Collaborating with other creators is one of the most effective ways to grow your audience, get more views, and take your YouTube channel to the next level. But how exactly do you go about collaborating successfully on YouTube?
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire collaboration process from start to finish, including:
Why collaborations are so powerful
How to find the ideal creators to collaborate with
Section 1: What Exactly is a YouTube Collaboration?
A YouTube collaboration (or simply “collab”) is when two or more creators come together to co-create a video. Typically, the collab video is uploaded to one or both of the creators’ channels.
Collabs come in many formats, but usually involve:
Sit-down videos with multiple YouTubers
Co-hosted challenges or competitions
YouTubers interviewing or reacting to each other
Co-branded product reviews or sponsorships
YouTubers swapping channels for a video
Collaborative vlogs, sketches, or songs
The most common type of collab involves two or more YouTubers sitting down together and creating any form of entertaining content – Q&As, games, discussions, etc.
Collaborations are mutually beneficial for the creators involved. By combining audiences, they gain access to each other’s subscriber base and get increased exposure.
Let’s explore the main advantages of collaborations in more detail:
Benefit 1: Gaining Exposure to New Audiences
One of the biggest benefits of collaborating on YouTube is that it grants you access to an entirely new viewer base. Your collab partner’s existing subscribers may discover your channel for the very first time through your joint video.
Some percentage of their audience will crossover and subscribe to you after watching the collaboration. This is an amazing way to leverage another creator’s reach.
You instantly get to tap into the audience they’ve spent years building up. And your partner benefits from the same exposure to your subscribers.
Benefit 2: Potential for Audience Growth
By exposing each other’s audiences to both creators, collaborations provide amazing audience growth potential.
According to research by Defy Media, YouTubers gain an average of 13% more subscribers when they appear as guests on other channels.
So collaborating gives you the chance to convert your partner’s viewers into your own subscribers. Successful collabs lead to direct channel growth for all parties involved.
Benefit 3: Increased Creativity and Ideation
When collaborating, you don’t just gain a new audience – you gain a new creative mind.
Working with fellow YouTubers allows you to brainstorm, ideate, and develop content ideas you’d never think of on your own. The back-and-forth of collabing fosters innovation.
Collaborators inspire and push each other into new creative directions through the exchange of ideas. Combining your imaginations and perspectives leads to fresh, inventive content.
Benefit 4: Longer Audience Retention
Research has shown that collaboration videos tend to have higher audience retention and watch time. Viewers are more likely to stay engaged throughout the entire video.
This may be because the dynamic of multiple YouTubers keeps things lively and unpredictable. The viewer never gets bored seeing the same face the whole time.
Higher audience retention signals to YouTube that a video resonates strongly with viewers. This results in YouTube recommending the video more widely.
Section 2: How to Find the Best YouTubers to Collaborate With
Not all collaborations are created equal. The secret sauce is finding creators that truly complement your channel.
Choosing the right collab partner involves evaluating:
Their niche and content focus
The demographics and interests of their audience
The size of their channel
How well your personalities mesh
Here are the top methods for finding ideal collaborators:
Method 1: Look at Fellow Creators in Your Niche
One of the best places to start your search is right within your own niche on YouTube. Look at channels creating similar content to yours.
Analyze the audience and metrics for creators in your space. Focus on channels with substantial audience overlap and comparable subscriber counts.
Reviewing fellow creators in your niche reveals:
Who your competitors already collaborate with
Channels similar in size and audience to yours
Relative newcomers you can team up with
Dig into niche-relevant channels and see who could be a strategic match.
Method 2: Attend YouTube Events and Conferences
Attending in-person YouTube gatherings is an amazing way to meet potential collaborators. Events like VidCon, Playlist Live, and VloggerFair unite thousands of creators.
Chat with fellow creators at these conferences to get a sense of their content and personalities. Exchanging contact info makes it easy to follow up later.
In-person chemistry is invaluable. You can get a feel for how well you vibe before proposing a collab.
Method 3: Join Online YouTube Communities
If in-person events are impractical, join online communities to connect with fellow creators. Subreddits, Facebook groups, and forums related to vlogging and YouTube are full of collaborators.
Engage regularly in these communities to build relationships. Don’t just spam your channel – provide value by answering questions and assisting other members.
Once you become a recognized contributor, you can organically transition conversations into collaboration opportunities.
Method 4: Leverage Your Existing Contacts and Connections
Check with creators you already know, brands you’ve worked with, or agencies you’re connected to.
Reach out and ask if they can introduce you to any YouTube collaborators who are a good fit for your niche and channel size.
Leverage your existing network to get warm introductions instead of cold contacting strangers.
Method 5: Ask Your Audience
Don’t underestimate the power of surveying your own viewers. Ask them:
Who they’d like to see you collaborate with
What fellow creators they enjoy watching
Who they think complements your channel well
Your audience knows your content and niche. Their collab suggestions will factor in compatibility with your channel specifically.
Method 6: Search Social Media
Beyond YouTube’s walls, search platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok to discover creators.
Look through relevant hashtags or keywords related to your niche. See who else engages in those conversations.
Social media makes it easy to filter by factors like location and audience demographics. Find YouTubers with an audience similar to yours.
Section 3: Reaching Out to Potential Collaborators
Once you’ve identified promising creators, it’s time to get in touch. Use these tips for effectively pitching a collaboration:
Tip 1: Introduce Yourself and Your Channel
Start your pitch by briefly explaining who you are and providing some background on your YouTube channel. Share:
How long you’ve been on YouTube
Your channel’s niche, content focus and style
Your subscriber count and monthly views
This overview gives helpful context about your channel to anchor the rest of your pitch.
Tip 2: Do Your Homework on Their Channel
Show you’ve done your research by highlighting your knowledge of the creator’s channel. Mention things like:
Specific videos of theirs you enjoyed
The size and demographics of their audience
Their video style and niche
This personal touch proves you respect them and have invested time understanding their content.
Tip 3: Propose Video Ideas
Come armed with 2-3 rough video concepts you think would be fun and engaging for both audiences.
Bouncing ideas back and forth is part of the collab discussion, but proposing some initial thoughts shows you’re serious.
Tip 4: Explain How You Can Add Value
What do you uniquely bring to the table? Share any standout stats about your channel or skills that make you an attractive collab partner.
For example, mention if you have:
Impressive subscriber or view counts
Noteworthy connections or audience reach
Relevant expertise or access related to the proposed video idea
Production skills like editing, filming, or writing
Articulate the additional value working with you would provide.
Tip 5: Focus on Mutual Benefits
Emphasize how collaborating can be strategically beneficial for both of your channels. Avoid implying it would mainly help your own growth.
Demonstrate a genuine interest in creating something great together that resonates with both audiences. Good collaborations feel like partnerships, not transactions.
Tip 6: Close with a Clear Next Step
End your pitch by proposing a next step to continue the conversation, such as a phone call, video conference, or meeting for coffee if local.
This gives a specific action to follow up on if they’re interested. If not, politely ask if they have any other YouTube contacts who may be interested in collaborating.
Here’s an email pitch template you can adapt:
Subject: Collaboration Proposal from [Your Channel Name]
Hi [Name],
I’m [your name], and I run the [Your Channel Niche] YouTube channel [Your Channel Name] with [X subscribers and Y monthly views]. I’ve been creating YouTube videos for [Z years].
I’m a big fan of your channel! I really enjoyed your videos on [insert a few relevant examples here]. Our channels share a similar audience of [describe shared demographics].
I think it would be fun to collaborate together on a video. A few initial ideas are:
[Idea 1]
[Idea 2]
[Idea 3]
Some of the skills and resources I could bring to the table are [list any standout assets relevant to the proposal here].
Let me know if you’d be interested in discussing further. I’d love to jump on a quick call or meet up for coffee if you’re local.
Either way, keep up the great work! I look forward to hearing from you.
Best, [Your Name]
Section 4: Planning a Successful Collaboration
You’ve secured a collaboration – congratulations! Now it’s time for the real work of aligning on the important logistics and details.
Discuss the following with your partner:
Goal-Setting
What are your shared goals and desired outcomes for this collaboration? Grow each other’s audiences? Generate 10k views? Have fun? Get clear on objectives upfront so you’re aligned.
Format and Style
Will it be a sit-down video? Cooking challenge? Sketch? Determine the exact format and style.
How will you differentiate it from your usual solo content? Add new elements like competitions, games, improv, etc.
Shoot Logistics
Will you film in-person together or remotely?
What filming locations and set-ups will you each use?
How will you share raw footage files and collaborate during editing?
Content Structure
Discuss an outline of talking points or activities.
Plan sections, but leave room for improvisation too.
Determine if sponsors or paid product integrations make sense.
Promotion Plan
When will you announce and tease the collab on social media?
How will you leverage both channels to cross-promote?
Scheduling
Align on a filming date. Give yourself time for delays or reshoots.
Pick a release date considering when your audiences are most active online.
Splitting Responsibilities
Who will handle what tasks – booking locations, filming, editing, graphics, b-roll?
Play to each creator’s strengths to divide and conquer.
Creative Expectations
What tone are you aiming for? Humorous? Informative? Energetic?
Agree on any content guidelines or boundaries related to language, controversy, etc.
Thorough pre-production alignment sets you up for an organized, streamlined shoot and smooth post-production.
Section 5: Filming Your YouTube Collaboration
When shoot day finally comes, use these tips to maximize quality:
Setup and Equipment
Use both creators’ cameras to get different angles.
Shoot establishing shots and b-roll for editing transitions.
Capture plenty of reaction shots you can cutaway to.
Location
Scout photogenic backdrops that reflect both channels’ vibes.
Limit background noise – record audio separately if needed.
Lighting
Bright, diffused lighting is essential for multiperson shoots.
Watch for shadows. Position lights off-camera.
Wardrobe
Dress how you would for your own channel. Maintain your individual style.
Avoid outfits that are too similar or clash on camera.
Energy and Chemistry
Play off each other’s personalities and improv in the moment.
Tease and banter to build rapport. The viewer should feel they’re hanging with friends.
Pacing and Prompts
Have a loose script or talking points handy, but go off-script when reactions feel organic.
Use your list of questions and activities to drive the conversation if needed.
Balance
Split up questions and talking time evenly.
Shift the spotlight fluidly between both creators.
Coordination
Maintain eye contact and interact directly with each other.
Listen actively and react in the moment instead of waiting to speak.
Section 6: Editing a Collab Video
When it comes time for post-production, remember these editing tips:
Use Jump Cuts
Jump cuts between takes help condense conversation and keep pace engaging. Don’t be afraid to trim and tighten dialogue.
Cut to Reactions
Reaction shots allow you to feature both perspectives. Watching both creators’ faces keeps things dynamic.
Match Action
Use b-roll and cutaways to mask transitions between locations. Match actions like opening doors to make edits seamless.
Incorporate Graphics
Lower thirds, captions, animations, and text highlights help organize sections and share key info.
Brand Consistently
Use channel avatars, logos, fonts, and color schemes familiar to each creator’s audience. Maintain their established branding.
Credit Thoroughly
Mention collaborators repeatedly by name. Include channel links, calls to subscribe, and end cards directing viewers to check them out.
Pace Creatively
Use fast cuts and montages for energy, but also let conversations breathe. Vary pace to hold attention.
Polishing with precision editing takes a collab from average to exceptional. Keep things visually engaging.
Section 7: Promoting Your Collaboration Video
You created an awesome collab video – but now you have to make sure people actually see it.
Maximizing First 48 Hours
The most crucial window is the first 48 hours after release when Youtube’s algorithm is assessing the video’s reception.
Publish when both audiences are online to rack up views fast.
Pin a comment linking the collab creator to drive clicks.
Individual Promotion
Share the video across your own social platforms and with your email list.
Post on your community tab, via Stories, etc. Leverage all your assets.
Cross-Promotion
Have your collab partner heavily promote the video to their followers during the same window.
Shout each other out in dedicated IG Stories, Tweets, etc.
Pitch to Influencers
Email larger creators in your space to check out the video and react to it. Getting reposted expands reach.
Pitch to Media
Reach out to news outlets that cover YouTube collabs like Tubefilter with exclusive content.
Push Previews
Publish preview clips across social media to build anticipation and spread awareness before the full video drops.
Apply this marketing blitz early when interest is highest to catalyze views.
Section 8: Measuring the Success of Your Collaboration
After the initial buzz of release fades, dive into the metrics to see how your collab video performed:
Views from Non-Subscribers
This reveals how well you reached new audiences outside your core follower base.
New Subscribers Gained
Track subscriber growth for each channel in the weeks following the collab.
Retention and Watch Time
Look at the average view duration and drop-off points. How captivated were viewers?
Traffic Sources
Analyze whether views came from suggested videos, search, social media etc.
Clickthrough Rate
For any external links you included, how many viewers clicked?
Engagement Rate
Calculate likes, comments, and shares as a percentage of total views. How engaging was the content?
Audience Feedback
Read through comments across platforms. Did reactions skew positive?
Crunching collaboration numbers uncovers what performed well (and what didn’t) to guide future collaborations.
Section 9: Turning One-Off Collabs into Long-Term Partnerships
A fruitful collab can plant the seed for an ongoing partnership between your channels.
Here are tips for cultivating an enduring relationship:
Promote Consistently Afterwards
Keep shouting out your collaboration partner in new videos and on social media. Send viewers to check out their content.
Stay Engaged
Keep interacting with their new videos through comments, shares, etc. Show you remain invested after the collab.
Exchange Video Ideas
Discuss regularly what you’re each working on and exchange creative input. Collaborate on refinements.
Reach Out Personally
Maintain a personal connection through text chats or video calls as friends, not just collaborators.
Follow Through on Commitments
If you say you’ll help promote their new merch line, do it. Build trust through reliability.
Plan Future Content
Ideate ways to work together beyond a single video, whether ongoing series or new formats like podcasts or livestreams. Explore long-term partnership opportunities.
By continuing to support each other, one collab can lead to a lasting professional relationship between your channels.
Section 10: Potential Pitfalls and Challenges to Avoid
While collaborations offer huge potential upsides, there are also risks and challenges to navigate:
Personality Clashes
Do test recordings together before fully committing. Make sure your chemistry is natural, not forced. Don’t feel pressured to collab with creators you simply don’t vibe with.
Creative Differences
Discuss the style and tone you both envision before filming. Getting aligned upfront prevents conflicts. Be ready to compromise.
Scheduling Nightmares
Pick dates far enough in advance and build in buffer time. Life happens – anticipate delays and stay flexible if you need to postpone.
Imbalanced Participation
Make sure both creators actively participate and get equal screen time. Viewers will notice if someone dominates.
Dropping the Ball
If one creator fails to deliver on editing, promotion, or other responsibilities, have a plan in place to pick up the slack. Don’t leave your partner hanging.
Uneven Promotion
Ensure you both maximize marketing the video. Don’t make excuses – you each owe it to the other person to promote fully.
Attribution Issues
Clearly establish how to split attribution and revenue in your initial agreement. Don’t have messy fights down the road.
With strong planning, communication, and expectation-setting, you can avoid these hazards derailing a collab.
Section 11: Real-World Examples of Successful YouTuber Collaborations
Seeing examples in action brings the power of collaborations to life. Let’s look at some hugely popular collabs:
MrBeast and Mark Rober
Two of YouTube’s biggest stars teamed up in November 2021 for a viral friendly competition. They challenged each other to build elaborate contraptions out of random items.
The resulting mash-up of Mark’s engineering skills and MrBeast’s showmanship was a hit. The video earned 36 million views in the first month.
The Try Guys and Jaiden Animations
In this collab, the rambunctious Try Guys attempted to follow a cartoon drawing tutorial by the hugely popular artist Jaiden.
Jaiden’s calm, funny instructions contrasted perfectly against the Try Guys’ chaotic energy. The odd couple pairing was a big success, generating 15 million views.
Emma Chamberlain and the Dolan Twins
This 2018 collab between three then-rising vlogging stars cemented their influencer stardom.
The friends chatted candidly about dating disasters, first kisses, and high school. Their natural banter fueled rapid subscriber growth for all three channels.
MrBeast and Preston
When mega YouTuber MrBeast collaborated with smaller creator Preston in 2018, Preston had only 600k subscribers.
The pair competed in challenges like eating hot peppers. The collab introduced Preston to millions of new viewers. Preston skyrocketed to 5 million subscribers in 5 months.
As these examples prove, collabs when well-executed can take channels to the next level.
Hopefully this guide provided a comprehensive overview of best practices for collaborating with fellow YouTubers! Leverage the exposure, ideation, and audience growth possible through strategic collaborations. Just be thoughtful in who you team up with and always keep delivering value to your viewers.
Happy collaborating! Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions.
