How to Ask a YouTuber to Collab (+ 5 Message Templates)

Most collab requests fail for the same reason: they're vague. “Hey, want to collab?” gives the other creator all the work of figuring out what you mean. A good message does that work for them, so saying yes is easy.

Before you write: pick the right person

Reply rates are much higher when you contact creators at a similar stage to you, who make content your audience would also enjoy. If you're not sure who to contact yet, read how to find YouTubers to collab with first.

What to include

1. Who you are, in one line, with a link to your channel and what you make.
2. Why them. Mention a specific video. “Your budget phone review was really clear” shows you actually watched; “love your content” doesn't.
3. One concrete idea. One or two sentences. You can offer alternatives later. Need inspiration? See 25 collab ideas.
4. What they get. A video on your channel introducing them to your viewers, a fun video for their own channel, or both.
5. The logistics. Remote or in person, roughly when, and how much of their time it takes.
6. An easy question to answer. “Would you be up for it?” or “Interested?” A yes-or-no question gets more replies than an open one.

Where to send it

• Business email. Many creators list one on their channel's About section. It's the most professional option and the least likely to get lost.
• Instagram or X direct messages. Fine for smaller creators, who often check DMs more than email. Keep it even shorter here.
• A creator network chat. On Creovel, a chat only opens when you both swipe right, so the other creator has already said they're interested in meeting you.

Avoid posting collab requests in someone's YouTube comments: it looks like spam to everyone else.

5 templates you can copy

Change the parts in [brackets]. The more you personalise them, the better they work.

Hi [name]! I'm [your name], I make [type of videos] on YouTube ([channel link]). I really liked your video on [specific video] — especially [specific detail].

I had an idea for a collab: [one-sentence idea]. We'd each post a video on our own channel, so both audiences get to meet. It could be done remotely in about [time].

Would you be up for it?

Subject: Collab idea: [short idea]

Hi [name],

I'm [your name] from [channel name] ([link]). I make [type of videos] for [who your viewers are], and I'm at about [subscriber count] subscribers.

I've been watching your channel for a while; your video "[video title]" was one of my favourites because [reason].

Idea: [two or three sentences describing the collab].
For you: [what they get, e.g. a video for your channel + an introduction to my audience].
Time needed: [e.g. one 45-minute call, recorded remotely, anytime in the next 3 weeks].

Would you be interested? Happy to adjust the idea to fit your channel.

Thanks,
[your name]

Hi [name], just following up on my message about the [short idea] collab. No pressure at all if now isn't a good time. If you're interested later, I'd love to do it then.

Hey [name]! I've been thinking it would be fun to make something together. What if we did [idea]? I can [what you'll handle, e.g. edit both parts / plan the questions]. Free sometime in the next couple of weeks?

Totally understand, thanks for letting me know! I'll keep making videos and maybe we can try something in a few months. Good luck with [their current project]!

Common mistakes

• Copy-pasting the same message to everyone. Creators can tell. One specific sentence about their video changes everything.
• Asking for a shoutout instead of a collab. A shoutout only helps you. A collab helps both.
• Writing an essay. If it doesn't fit on a phone screen, it's too long for a first message.
• Following up again and again. One follow-up is polite. Three is pressure.
• Leading with your subscriber count. Mention it, but lead with the idea. The idea is what gets a yes.

After they say yes

Agree on these before anyone starts filming:

• The date and the format (remote or in person)
• Who films and edits which part
• Titles and thumbnails for both videos
• When each video goes live, and how you'll link to each other

Write it down in your chat so nothing gets forgotten. On Creovel you can send a collab application with the idea, roles and timing, and both confirm it when the video is published.