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Collaborations: How would you want to be approached?

by DylanCoogan
7 replies
I have some projects in the works and I'd like to collaborate with some people with much larger audiences than I have. I'm not using them for their audiences, but I feel that they could bring something special to my projects.

My question is: If someone with a much smaller following than you wanted to collaborate with you on a project, how could they convince you to do so? What would you want from them in return? Or would you even bother at all?
#approached #collaborations
  • Profile picture of the author Lizfish
    Principally, people would want to know what is in it for them, so add crazy value. If your service compliments what they do, you should have no problem. That and being honest!

    Good luck
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  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Originally Posted by DylanCoogan View Post

    Or would you even bother at all?
    Personally, I wouldn't.

    Part of the way I've maintained my high open-rates is by reassuring all my subscribers that I won't be collaborating with anyone else, or passing on offers from anyone else. I don't want them to imagine that I see them as "just a potential income-source to be shared with others on an incentivized basis": that would detract from their respect for what I send them and their trust in me - and that respect and trust are my living.

    Others will doubtless disagree, have different types of businesses, and not be in the same position as me, on this point.

    .
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  • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
    Originally Posted by DylanCoogan View Post

    I have some projects in the works and I'd like to collaborate with some people with much larger audiences than I have. I'm not using them for their audiences, but I feel that they could bring something special to my projects.
    Maybe if you keep telling yourself that, they'll believe it too.

    Originally Posted by DylanCoogan View Post

    My question is: If someone with a much smaller following than you wanted to collaborate with you on a project, how could they convince you to do so? What would you want from them in return? Or would you even bother at all?
    You could start by sending $100 to their PayPal account. Then they'd be all like, "What's the hundred bucks for?" And you'd be all like, "I'd like to collaborate with you!" And they'd be like, "We just did!" And you'd be like "Huh?" And they'd be like, "We collaborated on a transfer of monies!" And you'd be like, "Well, yeah, but...." And they'd be like, "Thanks buddy! Happy to collaborate with you anytime! Laterz!" And you'd be like, "What just happened?"

    But, you'd have your foot in the door and that's something. And it only cost you $100, which is a pretty good deal because I don't let anyone set foot in my door for less than four figures. Not that I'm anyone special; I just don't like people coming over.
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  • Profile picture of the author gjabiz
    Originally Posted by DylanCoogan View Post

    I have some projects in the works and I'd like to collaborate with some people with much larger audiences than I have. I'm not using them for their audiences, but I feel that they could bring something special to my projects.

    My question is: If someone with a much smaller following than you wanted to collaborate with you on a project, how could they convince you to do so? What would you want from them in return? Or would you even bother at all?
    First, we talk. Preferably Skype. I ask questions, they give answers. 90% of the time, it ends there.

    The 10% I may or may not collaborate with have to submit a 4 PARAGRAPH email telling me:

    What they are going to do?
    What do they want from me?
    When is it going to be done?
    What comes after this?

    IF they can follow those directions, I have them write a two page report on the details of the above.

    Then I decide. My 40 years of jv and collaborative experience has shown me that if they can't answer the four questions, and give more details on those, they aren't serious and not worth my time.

    I look for good THINKING, a good PLAN, personality and commitment.

    gjabiz
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  • Profile picture of the author DylanCoogan
    I should have been more specific, I guess. I meant that I wanted to work with them on a creative project -- not have them promote my product.

    I make plenty of money, so this isn't about getting someone to push my product to their list.

    To get right down to it, I have several YouTube channels. All of them were made with profit in mind, and they're doing wonderfully.

    However, I have another YouTube channel that is more of a comedy vlog style, and I'd like to work with other people on YouTube who do the same thing. I'm not looking to make money on this channel, I'm looking to do something I enjoy and connect with like-minded people. Some of the people I would like to collaborate with know more about certain aspects of vlogging than I do -- some have great lighting, some are great with trends, some are brilliant at editing, so I wanted to know how I could work with these guys to learn and just have fun.

    Thanks for all the no-nonsense responses so far, they're helpful. Except Dan's.
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    • Profile picture of the author gjabiz
      Originally Posted by DylanCoogan View Post

      I should have been more specific,.
      If you can't clearly articulate your requests, then you get what you get.

      You made my TW (Time Waster) list, Warriors to ignore.

      gjabiz
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  • Profile picture of the author DylanCoogan
    Edited to say: I see how my response didn't make it clear that I do appreciate the time Warriors (especially Alexa and gjabiz) took to help me out with their thoughts. Looks like I made an ass of myself. Nothing new there. Thanks for your opinions and insights, Warriors.
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