Engineering with Rosie Sponsorship policy
Engineering with Rosie on YouTube
Channel Goals and Operational Dynamics
'Engineering with Rosie' is more than just a YouTube channel; it's a platform dedicated to offering a deeper understanding of real engineering issues in the energy transition. This commitment to depth means our videos go beyond the superficial, diving into the heart of engineering challenges and innovations. However, this approach does increase production costs and narrows our audience compared to more surface-level content strategies.
A significant part of what makes 'Engineering with Rosie' unique is my dual role as a content creator and a practicing engineer. I love my engineering work – it's exhilarating to see new technology ideas come to life, and helping to shape the future of energy. This professional involvement is crucial for the channel, as it enables me to represent the true nature of engineering – the challenges, solutions, and the inevitable trade-offs. Consequently, I spend four days of my work week immersed in engineering and dedicate one day to YouTube. My engineering work keeps me informed about the latest in energy systems and technologies, providing a rich context for the content I create. This deep insight into technology maturity and trends, gained from hands-on experience rather than just press releases, is what I bring to my audience on YouTube.
The channel's commitment to accuracy is reflected in our team as well. Each team member holds an engineering degree, ensuring that every aspect of our content is technically sound. While I am not yet able to draw any salary for my own YouTube work, I believe in fairly compensating our team for their invaluable contributions to research, writing, editing, and publishing. They're not just a team; they're the backbone of the channel, enabling us to maintain our high standards.
Balancing this commitment with personal life, especially as a mother to a one-year-old, is a constant juggling act. The time I dedicate to the channel is time away from my role as a mother, adding another layer of complexity to this labour of love.
A typical video production cycle involves 1-2 days of my direct involvement, complemented by 3-4 days of editing and 1-2 days of research and writing by the team. This investment of time and resources is a testament to our dedication to delivering content that is not just informative, but also a true reflection of the engineering world.
Sponsorship Selection and Criteria
The unique nature of 'Engineering with Rosie' presents specific challenges and needs when it comes to sponsorships. The in-depth, technically accurate content that is the hallmark of the channel is time-intensive and costly to produce. This contrasts starkly with more superficial content that often garners higher popularity and views. My commitment to providing realistic, nuanced opinions on various technologies, instead of a uniformly optimistic narrative, naturally appeals to a smaller, though more discerning, audience. Consequently, the volume of videos is lower, production costs are higher, and the potential audience size is smaller. This combination significantly impacts the channel's profitability. In light of this, YouTube ad revenue alone is far from sufficient to cover our costs, making the exploration of additional revenue streams, including sponsorships, a necessity.
Sponsorship for 'Engineering with Rosie' is carefully considered. We encounter two main types of sponsors: 1 - generic sponsors, such as online learning platforms or VPNs, and 2 - those directly relevant to our video topics. The former, while ethically uncomplicated, offer limited financial support, proportional to views akin to YouTube ad revenues. The latter type of sponsor, aligning with the specific content of our videos, is more appealing for two reasons: they offer the opportunity for inside access to new technologies and projects, and they are more closely aligned with our target audience, making them more valuable than generic sponsors. However, there's a balance to be struck. We must ensure that these sponsorships do not influence the channel's content direction or its integrity.
When selecting sponsorships, we look for opportunities that align with the channel's ethos and topics that are already on our (extensive!) list to cover. The ideal sponsors are those who appreciate the value of an accurate, in-depth technical explanation of complex topics. Though Engineering with Rosie’s viewer numbers are lower than other channels covering energy technologies, they are far larger than most content at this level of depth and complexity so sponsoring an EWR video is an appealing way to educate on a nuanced topic.
Ultimately, sponsors who partner with 'Engineering with Rosie' benefit from the association with high-quality content that resonates with and effectively communicates to a dedicated and engaged audience. They gain not just visibility, but a resource to help communicate accurate information relevant to their industry and a connection with viewers who value the depth and accuracy of the information presented. This approach to sponsorship selection is integral to preserving the integrity of the channel and ensuring its continued success and relevance to our audience.
But none of this would be the case if the audience loses faith in the integrity of the channel. Sponsors recognise the trust our audience places in our content, and the value of this trust is paramount – far outweighing the short-term gains from any sponsorship that might compromise our standards.
Maintaining Editorial Independence in Sponsorships
In 'Engineering with Rosie,' editorial independence is not just a policy; it's the cornerstone of our relationship with sponsors. Our approach to sponsorships from sponsors related to the video’s topic is centred around two primary types of videos:
1. Topic Videos: These deep dive into the problems that a sponsor's product aims to solve, providing educational content that ties in with the product's purpose, but don’t cover the sponsor’s product itself.
2. Site Visit Showcase Videos: In these videos, a company covers travel expenses, and I present a showcase of the project without interjecting personal opinions. These videos are probably the most challenging to maintain independence and for the audience to trust that independence. However, it’s worth it because this is the only way to get access to show real cutting edge technologies in person.
Note that paid reviews are not one of the options. We believe in maintaining the authenticity and credibility of our content, and paid reviews do not align with these values.
The selection process for sponsorships is rigorous. I reject the majority of sponsors that approach the channel, especially if their products don't align with our standards or if there's a risk of compromising our integrity. The stress of trying to maintain integrity while pleasing a sponsor whose product I don't fully endorse is a situation I consciously avoid.
When it comes to content creation for sponsored videos, I retain full control over the content and script. This is non-negotiable and is clearly stated in our contracts with sponsors. We do not take talking points from sponsors, ensuring that our content remains unbiased and true to our voice. While sponsors can assist with background research and provide access to experts, we always seek independent expert input to maintain the balance and objectivity of our content. Our policy also allows for sponsors to help with fact-checking, but they do not have the power to veto any aspect of our videos.
We maintain strict editorial control, which means sponsors do not have the right to approve a video before publication. However, we acknowledge the risk that sponsors take by trusting my editorial decisions and how I choose to represent their product publicly. Therefore, if a sponsor requests that a video not be published, we honour that request, but a fee is applicable. This fee designed to cover the costs incurred in video production and reflects the resources and effort invested in the project. It is significantly higher than the sponsorship fee, so it also acts a deterrent for sponsors to veto a video.
Through these practices, 'Engineering with Rosie' upholds its commitment to editorial independence, ensuring that the content remains accurate, unbiased, and true to the ethos of the channel, regardless of sponsorship.
Financial Strategy and Future Outlook
The financial strategy for 'Engineering with Rosie' is built on a foundation of diversification and reinvestment. Currently, our income is fairly evenly split between three main sources: YouTube ad revenue, Patreon support, and sponsorships. This diversified approach not only sustains the channel but also allows for growth and development, as all the income – and sometimes a bit more – is reinvested back into the channel.
Looking ahead, the reality of dedicating significant time to a venture that doesn't offer equivalent financial returns is challenging. To address this, one of our key strategies moving forward is to increase the amount of sponsorship revenue. This will not only ensure the channel's sustainability but also allow us to continue producing the high-quality content our viewers have come to expect.
Patreon support plays a vital role in this ecosystem. It's not just a financial lifeline; it's a direct line to our most dedicated viewers. Through Patreon, we gain invaluable insights into what topics our audience finds most interesting and what questions they have. Additionally, many (maybe most) off the Patreon team are subject matter experts on topics related to those the channel covers. Their feedback is essential for tailoring our content to meet the needs and curiosities of our viewers.
In addition to Patreon and sponsorships, 'Engineering with Rosie' is also bolstered by external video production work that we complete for energy technology startups, universities, industry bodies, etc. And I also earn fees from workshops and keynote speaking. These additional revenue streams provide a safety net, ensuring financial stability and protecting the channel against the unpredictability of sponsorship income.
As we move forward, our focus remains on engaging with our community, diversifying our revenue streams, and continuing to provide in-depth, accurate engineering content. For those looking to support 'Engineering with Rosie,' Patreon offers an excellent avenue to contribute not just financially, but also by shaping the content of the channel.