Ethics Statement for Don Bullock’s Tech iHOUND YouTube Channel

My YouTube Tech iHOUND channel is very small. Currently it’s far from the being at the levels necessary for me to monetize it or attract sponsors or be offered freebies. I truly value the relationship I’ve built with my viewers. You are appreciated and valued.

Having said that, I have already turned down some potential sponsors. Several have already contacted be with various deals.

Sponsored content is nonexistent on my channel. If I choose to work with a brand in the future, it will always be because I actually use the product or service myself and genuinely trust the brand to provide excellent customer service and support. More importantly, I will always make it abundantly clear that such content is sponsored. If I don’t explicitly say that a video is sponsored, then it is not sponsored. Simple as that!

In general, I prefer not to create sponsored work. If I do partner with a brand in the future, you can bet they’ve seen this page and that I’ve been able to build a relationship with them over an extended period of time based on mutual trust and understanding.

Beyond that, I think it’s important to question the purpose behind a sponsorship. For me personally, a sponsor should support and enable what I do. Ideally it’s a win-win-win situation for the viewer, the brand, and myself. My channel has never been and never will be an extension of any brand’s marketing department.

At this point in time all of the equipment and products I use and review are purchased by me, but sometime in the future I may rent or borrow equipment. So far companies have never sent a product to me free of charge. If and when that does happen I will always clearly state in the video and description that it was provided to me at no cost. I only plan accept these offers simply due to practicality – I have a very limited budget and sometimes there are things that I’m curious about or that I’ve been asked for my opinion on. I would go broke pretty quickly if I bought items just to review them.

I pledge that if I ever receive free products that it never guarantees a positive review or even a review/video at all. Just like with sponsorships, I will be extremely selective about accepting anything for free and will only do so after discussing this Ethics Statement with the brand.

All that being said, there are a few additional non-negotiable points I’d like to share for the sake of clarity. I’ve made all of this info publicly available to viewers and brands 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 I think will be relevant/helpful to my audience at that time. I do not submit previews of videos to anyone for approval or revisions. No exceptions.
• My reviews are always as objective as possible and my opinions are always my own.My reviews are always as objective as possible and my opinions are always my own.
• I do not submit previews of videos to anyone for approval or revisions. No exceptions.
• I have full control over my content calendar. While I’m happy to work collaboratively when possible for scheduling, no outside party can pay or otherwise influence me in return 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 free products or services.I do not make videos in exchange for free products or services.
• I never work with Amazon resellers– only directly with reputable brands. 
• I typically avoid “preproduction” versions of products/software and prefer to use what will actually be delivered to other customers. If necessary I will review products with preproduction software and make that clear to my viewers.
• I appreciate when companies offer information about their products/services, but I will only include what I think is relevant and necessary and in any videos I create. Such information will be included only if I also agree with it.only if I also agree with it.
• I will work to seek answers for anything about a product/service that I don’t fully understand to make my videos as accurate and helpful as possible
• While it usually makes sense to include certain links in video descriptions or social media posts, I retain full control over what is shared on my accounts across all platforms.
• I never include additional social media promotion in sponsorship agreements (Instagram, Twitter, MySpace, Etc).
• YouTube’s “includes paid promotion” option will be checked any time a video features a product or service that was provided at no cost, even if it’s not an official sponsorship.  
• I’m more than happy to let companies share my videos, as long as the post links directly to the original video uploaded to my YouTube channel. Videos may not be re-uploaded elsewhere.not be re-uploaded elsewhere.
• If I find myself considering a sponsored campaign that includes other creators, I will work to confirm that there is a representative mix of genders/ethnicities/orientations.
• I do not guarantee any number of views or any amount of audience engagement on any videos or content. As much as 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, but I do watch and “like” all my videos before publishing, so I guess I can guarantee at least one view and one "thumbs up."

Side note to that: I do find it funny when brands asks for a video to “go viral.” If I knew how to do that, why wouldn’t I make every video a viral sensation?

Thank you for taking the time to read and understand my Ethics Statement. This probably doesn’t cover every scenario under the sun, but it should give you a pretty solid idea of how highly I value the integrity behind what I do and the relationship with anyone who takes the time to check out something I’ve made.

Ultimately, I just want to keep having fun making videos, and that sustainable fun disappears without these guidelines.

The Following is from the originator of the orignal Ethics Statement: If you’re a creator yourself, please feel free to take this Ethics Statement and make it your own. It’s ethical to steal my Ethics Statement! - Tom Buck

Please give credit to Tom Buck for the original statement if you use it and be sure to let him know where you found it.

As always, if you have any questions, concerns, information, etc. please feel free to reach out to me at donbullock@techihound.com.

Don

This website and the connected YouTube channel or anything related to them are in no way connected to Apple Computer. Apple Computer has not authorized anything that appears on this website or connected YouTube channel. Don Bullock, the owner of this domain name, website and YouTube Channel has absolutely NO connection to Apple Computer and doesn't receive any compensation or renumeration from Apple Computer or anyone else. Anything published on this website and/or connected YouTube channel are Copyright© by Don Bullock -- All Rights Reserved.