How Not To Do Business Part 8 | Fact Fiend Focus

[@loverlover34]

This is why I love this channel. The way they work the backroom is so honest and down to earth. Met Karl in Chicago and I had to comment on his overall production

[@FactFiend]

Cheers man. Sorry I never made it to that smash bros tournament.

[@loverlover34]

@@FactFiend no problem. Us both having on converse was enough for me

[@chriskatz2355]

@@FactFiend always love the down to earth and reasonable work as well as overly sensible business in the way your work is handled. Your business model all around is better than the 90% out there

[@sintanan469]

@@FactFiend I have to admit, Fact Fiend and your crew are one of the rare few I will listen to an ad read from because I know your morals and transparency mean that if you endorse a product it isn't just corporate buzz words being read off a script. There are so many channels I scrub the ads on, and I am proud to say I have yet to skip one of your ad reads. More often than not I have looked into the products you sponsor. Keep on keeping on, you crazy kids.

[@ffrrreeeakk]

To the manscaped marketing team, Lucas telling me that your product is good AND fact fiend agreeing to your sponsorship terms would have increased your credibility significantly to me and i likely would have become a customer. This fiasco has had the opposite effect.

[@derekstein6193]

Response to Arnikarian: I bought one of their trimmers earlier in the year, and it works well. But how they acted towards Karl and (by extension) Lucas, is serious self-sabotage. Seriously, if you have a solid product at a reasonable price point, then why ruin your chances of success by behaving shady and aggressive with potential reviewers/advertisers? To everyone else in the comments: That contract shit is inexcusable. Read your contract before you sign, ask for clarification on vague points, get second opinions/input from a knowledgeable third-party if they continue being vague/obtuse, and don't expect any promises to be fulfilled if they are not in writing. NEVER accept a contract that allows a company/organisation/employer/entity to have that much control over you, the agreement, or their level of responsibility to uphold their side of the agreement. Corporate entities may have individuals employed, but the business dictates their actions and thereby ensures they follow company directives, instead of morality or common decency. Businesses are not moral entities inherently. A family or individual-owned business can have a conscience of sorts, but that is only due to the owners' direct supervision and direction. Corporate, shareholder-controlled businesses have zero conscience. Such a business grows and stays alive on money and nothing else. Despite what the U.S.A. Supreme Court has said in the past, these businesses are not persons; they are more like cunning beasts that utilize the capacities of their constituent parts (a.k.a. employees) to get the sustenance (money) they desire. Major companies that try to express their ethics or "personal values" are merely behaving like a chameleon, camouflaging against attack, and allowing consumer prey to unwittingly fall to its predation. Beware company contracts, for all you are to them is just another means to an end. To Karl Smallwood: Great job, Karl. Sticking up for friends and business partners can be difficult, especially in lean times. You have given viewers a good example to follow.

[@beyondfitness1770]

100% agree you articulate what I was thinking very well

[@outtagoodnamesdangit]

You know, it's actually kind of touching how much solidarity there is about this. Karl being the "face" of the channel doesn't downplay anyone else's importance, and I think Lucas doing a thing for a shaving product company would have been awesome. Those guys missed out.

[@stuponfucious7]

Lucas face video would've been a huge draw!

[@valseedian]

any sponsor that gives up a channel first is so obtuse. never mind a face reveal for a standard channel voice... (for most of your audience at least)... at the same time, I bet the two of you could have figured out a good way to encorporate both of you while thumbing your nose at the fact you don't have a beard.... I mean, it's not truly meant for your face after all. this is another good way to handle it though. keep it up karl!

[@vattmann1387]

@@valseedian A semi censored version of the pubus mons of Karl ;P

[@tonyg25]

Asking Karl to review a beard trimmer is about as sensible as asking him to review a tanning bed

[@aWhysGuy]

Thats not fair at all! He could probably actually use a tanning bed, though the results may not be great.. lol

[@mandi8345]

Karl reviewing a beard trimmer: "So....its a trimmer. Seams to be made of plastic....has a cord. Yep." Karl reviewing a tanning bed: "This appears to be some sort of medieval torture device for northerners.........has a cord...."

[@AMHlocal]

Legit the one channel that lets us know what everyone is selling out for. Thank you.

[@Tredal4]

To be fair, Karl isn’t claiming that others that accept the sponsorship are “selling out”. Not every offer is the same nor are the mindsets of people accepting these offers. He’s simple pointing out this instance of cring worthy practices that creators and ourselves need to be on the look for. If we come together, educate, and actively reject these kinds of practices then companies will have no choice but to just be decent people or evaporate.

[@Shivana246]

@@Tredal4 And not every person can afford to ignore these offers. staff to pay, websites and run and stock. Videos to appeal for getting demonetized, among other things.

[@AMHlocal]

@@Tredal4 by selling out I don’t mean the money but more of the tight restrictions they are presented with. If sponsors who let the creator have fun with it and be creative that would be way more enjoyable for the viewer and might actually boost sales.

[@Tredal4]

@@AMHlocal I love that this is proof of the change channels like this are making. A polite, respectful debate.

[@johnspartan5722]

To be fair this is a slightly more niche interaction since normally the person on camera is still the one filming the ad read so most other youtubers probably didn't have this experience

[@prestonfaceman]

I want to see Karl do the sellout add. I'd like to see him promote "GENERIC FACE TRIMMER" while holding up a toaster or chicken salad sandwich because he doesn't have his product in hand while talking about his madd luscious beard blowing in the breeze of the office fans

[@fairystail1]

Funnily enough there is actually a sketch by Collegehumour, part of their CEO series where a chicken sandwich (technically burger but same thing) is used as a razor

[@psygaud]

"As you loyal viewers are well aware, I'm always complaining about how annoying it is that my beard grows so fast and thick and is always getting caught in office fans!"

[@vattmann1387]

A call out to the local takeaway out of choice would be awesome :D

[@justarandomtechpriest1578]

YES

[@HenryNewcomer]

I kind’ve wish Lucas would’ve started the skit with his beard, and Karl finished it with an “and look at me now.” But I get it. It’s great to see honesty and a set of morales when it comes to advertising.

[@myrixica4222]

If they weren't being so shitty about it I coulda seen Karl and Lucas coming up with that idea.

[@televisonator]

Or just Karl word for word repeating how he likes to trim his clearly visible bushy beard.

[@gmailisaretard]

That would be a laugh honestly. Or get Karl to wear one of those knitted beards and just take it off when he talks about the shave. But honestly I'm with Karl on telling Manscaped to get stuffed, don't tell me to sell out my friends.

[@theonlybrad91]

Regardless of what manscaped may think. Lucas is a huge part of the channel. You could never have a conversation with friends, without friends

[@LenaFerrari]

The awkward silence would be something lol

[@trurock1]

Literally saw the clip and thought “wow. There’s Lucas!” They completely overlooked how surprising seeing him in the ad is to regular viewers. Might’ve kept me from scrubbing past it lol.

[@Darxide23]

The reason why I love these "How Not to Do Business" videos so much is because we all know exactly what it's like to be abused by advertisers as the ones being advertised to. But most of us rarely see just how the advertisers abuse the people and businesses that they advertise with. It just gives another depth to the scumminess of the world of corporate advertising.

[@zoutewand]

I truly believe the world would be a lot better without advertisements. Not that I think they're rolemodels, but north Korea has busses. Not that impressive, most countries do, but their busstops have no ads, only artworks. Just nice little paintings instead of ads. Fucking amazing. Again, they shouldn't be our rolemodels, but that's something they definitely have figured out

[@JamesDavis-vm9gw]

Yes. It’s so wrong for people to pay other people money for a job.

[@CapitanBreakfast]

It might sound really stupid but you two and your stance makes me feel weird sense of pride. A pride that some people do choose to stand up with a straight back and afford something really rare called "principles". Whatever, sounds stupid but it works. Keep up the good work, love from Leeds.

[@blondeelfgirl]

This legit is why I keep coming back to this channel. The shear transparency you have and business integrity. Oh and the comedy

[@thebolas000]

Heh, "shear transparency" and the video is about a shave company.

[@officiallynerdygames7270]

Your transparency about your sponsorships makes me want to sponsor the channel when I have something to have sponsored. Look forward to that in a couple of years ^^

[@DaDragon555]

One day, when I have some money as well as something worth advertising, Fact Fiend is one of the places I will go

[@psygaud]

Every time I see another sponsor on this channel I wish I had something to advertise.

[@officiallynerdygames7270]

@@psygaud I think very few channels have fans who would sponsor them for the sake of sponsoring them like this. The personal aspect of the channel really makes for a nice community in the comments :) At least that I've seen so far. Can't wait to support your ventures when you have something to advertise on the channel!

[@La3nus]

It's clear the advertiser never watched a video because you only have to watch one to tell how willing Karl would be to shank someone for his team

[@gavinmeredith4092]

The thing I learned from this video is advertisers seriously undervalue everyone involved in this channel. Also love the transparency from you guys about the kind of figures advertisers offer you

[@guillermopena8412]

You guys have been open the past few months about how the channel has been struggling financially, and even then you guys are more than willing to reject hundreds of dollars in advertisement money if it means having your mates' back? That is the definition of Integrity. That right there is fucking Loyalty and Dignity. Hell, EVEN if you guys weren't friends and just coworkers, it still says a fuck ton about your work ethics to not sell each other out. It's honestly sad that the advertisement fell through though because it sounded like it was going really, really well. Hell, When the video started, I first thought the problem was that Lucas used the product and it was shit. But it wasn't even that! It sounded like it was actually kinda good.

[@docsigma]

The business skeleton is better at business than people who went to school for it

[@doctorleak5312]

Karl is an amazing boss sticking up for his employees

[@Nutter666]

One day when I actually have a marketing budget for one of my games, I'd love to work with you guys. The honesty and sincerity and genuine camaraderie between everyone involved makes a far better impression of me than a "run of the mill" ad read that any channel/personality could just spiel off following a script.

[@Landga]

The world of advertising is so fucking wild, I wish big company’s would be more open to sponsors like the ones you all do. You acknowledge the pain in the ass sponsors can be to the viewer. Especially when they are all the same across 20 different channels. I think that makes this channel so much more enjoyable. You are just people. I’m happy you guys are open about this stuff, even with the amount you get paid. It sucks that companies that so many people love, use or are even just exposed to are so bad at being companies. It will be interesting to see how online sponsorships change over the next few years or decades. Being that this is all very new in the world of advertising.

[@inthewindago]

The advertisement game is so messed up. I keep getting company’s on Instagram trying to get me to promote their product. But I don’t have even 20 followers. Because I never post! I’m sure they are trying to get me to buy their stuff. Then promote it. For discount or money, only if I get enough hits on my post. So just trying to get me to give them money. With zero chance of making anything back! It’s disgusting! I’m sure they get many people duped. Or they wouldn’t keep trying it! Sad!

[@Landga]

@@inthewindago I get similar things. I have an art account on Instagram and routinely get repost accounts wanting me to pay them to repost my art. Not the exact same thing but I find it to be in a similar vain. Gets old very fast. No I won’t pay to have a repost account shove my stuff out with minimal credit. If I ever hit a point where I could pay to sponsor someone to share my art, I would come to these guys. Straight to the point and honest about sponsoring

[@grumpymonk2460]

“Business skeleton” 10/10

[@kesslerkomicsstudio]

I've been waiting for another "How not to do business"!!

[@Auradragon]

Steam actually has a box to check "Did you receive this product free?" when posting a review via Steam store page of the game.

[@gramfero]

Theres a universe out there where karl decided to take the piss out of the manscaped and pretend to shave his perfect clean face while talking about how it's so good that it shaves non-existent facial hair

[@ThunderStruck15]

Honestly. I LOVE when sponsors let the Content Creators have free reign with the ads. Ryan George's ads are some of my favorite 🤣

[@serpentxblessed]

Internet Comment Etiquette also makes genuinely amusing ads.

[@ohdangerbro]

*requests to sponsor channel* "How not to do business 8" Oh no, what did I do

[@pgonzalez1678]

To be fair, it probably would've worked to say "Lucas said..." and contribute your presence that way, as a summary at the end or after the bit. That being said, I feel like Manscaped owes you some money. Just because they decided not to use it, doesn't mean that you didn't go through the work of filming and editing. Send them an invoice. And if they raise a stink, talk to a collection agency.

[@SleepySlann]

6:00 Love that I got that reference. This one sounds less like bad business practices and more like an incompetent representative.

[@danielreed4050]

Imma advertise my graphic novel with y’all once I find a publisher

[@AGhastlyGengar]

I'm rooting for you.

[@danielreed4050]

@@AGhastlyGengar ty much man I’ve been working on it wit my lil brother as an artist for a while on it!

[@Ghost2rific]

I am a huge fan of Graphic Novels. I would love to hear about it when you get it published. Regardless of genre, I always enjoy a good GN ❤️

[@shadowstrider42]

I love this series because it just highlights how backwards this whole thing has gotten. Advertisers should grovel to popular content creators to get the product in the public view, but instead they treat the content as a vessel that's _expected_ to serve as their medium. They treat it as if the medium is there to support the ad instead of the ad supporting the medium. And then the lies, the manipulation, the scummyness... and who are they even fooling? If i watch 3 different channels, in 3 different styles, and all 3 talk about a sponsor the exact same way in the exact same tone using the exact same words that tells me everything i need to know about that product. They don't trust people to talk honestly about it, so it's probably garbage.

[@TalesByMax]

Manscape: "Dudes, do you have hairy balls? Well, let me tell you..."

[@aspenzach]

I thought manscaped was for the downstairs beard. the rug in the basement, mr.elephants whiskers

[@caderidley2309]

This was the best advert I've ever seen

[@ZGKIV]

I also don't understand why someone would try to sponsor a channel and then try to make them act out of character. If you don't like their humor or style, don't ask. I want to see more of your off camera crew, on camera. Love you all

[@Corpse_Wires]

“we love your personality and content and think you’ll be a great ambassador for our product! just dont have your personality and adopt our corporate one”

[@relionix]

Hey, this was probably the best ad for Manscaped...

[@sh10099]

Thank you Karl and Lucas your podcast helps me get through horrible shifts as a door too door salesman, when my anxiety plays up your guys videos on Legend of Kanto, Karl Streams or The Untitled Side Channel are what calms me down I’ve shown your guys talent too so many friends, keep up the great work I can only afford to pay £1 per month to the Patreon but I really hope you guys are happy professionally and creatively

[@_Davepocalypse]

I've never seen a KZbin series snitch on so many other content creators in one go. Awesome content, thanks guys!!

[@flugelblarghen]

Karl: I have issues with this on a basis of integrity Manscaped: Well may we purchase your integrity for $300?

[@alexmoore2558]

This company is so genuine. I believe every word they say due to how honest and transparent they are

[@coopcooper5267]

I think this should continue and expose all the shitty sponsors. I have purposefully not bought a sponsored product. And stopped watching people that accept contracts like RAID as a sponsor based on this series

[@phildiciano9180]

Me too. The moment I see a channel shill out Raid, I turn it off.

[@coopcooper5267]

@@phildiciano9180 I have even on creators I used to watch all the time commented to let them know that is why I’m leaving . 😂 I mean they aren’t going to notice one measly viewer but I hope that more people follow suit.

[@darkindy]

I have been watching for some time, and I have always appreciated the spunk and how upfront you are on this channel. You are a small handful of creators I am now supporting with a monthly pledge. Keep up the good work.

[@alexbarker975]

The only review channel I appreciate belongs to Nick Shabazz. He mentions not only that he got it for free, but that it's likely gone through extra quality standards, and may in fact be nicer than the product on the shelf. Transparency is so important.

[@matthewmaceda5042]

I started watching these a few years back and have watched you evolve from what appeared to be a perpetually drunk show host (not a complaint or dig) to what appears to be someone's dad, (Also not a dig). thats a lot of growth .

[@matthewmcdonald1812]

the sponsors on fact fiend are always really high quality and im convinced its because they focus on the video and ethics of business they have. sound lad

[@xxPenjoxx]

'Far away and nearby Lucas' is Fact Fiend to me as much as you, Nisha and Brad are. As far as im concerned, you're a solid team. So happy to hear your integrity Karl, and indeed loyalty to your friend. Sad that they wasted your time.

[@NyxHunter]

Oh boy just started the video and I'm so excited to see who fucked up!

[@SeniorTuki]

Me: Thinks of fact fiend Karls voice in my head: "Far away Lucas, what are we talking about today"

[@fire2k10]

I can't be the only one who had a Manscape ad run right at the end of this video right?! Fastest I've skipped an ad in a while!

[@mandi8345]

"...so I can call it the business skeleton." [turns to camera, looks directly down lens, cheeky smirk] 🤣🤣🤣 Perfect delivery. Ya know Karl, youve said you werent really interested in being a talking head and such (as you just like talking about interesting stuff, like to a mate as if outside a pub chatting. Which is why this channel is so awesome, just bullshitting with mates), but you're just too damn good at it! Its too perfectly natural! Even the mess ups and whatever....ITS REAL!!! And thats what the big name entities on this and other platforms will never understand.... [internet high fives for all the team, and then Karl....because he'd expect it that way] Still love the channel, still love the content, Keep kicking ass!😎👍

[@sword_of_dusk]

The integrity that this channel shows is one of the reasons I love it so much and subscribed (the other reason is because it's just good, quality content), and I have to tip my hat to you guys. Keep on keeping on, because you folks are so amazing.

[@personneici2595]

Love to see workers sticking together. Good on you both.

[@vattmann1387]

It's great to see peeps calling out the advertisers. Keep doing your thing supporting cool peeps that actually have cool stuff to sell and the like :D Karl should grow a lemme 'tash out of vengeance :D

[@johngamer6255]

Honestly the funniest part of this is I would actually consider buying it if I saw the advertisement you guys originally planned

[@jamescisabell]

Stealth ad read! J/K love this series and sticking by the team! Great video again!

[@booyoung9643]

These videos are so interesting! I love the honesty of this channel it’s so refreshing, and I honestly look up sponsors because I know I can trust them because I trust Karl and everyone else on the channel like they are just friends, so the whole “conversation with friends” vibe completely works for me

[@LaughingRampage]

"Come onnnn! Sell us a chunk of your soul for a grand! Come onnnnn!" -Manscaped

[@UnderRatedPDK]

Karl standin up for his people. Love it everytime.

[@thehumanconsensus]

Seriously, I have a ton of respect for not only for the open transparency, but the fact that you clearly support your team and stand by your ethical code. Too many places I've worked and reviewed don't follow their own code. If you need any accounting help, say the word.

[@dungeonmasterv]

Karl does front load a lot of the work for the channel with articles he writes and researches. But when it comes to the video, besides being 50% of the conversation the other three on the channel are doing all of the editing and photoshop and fact checking for each video! So they're more like 70-80% of the work put into each video!!! So I totally understand why Karl had that reaction.

[@Timmoddly]

The true proof of y'alls friendship is that you both knew the price! 😂😂😂

[@zombmace]

It's the second time i watch a content creator talk about a bad experience with manscaped (the other one is Mista GG) look like these guys got a lot of shaddy practices (if i recall correctly they intentionaly set up irrealistic views goals for the chanel in the contract to pay less that the agreed amount on the pretense of "underperformances") Good video as always. I didnt applied your advices because i always like your videos BEFORE watching them.

[@am53n8]

Say the lines -Bart- Karl! Seriously tho, the transparency this series has given us is much appreciated

[@TheDrWes]

What's great for this is that you turned a potential sponsor video for manscaped, to a sponsor for yours and Lucas channel. I'm pretty sure this video will boost Lucas instead of the company that takes a hit for this.

[@MsTalia1]

I would have chuckled at the "stealth promo" by the editors putting something in "without your notice". it is very on brand for fact fiend.

[@melissamayhaps8990]

It's funny because this *would've* been THE only manscaped ad that wasn't just about testicles. Lol.

[@scno0B1]

i like the way internet shaquille does ad reads. always starts with "company name here" has paid to be mentioned in the video

[@michaelfranke8622]

I get unreasonably excited when I see a new one of these

[@bsgaming3773]

I love that you show how much your team matters.

[@L1ghtweaver]

This is the best advert I've ever seen! j.k, someone had to do it

[@midnightraver666]

Seeing the bit with Lucas WAS interesting. And the "sneaky" advertising sounded kinda funny

[@wykydwyrm]

One of the reasons I really enjoy your channel and content is your integrity, I love all your videos

[@nitrix384]

Dude i am subscribed for life, Thanks Fact Feind!!!

[@shinobuoshino1052]

That pose with the skeleton at the end is fucking amazing

[@dameanbailey9828]

Oh boy here we go. Gonna get my root beer float and nuggets

[@Skrkro]

this is one of the many many reasons I stick around with this channel

[@catgirlgrunge]

The Saiko shirts absolutely slap.

[@Buznik_]

Manscaped: We want you to do it, you're the important one, who even are the rest of your team? First line of every Fact Fiend video: SO! Far away , what are we talking about today?

[@FatMan-wp3xb]

I love watching you guys for the exact reason that it's always just a good conversation with friends. You guys (meaning the whole crew) are awesome truthful and hilarious.

[@Josephkerr101]

Good for you. This just confirms my vibes about the company being predatory and using creators to their own ends without genuine care to the creators.

[@benjaminmadrigalperez9010]

11:10 "i don't have a beard!!!!!" ..... You have balls....

[@friskyjesus]

The fact that not only will Karl prioritizes his friends and not hesitate to go to bat for them rather than make a quick buck, AND will also call out those sponsors for their poor handling of business dealings says volumes of his character. Fans of the channel value the input and dedication from Lucas, Brad and Nisha just as much as we do from Karl and it’s one of the many reasons why we come back to this great channel.

[@OverlordZenith]

I low-key want to see the Karl version of the ad. "Hi, I'm Karl Smallwood, and this video is sponsored by manscaped. You may be thinking 'But Karl, you don't have a beard. You've never had facial hair in any video' and you, dear viewer at home, would be correct. Manscaped, however, didn't care about that and it ultimately didn't matter. I would have tested this product *raises empty hand* if it had shipped on time, or to me, but it was delayed and sent to Brad instead, so I wouldn't be able tell you what a fantastic product it may or may not have been even if I had been able to actually shave in the first place. Thanks again to manscaped for sponsoring this video"

[@proimsat]

You look so friendly in that last picture, it's lovely !

[@YellowFraggle]

Honestly, my favourite channel just because of how transparent they are with third parties.

[@rosiebennett4383]

This series is one of those that I re-watch the most, second only to Karl playing Dead Rising

[@SkullAdmiralJidu]

This channel rules. Love the look behind the scenes.

[@zoeywyllie1411]

Of all the channels on youtube, Fact Fiend by far is leading in terms of integrity

[@matthewwrecza2395]

Yes! A conversation between two friends! Y’all are awesome!

[@ahlijahwilliams3081]

Damn right far away Lucas is a integral piece of the fact fiend family.

[@quickpwned]

Honestly some of my favourite factfiend uploads

[@jdan4752]

I love the fact that because they were so unreasonable and they didn't care about Lucas. They got a video where Lucas said a couple of nice things about the product but then Karl was on camera talking about how terrible the company's business practices are for a much longer period of time.

[@loggen3870]

When I first seen this channel I was like the fuck is a fact fiend. I click and I have been enjoying the content a big hug and thank you guys for showing some light on these companies

[@komputerg33k]

i dont know what changed but wow, the video quality is amazing! great series, appreciate the inside baseball side of the biz!

[@GoneFishingAmalgam]

I just wanted to say that the video KZbin auto played for me after this one was published on May 31 and began with a Manscaped ad read. I laughed my ass off.

[@Fusako8]

After a year and a half, KZbin is FINALLY recommending your videos to me again on the main page. I enjoy your videos. I often send friends to read articles you have written. Your humor brightens my day. But KZbin seems to think I want to watch videos by people with trouble modulating their voice. . .

[@Jpmizzle]

How not to do business, set yourself up as a channel that hates ads, then realise you’re skint and have to start taking sponsorship

[@matts.5512]

My Knowledge Demon shirt came in the mail today Karl! Thanks!

[@TheForrest05]

Your take on spoilers being a day behind on HBO would be perfect for a VPN.

[@xXxjayceexXx]

This series is why I started watching

[@BronzeJamo90]

Time to binge the whole series