PCBway sponsorship - a few questions that others may have encountered - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: adriansmith31
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2023, 07:13:49 pm
content: I have a fairly small YouTube channel with about 510 subscribers - my videos don't get many views but PCBWay decided to sponsor one of my projects giving me 5x boards at the cost of around $130USD inc shipping.I thought it was a bit odd why they chose a small channel that doesn't get many views but I took up their offer in return for a short advert on my video about the project. The project in question (a large ATMEGA based clock) isn't that interesting nor anything special either. I made the video and put a link to their site on my blog as requested. But when I released another video they asked why I had not put their advert onto it and wanted me to put a 5 min long advert for PCBway onto my next video. As most of my videos are fairly short I thought this was a bit too excessive; also my YouTube stats indicate most viewers turn it off once the advert starts hurting views.Has anyone else had their projects sponsored but PCBWay want you to continue making adverts even on videos that are not related to the project? I did not request a sponsorship; they contacted me and offered more than the $100 allowed. I'm a bit reluctant to do this as it's penalizing my views but they might turn round and say I have to pay for the goods but yet I made one video as requested.As the value of the goods were quite substantial compared to JLCPCB I'm wondering if I should bother to made any more adverts for them. Especially one that is 5 mins long.Has anyone else had any experience of this with PCBWay contacting you out of the blue?

author: Daixiwen
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2023, 10:06:51 am
content: I assume you have a written agreement with them? What does it say exactly? Does it say yo should put adverts for them on several videos?

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2023, 10:38:48 am
content: The world of sponsorship/advertising is a bit messed up and cut-throat.Sometimes they will try to trick you, and get as much advertising out of you they can get away with, and guilt trip you.It's good to have your own list of rules, give the list to the company and say "take it or leave it".

author: Siwastaja
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2023, 05:48:35 pm
content: Quote from: Daixiwen on November 30, 2023, 10:06:51 am+1. Just read what you agreed to. If not much anything, then don't care about extra requests.

author: adriansmith31
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2023, 07:51:30 pm
content: No written agreement other than a brief conversation on discord so I guess I could tell them no. No mention I had to put the ad on several videos.As psi said I think they are trying to get as much out of me as they can and then try the guilt trip trick.

author: NorthGuy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2023, 04:46:04 pm
content: Quote from: adriansmith31 on November 29, 2023, 07:13:49 pmFree cheese can only be found in mousetraps

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2023, 05:30:09 pm
content: Sounds to me like you thought they were sponsoring a video and they think they've sponsored your channel. As t'others have said, you should have a written agreement (perhaps download a copy of the Discord conversation).

author: Infraviolet
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2023, 03:04:43 am
content: "5x boards at the cost of around $130USD"Sounds pretty excessive, isn't the usual cost of such boards maybe £5 inc shipping, perhaps up to £20 if they are very large and you pick ENIG gold rather than leaded Hot Air Levelled?

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2023, 08:56:34 am
content: Depends, 4/6 layer puts the cost up fast. As does thicker copper or smaller holes sizes

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2023, 11:18:28 am
content: I'm sponsored by PCBWay on Youtube.I make a project, they supply PCB's / CNC machined parts / etc, I show them off in the video and put some affiliate links in the video description, sometimes themed for the latest promotion.Basically they give me a set of free boards and they get the advertising in that video.I have a signed agreement (basically stating the above, and that I won't advertise other PCB manufacturers on my site while being sponsored by PCBWay) that has since elapsed, but the same agreement has just continued as-is since.

author: ConKbot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2023, 06:06:41 pm
content: I don't get why they would want a 5 minute segment, seeing product in action, and a 10-20second CTA pretty much gets the point across. I don't need a schpiel like the damn onshape sponsored YouTubers about cloud based free cad software, who I have a feeling have a disgusting eula.I've recently got sheet metal parts from sendcutsend, why? Not because of 5 minute talking head piece, but a person using the parts and a quick mention of the sponsorship, and the quick CTA at the end made me aware of the service that may align with my needs.Edit: also, if an advertising segment is too long, I conclude they company spends more on marketing than making a good product and just passively disregard the product as "probably trash" see: long ass ridge wallet and raycon and mobile game ad reads.