Working with other creators is one of the best parts of being a content creator. You get to team up with one of your favorite creators and dream up an original collaboration for your audiences. But in the excitement, it’s easy to forget some more important elements of a successful collaboration. Because no matter how original or exciting your collaboration idea is, there’s some small details that could derail it. You’ve heard the saying about not seeing the forest for the trees, and the same applies here. You can’t see the full picture because you’re swept up in one part of it.
In this article, we’ll be covering 10 things you need to considering when working on your next groundbreaking, original collaboration. Whether it’s your first or your fiftieth, these tips will set you up for success.
10 Things to Consider for Your Original Collaboration
Establishing Creator Goals 🥅
It’s easy to develop a plan for your collab and jump into creating, but it’ll be more beneficial if you pause and think about what you want out of this. You can do this on your own, or spend some time discussing it with your collaborator. Collab goals could be something simple, like working with another creator you like, or more concrete, like connecting with their followers and growing your audience. Even something a little more abstract, like trying another creator’s style, is good! Just have a clear idea of what you want to gain from this. It’ll make judging the collab’s performance easier.
Audience Alignment đź‘Ź
Make sure that you and the creator you’re collabing with have similar audiences. They don’t have to be exactly the same, but make sure there’s some kind of overlap. If, for example, you’re a cooking content creator, you may try to collab with a baker, a mixologist, or even someone who grills! To expand your reach, you may consider working with a decor content creator about setting up a dinner party.
This way both audiences will be more likely to actually watch the video. If you pair up with someone from a completely different niche that has nothing to do with your content, your audience will lose interest. Again, you don’t have to create the exact same content, but make sure there’s some similarities!
Brand Alignment
On a similar note, make sure that you have a similar brand – or voice, or style. You don’t have to have the exact same style of content or voice, but make sure that you’re compatible. If you create more calm, relaxing content, don’t pair up with someone who loves making chaotic videos. Or at least make that a focal point of the partnership! Your audience is expecting one kind of content from you, and you don’t want to completely shift or throw off their expectations without some kind of warning. Try to work with creators that have a similar brand, style, and value to yours.
This will also help with growing your audience. If you and the other creator have cohesive brands, you’re more likely to gain followers. If you work with another creator with similar vibes, it’s likely you’ll both get some new followers!
Workload Distribution
Clearly define what you’re both doing and what each person needs to do. For a lot of collabs, it’s as simple as making a video and somehow shouting out or incorporating the other person. Other collabs will take a little more effort! Do both of you need to make and edit one video? Will someone be a responsible for setting everything up, and another responsible for editing? If you’re each making separate videos, how will you incorporate each other’s content into your videos?
The ideal is for everyone to take on an equal amount of work, but that’s not always possible! At the very least, you’ll need to have a clear idea of who is doing what.
Communication/Check Ins
Set up clear channels of communications and check-in often. This doesn’t mean sending each other constant updates, but keep the other person up to date with your side of the project. If the project is larger scale or will last a while, schedule some times to check in with the other creator. It might even be helpful if you have deadlines built-in to keep both of you on track!
Financial (or Legal) Agreements
Take some time to set up clear agreements regarding any revenue sharing, intellectual property rights, and any other legal aspects. You don’t need to know every legal question or dispute that may come up, but still outline everything pertaining to your collab. Be sure to make notes or write up some kind of contract over everything you discuss. This helps prevent disagreements or disputes later on, and sets clear expectations from the start.
Consistency Between Creators
Just like audience and brand alignment, you want to make sure there’s some consistency in quality and branding across profiles for your collaboration. Make sure you’re using the same verbiage or wording when talking about the collab. You want it to be clear for both of your followers and any others that come across your videos that you’re working together.
Similarly, take a little time discussing if you want any specific elements or formatting in your videos. That might mean using the same song or a similar set, or following a specific script or plan you both agree on. These are not required, but just make sure the content you make for your super exciting, original collaboration is cohesive.
Promotion and Distribution
If you’re doing just a video or two together, you may not need to worry about this! But if you have a longer or larger collaboration going, you’ll want to discuss how you’re going to promote your content. Also, discuss where you’ll share it. Will this just be on your main platform, or do you plan to post it in some other places?
Since this is a special event, you’ll also want to push it a little. Maybe post a teaser video, mention it in a Livestream, or share the link in your Group chat. You can outline how you’re promoting this, and maybe align on some dates or methods!
Conflict Resolution
No one ever imagines having some kind of disagreement, but it never hurts to plan for the outcome! It’s important to have a plan in place for resolving conflicts that may arise during your original collaboration. This could involve bringing in a neutral third party or having a structured process for addressing disagreements. Again, if you’re working on a one-off video or shorter project, you may not need a huge conflict resolution plan. But it doesn’t hurt to have an idea of what you’ll do if there’s a disagreement.
Collaboration Analysis
After you post your collab, you’ll need to analyze it’s performance. This includes engagement, video reception, and even your thoughts on your own video. You can do this separately, or together.
And, depending on your goals, you may not even need this step. If you’re mostly looking to make a fun video with a fellow creator, you’ll have met your goals no problem! But if you want to expand your reach or grow your audience, you’ll definitely want to analyze the metrics on your collab. By reviewing your original collaboration’s success and gathering feedback, creators can identify areas for improvement for future collaborations.
Creating original collaborations with other creators is one of the best things about being a content creator. But to make sure they’re successful, take a little time to get your ducks in a row.
To learn about collabing with brands and getting sponsorships, check out part three of our Making Money Online series, our article on Micro-Influencers.