What grant is being renewed?
The Weekly Orbit
What work from the previous proposal was completed?
Pat and Waq have published 40 episodes.
What work from the previous proposal is ongoing or pending?
Work on The Weekly Orbit continues weekly. This is an ongoing project.
What work was not originally planned, but completed, if any?
This is not applicable to The Weekly Orbit.
What work is newly slated since the previous proposal?
Given that the show follows a news and discussion format, we propose that The Weekly Orbit hosts a panel debate on a future topic with significant differing opinions. The integration of Eigenlayer is a potential subject for the next six months that could benefit from a debate-style forum.
Are the results of this project entirely open source (MIT, GPL, Apache, CC BYlicense or similar)? If not, which parts are not, and why not?
Not applicable. We’re willing to share content to anyone in the community.
Benefits - enter N/A where appropriate
What metrics can you share on the success of the project?
During the grant period, The Weekly Orbit has amassed 106 YouTube subscribers, 15 podcast subscribers, 160 Twitter followers, and 120 Farcaster followers.
Screenshot of YouTube
Screenshot of YouTube analytics
Screenshot of Spotify analytics
Screenshot of Apple Podcast analytics
*Screenshot of Google Podcasts analytics
*Twitter screenshot
Farcaster screenshot
Viewership across all platforms ranges from 50 to 125 per week. We are confident that the show has laid the groundwork for future growth, given our increasing comfort and rhythm with each other.
We launched The Weekly Orbit shortly after Atlas. Since then, the market narrative of liquid staking has shifted focus to other things. The overall market significantly influences our viewership.
Anthony Sassano recently gave permission for us to post our show in the Daily Gwei discord. He also gave a shout out to both The Weekly Orbit and Rocket Fuel on his show 8 Feb 2024. We anticipate that the upcoming releases of Dencun, Houston, and the much anticipated NodeSet launch within the next six months will spark considerable interest in Rocket Pool. We’re prepared for this surge.
In less specific terms, how has this project improved the Rocket Pool ecosystem or benefited the Ethereum ecosystem?
The Weekly Orbit provides weekly content for those interested in being a node operator, rETH, and DeFi integrations of RPL & rETH.
Distinguishing our show from other Rocket Pool media is our approach, which goes beyond merely reporting a handful of top stories each week. What sets us apart is our commitment to fostering a good two-way conversation. Waq, a seasoned crypto veteran with the wisdom gained from navigating three market cycles, joins forces with Pat, who, as a non-technical normie, provides a distinctive perspective shaped by a single market cycle experience. Our discussions cater to the diverse spectrum of our audience, ranging from beginners to advanced users.
In the fast-paced world of crypto, where attention spans are limited, it’s crucial for Rocket Pool to have multiple media outlets. This ensures engagement and effective communication of the exciting happenings within the Rocket Pool ecosystem. The Weekly Orbit plays a key role in contributing to public awareness.
Team
Who has done the work, and have there been any changes to the team?
The team only consists of Pat and Waq.
How have the individual constituents of the team been compensated?
Pat and Waq have split the grant 80/20.
How has maintenance been performed since the delivery of the project?
Maintenance is done by YouTube, Spotify, Apple, and Google.
Payment and Verification
Have the acceptance criteria been met?
The acceptance criteria has been met since the initial grant was given. We took off for one episode when Pat was in transit to Australia.
What is the proposed payment schedule for the grant? How much RPL and over what period of time is the applicant requesting? Does this differ from the original approved amount?
This grant requests a similar framework presented in Round 4, August 2023 with one change: We are requesting an increase from 9 RPL per episode to 10 RPL, inline with the media grants to Rocket Fuel, Jasper, and Ken in Round 8. We will produce 26 episodes (one per week) with the caveat there might be a missed week for sickness or vacation. The monthly payment will continue to be split 80/20 between Pat and Waq, respectively.
26 episodes x 10 RPL = 260 RPL.
260/6mths = 43.33 RPL/mth
Pat (80% x 43.33) = 34.66 RPL/mth
Waq (20% x 43.33) = 8.66 RPL/mth
Is there a measurable Return on Investment for the project?
Quantifying the return on investment for The Weekly Orbit, like many media and community engagement initiatives, poses a challenge. However, its impact can be gauged qualitatively by noting the considerable positive influence it has had on both the existing Rocket Pool community and newcomers. It’s a positive contribution to Rocket Pool.
What is the breakdown of spending on development for the original grant vs. maintenance?
This is not applicable to The Weekly Orbit.
Conflict of Interest
Does the person or persons proposing the grant have any conflicts of interest to disclose? (Please disclose here if you are a member of the GMC or if any member of the GMC would benefit directly financially from the grant).
Pat has no conflict of interest.
Waq is a member of the GMC. He has received donations in the form of RPL from anonymous and non-anonymous members of the community. He received money from a Gitcoin grants round the majority of which was distributed to the community. The gifts and donations have no impact on the content of The Weekly Orbit.
Will the recipient of the grant, or any protocol or project in which the recipient has a vested interest (other than Rocket Pool), benefit financially if the grant is successful?
No, we have no vested interests in other protocols. Rocket Pool is our only passion.