"[New] Channel Cross-Promotion The Art of Collaborative Co-Stars"
Channel Cross-Promotion: The Art of Collaborative Co-Stars
How to Find YouTube Collaboration Partners?
Richard Bennett
Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions
The following is a guide to YouTube collaborations - specifically, it’s a list of tips for finding and approaching collab partners. Here are videos from 4 YouTubers who have done successful collabs about how they were able to get other creators to work with them.
- Tips from Tech YouTuber Roberto Blake
- Tips from YouTube Guru Nick Nimmin
- Tips from Freelancer / Lifestyle Vlogger Amy Schmittauer
- Tips from Lifestyle and Fashion YouTuber MyLifeAsEva
Also, check out these tips on how to grow your channel using collab videos .
Tips From Tech YouTuber Roberto Blake
Roberto Blake is a YouTuber who does tech reviews and graphic design tutorials in addition to providing great information about being a creative entrepreneur. He has done several collab videos and has a lot of advice about how to find potential partners. Here are 3 of his biggest tips:
1. Approach people you already have a relationship with
This could mean friends, people you have met at events like VidCon, or people who are subscribed to your channel. It is easier for someone to want to collaborate with you if they feel like they know you.
2. Think about what your potential partner could have to offer your existing subscribers.
People sub to Roberto for tech advice, for example, so it makes sense for him to collaborate with people who have insights into technology. Collaborations should never be all about bringing in new subs – make your videos for the people who already watch your channel.
3. Create quality content consistently.
If you approach somebody about collaborating and they see that you haven’t posted in over a month, or that you don’t have many videos, it might be harder to get them to agree to work with you. The same goes if they watch your videos and don’t think they are at the same quality level as their videos.
Tips From YouTube Guru Nich Nimmin
This is a collab video about collab videos! Nick Nimmin’s channel is all about YouTube, and Brandon’s channel OnePercentBetter has tons of cool self-development animations. It’s Brandon giving the tips in this video, and 3 of his best are:
1. Use the person’s name when you contact them.
This might seem obvious, but it is an easy mistake to make. If you send someone an email where you don’t use their name (maybe you just say ‘hey’) it will seem like you aren’t interested in them. Talking about a video of theirs you like can also help show your interest in them as a creator.
2. Keep it simple.
When you’re approaching someone for the first time, don’t overwhelm them with a long email. Limit yourself to around two paragraphs.
3. Have ideas.
Don’t make your potential partner do the work of pitching ideas to you. Be open to their ideas, but come up with 1 or 2 ideas of your own you can mention when you approach the creator you want to work with. People will be more likely to say ‘yes’ to a specific idea than to the idea of collaborating in general, if they don’t already know you.
Tips From Freelancer / Lifestyle Vlogger Amy Schmittauer
Amy Schmittauer of Savvy Sexy Social does vlogs, lifestyle videos, and provides tips on being a freelancer. After doing several collabs in one week, she posted this video about how collaborations work best and how you should approach people you might want to work with.
1. Networking is important in finding collab partners.
Be nice to other creators when you meet them, offline or online, and build real relationships. Amy got to collaborate with Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) even though she had not met him before because Austin Evans - who she had built a friendship with – vouched for her with him. When you are networking, think beyond what the immediate payoff could be.
2. Don’t stray too far from your other content.
Aim to make your collab videos similar, content-wise, to the other videos on your channel. That way the new viewers you get from having the guest YouTuber in your video will be able to make an informed decision about whether they want to subscribe to you.
3. Thank the people you work with in your videos.
If you appeared in someone else’s video, you would probably appreciate it if they thanked you for being there, told their viewers to go check out your channel, and provided a link for them to do so. So, when you host someone else in one of your videos, that’s the kind of treatment you should give them. If you don’t, then the next person you want to collaborate with will see that and probably won’t want to work with you.
Collab advice starts at around 2:10.
Tips From Lifestyle and Fashion YouTuber MyLifeAsEva
Eva Gutowski (MyLifeAsEva) is a lifestyle, fashion, and DIY YouTuber who has done numerous collaborations and believes in making real friends on YouTube. In the video above she shares some of her experiences and talks about how to come across as a real person when you approach other YouTubers about collaborating.
1. Don’t approach other YouTubers as a ‘fan’.
If you want to be friends and collab partners, talk to other YouTubers as if you are their equal (which you are!). If you want to work with someone it’s probably because you like their videos, and there’s nothing wrong with saying so. Being all ‘omg, I love you, please subscribe to me too!’ isn’t likely to lead to a collab, though.
2. Ask questions.
If you’re just trying to break the ice with someone, it is a good idea to as them a question – potentially about YouTube or one of their videos. This will give them something to engage with, and it’s also a good way to let them know you’re a YouTuber too.
3. Use Twitter.
Twitter is the best place to make YouTube friends, in Eva’s opinion. It’s an easy place to casually introduce yourself and ask questions.
Do you have any of your advice on YouTube collaborations?
Excellent YouTube Video Editor Always Save Your Time
Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett
Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions
The following is a guide to YouTube collaborations - specifically, it’s a list of tips for finding and approaching collab partners. Here are videos from 4 YouTubers who have done successful collabs about how they were able to get other creators to work with them.
- Tips from Tech YouTuber Roberto Blake
- Tips from YouTube Guru Nick Nimmin
- Tips from Freelancer / Lifestyle Vlogger Amy Schmittauer
- Tips from Lifestyle and Fashion YouTuber MyLifeAsEva
Also, check out these tips on how to grow your channel using collab videos .
Tips From Tech YouTuber Roberto Blake
Roberto Blake is a YouTuber who does tech reviews and graphic design tutorials in addition to providing great information about being a creative entrepreneur. He has done several collab videos and has a lot of advice about how to find potential partners. Here are 3 of his biggest tips:
1. Approach people you already have a relationship with
This could mean friends, people you have met at events like VidCon, or people who are subscribed to your channel. It is easier for someone to want to collaborate with you if they feel like they know you.
2. Think about what your potential partner could have to offer your existing subscribers.
People sub to Roberto for tech advice, for example, so it makes sense for him to collaborate with people who have insights into technology. Collaborations should never be all about bringing in new subs – make your videos for the people who already watch your channel.
3. Create quality content consistently.
If you approach somebody about collaborating and they see that you haven’t posted in over a month, or that you don’t have many videos, it might be harder to get them to agree to work with you. The same goes if they watch your videos and don’t think they are at the same quality level as their videos.
Tips From YouTube Guru Nich Nimmin
This is a collab video about collab videos! Nick Nimmin’s channel is all about YouTube, and Brandon’s channel OnePercentBetter has tons of cool self-development animations. It’s Brandon giving the tips in this video, and 3 of his best are:
1. Use the person’s name when you contact them.
This might seem obvious, but it is an easy mistake to make. If you send someone an email where you don’t use their name (maybe you just say ‘hey’) it will seem like you aren’t interested in them. Talking about a video of theirs you like can also help show your interest in them as a creator.
2. Keep it simple.
When you’re approaching someone for the first time, don’t overwhelm them with a long email. Limit yourself to around two paragraphs.
3. Have ideas.
Don’t make your potential partner do the work of pitching ideas to you. Be open to their ideas, but come up with 1 or 2 ideas of your own you can mention when you approach the creator you want to work with. People will be more likely to say ‘yes’ to a specific idea than to the idea of collaborating in general, if they don’t already know you.
Tips From Freelancer / Lifestyle Vlogger Amy Schmittauer
Amy Schmittauer of Savvy Sexy Social does vlogs, lifestyle videos, and provides tips on being a freelancer. After doing several collabs in one week, she posted this video about how collaborations work best and how you should approach people you might want to work with.
1. Networking is important in finding collab partners.
Be nice to other creators when you meet them, offline or online, and build real relationships. Amy got to collaborate with Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) even though she had not met him before because Austin Evans - who she had built a friendship with – vouched for her with him. When you are networking, think beyond what the immediate payoff could be.
2. Don’t stray too far from your other content.
Aim to make your collab videos similar, content-wise, to the other videos on your channel. That way the new viewers you get from having the guest YouTuber in your video will be able to make an informed decision about whether they want to subscribe to you.
3. Thank the people you work with in your videos.
If you appeared in someone else’s video, you would probably appreciate it if they thanked you for being there, told their viewers to go check out your channel, and provided a link for them to do so. So, when you host someone else in one of your videos, that’s the kind of treatment you should give them. If you don’t, then the next person you want to collaborate with will see that and probably won’t want to work with you.
Collab advice starts at around 2:10.
Tips From Lifestyle and Fashion YouTuber MyLifeAsEva
Eva Gutowski (MyLifeAsEva) is a lifestyle, fashion, and DIY YouTuber who has done numerous collaborations and believes in making real friends on YouTube. In the video above she shares some of her experiences and talks about how to come across as a real person when you approach other YouTubers about collaborating.
1. Don’t approach other YouTubers as a ‘fan’.
If you want to be friends and collab partners, talk to other YouTubers as if you are their equal (which you are!). If you want to work with someone it’s probably because you like their videos, and there’s nothing wrong with saying so. Being all ‘omg, I love you, please subscribe to me too!’ isn’t likely to lead to a collab, though.
2. Ask questions.
If you’re just trying to break the ice with someone, it is a good idea to as them a question – potentially about YouTube or one of their videos. This will give them something to engage with, and it’s also a good way to let them know you’re a YouTuber too.
3. Use Twitter.
Twitter is the best place to make YouTube friends, in Eva’s opinion. It’s an easy place to casually introduce yourself and ask questions.
Do you have any of your advice on YouTube collaborations?
Excellent YouTube Video Editor Always Save Your Time
Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett
Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions
The following is a guide to YouTube collaborations - specifically, it’s a list of tips for finding and approaching collab partners. Here are videos from 4 YouTubers who have done successful collabs about how they were able to get other creators to work with them.
- Tips from Tech YouTuber Roberto Blake
- Tips from YouTube Guru Nick Nimmin
- Tips from Freelancer / Lifestyle Vlogger Amy Schmittauer
- Tips from Lifestyle and Fashion YouTuber MyLifeAsEva
Also, check out these tips on how to grow your channel using collab videos .
Tips From Tech YouTuber Roberto Blake
Roberto Blake is a YouTuber who does tech reviews and graphic design tutorials in addition to providing great information about being a creative entrepreneur. He has done several collab videos and has a lot of advice about how to find potential partners. Here are 3 of his biggest tips:
1. Approach people you already have a relationship with
This could mean friends, people you have met at events like VidCon, or people who are subscribed to your channel. It is easier for someone to want to collaborate with you if they feel like they know you.
2. Think about what your potential partner could have to offer your existing subscribers.
People sub to Roberto for tech advice, for example, so it makes sense for him to collaborate with people who have insights into technology. Collaborations should never be all about bringing in new subs – make your videos for the people who already watch your channel.
3. Create quality content consistently.
If you approach somebody about collaborating and they see that you haven’t posted in over a month, or that you don’t have many videos, it might be harder to get them to agree to work with you. The same goes if they watch your videos and don’t think they are at the same quality level as their videos.
Tips From YouTube Guru Nich Nimmin
This is a collab video about collab videos! Nick Nimmin’s channel is all about YouTube, and Brandon’s channel OnePercentBetter has tons of cool self-development animations. It’s Brandon giving the tips in this video, and 3 of his best are:
1. Use the person’s name when you contact them.
This might seem obvious, but it is an easy mistake to make. If you send someone an email where you don’t use their name (maybe you just say ‘hey’) it will seem like you aren’t interested in them. Talking about a video of theirs you like can also help show your interest in them as a creator.
2. Keep it simple.
When you’re approaching someone for the first time, don’t overwhelm them with a long email. Limit yourself to around two paragraphs.
3. Have ideas.
Don’t make your potential partner do the work of pitching ideas to you. Be open to their ideas, but come up with 1 or 2 ideas of your own you can mention when you approach the creator you want to work with. People will be more likely to say ‘yes’ to a specific idea than to the idea of collaborating in general, if they don’t already know you.
Tips From Freelancer / Lifestyle Vlogger Amy Schmittauer
Amy Schmittauer of Savvy Sexy Social does vlogs, lifestyle videos, and provides tips on being a freelancer. After doing several collabs in one week, she posted this video about how collaborations work best and how you should approach people you might want to work with.
1. Networking is important in finding collab partners.
Be nice to other creators when you meet them, offline or online, and build real relationships. Amy got to collaborate with Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) even though she had not met him before because Austin Evans - who she had built a friendship with – vouched for her with him. When you are networking, think beyond what the immediate payoff could be.
2. Don’t stray too far from your other content.
Aim to make your collab videos similar, content-wise, to the other videos on your channel. That way the new viewers you get from having the guest YouTuber in your video will be able to make an informed decision about whether they want to subscribe to you.
3. Thank the people you work with in your videos.
If you appeared in someone else’s video, you would probably appreciate it if they thanked you for being there, told their viewers to go check out your channel, and provided a link for them to do so. So, when you host someone else in one of your videos, that’s the kind of treatment you should give them. If you don’t, then the next person you want to collaborate with will see that and probably won’t want to work with you.
Collab advice starts at around 2:10.
Tips From Lifestyle and Fashion YouTuber MyLifeAsEva
Eva Gutowski (MyLifeAsEva) is a lifestyle, fashion, and DIY YouTuber who has done numerous collaborations and believes in making real friends on YouTube. In the video above she shares some of her experiences and talks about how to come across as a real person when you approach other YouTubers about collaborating.
1. Don’t approach other YouTubers as a ‘fan’.
If you want to be friends and collab partners, talk to other YouTubers as if you are their equal (which you are!). If you want to work with someone it’s probably because you like their videos, and there’s nothing wrong with saying so. Being all ‘omg, I love you, please subscribe to me too!’ isn’t likely to lead to a collab, though.
2. Ask questions.
If you’re just trying to break the ice with someone, it is a good idea to as them a question – potentially about YouTube or one of their videos. This will give them something to engage with, and it’s also a good way to let them know you’re a YouTuber too.
3. Use Twitter.
Twitter is the best place to make YouTube friends, in Eva’s opinion. It’s an easy place to casually introduce yourself and ask questions.
Do you have any of your advice on YouTube collaborations?
Excellent YouTube Video Editor Always Save Your Time
Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett
Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions
The following is a guide to YouTube collaborations - specifically, it’s a list of tips for finding and approaching collab partners. Here are videos from 4 YouTubers who have done successful collabs about how they were able to get other creators to work with them.
- Tips from Tech YouTuber Roberto Blake
- Tips from YouTube Guru Nick Nimmin
- Tips from Freelancer / Lifestyle Vlogger Amy Schmittauer
- Tips from Lifestyle and Fashion YouTuber MyLifeAsEva
Also, check out these tips on how to grow your channel using collab videos .
Tips From Tech YouTuber Roberto Blake
Roberto Blake is a YouTuber who does tech reviews and graphic design tutorials in addition to providing great information about being a creative entrepreneur. He has done several collab videos and has a lot of advice about how to find potential partners. Here are 3 of his biggest tips:
1. Approach people you already have a relationship with
This could mean friends, people you have met at events like VidCon, or people who are subscribed to your channel. It is easier for someone to want to collaborate with you if they feel like they know you.
2. Think about what your potential partner could have to offer your existing subscribers.
People sub to Roberto for tech advice, for example, so it makes sense for him to collaborate with people who have insights into technology. Collaborations should never be all about bringing in new subs – make your videos for the people who already watch your channel.
3. Create quality content consistently.
If you approach somebody about collaborating and they see that you haven’t posted in over a month, or that you don’t have many videos, it might be harder to get them to agree to work with you. The same goes if they watch your videos and don’t think they are at the same quality level as their videos.
Tips From YouTube Guru Nich Nimmin
This is a collab video about collab videos! Nick Nimmin’s channel is all about YouTube, and Brandon’s channel OnePercentBetter has tons of cool self-development animations. It’s Brandon giving the tips in this video, and 3 of his best are:
1. Use the person’s name when you contact them.
This might seem obvious, but it is an easy mistake to make. If you send someone an email where you don’t use their name (maybe you just say ‘hey’) it will seem like you aren’t interested in them. Talking about a video of theirs you like can also help show your interest in them as a creator.
2. Keep it simple.
When you’re approaching someone for the first time, don’t overwhelm them with a long email. Limit yourself to around two paragraphs.
3. Have ideas.
Don’t make your potential partner do the work of pitching ideas to you. Be open to their ideas, but come up with 1 or 2 ideas of your own you can mention when you approach the creator you want to work with. People will be more likely to say ‘yes’ to a specific idea than to the idea of collaborating in general, if they don’t already know you.
Tips From Freelancer / Lifestyle Vlogger Amy Schmittauer
Amy Schmittauer of Savvy Sexy Social does vlogs, lifestyle videos, and provides tips on being a freelancer. After doing several collabs in one week, she posted this video about how collaborations work best and how you should approach people you might want to work with.
1. Networking is important in finding collab partners.
Be nice to other creators when you meet them, offline or online, and build real relationships. Amy got to collaborate with Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) even though she had not met him before because Austin Evans - who she had built a friendship with – vouched for her with him. When you are networking, think beyond what the immediate payoff could be.
2. Don’t stray too far from your other content.
Aim to make your collab videos similar, content-wise, to the other videos on your channel. That way the new viewers you get from having the guest YouTuber in your video will be able to make an informed decision about whether they want to subscribe to you.
3. Thank the people you work with in your videos.
If you appeared in someone else’s video, you would probably appreciate it if they thanked you for being there, told their viewers to go check out your channel, and provided a link for them to do so. So, when you host someone else in one of your videos, that’s the kind of treatment you should give them. If you don’t, then the next person you want to collaborate with will see that and probably won’t want to work with you.
Collab advice starts at around 2:10.
Tips From Lifestyle and Fashion YouTuber MyLifeAsEva
Eva Gutowski (MyLifeAsEva) is a lifestyle, fashion, and DIY YouTuber who has done numerous collaborations and believes in making real friends on YouTube. In the video above she shares some of her experiences and talks about how to come across as a real person when you approach other YouTubers about collaborating.
1. Don’t approach other YouTubers as a ‘fan’.
If you want to be friends and collab partners, talk to other YouTubers as if you are their equal (which you are!). If you want to work with someone it’s probably because you like their videos, and there’s nothing wrong with saying so. Being all ‘omg, I love you, please subscribe to me too!’ isn’t likely to lead to a collab, though.
2. Ask questions.
If you’re just trying to break the ice with someone, it is a good idea to as them a question – potentially about YouTube or one of their videos. This will give them something to engage with, and it’s also a good way to let them know you’re a YouTuber too.
3. Use Twitter.
Twitter is the best place to make YouTube friends, in Eva’s opinion. It’s an easy place to casually introduce yourself and ask questions.
Do you have any of your advice on YouTube collaborations?
Excellent YouTube Video Editor Always Save Your Time
Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Richard Bennett
The Ultimate Guide: Achieving Professional Sound without a Mic
How to Record Good Audio Without a Microphone?
Richard Bennett
Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions
Audio quality is more important than video quality on YouTube. You’ve probably heard that before – viewers might forgive sub-par video quality if they’re interested in what you’re saying, but if it’s hard to understand what you’re saying they’ll click away.
Getting an external mic (even a $10 one-off Amazon ) is one of the best ways to improve your videos. That said, maybe your budget is $0. Or, maybe you just don’t happen to have a mic now and don’t want to wait to make videos. It could even be that you just don’t want to bother with an external mic.
Luckily, there are a lot of easy, free, things you can do to protect the quality of your audio recording even if you’re not using an external mic. Here are a few tips:
- 1. Keep Your Camera Close
- 2. Shoot Somewhere Quiet
- 3. Pick a Good Room
- 4. Protect your Built-In Mic from Wind
- 5. Use a Free Audio App
- 6. Do a Sound Check
1. Keep Your Camera Close (like, really close)
The biggest problem with the mic built into any camera or phone is just that, since it’s with the camera, it’s usually too far away from you. Built-in mics can record decent audio up close, but usually, your camera will be set up farther away from you than an external mic would be.
For example, your camera’s mic might be just as good as a clip-on LAV, but that LAV is right by your mouth and the camera is a couple of big steps away.
Moving your camera/smartphone physically closer to you will make it hard to include anything besides your head and shoulders in your shot, but it will get you significantly better audio.
2.Shoot Somewhere Quiet
The best way to limit the amount of background noise you pick up in your sound recording is to shoot somewhere where there’s no background noise. That probably seems really basic, but it’s something a lot of people just don’t do. It’s easy to default to recording in your home office, even though it’s right next to the kitchen where your family is bustling around, or in your bedroom even though there’s a busy street right outside your window.
Sometimes the best thing you can do for your audio is simply to scout out a quiet room in your house where the sound recording conditions are better. Speaking of recording conditions…
3. Pick a Good Room
There’s more that goes into picking a good room than how quiet it is. If you try to record in a room that’s too big your voice might sound to distant, and if you try to record in a room that’s too small your audio will be too echo-y. You need a room that’s just right.
You should also pay attention to what’s in the room you’re recording in. Avoid hard, reflective, surfaces like appliances and mirrors which your voice will bounce off of. The same conditions that make you sound great when you sing in the shower will – like recording in a small space -make your voiceover unpleasantly echo-y.
Look for a room that has a lot of soft things in it, like beds and sofas.
4. Protect your Built-In Mic from Wind
If you shoot outside, then the wind passing over your built-in mic will do terrible things to your audio. You can do a lot to counter-act this problem by physically blocking the wind.
There are a few ways to do this. If you’re doing hand-held shots you can partially cover your camera or phone’s mic with your finger. You don’t want to completely cover it/press down or your audio will be muffled. What you’re trying to do is create a barrier blocking out the wind.
On movie sets, they block out wind by covering the microphones with big fuzzy things called ‘dead cats’. You can also block out wind noise by attaching something fuzzy to your microphone. If your camera’s built-in mic is on front of it then you just need something big and fluffy you can loop around the lens. You can use a piece of a boa, a fuzzy novelty scrunchie – you can even murder a fuzzy stuffed animal! Do you have an old coat with a fuzz around the hood? That fuzz would do nicely.
The pompom used in this video cost $2, but you might already have something that would work!
If your built-in mic is on top of your camera you can get something called a ‘micromuff’. A micromuff is essentially a circular or rectangular piece of velcro with long strands of fluff on top. It’s open in the middle so it doesn’t actually cover your mic, but the surrounding fuzz blocks out the wind.
You use the adhesive backing to attach the base velcro to your camera. The other side of the velcro has your fluff attached to the back.
The only thing about a micromuff is that it costs about $30, and if you’re going to spend $30 on audio equipment then you could just buy yourself an inexpensive LAV mic. I only bring up the micromuff because it’s a very simple design you can probably DIY – you just need velcro with adhesive backing and any of the fluff-sources we just discussed.
5. Use a Free Audio App
If you’re recording on a smartphone, you can download a free app that will let you make adjustments to your audio as you record it. With the right app, you can adjust your gain (volume is how you control ‘output’ audio, and gain is for ‘input’ audio. By turning up your gain, you can make your mic more sensitive), tempo, and more. A lot of the time, your audio recording app will also let you edit your audio afterward.
Even if you’re not recording video from your smartphone, it might be a good idea to use your phone as your mic and record a separate audio file. You’ll be able to use an app to fine-tune your recording, and you can set your phone up closer to you the way you would an external mic while keeping your camera back a bit farther.
Free audio apps: Hi-Q MP3 Voice Recorder (Android), RecForge II (Android), Smart Voice Recorder (Android), Audio Memos (iOS), and Recorder Plus (iOS).
6. Do a Sound Check
Once you think you’ve got good audio set up – test it! You don’t want to do a whole video and find out when you play it back that your audio doesn’t sound good.
Do you have any of your own audio tips to pass on? Leave them in the comments!
This topic was suggested by RS Beauty over in the forums. Thanks for the idea!
Polish Your YouTube Videos with Filmora
As one of the most widely used video editing software in YouTube video editing, Filmora allows you to record voiceover and edit the recorded audio with mixer, equalizer and provides lots of templates and effects with an intuitive interface, which saves much time. Download the free trial version and get started now.
Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett
Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions
Audio quality is more important than video quality on YouTube. You’ve probably heard that before – viewers might forgive sub-par video quality if they’re interested in what you’re saying, but if it’s hard to understand what you’re saying they’ll click away.
Getting an external mic (even a $10 one-off Amazon ) is one of the best ways to improve your videos. That said, maybe your budget is $0. Or, maybe you just don’t happen to have a mic now and don’t want to wait to make videos. It could even be that you just don’t want to bother with an external mic.
Luckily, there are a lot of easy, free, things you can do to protect the quality of your audio recording even if you’re not using an external mic. Here are a few tips:
- 1. Keep Your Camera Close
- 2. Shoot Somewhere Quiet
- 3. Pick a Good Room
- 4. Protect your Built-In Mic from Wind
- 5. Use a Free Audio App
- 6. Do a Sound Check
1. Keep Your Camera Close (like, really close)
The biggest problem with the mic built into any camera or phone is just that, since it’s with the camera, it’s usually too far away from you. Built-in mics can record decent audio up close, but usually, your camera will be set up farther away from you than an external mic would be.
For example, your camera’s mic might be just as good as a clip-on LAV, but that LAV is right by your mouth and the camera is a couple of big steps away.
Moving your camera/smartphone physically closer to you will make it hard to include anything besides your head and shoulders in your shot, but it will get you significantly better audio.
2.Shoot Somewhere Quiet
The best way to limit the amount of background noise you pick up in your sound recording is to shoot somewhere where there’s no background noise. That probably seems really basic, but it’s something a lot of people just don’t do. It’s easy to default to recording in your home office, even though it’s right next to the kitchen where your family is bustling around, or in your bedroom even though there’s a busy street right outside your window.
Sometimes the best thing you can do for your audio is simply to scout out a quiet room in your house where the sound recording conditions are better. Speaking of recording conditions…
3. Pick a Good Room
There’s more that goes into picking a good room than how quiet it is. If you try to record in a room that’s too big your voice might sound to distant, and if you try to record in a room that’s too small your audio will be too echo-y. You need a room that’s just right.
You should also pay attention to what’s in the room you’re recording in. Avoid hard, reflective, surfaces like appliances and mirrors which your voice will bounce off of. The same conditions that make you sound great when you sing in the shower will – like recording in a small space -make your voiceover unpleasantly echo-y.
Look for a room that has a lot of soft things in it, like beds and sofas.
4. Protect your Built-In Mic from Wind
If you shoot outside, then the wind passing over your built-in mic will do terrible things to your audio. You can do a lot to counter-act this problem by physically blocking the wind.
There are a few ways to do this. If you’re doing hand-held shots you can partially cover your camera or phone’s mic with your finger. You don’t want to completely cover it/press down or your audio will be muffled. What you’re trying to do is create a barrier blocking out the wind.
On movie sets, they block out wind by covering the microphones with big fuzzy things called ‘dead cats’. You can also block out wind noise by attaching something fuzzy to your microphone. If your camera’s built-in mic is on front of it then you just need something big and fluffy you can loop around the lens. You can use a piece of a boa, a fuzzy novelty scrunchie – you can even murder a fuzzy stuffed animal! Do you have an old coat with a fuzz around the hood? That fuzz would do nicely.
The pompom used in this video cost $2, but you might already have something that would work!
If your built-in mic is on top of your camera you can get something called a ‘micromuff’. A micromuff is essentially a circular or rectangular piece of velcro with long strands of fluff on top. It’s open in the middle so it doesn’t actually cover your mic, but the surrounding fuzz blocks out the wind.
You use the adhesive backing to attach the base velcro to your camera. The other side of the velcro has your fluff attached to the back.
The only thing about a micromuff is that it costs about $30, and if you’re going to spend $30 on audio equipment then you could just buy yourself an inexpensive LAV mic. I only bring up the micromuff because it’s a very simple design you can probably DIY – you just need velcro with adhesive backing and any of the fluff-sources we just discussed.
5. Use a Free Audio App
If you’re recording on a smartphone, you can download a free app that will let you make adjustments to your audio as you record it. With the right app, you can adjust your gain (volume is how you control ‘output’ audio, and gain is for ‘input’ audio. By turning up your gain, you can make your mic more sensitive), tempo, and more. A lot of the time, your audio recording app will also let you edit your audio afterward.
Even if you’re not recording video from your smartphone, it might be a good idea to use your phone as your mic and record a separate audio file. You’ll be able to use an app to fine-tune your recording, and you can set your phone up closer to you the way you would an external mic while keeping your camera back a bit farther.
Free audio apps: Hi-Q MP3 Voice Recorder (Android), RecForge II (Android), Smart Voice Recorder (Android), Audio Memos (iOS), and Recorder Plus (iOS).
6. Do a Sound Check
Once you think you’ve got good audio set up – test it! You don’t want to do a whole video and find out when you play it back that your audio doesn’t sound good.
Do you have any of your own audio tips to pass on? Leave them in the comments!
This topic was suggested by RS Beauty over in the forums. Thanks for the idea!
Polish Your YouTube Videos with Filmora
As one of the most widely used video editing software in YouTube video editing, Filmora allows you to record voiceover and edit the recorded audio with mixer, equalizer and provides lots of templates and effects with an intuitive interface, which saves much time. Download the free trial version and get started now.
Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett
Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions
Audio quality is more important than video quality on YouTube. You’ve probably heard that before – viewers might forgive sub-par video quality if they’re interested in what you’re saying, but if it’s hard to understand what you’re saying they’ll click away.
Getting an external mic (even a $10 one-off Amazon ) is one of the best ways to improve your videos. That said, maybe your budget is $0. Or, maybe you just don’t happen to have a mic now and don’t want to wait to make videos. It could even be that you just don’t want to bother with an external mic.
Luckily, there are a lot of easy, free, things you can do to protect the quality of your audio recording even if you’re not using an external mic. Here are a few tips:
- 1. Keep Your Camera Close
- 2. Shoot Somewhere Quiet
- 3. Pick a Good Room
- 4. Protect your Built-In Mic from Wind
- 5. Use a Free Audio App
- 6. Do a Sound Check
1. Keep Your Camera Close (like, really close)
The biggest problem with the mic built into any camera or phone is just that, since it’s with the camera, it’s usually too far away from you. Built-in mics can record decent audio up close, but usually, your camera will be set up farther away from you than an external mic would be.
For example, your camera’s mic might be just as good as a clip-on LAV, but that LAV is right by your mouth and the camera is a couple of big steps away.
Moving your camera/smartphone physically closer to you will make it hard to include anything besides your head and shoulders in your shot, but it will get you significantly better audio.
2.Shoot Somewhere Quiet
The best way to limit the amount of background noise you pick up in your sound recording is to shoot somewhere where there’s no background noise. That probably seems really basic, but it’s something a lot of people just don’t do. It’s easy to default to recording in your home office, even though it’s right next to the kitchen where your family is bustling around, or in your bedroom even though there’s a busy street right outside your window.
Sometimes the best thing you can do for your audio is simply to scout out a quiet room in your house where the sound recording conditions are better. Speaking of recording conditions…
3. Pick a Good Room
There’s more that goes into picking a good room than how quiet it is. If you try to record in a room that’s too big your voice might sound to distant, and if you try to record in a room that’s too small your audio will be too echo-y. You need a room that’s just right.
You should also pay attention to what’s in the room you’re recording in. Avoid hard, reflective, surfaces like appliances and mirrors which your voice will bounce off of. The same conditions that make you sound great when you sing in the shower will – like recording in a small space -make your voiceover unpleasantly echo-y.
Look for a room that has a lot of soft things in it, like beds and sofas.
4. Protect your Built-In Mic from Wind
If you shoot outside, then the wind passing over your built-in mic will do terrible things to your audio. You can do a lot to counter-act this problem by physically blocking the wind.
There are a few ways to do this. If you’re doing hand-held shots you can partially cover your camera or phone’s mic with your finger. You don’t want to completely cover it/press down or your audio will be muffled. What you’re trying to do is create a barrier blocking out the wind.
On movie sets, they block out wind by covering the microphones with big fuzzy things called ‘dead cats’. You can also block out wind noise by attaching something fuzzy to your microphone. If your camera’s built-in mic is on front of it then you just need something big and fluffy you can loop around the lens. You can use a piece of a boa, a fuzzy novelty scrunchie – you can even murder a fuzzy stuffed animal! Do you have an old coat with a fuzz around the hood? That fuzz would do nicely.
The pompom used in this video cost $2, but you might already have something that would work!
If your built-in mic is on top of your camera you can get something called a ‘micromuff’. A micromuff is essentially a circular or rectangular piece of velcro with long strands of fluff on top. It’s open in the middle so it doesn’t actually cover your mic, but the surrounding fuzz blocks out the wind.
You use the adhesive backing to attach the base velcro to your camera. The other side of the velcro has your fluff attached to the back.
The only thing about a micromuff is that it costs about $30, and if you’re going to spend $30 on audio equipment then you could just buy yourself an inexpensive LAV mic. I only bring up the micromuff because it’s a very simple design you can probably DIY – you just need velcro with adhesive backing and any of the fluff-sources we just discussed.
5. Use a Free Audio App
If you’re recording on a smartphone, you can download a free app that will let you make adjustments to your audio as you record it. With the right app, you can adjust your gain (volume is how you control ‘output’ audio, and gain is for ‘input’ audio. By turning up your gain, you can make your mic more sensitive), tempo, and more. A lot of the time, your audio recording app will also let you edit your audio afterward.
Even if you’re not recording video from your smartphone, it might be a good idea to use your phone as your mic and record a separate audio file. You’ll be able to use an app to fine-tune your recording, and you can set your phone up closer to you the way you would an external mic while keeping your camera back a bit farther.
Free audio apps: Hi-Q MP3 Voice Recorder (Android), RecForge II (Android), Smart Voice Recorder (Android), Audio Memos (iOS), and Recorder Plus (iOS).
6. Do a Sound Check
Once you think you’ve got good audio set up – test it! You don’t want to do a whole video and find out when you play it back that your audio doesn’t sound good.
Do you have any of your own audio tips to pass on? Leave them in the comments!
This topic was suggested by RS Beauty over in the forums. Thanks for the idea!
Polish Your YouTube Videos with Filmora
As one of the most widely used video editing software in YouTube video editing, Filmora allows you to record voiceover and edit the recorded audio with mixer, equalizer and provides lots of templates and effects with an intuitive interface, which saves much time. Download the free trial version and get started now.
Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett
Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions
Audio quality is more important than video quality on YouTube. You’ve probably heard that before – viewers might forgive sub-par video quality if they’re interested in what you’re saying, but if it’s hard to understand what you’re saying they’ll click away.
Getting an external mic (even a $10 one-off Amazon ) is one of the best ways to improve your videos. That said, maybe your budget is $0. Or, maybe you just don’t happen to have a mic now and don’t want to wait to make videos. It could even be that you just don’t want to bother with an external mic.
Luckily, there are a lot of easy, free, things you can do to protect the quality of your audio recording even if you’re not using an external mic. Here are a few tips:
- 1. Keep Your Camera Close
- 2. Shoot Somewhere Quiet
- 3. Pick a Good Room
- 4. Protect your Built-In Mic from Wind
- 5. Use a Free Audio App
- 6. Do a Sound Check
1. Keep Your Camera Close (like, really close)
The biggest problem with the mic built into any camera or phone is just that, since it’s with the camera, it’s usually too far away from you. Built-in mics can record decent audio up close, but usually, your camera will be set up farther away from you than an external mic would be.
For example, your camera’s mic might be just as good as a clip-on LAV, but that LAV is right by your mouth and the camera is a couple of big steps away.
Moving your camera/smartphone physically closer to you will make it hard to include anything besides your head and shoulders in your shot, but it will get you significantly better audio.
2.Shoot Somewhere Quiet
The best way to limit the amount of background noise you pick up in your sound recording is to shoot somewhere where there’s no background noise. That probably seems really basic, but it’s something a lot of people just don’t do. It’s easy to default to recording in your home office, even though it’s right next to the kitchen where your family is bustling around, or in your bedroom even though there’s a busy street right outside your window.
Sometimes the best thing you can do for your audio is simply to scout out a quiet room in your house where the sound recording conditions are better. Speaking of recording conditions…
3. Pick a Good Room
There’s more that goes into picking a good room than how quiet it is. If you try to record in a room that’s too big your voice might sound to distant, and if you try to record in a room that’s too small your audio will be too echo-y. You need a room that’s just right.
You should also pay attention to what’s in the room you’re recording in. Avoid hard, reflective, surfaces like appliances and mirrors which your voice will bounce off of. The same conditions that make you sound great when you sing in the shower will – like recording in a small space -make your voiceover unpleasantly echo-y.
Look for a room that has a lot of soft things in it, like beds and sofas.
4. Protect your Built-In Mic from Wind
If you shoot outside, then the wind passing over your built-in mic will do terrible things to your audio. You can do a lot to counter-act this problem by physically blocking the wind.
There are a few ways to do this. If you’re doing hand-held shots you can partially cover your camera or phone’s mic with your finger. You don’t want to completely cover it/press down or your audio will be muffled. What you’re trying to do is create a barrier blocking out the wind.
On movie sets, they block out wind by covering the microphones with big fuzzy things called ‘dead cats’. You can also block out wind noise by attaching something fuzzy to your microphone. If your camera’s built-in mic is on front of it then you just need something big and fluffy you can loop around the lens. You can use a piece of a boa, a fuzzy novelty scrunchie – you can even murder a fuzzy stuffed animal! Do you have an old coat with a fuzz around the hood? That fuzz would do nicely.
The pompom used in this video cost $2, but you might already have something that would work!
If your built-in mic is on top of your camera you can get something called a ‘micromuff’. A micromuff is essentially a circular or rectangular piece of velcro with long strands of fluff on top. It’s open in the middle so it doesn’t actually cover your mic, but the surrounding fuzz blocks out the wind.
You use the adhesive backing to attach the base velcro to your camera. The other side of the velcro has your fluff attached to the back.
The only thing about a micromuff is that it costs about $30, and if you’re going to spend $30 on audio equipment then you could just buy yourself an inexpensive LAV mic. I only bring up the micromuff because it’s a very simple design you can probably DIY – you just need velcro with adhesive backing and any of the fluff-sources we just discussed.
5. Use a Free Audio App
If you’re recording on a smartphone, you can download a free app that will let you make adjustments to your audio as you record it. With the right app, you can adjust your gain (volume is how you control ‘output’ audio, and gain is for ‘input’ audio. By turning up your gain, you can make your mic more sensitive), tempo, and more. A lot of the time, your audio recording app will also let you edit your audio afterward.
Even if you’re not recording video from your smartphone, it might be a good idea to use your phone as your mic and record a separate audio file. You’ll be able to use an app to fine-tune your recording, and you can set your phone up closer to you the way you would an external mic while keeping your camera back a bit farther.
Free audio apps: Hi-Q MP3 Voice Recorder (Android), RecForge II (Android), Smart Voice Recorder (Android), Audio Memos (iOS), and Recorder Plus (iOS).
6. Do a Sound Check
Once you think you’ve got good audio set up – test it! You don’t want to do a whole video and find out when you play it back that your audio doesn’t sound good.
Do you have any of your own audio tips to pass on? Leave them in the comments!
This topic was suggested by RS Beauty over in the forums. Thanks for the idea!
Polish Your YouTube Videos with Filmora
As one of the most widely used video editing software in YouTube video editing, Filmora allows you to record voiceover and edit the recorded audio with mixer, equalizer and provides lots of templates and effects with an intuitive interface, which saves much time. Download the free trial version and get started now.
Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Richard Bennett
Also read:
- In 2024, Elevate Viewing Experience – Enable AV1 on YouTube
- Top Hash Tags Boosting Gameplay Vids
- Charting a Course to Riches YouTube's Monetary Milestones
- Top Listings of YouTube Partner Opportunities and Advertisements
- In 2024, ASMR Mastery in Action Strategies for Dynamic and Effective Videos
- 2024 Approved Channel Identity Reimagined Best Name Generators Listed
- Capturing Quality Lens Recommendations for Content Makers
- [New] A Beginner's Tutorial How to Insert On-Screen Dialogue in Video Formats
- 2024 Approved Earning at Age Ten The Extraordinary Financial Rise of Ryan Kaji
- [Updated] Accelerated Pathway Through Keying Fundamentals
- [Updated] Earning Edge Exploiting YouTube Studio for Global Viewers
- Easy Steps How to Master the Best of 9 Free YouTube Logomakers
- In 2024, Download Free YouTube Pics & Templates
- Creating a Link-Building Foundation for Video Marketers
- Raising the Bar YouTube's Live Streaming Excellence
- From Script to Screenplay Expert Video Editing Insights
- [New] A Visual Hook Creating Captivating YouTube Thumbnails to Drive Traffic
- In 2024, 1 Key YouTube Tactics for Effective Brand Promotion
- 2024 Approved Channel Confidence Tips for Trending on YouTube
- 2024 Approved Corrected Non-Existence of Shorts on Feeds
- [Updated] Direct YouTube Video Capture Guide
- In 2024, Elevate Videos Innovative YouTube Editing Techniques Revealed
- Stand Out in a Sea of Content - Our Offer Includes 50 Free Banners
- 2024 Approved Cutting Through the Clutter YouTube's Copyright Evolution
- Stand Out Creating Unique Thumbnails for Your YouTube Videos
- Monetization Mastery Thriving in the YouTube Economy, No Ads Included
- In 2024, Curated Collection Best Free Footage Websites Ranked
- [New] Architects of Online Marvel Adventures
- How to Add Chapters to YouTube Videos
- In 2024, Amp Up Your Audio Game with Top 4 Budget Convert Apps
- Best YouTube Video Converters for High-Quality WebM for 2024
- [Updated] Boost Visibility with Customized Channel Names
- 2024 Approved Can You Respect Intellectual Property While ScreenRecording YouTube?
- [New] Ace Your Youtube Livestreams Mastering Broadcast Techniques Using WireCast
- Stock Insights Unleashed Top 15 YouTube Experts
- Discover the Best 10 Online Yoga Hubs for Fitness
- [New] Amplify Views & Engagement Through Google Analytics Expertise
- Controlling Who Can Leave a Comment on Your YouTube Videos
- [New] Essential Techniques for Designing YouTube Video Thumbnails
- Elevate Your Online Impact with Effective Backlink Strategies for 2024
- One Arm Wonders Keeping Photos Steady
- Beatmatching Your Vids Syncing Music Seamlessly on Facebook
- Hassle-Free Ways to Remove FRP Lock from Poco X5 Phones with/without a PC
- [New] The Overlooked Elements What You're Missing as a Story Viewer
- Updated The Ultimate Guide to Converting WebM to MP4 Top 10 Converters for 2024
- 2024 Approved Efficient Route for Vimeo Uploads From Window Media Tools
- [Updated] In 2024, FB Video Downloader Seamless MP4 Conversion
- 2024 Approved Navigating the Path of Validation Becoming a Confirmed Disco Member
- Top 10 Telegram Spy Tools On OnePlus Ace 2 Pro for Parents | Dr.fone
- [Updated] Innovative Approaches to IPTV Video Logging
- Play Store Not Working On Oppo A59 5G? 8 Solutions Inside | Dr.fone
- [Updated] Quick and Quiet Recording of Games for 2024
- Updated In 2024, Enhancing Your MP4 Visuals with Premium Music Selection Techniques
- 2024 Approved Bypassing Extras The No-Cost, No-Download Strategy for Quieting Video Audio on Windows 10
- In 2024, Optimizing Video Output A Comprehensive Guide to Compressor in FCPX
- Free MPEG Video Joiner Software Top Selections
- 2024 Approved How to Use Twixtor Effect to Create Super Slow-Motion Video?
- Unlocking Viral Potential in Instagram Videos
- 2024 Approved Make Your Photos Shine 5 Leading Slideshow Software Options
- [Updated] Ideal Tools Leading Mac Video Recording Programs for 2024
- Updated 2024 Approved Make Your Own Invitation Videos 10 Free Online Tools
- 9 Best Phone Monitoring Apps for Poco C51 | Dr.fone
- Updated Adobe Premiere Pro Secrets 6 Little-Known Tips for Stunning Videos for 2024
- New Animate Your Text The Top 10 Generators to Boost Engagement
- [New] 2024 Approved Straightforward Strategies for iPhone's Screen Recording
- How to Unlock Apple iPhone 11 Passcode Screen? | Dr.fone
- Celebrating the Premier 25 Ones to Watch on Insta
- Hard Reset Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra in 3 Efficient Ways | Dr.fone
- In 2024, Ultimate Guide to Catch the Regional-Located Pokemon For Oppo Reno 10 Pro 5G | Dr.fone
- WitWizards Your Go-To Meme App
- [Updated] Building Brilliance Top 6 Minecraft Homes
- Title: "[New] Channel Cross-Promotion The Art of Collaborative Co-Stars"
- Author: Kevin
- Created at : 2024-05-25 15:56:07
- Updated at : 2024-05-26 15:56:07
- Link: https://youtube-videos.techidaily.com/new-channel-cross-promotion-the-art-of-collaborative-co-stars/
- License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.