seem odd, but I do not participate in embargo “wave” releases. Sometimes, new products are sent to creators in advance to be tested so that a video can be ready as soon as the product is publicly released or announced. Not only do I find these often needing more authenticity, but they annoy me. I don’t expect anyone to watch something that I wouldn’t want to watch myself.
Thank you for taking the time to read and understand my Ethics Statement. It probably doesn’t cover every possible scenario, but it should give you a pretty solid idea of how highly I value the integrity behind what I do and my relationship with my community.
I want to keep having fun making videos, but that will disappear without these guidelines. If you’re a content creator, please take this Ethics Statement and make it your own!
As always, if you have any questions, please get in touch with me anytime.
– Scott Wyden Kivowitz