Am I wrong?

[Guphanti]

Hello,

My channel has about 70,000 subscribers and I have never partnered with a network. One network in particular has made me a lot of offers through the years and recently made a really good one. I reviewed the agreement with lawyers and came up with changes to request, all of which were reasonable and advised by my counsel. The network after looking at the revisions now says they cannot allow ANY revisions to their agreement. Regardless of the fact their offer is good, I feel like the terms of the agreement leave me unprotected, and I don't want to sign.

The problem is that I feel most YouTubers eventually go to networks, especially as you grow in size.

Am I shooting myself in the foot not going with a network (they are very large and reputable) or right for refusing to sign a bad agreement?

I don't think it would ever get to the point where we would have a dispute, but I feel like I have to plan for the worst and not sign a bad agreement.

What do other people do in these circumstances?


Thanks.

 

[Super Pawsitive]

Hello,

My channel has about 70,000 subscribers and I have never partnered with a network. One network in particular has made me a lot of offers through the years and recently made a really good one. I reviewed the agreement with lawyers and came up with changes to request, all of which were reasonable and advised by my counsel. The network after looking at the revisions now says they cannot allow ANY revisions to their agreement. Regardless of the fact their offer is good, I feel like the terms of the agreement leave me unprotected, and I don't want to sign.

The problem is that I feel most YouTubers eventually go to networks, especially as you grow in size.

Am I shooting myself in the foot not going with a network (they are very large and reputable) or right for refusing to sign a bad agreement?

I don't think it would ever get to the point where we would have a dispute, but I feel like I have to plan for the worst and not sign a bad agreement.

What do other people do in these circumstances?


Thanks.

Depends! What were the revisions you made? What did they deny? If they denied something, it's probably because they feel it's unreasonable to them, or they simply don't want you in there that much.

What does your channel do? Games? News? Etc? Is Adsense available where you live? These are all valid questions. I know in some circumstances it's better to go with a network either because Adsense is not available in your area, or you could use them for when things go to poop on the channel (strikes, content ID, etc.)

I think I need more details before I can really say if you should/should not go with them. Especially details about their offer to you. That's the most vital part.

 

[obscurimity]

You are definitley at the point where a network is beneficial, but you are not wrong for being wary.
People tend to shoot themselves in the foot by signing contracts TOO early, I'd say.

I'd maybe try to reach out other people already in that network, and see if anyone with first-hand experience can give you advice with that network.
I think its ok to wait to join a network until you find the best network for you, no matter how pressured you feel by your channel size.

Good luck with everything.

 

[Shakycow]

Why would you be wrong in refusing to sign a contract that you don't agree with? You've clearly grown to a good size without network assistance... what do you think/ expect them to do for you if you were to sign?

 

[Guphanti]

Depends! What were the revisions you made? What did they deny? If they denied something, it's probably because they feel it's unreasonable to them, or they simply don't want you in there that much.

What does your channel do? Games? News? Etc? Is Adsense available where you live? These are all valid questions. I know in some circumstances it's better to go with a network either because Adsense is not available in your area, or you could use them for when things go to poop on the channel (strikes, content ID, etc.)

I think I need more details before I can really say if you should/should not go with them. Especially details about their offer to you. That's the most vital part.

They denied everything. That fact alone makes me question their motives. AdSense is available, and it's a game channel, in good standing. They say the agreement is designed to protect me and them yada yada, but I know for a fact that's not true. It only protects them. The question is whether people just sign these things like when you hit "accept" on the license agreement for updating your phone.

They have made many offers through the years, and they've gotten better, but every time their unwillingness to address the problems in the contract have prevented us from working together.

 

[Super Pawsitive]

They denied everything. That fact alone makes me question their motives. AdSense is available, and it's a game channel, in good standing. They say the agreement is designed to protect me and them yada yada, but I know for a fact that's not true. It only protects them. The question is whether people just sign these things like when you hit "accept" on the license agreement for updating your phone.

They have made many offers through the years, and they've gotten better, but every time their unwillingness to address the problems in the contract have prevented us from working together.

See, now that's the thing. A network is basically supposed to protect channels in the event that there's a strike, or content ID is being a little jerk.

Now, I know a lot of people sign these contracts without reading them. Which is hilarious to me. Though here's the things I look for.

• Contract term. How long will I be under it?
• Revenue split. How much am I getting?
• What are they promising?

Trust me, I don't sign until I've complained to them a number of times. I don't know why you wouldn't read that stuff. It's the future of your channel. WHY WOULDN'T YOU READ IT? Some people may not be the brightest.

I'm currently with Screenwave Media. Really liking this network atm.