Recently, I have done a few videos about a particular tool and how it performs. I find these videos very difficult to do. For one thing, I don’t call them a “review” video. In my opinion, a review video should have a variety of different brands of the same tool to compare it against. Talking about one tool or even comparing it to another tool, is not a fair way to “review” it. An honest review should have a large selection of companies comparing every detail of the tool to the others. Unfortunately, I do not the ability to do that or even have the desire.
I will do a video telling viewers the features I like about a product. I also will tell them about the improvements I feel the product could/should have added to it. Sometimes the lack of a feature can be the single reason why NOT to buy the product. I do this in an effort to inform a viewer before they go out and spend their own money on the product. Of course, this is just my opinion, but it’s based on 21 years of being in the trades and as a full-time furniture maker.
Occasionally a company will email me offering a “free” tool if I do a video about it. This can seem very tempting to do. The first thing that hits me is my ego. I start thinking, “Oh! They realize how important my show is and want ME as their spokesman.” In reality, I am one of the thousands they emailed and probably know nothing about me. Another thing that crosses my mind is, “Oh a FREE tool, and all I have to do is a simple video.” But it’s not really free when I factor in the time to use it. The time to film it. The time to edit it. That is days worth of work, or more, for the “free” tool.
The biggest issue I have with being given the tool is the honest opinion of the tool or product. It’s tempting to want the free stuff. But it comes at a price. Once I have the item, I am expected to use it, talk about it, and promote it. That is a lot of responsibility. Some people don’t care and make their living in promoting products. I do not. I make my money by building furniture for my clients. I have spent years working, saving my money and then buying a tool I need.
My goal is to make every viewer and subscriber a better woodworker. My wish is that everyone is able to create the best furniture they can and always continue to grow in their skills and abilities. That is why I try so hard to give as much content as possible without cost to the viewer. However, the costs on my end do add up. This newsletter, for example, has a fee I must pay to be able to give it out to everyone. The videos also are pricy. They require multiple cameras, lights, and microphones. The editing software has a monthly fee to be able to use it. So to help offset some of these costs I will be offering items for sale in the newsletter.
In the newsletter, for a limited time, the items offered will be a discounted price. I want to do this as an appreciation for the people who help support this newsletter.
I hope the newsletter never comes off in a sleazy way of pushing my own name or as a means of trying to “get rich” off of the viewers who subscribe. This sincerely is not my purpose. My purpose is to keep it real with viewers and to be able to continue to give content that will continue to make others a better woodworker.
Chad Stanton- Owner of Stanton Fine Furniture
