How to make collaboration your creative superpower

Joanna McGinn
1 day ago
2 min read

We had a room full of creatives at our latest Coffee & Conversation meet-up, where Amy Eld from Rock the Heirloom shared her tips on collaboration - from Instagram cross-promotions and giveaways to pop-ups and creative events.

Read our top tips on how to make the most of partnering with another brand.

Never underestimate the power of a good ‘collab’

You might giggle after Amandaland made it a meme, but a collaboration can go a long way, especially if budgets are tight. Collaborating opens unexpected doors, helping you tap into new audiences through shared platforms, mailing lists, and word of mouth. It's a great way to share the load – split costs, ideas, and responsibilities.

At The Creative Duck, we use collabs to build community, forging partnerships that foster genuine connection and support between local creatives.

Avoid these common mistakes…

The biggest pitfall in collaboration is being too vague. Set clear expectations, define who’s doing what, by when - preferably in writing. Double-check your goals are aligned before you get started on a project together.

Agree up front what’s fair and feasible in terms of sharing costs and budget expectations.

And don’t forget to debrief - follow up after they project to discuss what worked, what didn’t, and could it happen again?

Follow our Five Golden Rules

Start small – a social post or giveaway can test the waters.
Choose a partner who shares your values - whether that be sustainability or a tone of voice that resonates.
Constantly communicate - share updates, ask questions and email recaps to keep things clear.
Celebrate & share – tag, thank, and amplify one another’s work to make the most of your joint effort.
Work with people you admire - widen your audience with a brand that inspires you and your followers.