Cross-Promotion on Telegram: A Step-by-Step Guide

Cross-promotion on Telegram means two or more channels recommend each other to their readers, usually at no cost. It works best between channels with a related topic, a similar real audience and honest, specific recommendations. Done well, it brings readers who are already interested in what you post.

This guide covers how to find partners, agree fair terms, write the post, and judge whether it worked.

What cross-promotion is (and is not)

A cross-promotion, often called a "shout-out swap", is an exchange. You post about their channel; they post about yours. No money changes hands.

It is different from buying an ad. With an ad you pay for a post. With a swap you pay with your own audience's attention, so the partner matters just as much as the deal. If you want to pay for placements instead, see how to buy ads in Telegram channels.

Common forms include:

• A one-off mention. Each channel writes one post recommending the other.
• A group post. Several channels each publish the same list of all participating channels.
• A shared folder. Several channels are bundled into one folder link that readers can add in one tap. See Telegram folder links.
• Guest content. You write a useful post for their channel with a credit back to yours.

Step 1: Know your own channel first

Before you approach anyone, be ready to describe your channel honestly. Partners will ask.

1. Topic and audience. Who reads you, in one sentence.
2. Language. A swap between channels in different languages rarely helps either side.
3. Real numbers. Your subscriber count and typical views per post, from Telegram's own statistics if you have access to them. Our guide to Telegram channel statistics explains where to find them.
4. Posting rhythm. How often you post and what kind of posts.

Be truthful. Inflating your numbers will be noticed the first time the partner checks your views.

Step 2: Find suitable partners

The best partner is not the biggest channel. It is the one whose readers would genuinely like your posts.

• Related, not identical topics. A channel about home cooking and one about grocery budgets complement each other. Two near-identical news channels compete.
• Similar size and activity. Swaps are easiest when both sides bring something comparable.
• Same language and region where that matters for your content.
• Good reputation. Avoid channels that post scams, spam or content you would not want your name next to.

Ways to find candidates:

• Browse your topic in the TGDirectory categories.
• Look at channels your own readers forward from.
• Ask in creator groups or communities on your topic.
• Use our guide on how to find Telegram channels.

Step 3: Check a partner before you agree

A channel's subscriber count says little on its own. Check that real people read it.

1. Look at views on recent posts. Are they reasonable for the channel's size, and do they vary from post to post as real views do?
2. Look at reactions and comments. Are they on topic, or generic and repetitive?
3. Check the history. A channel that changed topic, name or language suddenly may have been bought and repurposed.
4. Look at the channel page in a directory. On TGDirectory, each listing shows measured figures such as average and median views per post, engagement rate and posting frequency, read from public posts.

Our guide to Telegram channel engagement rate explains how to read these figures. A very large channel with very few views per post is a warning sign.

Step 4: Agree clear terms

Misunderstandings are the most common reason swaps go sour. Agree the details in writing, even in a short chat message.

• What gets posted. A dedicated post, a mention inside a regular post, or a list.
• When. Date and approximate time, ideally when each audience is active.
• How long it stays. Whether the post stays permanently or can be deleted after a set time.
• Whether it is pinned.
• Who writes the text. Usually each side writes its own description and the partner approves it.
• How results are shared. For example, each side reports how many joined through the link.

Keep it fair. If one channel is much larger, a balanced deal might be several posts from the smaller one, or a guest post instead of a straight swap.

Step 5: Write a recommendation that works

A generic "Check out this great channel!" is easy to ignore. A specific, honest recommendation works better.

1. Say why you recommend it. What do you personally read there?
2. Describe what readers get. A concrete example, like "a short Python tip every weekday".
3. Show one example post if possible, by forwarding a strong post from the partner channel.
4. Add a single clear link. Use a separate invite link for each partner so you can see where joins came from.
5. Label it honestly if it is part of a swap. Your readers trust you; do not spend that trust carelessly.

Invite links can be named so you know which campaign each one belongs to. See our Telegram invite links guide.

Step 6: Measure the results

After the posts go out, compare what happened.

• Joins per invite link. This is the clearest signal of where new readers came from.
• Views on your next few posts. Did the new readers actually read?
• Leaves in the days after. Many leaves suggests the audience was not a good match.

Share the results with your partner. If it worked for both, plan the next one. If it did not, note why before choosing your next partner.

Common mistakes

• Choosing partners by subscriber count alone. A big channel with inactive readers sends you nobody.
• Swapping with channels in a different language or an unrelated topic.
• Group posts with too many channels. A long list of names gets skimmed and ignored.
• Vague, copy-paste recommendations that sound like spam.
• Not checking the partner's content. Recommending a scam channel damages your own reputation.
• Swapping too often. If every second post is a promotion, readers leave.
• No tracking link. Without one you cannot tell whether the swap worked.

FAQ

Is cross-promotion free?

Usually, yes. Both channels exchange posts rather than money. Some larger channels only accept paid ads, which is a different arrangement.

How often should I do cross-promotions?

Only as often as your readers will accept. Promotions should stay a small part of what you post. If you notice more people leaving after promotions, slow down.

What if a partner deletes the post early?

That is why you agree terms beforehand. If it happens, talk to them first. If they broke the agreement on purpose, do not work with them again.

Are group posts with many channels worth it?

They can be, if every channel in the list fits the same audience and the list is short. Long lists of unrelated channels tend to bring few readers.

Can I cross-promote with groups and bots, not just channels?

Yes. A channel and a related discussion group, or a channel and a useful bot, can recommend each other in the same way. Make sure the recommendation is relevant to your readers.

Summary

Cross-promotion works when it is honest and well matched. Know your own channel, find partners with a related topic and a real audience, and check their views before you agree. Put clear terms in writing, write a specific recommendation, and use a separate invite link so you can measure results. Keep promotions occasional, and only recommend channels you would read yourself.