Part 26 – Social Media Back to Basics Series.
Collaborating with others is a powerful way to grow your reach, strengthen your credibility, and create fresh, engaging content. Whether you team up with a fellow small business or work with a local influencer, collaborations can open your brand up to a wider and more relevant audience.
You don’t need a big budget or thousands of followers to benefit from this approach. In fact, smaller, more focused collaborations often lead to better results – especially when values and audiences align.
Here are a few ways to collaborate on social media:
- Cross-promotions
Team up with another business in your niche and shout each other out. You could do a joint giveaway, a “meet the maker” series, or a shared blog post. - Instagram takeovers
Let a trusted collaborator post stories or reels on your account for the day. It keeps things fresh and gives both audiences something new to enjoy. - Guest content
Invite a guest to write a post, film a video, or feature in a live session. They’ll bring their audience with them – and your content gets a boost too. - Influencer marketing
Partner with a micro-influencer who genuinely aligns with your brand. They can share your product or service with their followers, helping you build trust and visibility.
Top tips for successful collaborations:
1. Choose partners carefully
Look for people or brands that share your values and speak to the same kind of audience. It’s about quality of connection, not just numbers.
2. Be clear on the details
Agree on what each person is doing, what you’re promoting, when content will go live, and how you’ll measure success. Clear communication makes for smoother collaboration.
3. Add value for both audiences
Make sure the content you create together is interesting, useful, or entertaining. It should feel like a benefit to your followers – not just a promotion.
4. Say thank you
Tag, credit, and publicly thank your collaborators. Good relationships lead to future opportunities.
When done well, collaborations can help you get noticed by people who might never have found you otherwise – and build strong, supportive connections within your industry.
If you’re not sure where to begin or want help finding the right collaborators for your brand, please book a video call or drop me an email.
Sarah Taffe
Freelance designer, artist and writer.
