The State of the Phil Edwards Channel: 2024
Added 2024-12-26 13:00:09 +0000 UTCIs this navel gazing? You bet! But I feel that for a channel made for curious people, it's only natural to provide a bit of behind-the-scenes info.
Long and short, things are going...fine...as I make the adjustment from employee to jack-of-all-trades entrepreneur. I know it might even be a bit disorienting to think of me as anything but a writer/video guy, but running a YouTube channel is a business as well as an editorial endeavor, and it's a long, glorious, bumpy ride.
Feel free to use this thread to ask any questions I missed: about sponsors, about gear, about future plans, etc!
Comments
I don't pay for anything, just the usual spamming on Twitter/Threads/Bluesky/LinkedIn (wow that's exhausting. And I'll check out the book! I first learned about that operation on my Lunar Rover video and thought it was pretty crazy.
Phil Edwards
2025-01-08 12:51:10 +0000 UTCJust wondering, do you promote your channel through any social media platforms? Curious how much $$$ that would cost and the benefit gained from that. On the topic of video recommendations, I'm currently about halfway through a book called Operation Paperclip by Annie Jacobsen-- really fascinating stuff about the post-WWII American science program. I bet there's plenty of video ideas from that story!
Silas Hartman
2025-01-07 01:04:44 +0000 UTCah thanks re: the reaction videos - i always feel a bit silly doing them! and no, not missing anything! it's just a cross post right now.
Phil Edwards
2024-12-30 12:22:19 +0000 UTCPhil, I’m a big fan of your work, and your mention of Spotify/Amazon made me wonder… are you putting stuff there that I would miss from just YT and Patreon? (BTW, I love your reaction videos on Patreon - it’s an amazing perk, happy to hear it’s a light lift!)
Carl
2024-12-30 06:30:35 +0000 UTCAh I appreciate this reminder Dan. Apparently I have, though I'd totally forgotten about it. Looks like I have gambling blocked, so I'll probably just keep that. They have some other categories I probably could block, but I'm not as bothered by the Adsense as I am by my personal endorsement on something.
Phil Edwards
2024-12-28 02:48:45 +0000 UTCHave you reviewed which adsense ads are allowed? I don't get the ads since I have YouTube premium, but I remember hearing that there are some similar categories you might want to disable if you don't agree with their practices.
Dan
2024-12-27 23:41:37 +0000 UTCyeah somebody asked me this on youtube- i do know better help has had some scandals, but it's mostly about authenticity. i'm not in therapy, let alone online therapy, so i'd feel pretty inauthentic selling it. whereas factor is the most delicious microwaved food i've ever had and would eat it every day if i could
Phil Edwards
2024-12-27 23:02:25 +0000 UTCThanks for the behind the scenes. Thank you for being ethical about what brands you will work with. I completely agree with not accepting ads from betting sites. I have never used better help and don't know much about them beyond their ads. However, I am curious to know more about why you won't have them as a sponsor. What other categories won't you accept ads from?
Desmond Suarez
2024-12-27 04:33:30 +0000 UTChey that's really nice of ya - and thanks for writing papa
Phil Edwards
2024-12-26 16:09:35 +0000 UTCI just did the same. I watch every single video, so if I need to throw a few dollars to keep the gravy train rolling, I'll do my part!
Samuel Caston
2024-12-26 15:51:52 +0000 UTCI really really appreciate this video! The two cents from some random Gen Z kid probably aren’t that earth shattering, but I’ll share them anyway. I discovered you from Spotify… I can’t even remember how I got to your page but the Utopia video was the first one I saw. That video grabbed my attention so well, and the way you incorporated the AD reads so smoothly is the reason why I kept watching your videos. The consistency of quality quickly made your videos a favorite for me. You are the reason I downloaded Patreon and actually started using my meager funds to support creators. You do a great job!
Papa Jazz
2024-12-26 15:47:57 +0000 UTCInteresting! Thanks for the reply. Happy new year!
Bobby Malvaez
2024-12-26 15:31:18 +0000 UTCi'm with united talent- they did approach me. i think at a certain point agencies will start approaching people, though mine were in a bit of a flurry because an industry newsletter (publish press) did an article about me leaving my job
Phil Edwards
2024-12-26 15:15:19 +0000 UTCHi Phil! I have a small channel that I do mainly as a hobby. Who is your agency for ads? Did you approach them or did they approach you?
Bobby Malvaez
2024-12-26 15:09:27 +0000 UTCI really appreciated the behind the scenes look. While I always enjoy your content and presentational style, I am appreciative of your videography style as well. I find your content inspirational in a seemingly never-ending stream of chaos. The peek into the revenue stream was quite interesting; I didn't know about Spotify's video endeavors until you mentioned it. I'll have to take a look.
J.P. Wing
2024-12-26 15:03:50 +0000 UTCAwesome! Right now they typically only send me one offs, though I'm thinking of suggesting multiples in the future (this would help correct for some of the video volatility, involve less dealmaking, etc). But I have no idea if that's practical or not yet. The truth is I'm so busy I kinda take a backseat on that stuff.
Phil Edwards
2024-12-26 14:56:01 +0000 UTCThanks for this Phil! I have been dabbling in youtube and I think I have a format I want to go "all in" on this upcoming year so hearing you is helpful. Question about sponsors, do you do multiple video deals or one offs?
Jon Kuhn
2024-12-26 14:53:03 +0000 UTCYeah I think most people are pretty surprised! To be honest, saying no to stuff can be as much about the long term health of the channel as it is about ethics, so I'm probably not that noble. And I have a bit of padding that there's no cash crunch. Maybe it'll help people judge other YouTubers a bit less though if they are doing sketchy ads (and possibly have payroll to meet or other pressures on them).
Phil Edwards
2024-12-26 14:26:23 +0000 UTCHi, Phil. Thanks for the inside look. I had no idea the majority of your revenue came from ad reads. I really, really appreciate your discretion in choosing which sponsors to read. I'm sure saying "no" to money isn't easy but it's inspiring to see someone I look to for growing my perspective maintain their standards. Also as a Patreon-er (?) I'm glad to help support a base from which you can grow. Thanks for 2024. As any creative questions and ideas come to mind I'll be sure to pass them along in 2025. Happy New Year!
HonkingGoose
2024-12-26 14:22:08 +0000 UTCHahah “oh those acoustic panels were there when I got here”
Adarsh K
2024-12-26 13:41:15 +0000 UTCThanks for sharing this peek behind the curtain! It convinced me to upgrade my tier from free to paid :)
Gil Kruger
2024-12-26 13:39:15 +0000 UTChaha thank you! Me. A combo of Ikea and Wayfair! And a bunch of acoustic panels I hand cut and attached to the wall that will probably destroy my rental deposit.
Phil Edwards
2024-12-26 13:25:21 +0000 UTCThis is super random: but who does the interior design for your studio? I really dig the aesthetic!
Adarsh K
2024-12-26 13:14:17 +0000 UTC
