Getting your first YouTube collaboration is a pleasant boost from working alone. It feels good to have a partner share fresh ideas. A friend in your videos might say, "What about trying this approach?" or "Let's film it this way." Such suggestions can bring new life to your content.
Overall, it’s nice to work with someone who loves filming, editing, and posting on YouTube too.
Have we inspired you to find collab partners, collect email addresses, and pitch a themed YouTube video?
Well…not so fast.
Before you send a flurry of emails, learn how to collab with other YouTubers first.
Audience size is the first thing to consider when planning great collabs. Don't worry: You don’t need thousands of subscribers for a video project. You just need a collaborator whose channel size is close to your own.
Imagine reaching out to MrBeast for a video collab. His largest channel has more than 80 million subscribers, and even if you have 1 million, that’s not an equivalent partnership. You would gain millions of views and subscribers, but MrBeast wouldn’t get much from the deal. He’s already uber-famous.
So if you have 1,000 subscribers, for example, look for creators who have between 500 and 5,000. That levels the playing field so you both benefit from a collab.
If you're just starting out on YouTube, teaming up with others can help you grow. Early collabs might give you a boost. First, know your YouTube niche well and build a steady collection of videos that show your style.
Our discord chat room is another option. Creators gather there to network and learn YouTube tips, so you’re bound to find YouTubers looking to collab.
Don’t forget about your channel’s theme when seeking collaborations. Even if a creator shares your channel size, that doesn’t mean they fit your YouTube niche. Find someone who covers the same topics as you, whether that's beauty, gaming, real estate, or something else.
You can’t afford to skip this step. If your channel is about personal finance, and you collaborate with a salsa dancer, that’s going to confuse your viewers; they might even unsubscribe from your channel.
Many YouTubers are looking for partners, but they don’t have unlimited time to search for one. People are busy filming, editing, and spending extra time on their YouTube thumbnails. The worst thing anyone could do is ask for a collab without sharing YouTube collab ideas.
Read More: 7 Tips to Craft Irresistible Video Ideas on YouTube
Before you email creators, come up with three to five video ideas. Explain how the partnership would benefit their channel, and overall, just make it easy for the person to say yes.
If someone does agree to collaborate with you, the next step is nailing a video style.
There are four ways to do a YouTube collab:
YouTube collaborations are fun, but they take time to plan and execute. That’s why you need realistic deadlines for everything: when to film collabs, when to edit them, and when to push them live.
While filming and editing times are flexible, planning your release schedule is important. Syncing your posting time can boost shared promotion and make for a smoother viewer experience on both channels.
If you’re doing a collab where separate videos go on each partner’s channel, publish everything at the same time. That way, you can ask viewers to watch part one or part two at the end of whichever video they’re watching. It only works if both videos are available from the start.
A YouTube collaboration isn't done when the content is published. The next step is promoting the video on social media to a wider audience.
That typically happens on:
View counts are just one part of a successful YouTube collab. Check how long viewers watch your joint video compared to your solo work. When viewers stick around, it is a good sign.
Watch for a rise in subscribers after your video goes live. A strong collab brings in more fans from both sides. Look at comments to see if people want more videos together.
Use YouTube Analytics to track how many viewers click on end screens, cards, or description links. Ask your partner to share their data, too. This shared look at the numbers helps both channels learn what works best.
Even with good planning, mistakes can happen in YouTube collaborations. One error is making videos that do not suit both channels. When a collab feels off, viewers from both sides may lose interest. It is important to talk about who will host the video, who edits, and how each side will help with promotion before filming begins.
Clear calls-to-action also matter. Let your viewers know whether they should subscribe to both channels, watch another video, or comment below. Lastly, choose partners who fit your channel instead of focusing just on subscriber counts. Often, a smaller channel that matches your style leads to more successful YouTube collabs.
Now that you’re an expert on video collabs, learn these tips to grow your channel faster.
Reach out to creators with similar channel sizes and interests. Present 3-5 specific video ideas, explain how both channels benefit, and keep your message clear and friendly.
A successful collab works when both channels match well. Plan videos that benefit both sides, be clear in your talks, and coordinate your promotions.
Yes, they can. Collaborations can boost watch time and bring in more subscribers. This faster growth can help you meet your monetization goals.
Quality matters more than quantity. Start with a few collabs each year and see how they work for you. Keep creating solo videos alongside.
Challenge videos, interviews, skill swaps, debates, reactions, and tutorial projects are fun formats. They bring out the best in both creators.
Lydia Sweatt is a writer who loves balancing her article/blog time indoors with a healthy dose of nature. She bikes, hikes, and identifies edible plants along the way.
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