Collaboration Terms

Here are my terms regarding a video I create featuring product(s) that you send to me. Videos created are solely owned by me and published to my YouTube channel. I also create content for other services such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Blue Sky, Snapchat, Amazon, and articles for my website. Additional videos and a website article are not guaranteed unless we mutually agree upon extras. 

I need to know if your product is being crowdfunded. There is a good chance I won't accept the collaboration in those cases, at least until the product is available through normal retailers. Crowdfunding means websites like Indiegogo, Kickstarter, and GoFundMe. Please tell me if your product(s) are being offered through this method so I can decide before agreeing to have something sent to me. I prefer looking at product(s) that are offered by well known retailers in the USA such as my affiliates: Amazon, B&H Photo Video, Best Buy, Walmart, KEH and Adorama. Your products can be in pre-order status as long as it is on at least one of those well known store websites. 

Here are my collaboration terms that must be agreed to:

1. If I find a major flaw or defect in the product(s), you can request to have the product(s) returned to you as long as your company pays for return shipping (plus a 100% markup to the final shipping cost due to currency conversion fees, money transfer fees, packaging, and time spent). For example, if the true shipping cost ends up being $25, then the total cost will be $50 to you.
2. In the case of a flawed product, I will not complete the video of the flawed product(s) unless you want to send replacement(s). I am taking a risk with my time offering you this, but I want to be reasonable to your goal of increasing visibility of your product(s). In the case of replacement(s), that situation will be mentioned in the video. My goal here is to show quality products to my viewers. If the replacement(s) are flawed then the same process applies. I will mention in the video how many replacements were sent to me.
3. Unless requested by you, the product(s) will stay in my possession after the video is published. If you want the product(s) returned then we can discuss a fee beforehand to offset my production expenses. I will make exceptions, but we need to discuss details beforehand. In addition to my production fee, you will need to pay for shipping with a 100% markup on the final shipping cost due to handling expenses and transfer fees.
4. This video will not be considered a review, but rather an exploration of your product(s) in my unique style. That said, the video will include my honest opinion of what I find good about the product(s) and what can be improved. I will mention quirks or issues I ran into while using the product(s). No products are perfect, especially for everyone. Viewers will not respond well to unrealistically positive videos. Your business should understand this before working with me or marketing your product(s) in general.
5. Any work I produce regarding the product(s) such as videos, photos, and website articles are copyrighted by me. You can share any of my social media posts I make or share the video link with the related thumbnail and teaser text, but you are not allowed to download and re-post my video and/or writings in full on your social media, website, or any other forms of advertisement such as print without my permission.
6. You are allowed to take a few screengrabs of the video for your own social media posts as long as it links to the original content. You are allowed to use short clips of the video in social media posts as long as it links to the original content.
7. All of your promotion involving me must directly link to what I produced about the product(s) such as the YouTube video link. You are not allowed to use my likeness to promote your product(s) where I’m being indirectly used to sell them. If you want that level of promotion, such as in a product ambassador role, then please contact me with a proposition.
8. There is no specific time frame for video production, but usually it takes a month or less. I will keep you updated on progress and will contact you if any issues arise.
9. In the case that I am incapable of producing a video I will make a reasonable attempt to contact you about returning the product(s), but I can’t give you an absolute guarantee. There is always the chance of fires, theft, and other extreme circumstances I don’t have control of. Understand that there is some level of risk for you in this collaboration. Here is a YouTube playlist of successful collaborations.
10. When the video is complete, I will notify you that it has been published. I will not take the video down unless I made an important technical/specification mistake. If there is a technical mistake in the video then I will make a reasonable attempt to correct it. I will replace the existing video if needed. This does not include anything regarding my opinion unless it relates to a feature I didn’t understand properly.
11. The video’s description will include my affiliate links to the product(s) such as on Amazon, B&H, and eBay depending on where you sell your product(s). I will also link to your website if desired.
12. There is the potential I will talk to my viewers about the product(s) in the future, for good or bad, depending on how the product(s) hold up over time after the original video. It is in your best interest to send me product(s) you expect to last a long time.
13. I make a best effort in all of my work, but keep in mind that I ultimately have little control over how popular a video becomes. Some videos turn out to be successful and others do not. I make no guarantees regarding video reach.
14. I will not take requests regarding video title, thumbnail image, or content in the video. Statements like “The best product(s) for XYZ!” must solely be based on my opinion and not based on suggestions or requests from your company. You can tell me about important features of the product(s) or aspects of the product(s) you are most proud of. I will take that into consideration, but all of it will be based on my discretion and focus on doing what’s best for my audience.

I will not join manufacturer website affiliate programs. This creates too much incentive based bias.  I strive to produce fair analysis and information for my audience. They can expect to be getting the full picture of products I look at. A fully informed customer is good for everyone involved. The only exception has been a digital product like software that I often use. 

I will not create Amazon.com customer reviews. That is against their terms of service.

I have an Amazon.com based Affiliate Storefront. The video I produce might be uploaded there if it fits Amazon’s submission requirements. Those videos can potentially be visible on linked product pages in addition to my storefront, but that depends on Amazon’s Creator Hub video recommendation system.

A video in the Amazon Creator Hub

A camera gear video on my Amazon Creator Hub storefront page.

Revised 11/19/2024: Adjusted the placement of the Amazon specific information. I added information about not joining manufacturer affiliate programs. I also revised and added to my wording of fair analysis of products I receive. 
Revised 09/13/2024: Added a mention of generally not accepting crowdfunded products.
Revised 01/06/2024: Amazon storefront link change.
Revised 01/18/2022: I also added a 100% markup of the final shipping cost to the mention of when companies want me to send/return a device. This is due to currency conversion fees, money transfer fees, packaging costs, and time spend related to that.
Revised: 07/03/2021: Significant revisions to make it easier to understand. I made the mention of using my likeness clearer. I made the mention of no requests for specific video titles, thumbnails, and content direction clearer.
Revised: 12/18/2020: Significant changes such as adding the copyright mention.