Council Recommendation

Recommendation: Negative ☹️ The council does not support funding this proposal due to concerns about cost efficiency and performance relative to existing initiatives. The SANDDAO Podcast’s budget request of $1,000 per episode is significantly higher than the production costs of The Sandbox DAO’s Diggin' in the Sand (DITS) podcast, which is produced for less than $400 per episode. Additionally, performance data shows that 48 of the 50 SANDDAO Podcast episodes have achieved fewer views than the last three episodes of DITS, which garnered an average of 106 views per episode on YouTube (total of 317).

While the SANDDAO Podcast has made notable contributions to the community, this proposal lacks evidence of scalability or a clear plan to deliver superior results compared to existing DAO-supported initiatives.*

TL;DR

What

This proposal seeks funding for the production of 15 episodes of the SANDDAO Podcast. These episodes aim to expand the reach and quality of the podcast by improving audio/video production and diversifying the content with new social media formats. The project plans to scale the podcast's distribution to 8 new platforms, including TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Pandora, to broaden its audience and increase engagement across multiple channels.

Why

The SANDDAO Podcast has successfully contributed to The Sandbox ecosystem by offering in-depth discussions with SIP authors, DAO delegates, and The Sandbox team members. To further strengthen The Sandbox DAO community, there is a need for increased professional production quality and wider distribution to address gaps in engagement and participation. By improving the podcast’s format and expanding its presence, it aims to address current challenges like low DAO voting participation and SandFam sentiment toward the DAO.

How

The proposed solution involves hiring additional team members, including a Podcast Assistant and a Shorts Creator, who will manage content distribution and create bite-sized content for platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. These roles will help optimize the content for maximum discoverability, ensuring that it resonates with a broader Web3 audience. The team will focus on both long-form content and social media strategies to improve visibility and engagement.

When

The production and publication of the episodes will begin immediately upon approval of the SIP. The MetaWorlds team plans to publish episodes on a consistent schedule, releasing 1episode per week. The full set of 10 episodes is expected to be completed within 16 weeks, with the team aiming to reach specific milestones at 2 weeks, 10 weeks, and 20 weeks after approval.

Who

MetaWorlds, led by Lanzer, is a Trusted Partner with experience in both game development and content creation within The Sandbox ecosystem. Lanzer has been deeply involved with The Sandbox community since 2021, contributing to The Sandbox through projects like Floor Droppers (Builder’s Challenge 1) and Lava Defense (GMF 2023). The team also includes Donsun, a co-founder with a background in project management, and Keisha, who provides research and analysis for the proposal development process.

SIP Details

Problem Description:

The SANDDAO Podcast addresses the need for better communication and community engagement within The Sandbox DAO. While the podcast has contributed valuable content, it will benefit from professional production and expanded distribution to overcome issues like low audience engagement.

DITS has the advantage of Sandbox branding, SANDDAO has received little to no reposting from the Sandbox account and was forced to build everything from scratch. The highest Sandbox DAO video has 215 views, SANDDAO’s highest is only 25 views less than that. SANDDAO streams episodes live to Twitch and has exceeded 20+ live viewers about 4 times, and 10+ live viewers about 15 times.

Scalability will be achieved by expanding the team to reach audiences not yet accessed. The $1000 per episode supports editors earning a livable wage, interpreters for our international guests–such as Seba (French–Ep 38) & MetaFutura (Italian–Ep 24), and other expenses necessary to operate a business.

Proposed Solution:

This proposal requests funding to enhance the podcast's production, hire additional staff, and increase distribution across multiple platforms. The funding will allow for the creation of 15 episodes with high-quality audio and video, as well as new short-form content for social media.

Project Description:

The project will involve hiring a Podcast Assistant and a Shorts Creator to assist with the production and distribution of content. Episodes will be published on multiple platforms including YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and social media channels like Instagram and TikTok.

Implementation Plan

Deliverables Per Episode, each episode will: Be no longer than 4 hours Be published on major podcast platforms (e.g., YouTube, Spotify, RSS). Include high-quality production (audio and video). Be optimised with transcripts and keywords for searchability and audience reach. Feature guests relevant to The Sandbox DAO ecosystem.

Budget Breakdown

Risk Analysis

Low Audience Engagement: Address via targeted marketing campaigns, community interactions, and content performance reviews. Scheduling Conflicts with Guests: Ensure flexibility and have backup guests available. Negative Feedback or Controversy: Employ conflict resolution techniques and adjust content as needed. Changes in DAO Priorities: Stay in communication with The Sandbox DAO administration to align content with current goals.

Benefits to The Sandbox Ecosystem

Unique and New Content: With 50 episodes already published, the SANDDAO Podcast provides in-depth insights into The Sandbox DAO, SIP authors, and community members. The podcast offers a long-form narrative that is not available in other formats, providing a rich source of content for The Sandbox ecosystem. Community Engagement: By offering a platform for the community to stay informed and participate, the podcast helps build stronger connections between The Sandbox DAO and its members. It also fosters greater transparency in DAO governance. Potential Audience: With podcasting’s global reach, there is an opportunity to introduce more people to The Sandbox DAO and its initiatives, increasing Web3 adoption and awareness of The Sandbox ecosystem. Brand Identity: The podcast will help establish a clear brand identity for The Sandbox DAO, making it more recognizable and trusted within the Web3 space. Customer Connection: Through personalized content and interviews with community leaders, the podcast strengthens the connection with listeners, increasing loyalty and engagement.

Team/Author Background

MetaWorlds, led by Lanzer, a seasoned contributor to The Sandbox, has experience in both game development and content creation. The team has a proven record of successful projects, including Floor Droppers and Lava Defense. Lanzer’s extensive professional background in contract writing and program management adds further credibility to the team’s ability to execute the proposal successfully.