“Roku’s rules got updated. New channels and any updates get judged by the new rules. If your channel is already live, you’ll face the new rules the next time you change anything.”
Setting Up Client & Contributor Onboarding Systems
Now that you know the advanced monetization models, it’s time to put systems in place so you can easily onboard clients, contributors, and partners without reinventing the wheel each time. A smooth onboarding process makes your service look professional and saves you hours of admin work.
1️⃣ Why Onboarding Systems Matter
- Gives a professional first impression.
- Ensures you collect all required content and information up front.
- Prevents delays caused by chasing missing files.
- Makes it easy to scale and take on more clients without stress.
2️⃣ Step 1 — Define Your Service Packages
Before you onboard anyone, clearly define what you’re offering. Examples:
- Basic Setup: Channel branding, feed creation, upload of up to 5 videos.
- Pro Setup: Branding + feed + category setup + up to 20 videos.
- Ongoing Maintenance: Weekly feed updates + analytics reports.
Having set packages means you can send a quick price sheet instead of negotiating from scratch every time.
3️⃣ Step 2 — Create an Intake Form
You need a way to collect client or contributor information efficiently. Use a free tool like JotForm or Google Forms.
Essential intake form fields:
- Business / Creator Name
- Contact Email
- Channel Niche / Category
- Preferred Channel Name
- Logo Upload (PNG preferred)
- Video File Upload Links (MP4)
- Thumbnail Image Upload Links (JPG/PNG)
- Short Descriptions for Each Video
4️⃣ Step 3 — Contributor / Client Agreements
Have a simple agreement that covers:
- Who owns the content.
- What you’re allowed to do with the content.
- Payment terms (upfront fee, monthly retainer, or revenue share).
- Duration of agreement (e.g., 12 months).
- Termination conditions.
Tip: Keep it simple for now — 1–2 pages is fine at the beginning. You can expand later if needed.
5️⃣ Step 4 — Automating Your Feed Updates
As your client base grows, manually updating feeds will become time-consuming. Consider:
- Using a spreadsheet to track which videos belong to which client.
- Pre-formatting your JSON feed structure so you can quickly paste in new video entries.
- Hosting feeds on GitHub Pages so updates go live instantly when you push changes.
- Long-term: Build a small internal tool or plugin to generate JSON feeds automatically from form submissions.
6️⃣ Step 5 — Create a “Channel Service” Landing Page
This page should be simple but clear:
- Headline: “Get Your Own Roku TV Channel — Without the Tech Headache”
- Short intro about the benefits of having a Roku channel.
- List of your packages with prices.
- Simple call-to-action button linking to your intake form.
- Optional: Showcase screenshots of your own Roku channel.
7️⃣ Step 6 — Internal Checklist
Have a repeatable checklist for every new project:
- Send intake form to client.
- Receive files, descriptions, and branding assets.
- Review content for quality and compliance.
- Create or update JSON feed.
- Upload branding to Roku Direct Publisher.
- Test channel and send preview link to client.
- Launch channel and confirm live status.
✅ Homework Before Lesson 9
- Write down your initial service packages and prices.
- Create your client/contributor intake form.
- Draft a simple contributor/client agreement.
- Outline your internal onboarding checklist.
In Lesson 9, we’ll focus on:
- How to find and pitch clients effectively.
- Using your own channel as a lead magnet.
- Turning early clients into long-term recurring revenue.
