Collaborations can help you find new content ideas and new communities on YouTube. Check out Marques Brownlee’s video below for tips on collaborating to reach more fans:
Marques Brownlee on Collaborating to Reach More Fans
Come up with content ideas for collaborations
- Find creative ways to showcase different perspectives on the same event. For example: prank video and its behind-the-scenes.
- Large-scale collaborations are an excellent way to bring together a wide range of creators, content types, and viewers. For example: virtual gaming collaboration.
- While similarity is great to consider, don’t overlook the comedic potential that may come from bringing together contrasting content types or creators. For example: nail artist and cake decorator collaborate.
Know your value
Before getting in touch with other creators, think about what you can add to the collaboration, such as:
- Broad audiences like the demographics of your YouTube subscribers, followers on other social media, or offline fans.
- Unique skills like sewing costumes, writing music, or creating cool special effects.
- Production resources like a nice camera, post production software, or other equipment.
- Access to intriguing shooting locations or interesting people.
Choose compatible collaborators
Think beyond subscriber count. While a large subscriber count is appealing when choosing potential collaborators, think of other important factors. For example, aligned audiences, growth potential, and the personality of your fellow creator are all important. Ask yourself:
- Could you imagine someone watching one of their videos then immediately watching one of yours?
- Do you have mutual values? Do they or do I need any skills, production resources, or unique access to a particular audience that the other creator can offer?
- Do you enjoy their videos? If you don’t connect with the creator’s work, it probably wouldn’t be a successful collaboration.
Connecting with potential partners
- Offer a brief synopsis of the type of video that you want to make.
- Use their preferred method of communication, which is often indicated in their channel page’s About tab.
- Familiarize yourself with their channel and the types of videos that they make.
- Make it personal. Use their name and don’t just copy and paste the same note to multiple creators.
Once you’ve finished the prep work, it’s time to get in touch with your potential collaborator. Here’s an example request:
| Keep it honest |
Hey Niko! I honestly love your channel, the writing, and editing style in [video] was a huge influence for me when I first got started! |
| Stay specific | I’m working on a truth or dare series that I’ve been releasing over the last few weeks. I noticed in YouTube Analytics that many of my viewers also watched your videos. I was hoping to get you into an episode around the end of this month. |
| Make the value clear | If you’re down, I’d totally be willing to return the favor. We’ll make sure to give you the raw footage from the shoot and make time to shoot an episode for your channel as well. |
| Be flexible | If you’d prefer we shoot a different topic for your channel though, I’m open to it. Just let me know and we can work something out! |
Cross-promote content
- Upload two different videos to both creators’ channels. This way, both audiences have a way to discover the collaboration and be introduced to the other.
- Use cards and mentions to give viewers a way to go from one channel to the next.
- Use a verbal call-to-action that directs to the other channel like “go check out our other video on X channel by clicking the link below”.
- Mention channels in video titles & descriptions to help increase discovery when viewers search for your video.
Turn new viewers into subscribers
- At the end of the video, ask viewers to subscribe to your channel.
- Customize your channel layout to highlight videos new audiences may like best. For example, put your best or most relevant videos in the top section and be sure you have a channel trailer.
- Keep up the good work! You’ve done the hard work of getting these new viewers to your channel. Now give them a reason to come back regularly!
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