How do you nicely turn down collab requests?

Mirandapanda

Mirandapanda

Posting Mad!
As I've been on sites like these and going to networking events more and more lately, I have been getting people asking for collaborations left and right. And most of these people I have no interest in collaborating with, either because we have an incompatible type of channel or audience, their content is not that great or professional, they haven't made content in a long time, and so on.

Usually the line I give is that I don't do long distance collabs, which is true. Except now I'm participating in #youtubeishaunted, where I start the video by watching someone else's video, so I essentially am doing a long distance collab. Also, I've had the experience where someone I don't want to collab with surprisingly happens to live in the area, or says they will travel for the opportunity. So then I'm stuck.

If I say our channels are incompatible, they want to know why, and I don't want to be hurtful and say I don't like their content. I'm probably overthinking this, but I don't want to burn bridges, especially since the youtube industry makes the line between fan, friend, and colleague is so muddled already.

How do you guys turn down collab requests?
 
I've never been asked to collab so thats one way to deal with it haha. But I would imagine just be polite and simply state why you cant and that should be good enough. If the person you are dealing with is professional that should be all that is needed.
 
Just say youre trying to work on another video, and arent sure what your recording schedule is going to be."time crunch." "busy with personal life."
 
I also have overthinking tendencies, so I kinda know what you feel.
But in this case, just saying "I don't think my content and yours fit well" should do and if they ask why just ignore the question.
 
Sorry but Im kind of busy atm with school work/family stuff. I don't have much time to make videos myself, let alone with others. Something along those lines seems a kind way to reject a collab
 
You do want to be nice about it, or at least diplomatic. At the same time you want to be clear and firm. I haven't had anyone ask to collab but I'd imagine something like:

"I want to thank you for your interest in pursuing collaboration opportunities with me, it means a lot. However, in my current busy and hectic schedule I need to focus on and invest my time in activities that maximize both your and my potentials. Unfortunately, I don't believe a collaboration with you would be most beneficial at this time. This may change in the future so I will keep your offer in mind but for now I'm forced to simply wish you good luck in your endeavours. Keep youtubing!"

Might be too wordy and too stuffy but whatever. It gets the point across. Collab are a business deal. Might as well treat them as such. Especially when rejecting.

Stay professional.
Be clear.
Set boundaries.
Don't burn bridges.
Value them and value yourself.
 
sledrunner31 said:
I've never been asked to collab so thats one way to deal with it haha. But I would imagine just be polite and simply state why you cant and that should be good enough. If the person you are dealing with is professional that should be all that is needed.
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Don't think I can be totally honest or I'd insult people's channels, but I'm going to try and be more straightforward about it.

PureDangles said:
Just say youre trying to work on another video, and arent sure what your recording schedule is going to be."time crunch." "busy with personal life."
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This is good. :) Will probably work a lot of the time, because I am busy with projects!

Conso1727 said:
I also have overthinking tendencies, so I kinda know what you feel.
But in this case, just saying "I don't think my content and yours fit well" should do and if they ask why just ignore the question.
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I need to work on ignoring, because I'll probably start needing to do that more in more as my channel grows. Thanks![DOUBLEPOST=1475873178,1475873025][/DOUBLEPOST]
wtefe said:
You do want to be nice about it, or at least diplomatic. At the same time you want to be clear and firm. I haven't had anyone ask to collab but I'd imagine something like:

"I want to thank you for your interest in pursuing collaboration opportunities with me, it means a lot. However, in my current busy and hectic schedule I need to focus on and invest my time in activities that maximize both your and my potentials. Unfortunately, I don't believe a collaboration with you would be most beneficial at this time. This may change in the future so I will keep your offer in mind but for now I'm forced to simply wish you good luck in your endeavours. Keep youtubing!"

Might be too wordy and too stuffy but whatever. It gets the point across. Collab are a business deal. Might as well treat them as such. Especially when rejecting.

Stay professional.
Be clear.
Set boundaries.
Don't burn bridges.
Value them and value yourself.
Click to expand...

Wow this is good!! Very professional. I'd be totally ok if someone turned me down for a collab if they gave me this response. Thank you for your input!
 
I generally say something along the lines of "I'm not looking for specific collaborations at the moment - just getting an idea of possible future options"
 
I just tell people I'm honored they asked, but I don't have the time in my schedule right now but will let them know if that changes.
 
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