What questions should I ask a network before deciding to partner or not?

licious_xo

licious_xo

Active Member
A representative (sorry I don't know what the correct title is) from a network contacted me about partnering with them and wanted to offer more information by phone, to which I agreed to. As of right now, I don't feel that I have done enough research to make a decision on joining a 3rd party network, but I figured it can't hurt to get some information directly from them.

Any suggestions/advice for questions I should bring up with them during my phone call?
 
It really depends on what reasons you want to join a network. What are you looking for in a network? :D Lets see if I can give you some help there because I was contacted by networks but I have never signed... YET LOL^^
 
It really depends on what reasons you want to join a network. What are you looking for in a network? :D Lets see if I can give you some help there because I was contacted by networks but I have never signed... YET LOL^^
Click to expand...

That's the thing... I don't really feel much incentive to join a network in the first place. I became a partner with youtube before they changed the partnering system last year and am pretty content right now... I only really am considering it since they emailed me and brought it up lol, along with the realization that most of the channels I watch seem to be partnered with a MCN.
 
licious_xo said:
That's the thing... I don't really feel much incentive to join a network in the first place. I became a partner with youtube before they changed the partnering system last year and am pretty content right now... I only really am considering it since they emailed me and brought it up lol, along with the realization that most of the channels I watch seem to be partnered with a MCN.
Click to expand...

I'm guessing you got asked by Stylehaul or something? Because recently stylehaul has been going on a recruitment jive with beauty/fashion related channels. I would say that branding benefits now is close to nothing because backgrounds on the one channel have evolved into a something for everybody, when it comes to promotion, they do little to nothing to promote your channel unless you are a huge youtuber with a big bag of subs. In terms of earnings, I chose to stay with adsense for that very reason. Even with negotiations and such for networks who came my way, I still didn't find them that lucrative. I can do without an audio library because I have awesome people who provide my videos with monetizable music and so forth. But the only thing good about joining a network is for protection against click bombing. But thats my point of view because I'm more of a DIY channel. :)
 
How long the contract is, what's the split, what's the cpm, what features to they provide (things like forums, audio library, licences, campaigns promotion, etc). :) that's all I can think of.
Click to expand...

Very very helpful thank you!
 
licious_xo said:
That's the thing... I don't really feel much incentive to join a network in the first place. I became a partner with youtube before they changed the partnering system last year and am pretty content right now... I only really am considering it since they emailed me and brought it up lol, along with the realization that most of the channels I watch seem to be partnered with a MCN.
Click to expand...
The only reason to partner is if you want quick monetisation review time, more money, audio libraury. Whats your monthly views? Were would you like your channel to be as far as goal setting
 
licious_xo said:
A representative (sorry I don't know what the correct title is) from a network contacted me about partnering with them and wanted to offer more information by phone, to which I agreed to. As of right now, I don't feel that I have done enough research to make a decision on joining a 3rd party network, but I figured it can't hurt to get some information directly from them.

Any suggestions/advice for questions I should bring up with them during my phone call?
Click to expand...

Ask what type of contract it is. Is it based on a flat CPM, percentage, or quota? If it's based on a flat CPM, ask what that rate is. If they want information from you to set a base CPM, keep in mind that January and February are the two worst months of the year for CPMs. It's a common ploy to give you a lowball offer that sounds better than it is. If based on a percentage, ask what the split is. Is it based on gross income or net income (where they take expenses out and then take a percentage as well)? How long is the length of the contract? Does it auto-renew? If it auto-renews, will it do so with the same terms? How do you cancel the contract if you do not wish to continue the partnership? Does the contract have an out clause? Will you make more money with them vs staying with Adsense? If they say yes, does it require extra work like doing internal promotions?

Next ask what they expect you to do. How many videos are you required to upload per month? Are you required to upload videos to a hub for promotional purposes? If you are, will you get paid for those videos? Are internal promotions within the network mandatory or optional?

What features do they offer you? Do they have a music/sound effects library? What site do they use for music? Does the license for music carry over when you leave or do you have to remove music/purchase license to keep monetizing your videos? Do they have a dashboard where you can see data from your account? Do they offer full transparency into earnings with access to your daily earnings reports on youtube? Do they offer any other features like bulk annotations or a facebook app?

Phone inquiries should be for information only. Do not try to negotiate contracts over the phone where they can pressure you. Handle contract details via email only so you can take your time.
Ask them how long they've been in business-ask for references-see if they can put you in touch with other channels that are partnered with them so you can ask them about their experience with the network.
 
I'm guessing you got asked by Stylehaul or something? Because recently stylehaul has been going on a recruitment jive with beauty/fashion related channels. I would say that branding benefits now is close to nothing because backgrounds on the one channel have evolved into a something for everybody, when it comes to promotion, they do little to nothing to promote your channel unless you are a huge youtuber with a big bag of subs. In terms of earnings, I chose to stay with adsense for that very reason. Even with negotiations and such for networks who came my way, I still didn't find them that lucrative. I can do without an audio library because I have awesome people who provide my videos with monetizable music and so forth. But the only thing good about joining a network is for protection against click bombing. But thats my point of view because I'm more of a DIY channel.
Click to expand...


Stylehaul has contacted me a few times until I flat out said no to them a few months ago. Maker studios is the one I have most recently been contacted by. It's funny you bring up the promotion thing because I was trying to figure out if promotion was even involved at all since all of the networks seem to mention it as a benefit, although never seen a lot of promotion besides the huge channels like you said.

I could see protection against click bombing being a good reason to join though.

The thing about using music from their library, is if you use a track in a video, would you no longer allowed to have that video up/have to upload a version without the music once your contract is over?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top