Sponsored Reviews and Videos Are ALWAYS Biased (But I'm Doing them Anyway...)
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- Опубликовано: 14 янв 2024
- Getting paid to make a review video is a pretty common thing these days. Countless "Influencers" have made millions of dollars by monetizing their audiences and selling their souls to promote products that they don't believe in and/or have never even actually used.
Is there any way to get paid to make a video and still remain 100% unbiased in your review? Absolutely not. What we can do is share our biases and influences as openly and honestly as possible and let our audience decide.
The key here is honesty and transparency. I promise to always reveal my "material relationships" with companies.
@TheGardenSnake 's video: • Ruroc FIRED ME, Former...
@BigRockMoto 's video: • How Influencers Have (...
My sponsored video philosophy:
I will only promote products that are relevant to the audience
Mostly camping and motorcycle gear but occasionally like action camera/RUclips stuff.
No Nord VPN, Rage Shadow Legends, or boner pills (though based on my demographics I’m guessing those are actually pretty relevant).
I will only work with companies that I believe in.
Great examples are Giant Loop, Cyclops, and MotoCamp Nerd. These are businesses where I know the owners personally, they make great products, and I truly believe they’re worthy of your support.
I’d be promoting them anyway, so partnerships are just gravy. I get paid to do what I’d be doing anyway.
I will not promote products that are garbage. If something sucks, I don’t do the video. If this means I lose money, so be it.
My integrity is more important than a quick buck. My audience’s trust is my greatest asset and I’m not gonna screw that up.
Minimal interruptions. I try to post sponsored content as “extra” 3rd videos that week and limit integrations (ads) to longer videos as much as possible.
Not always possible but this is my goal.
FULL DISCLOSURE AND TRANSPARENCY
I will always tell you if a company sent me something for free and will always say “this video is sponsored by” if I got paid to make it.
SUBSCRIBE for more adventures, how-tos, gear reviews, and moto shenanigans!
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FULL DISCLOSURE: Giant Loop pays me to run their RUclips channel. This isn't a "sponsorship" per se, but it does mean I use their products exclusively and may impact my opinions about luggage. Fortnuately their stuff is good so I'm happy to recommend it, but just FYI.
Disclaimer for reasons: I am not a professional journalist, expert motorcycle rider, or a mechanic. These videos are for entertainment purposes and represent my personal opinions and experiences. I'm just a dude who isn't even good at riding or making videos, so be smart and don't risk life or limb trying to follow my example or advice. 
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Want to support the channel when you buy your dual sport or ADV gear and mods? Please consider using these affiliate links:
Rocky Mountain ATV/MC: bit.ly/3tYzpXq
Amazon: amzn.to/3aDkk4z
Revzilla: imp.i104546.net/4eMdJZ
MotoCamp Nerd: motocampnerd.com/?ref=dork
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Save 20% on Gaia GPS Premium with this link: www.gaiagps.com/discounts/?fp_ref=dork
Good stuff. I think honesty and transparency are a big thing. Two things that i know you strive to do. Keep being excellent..to your audience 🏍
All comes down to trust. I wouldn’t take time to watch you if I had any thought you were not trustworthy or worth my time. Keep doing what your doing and I’ll keep watching
Good job Ben.
I can't believe that a video like this needs to be made, but it does.
The only way to not have sponsored videos would be if enough people support content creators by becoming Patreon or Channel members.
Until then sponsored videos will be part of the mix.
As others have said, transparency is the most important thing and I think you're spot on about how irrelevant sponsorships come across as disingenuous. I think Fortnine does a stellar job of sponsoring relevant products and showing via editing or video chapters how long the sponsored section lasts, which goes a long way. But sponsorships have also blown up in creators faces when they turn out to be crap, like those knives everyone was hawking a while back, so hopefully your careful approach keeps you safe from that.
That was a very clear and articulate explanation of how a RUclipsr (since you don't care for the term Influencer) makes additional income off sponsored content. Thanks for explaining it so well.
😂😂😂😂 Love outro!! You do you. People are so judgmental. I imagine it’s exhausting. Happy New Year!
Thanks Ben!
I never thought anything less…but, Thanks for being Honest. Honesty is so rare these days that folks have a hard figuring if it’s real or even what’s real.
You ROCK!
11:59
You are a great public speaker and I appreciate this presentation. At 74 I still ride but sold my street bike and am contemplating getting an ADV bike. You run your channel like I run my small remodeling business. Integrity #1. Thanks, it’s why I trust your advice. Keep it goin’
The complete transparency is key! So glad you understand why your followers started to watch you in the first place!
Knowing full well that work for Giant Loop, I would love to see a video where you review/rundown EVERY piece of moto kit that they offer. I'm a fan of Giant Loop myself, and already own a rackless setup, tank bag, tail bag, and cactus canteen. None the less, it's still a video I'd like to see, because you are so familiar with the product already.
I've never been swayed by YT ads, except for my Hepco/Becker crash guards, BrakeFree helmet light, Denali B6 Brake Light, Sena 20S EVO Bluetooth com, HJC i90 helmet - Oh wait, crap. Thanks for the help on deciding what to buy for my ADV fun. Great presentation Ben.
lol ;)
Outstanding! This video should be required watching for anyone starting a RUclips channel with the intent to do product reviews!
Keep being honest! It should the norm, but is becoming so unusual, that it is very refreshing!
Thank you Ben for what you do. I love RUclips because of how it works to bring amazing content to so many who could not pay for it. I am so proud of our Motorcycle community on RUclips. You all are heroes in my book. There has been so much good coming from this community it is amazing. The RUclips community in general has made life so much better for so many. I realize there is a lot of bad content out there put with a little common sense most of us can figure that out pretty quickly and not watch it.
Never understood how people get so fooled by ads and suckered in to buying shit they don’t need
Suckers will be suckered, and there are a lot of suckers. Also, Need versus Want, and many can't tell the difference.
Good info Ben. I appreciate your honesty All of us are trying to make a living. You do it doing something you love!
Dork… no worries…if I purchase something based on your video, I will always accept responsibility. Love your videos.
The fact that you are honest with yourself and put yourself out there in that honesty is why, even if I have (occasionally) a different opinion, I watch and enjoy your videos/opinions.
Keep it real and people will follow …
🙏🏻🙏🏻
I will trust your opinion on the gear that you recommend because you have practical knowledge of how these products work. I have completely enjoyed your content, which has lead me to trust you and your point of view on many different topics. I truly look forward to seeing your new content, regardless of the subject matter.
We live on opposite sides of the country but I think of you as a friend. I know that a friend would never steer me wrong, when making a recommendation.
Thanks for your integrity and genuine honesty. I truly appreciate it and you. Thank you, my friend. Have a great day. Looking forward to the next video!
Spot on Ben! We enjoy your videos and you articulate your views beautifully.
I appreciate the candor and openness
Well said Ben. Transparency and honesty are paramount. I look for good information, presented in an entertaining fashion by relatable people. Yourself, Ian, Amanda, Tim and a couple others all do a great job and the one's I subscribe to. Now about those boner pills....... 😊
I appreciate you making this video. You are right , you have one chance for viewers to trust you
Thanks for the insight on this topic!
Thanks for keeping it real, always. 🙌🏽
Thanks Ben!! Always like your videos. Look forward to seeing you at the Tourtech rally this year.
Very well said Ben. That is why i watch you. As you mentioned it is up to us to click and watch or subscribe, we make our own decisions. Thank you for your channel!
Good Video Mr. Dork. Your philosophy on sponsorship seemed evident to me before this video. Over the years of reading bike road tests and product reviews in bike magazines (remember them?), and now being inundated with ads on social media, and You Tube recommending all manners of motorcycle related content, I think I have become decent at recognizing the honest vs the BS content as well as staged drama in a video or a post. You are doing it right. Keep up the good work.
Your approach to sponsored content and complete honesty are commendable. Uhhh thank you!
Ben, I’ve been watching non/stop for past three months. First post on your channel. Enjoy your sense of humor, your movie quotes remind me how old I am every time you break one out. I’ve not had a motorcycle in 24 years. I’ve missed it for 24 years. My wife and I bought light dual sports two weeks ago. CRF450RL his and XR150L hers. She’s watched every minute with me and she’s taken the red pill. Immediately remembered why I was missing it so bad. Time Machine effect, I’m a kid again. We’ve seen roads and views in our home county that we never would have taken time to see. Wanted you to know how much we enjoy and appreciate your channel. So glad we found it. You’re a good dude putting out good quality videos and your personality really shines through. Congratulations on making a living doing what you love. You’ve got two FriendOs in KY bro.
Love it! Enjoy your new rides!
I find Ben to be a great influencer. He has encouraged me to dabble with drug use, ghost my wife and put my child up for adoption. Now i can afford the Transalp and ride without worry. Thanks Ben, you're the best!
😅
Absolutely love the way you framed this. Thanks for sharing 🤙
Ben, I agree 100% with everything you said here. Furthermore, I want you to do well and succeed, because I like your content and I like whom you seem to be. So, If you manage to make good money from your content, I will be very happy to hear about it. Btw, I bet you were an excellent teacher too. Please keep doing what you're doing the way that you are doing. Best regards from Brasilia, Brazil.
Excellent - I appreciate your honesty and I really enjoy your videos!
I love your honest approach. I have watched some channels that are always plugging some product. Some of them seem to do pretty well but I get pissed at content creators who just put up 15 minute infomercials Stay safe out there
Thanks for your honesty...jeez...I might be more biased toward an item I paid for due to fear of looking like an idiot for waisting my money rather than something I got for free. Like you said...being aware of biases is the first step toward clarify. Thank you!
I’ve been watching you since 2019/20. At this point I can honestly say your opinion matters and I trust it. Thanks for all you do for the weekend warrior, ADV community.
There are so many RUclips channels with thousands of views and subscribers that I will never watch again because of this. You mentioned Big Rock Moto. That is one I will never watch again. Calling a one hour ride on a bike you were loaned or given a ‘review’ is bullshit and worthless to me. I trust you and your content. You are a great resource for beginner riders or newcomers to ADV riding especially. Keep up the good work. And keep it real!
I really appreciate your honesty and integrity. I just recently discovered your channel and I am very much enjoying it along with the product information that you provide.
Keep up the good work!
I like the clarification of the sponsor content issues. I really enjoy your channel and input on the bike you ride.
THANK YOU !!! I have left and come back to the channel several times now. I will always come back when I feel you are consistently sharing your story, and I will leave when I feel the bulk of your content is you being a company mouthpiece. I understand it must be hard as your income stability must fluctuate greatly.
I like reviews (and personal opinions) - even when sponsored - as long as the reviews are relevant to the channel and they aren’t setup to look and feel like an advertisement. I don’t mind them using you to advertise on their channel - but it gets annoying when I feel like your channel has become a secondary channel for them.
Thank you - I know making content is not easy or free.
subbed just because of your honesty.
That's very honest, Ben. Kudos! Can you imagine if everyone were honest, we wouldn't have all this lying, cheating, cajoling, blaming others, trying to get what others earned without earning it oneself...
This works for me. Was not disappointed by your your recommendations in the past. Thank you for creating valuable videos for me and glad you can make a living out of it.
Excellent, Ben. Your approach and honesty is refreshing. And the content is great, too!
Appreciate you and your video's brother. Keep it up.
Great video Ben. Thx for taking the time and effort to explain your direction going forward. Honesty and Integrity will serve your channel well. Keep up the good work Dork!
I watch because of your honesty plus your bike and gear reviews I find are very accurate. Btw, in my garage are a brozz recon an Africa twin, honda 300l rally and a beta 390rr-s. The only reason a tenere 700 isnt there is because I couldn't find one. You may recognize all of these...lol....
Well said. I trust you. Even the title of this channel tells me I can trust you!! You're excellent!!
Love it!
Nord vpn boner pills 🤣🤣
Personal story: I’m not a huge channel by any means but I was approached by three different companies to do sponsored videos last year. I told them I would only do them if I was free to be 110% honest with how I felt about their product. Guess what? They all ghosted me after that.
So not only are some influencers dishonest but so are some companies.
100% I got approached by the Chigee people and have a couple others reach out about stuff. For one thing this is why I generally don't do reviews. And definitely won't do paid reviews. I'll review the gear I like and choose to use if I decide to.
You're the man Ben! You've been an OG of the Adventure/dual sport motorcycle community for years now!!! Congrats on 100k by the way! Sorry I've been MIA the last few live streams, but life has kept me in the corner of the ropes for the past year or so...
Your opinions either paid or not we know you wouldn't recommend something that you personally wouldn't use.
I’d vote for ya…! Keep up the good work Dork.
Ride on!
Well said for anyone in sales or education.. I wish more people had a the same ethics.. and more teachers (phd's) understood the personal bias deal!!
Do the sponsored videos! As a loyal viewer, I'll still watch, and be happy to do so.
Well Stated Ben…Credibility ( Your Credibility ) is everything 👍
good for you, thanks for being up front
I had a breakfast of AG and Kachava, rode my One Wheel to the shed, had my solar generator keeping it warm as I suited up in my $1500 worth of pants and jacket, and rode my subscription based motorcycle to the Starbucks. There I used my garmen out reach to contact the satellite network to contact my wife to let her know I forgot my GoPro in the shed, while wishing she could drone it over to me before I ride home again.
Great explanation! I have the same state of mind when it comes to reviewing items, services etc.. I will not post reviews of items that I wouldn’t buy with my own money! I just send the item back if needed and apologize to the company. I rarely need to send back as I research the items in advance so I don’t wind up wasting my time and the business that sent me the item .
Great Video
We need more guys like you
Honesty goes a long way!!!
I trust your reviews 100%. I’m not new to riding but I’m new to the ADV world. I found you looking for reviews on the Honda Rally. I bought the Rally beard on your reviews and Itchy Boots real world use. I bought one and everything you said was spot on. I’ve purchased several items from moto camp nerd and the service and items were spot on. I’ve purchased a lot of Giant Loop gear and the service and gear reviews were again spot on. I personally messaged the owner of moto camp nerd and credited your review as my reason to purchase their gear. Bottom line, I find your reviews to be absolutely honest and will continue to tune in . I have yet to find a single point that I disagreed with after buying and using your recommendations. Keep up the great work.
The "Nord VPN boner pills", at the end, genuinely, made me laugh. Thank you man. Hope to see ya on the trail some day.
Great stuff Ben, thanks for this one.
I run a serious ad blocker, but I want to benefit several channels on YT. I refuse to watch YT's crap ads and fill the pocket of the billionaires, so I don't mind a sponsored video or an ad built in the video... as long as disclosure is there. In your case, it is. That's why I watch your stuff regularly. Keep it up, mate
Love your content 👍
Honesty is the best policy love the content.
You are awesome. ❤
Great points! Nicely explained. PS: this comment sponsored by SurfShark VPN ;)
Great video, I enjoy what you are doing keep it up!!!
Just one comment on affiliate links took me a minute to hunt down and find your link recently when I bought new tires, tubes, shift and brake levers for my Himalayan!
Please keep links more constantly at had in all videos. I did find your link for Rocky Mountain and used it but it was a pain to find. Was not in comments or video of several videos.
But in the end I did persevere because I appreciate your advice
Excellent!
I like that you touched on the fact that anyone who spends their own hard-earned coin on a product is going to suffer some bias. And I would suspect it's likely going to be confirmation bias. We all want what WE paid for to be the best, otherwise we might think we're a dufus who wasted money. I prefer acknowledged sponsored videos, they're just as likely to have legitimate info as any other. I was a little disappointed in Ian's announcement only because if he DID do sponsored videos I'd at least have better opportunity to hear about more products from a trusted reviewer. He, like you, has established trust with me so I say go ahead! Try everything and anything you can, beats me having to do it on my own.
I believe that when making videos becomes your main source of income, you should take every opportunity to make as much money as you can. You're doing your job. get that cheddar!
Dork, I loved the E-Bike Fucare video. I actually bought one and I love it. It has two wheels and a motor so there you go. Close enough for me for motorbike content. Keep up the good work and stay excellent. 🏍
Enjoy watching your video's whether sponsored or not.Thks.
I started watching you when you got the new KLR, as I too just purchased one after years long hiatus from riding. I was enyoying the content, then you sold it. I just thought in the back of my mind, well he's done with KLR content, I'm done with him. But, I continued watching and greatly appreciate all your content now. I'm into riding bikes of any kind and moto camping, so the content is still relevant to me, Keep up the good work.
Your pros and cons of the DRZ400s was highly influential on me during research on getting a dual sport 3 years ago. The line something to the effect "you see a jump on the side of the trail are you hitting it? No? Get the CRF250L. Yes? Get the DRZ." I still very much love my bike and hit (small) jumps all the time.
Thank you
A few of the channels I really enjoy have no "sponsored content ". Aka paid reviews. Most have over 200k subscribers and have been on YT for many years. They have clothing, stickers etc. Only through links in the description and of course patreon. Just channel related content, They're making a good income too. Their yt ads seems less... YT anymore has become more like network television and yt channels are like made for TV ads. People have to make a living I realize but it's just become too much. I find myself subscribing less and unsubscribing more. Almost as liberating as when I dumped FB and all those types of media.... Good you're being upfront about it. Thanks...
Yep, perfectly put, I tend to make my own judgments based on what I see rather than am told and then research elsewhere and when possible, try it somewhere, which isn't always possible. Research, reviews, and when posible testing are the only true ways to know what you want, like me I've watched reviews read reviews researched spec and what people are doing and forcing it to do last thing I need to do before I buy my next bike is sit on it and let's be honest that probably all the test they let me have but if posible take it for a spin. It takes many data points, even for small items RUclips vids should only ever "influence" you to look at something and research it afterall perfect for me might be awful to you 😉 even if the reviews is truly unbiased and honest as posible. And it's never perfect your bias both unconsciously and also by your personal experience and personality realistically, I mean. So that being said you keep sending it I'll definatly keep watching it 😊🎉😊
Thanks Dork, you are a top bloke.
The worst are the creators that get products at an extreme discounted price just so they can bypass transparency and say they bought it.
Great job. You integrity and credibility are crucial to your welfare as a RUclipsr... so great to see that you fully understand that, because I feel like there are so many others out there haven’t figured that out and they haven’t figured out how important it is in order to keep earning the trust of their viewers. blah blah blah yada yada yada. I really appreciate it and I think it’s great that you are putting the statement out there. I wish you the best, I hope you’re able to make a good financial go of this, and I enjoy your content.
You get it, thats Why I watch your stuff
Good vid. Honesty is more important than greed.
Excellent. I think most of your viewers know enough of your backstory to understand any biases. I sub because you’re entertaining, educational, and motivational. (Dork paid me to say that… jk). Some channels only accept sponsors for totally non-related products. Like manscape et. al. Not much difference between watching a 60 sec informercial or a RUclips ad. I don’t fault any RUclipsr for doing some sponsored vids, it’s a business, it’s up to the viewers to decide if it’s annoying. If your sub count is going up, you’re doing something right. I do try to use affiliate links as much as possible. As y’all say, it doesn’t cost us anything. Keep doing what you’re doing. Ah…thank you!
Your check is in the mail.
Excellent dude!! I like the way your videos are made. Greetings from Chile
I don't mind sponsored videos. Be open about it as your are, and honest about your thoughts. I think you put your stuff through enough to prove your thoughts, sponsored or not.
Lol. I trust you Ben.
We can tell you're genuine. No worries.
Jim. Uk. 👍🏻
Thanks for tell us how money is made...
Great video Ben! I appreciate your philosophical position and that you took the time to explain this. Thank you. (I laughed at the boner pill comments too... Love thst sense of humour! 😂)
PS I didn't know how to contact you via email, so I will do it here, with the hope that you will read this comment. My mom was a long-time English teacher and I noticed that you misspelled the word 'unfortunately' in the first paragraph under your disclaimer. The ghost of my mom wanted you to know... Cheers Ben... Keep up the excellent work! 👻
Good on ya brother 👊 always refreshing to hear honest opinions. are you going to test out the new tusk 2track adventure tires?
I just heard about them and I'm very interested.
@@DorkintheRoad I loved the Dsports on my KLR so I can't wait to get the 2track on my tiger 800
Really great video. ty
Bravo! I think we all knew you would not compromise your integrity. There's apparent humble intelligence to the content and that leads to an intelligent following so we wouldn't stand for a "QVC" style plug fest. However we all got to pay the bills so its a trade off and you do it in a professionally balanced way. Entertain, Educate and inform and It's cool you make a few $. Keep it Up! ..... There's your slogan for the "Bonner Pills" you can have that one for free.
Respect! Thank you. Where is little dork? Is she still riding her old XT?
👍A thank you.
Being transparent and relatively specific about the nature of the relationship goes a long way.
"I bought this with my own money at regular price"
"I bought this at a discounted price"
"They sent me this for free" and something like "I can say whatever I want" or "this content was reviewed by the sponsor"
"They sent me this for free and paid me"
Good video man!
People need to eat. Nobody is doing RUclips videos seriously just for fun (too many hrs of work on the background). That stated, there are ways people can be honest doing sponsored product videos. They can be gentle with the criticism (not bash) but still call people's attention to important areas. Unfortunately, RUclips and Media in general, is infested with irresponsible folks who only look to get a buck out of whatever they can. Viewers/consumers must stay alert and do their own research. Smart channels/content creators, always keep in mind that reputation is key for lasting success. Lose it at your own peril! This is valid for life in general.
Nice job……..just became a huge Dork fan!