pitchingvideo seriestemplates

Build a Craft-Focused YouTube Series Pitch: Template & 5 Episode Ideas to Hook Commissioners

ccrafty

2026-02-05

11 min read

Send a ready-to-greenlight craft-series pitch: deck template, five bingeable episode concepts, budgets, and clips strategy for 2026 commissioners.

Hook: Stop Guessing — Send a Pitch Commissioners Can Greenlight

If you make craft videos and you’re tired of sending vague emails that disappear into inbox limbo, this guide is for you. Commissioners at platforms like YouTube, BBC-owned channels, and subscription services want a ready-to-send pitch deck that proves your idea is bingeable, brand-safe, and platform-ready. In 2026 the playing field favors creators who package their craft expertise into formats that scale: short highlights, serial episodes, and cross-platform hooks.

Quick Promise: What You’ll Get

Below you’ll find a complete, editable format template for a craft-series pitch deck plus five bingeable episode ideas designed to appeal to commissioners. You’ll also get production specs, budget tiers, distribution hooks, highlight-clip strategies, KPI targets, and an email script to send with your deck.

Why This Matters in 2026

Big-platform commissioning is changing. In January 2026, reports confirmed talks between the BBC and YouTube to produce bespoke content for YouTube channels — evidence platforms are seeking safe, curated, and scalable creative partners (Variety, Jan 16, 2026). At the same time, streamers are reorganizing commissioning teams worldwide — a trend highlighted by recent promotions at Disney+ EMEA — meaning more opportunities but also higher expectations for format clarity and demonstrable audience value.

Commissioners now demand: predictable formats, multiplatform reach, short-form highlights, and clear monetization paths.

Before You Send: Quick Checklist

One-page hook that reads in 30 seconds
Deck of 8–12 slides with visuals and episode outlines
Two produced samples (1 long-form episode + 3 highlight clips)
Realistic budget and production schedule
Distribution & ROI plan including shorts strategy

Ready-to-Send Pitch Deck Template (Slide-by-Slide)

Use this as a slide deck — export to PDF and attach to your email. Keep visuals tight: one idea per slide.

Slide 1 — Title & One-Liner

Example: "Studio Secrets — 8 x 12min craft films unlocking maker rituals." One-line should include format, episode count, and unique hook.
Slide 2 — Logline & Taglines

2–3 sentence logline; 3 potential taglines. Make one platform-specific tagline (e.g., "Shorts-ready: 8 x 12 + 24 x 60s clips").
Slide 3 — Why Now (2026 Context)

Reference industry shifts: BBC-YouTube deals, commissioning team reshuffles, rising short-form viewership, and live-commerce integrations. Explain how your craft series answers those trends.
Slide 4 — Audience & Reach

Define primary demo (age, craft interest, spending behavior), secondary demo, and initial audience proof: channel subscribers, average watch time, and top-performing clips.
Slide 5 — Format & Episode Structure

Runtime, beats, signature segments, and highlight/shorts plan. Example: 12–15 minutes full episode + 1 Hero 3-5 min Highlight + 3 Shorts (45–60s) each episode.
Slide 6 — Episode Bible (3 Examples)

Include 3 full episode outlines with hooks, guest makers, visual references, and a sample timestamp breakdown.
Slide 7 — Visual & Tone References

Provide stills and links to reference content (e.g., BBC Craft segments, successful YouTube craft shorts). Keep to 4–6 references.
Slide 8 — Talent & Production Crew

List host(s), producer, director of photography, editors, and a one-paragraph CV for each key person showing craft experience or audience traction.
Slide 9 — Budget & Schedule

Provide three tiers: nano (creator-led, minimal crew), standard (pro crew + studio), premium (on-location, high production). Include per-episode cost and total for series.
Slide 10 — Distribution Plan & Clips Strategy

Explain YouTube multipack: main episodes, highlight clips, Shorts & Shorts compilations, community posts, and potential clips for partner channels. Include cadence and repurposing plan for TikTok/Instagram Reels.
Slide 11 — Monetization & Commercial Opportunities

List sponsorship formats (integrated segments, kit sales), affiliate shop plan, live-ticketed workshop add-ons, and merchandising (kits, pattern bundles).
Slide 12 — KPIs & Success Metrics

Set clear commissioning KPIs: CTR of thumbnails, average view duration (AVD), retention at 2/4/8 minutes, Shorts view-to-subscribe rate, conversion to product pages, ad RPM targets, and social share rate.
Slide 13 — Attachments & Links

List attachments: press kit, sample episode link, 3 highlight clips, one-pager, and contact info. Host video samples on unlisted platform links for quick access.
Slide 14 — Ask & Next Steps

State the exact ask: development funding, pilot episode, co-production, or commission. Provide a suggested timeline and a 2–3 week window for a deliverable pilot.

Sample One-Page Pitch (Copy-Paste)

Use this as the email body or attach as a single-sheet PDF.

Subject: Pitch: "Studio Secrets" — 8 x 12min craft series (Pilot Ready)

Body: Hello [Commissioner Name],
I’m [Your Name], creator of [Channel] (X subs) and maker of short-format craft content that consistently hits high retention and strong commerce conversion. I’m pitching Studio Secrets: an 8-episode series (12–15 min) that pairs maker rituals with product-ready tutorials and 3x platform-ready Shorts per episode. I’ve attached the deck, a one-pager, and links to a pilot and 3 highlight clips.
Ask: development funding for a pilot shoot (budget options attached). Suggested timeline: 8–10 weeks to pilot, series deliverables 12 weeks.
I’m happy to discuss creative adjustments for your channel strategy. Best, [Name] [Contact Info]

Five Bingeable Episode Concepts Commissioners Love

Each concept includes runtime, signature hook, highlight clip plan, sponsor fit, and sample timestamp. These are tuned to platform needs in 2026: serial formats, short-form ecosystems, and commerce-ready moments.

1) Maker Duels — The Quick-Change Challenge

Runtime: 12–14 minutes. Hook: Two makers, one material, one hour to create a sellable product. Host judges for taste, aesthetic, and scalability. Fast edits and split-screen builds make this highly rewatchable.

Shorts: 60s “finish reveal” clip, 30s craft trick, 15s reaction.
Sponsor fit: tools, materials brands, online marketplaces.
Timestamp sample: 00:00 cold open, 00:45 meet the makers, 02:00 challenge rules, 03:30 sprint rounds, 09:30 reveal & judging.

2) Material Deep Dives — What Makes It Work?

Runtime: 10–12 minutes. Hook: Each episode profiles one material (linen, epoxy, reclaimed wood), its history, sourcing footprint, and three maker techniques that elevate a finished piece.

Shorts: 45s "Material Mythbust"; 60s technique demo.
Sponsor fit: eco-suppliers, craft marketplaces, sustainable brands.
Why commissioners like it: Evergreen reference content with high search intent and long-tail discoverability.

3) Studio to Sale — From Pattern to Paycheck

Runtime: 14–16 minutes. Hook: Follow one product from idea to launch — prototypes, pricing, photography, and listing optimization. Each episode ends with real sales metrics (live case study).

Shorts: 30s before/after product makeover; 60s listing optimization tips.
Sponsor fit: e-commerce platforms, shipping partners, payment processors.
Commissioner appeal: Clear ROI stories and commerce uplift make it attractive for branded integrations.

4) Local Legends — Makers & Their Communities

Runtime: 12 minutes. Hook: A human-first documentary style that profiles a maker, the local craft scene, and a signature piece. Mixes cinematic B-roll with practical instruction for one signature trick the maker uses.

Shorts: 60s portrait clip; 30s community montage.
Sponsor fit: travel, regional tourism boards, cultural foundations.
Why it commissions well: Meets public-service and diversity mandates; fits co-production with broadcasters like BBC seeking local stories for global audiences.

5) Fast Fixes — 5-Minute Repairs & Upcycles

Runtime: 8–10 minutes. Hook: Rapid, high-utility projects viewers can replicate immediately. High snackability feeds algorithmic promotion and drives repeat view sessions.

Shorts: 15–30s step-by-step micro-tutorials.
Sponsor fit: adhesives, tool brands, home improvement retailers.
Commissioner appeal: Low-cost to produce and high-volume repeatability for clip libraries.

Episode Deliverable Template (Use for Each Episode)

Title & Logline
Runtime & Episode type (Competition / Deep Dive / Doc / Quick Tutorial)
Segments with timestamps
Assets to deliver: full episode, 1 highlight (3–5 min), 3 Shorts, 6 stills, one episode transcript
Sponsored integration notes (if applicable)

Production & Budget Guidelines (2026 Rates)

Provide clear budgets. Commissioners appreciate transparency.

Nano Tier — $3k–6k per episode: Creator-host, 1 camera operator, remote editing, studio or home setup. Ideal for creators with strong audience data. (See portable capture options and low-cost field kit recommendations.)
Standard Tier — $12k–40k per episode: Small crew, better camera/lenses, pro sound, 1–2 shooting days, graded deliverables, social clips produced.
Premium Tier — $50k–150k+: Multi-location, documentary crew, travel, licensing fees, high-end post, research elements, archival footage.

Distribution & Clips Strategy (Must-Haves for Commissioners)

2026 commissioning teams expect multiplatform output:

Main episodes: Hosted on YouTube as the primary asset.
Highlight clips: 3–5 minute standalones optimized for SEO and playlists.
Shorts/Reels: 15–60s vertical clips made natively for Shorts with captions and strong hooks in the first 2 seconds. (Adopt vertical-first production practices so cropping is native, not an afterthought.)
Live spin-offs: Optional live Q&A workshops that act as commerce funnels — pair with edge-assisted live collaboration tooling for higher production reliability.
Playlist strategy: Batch episodes into themed playlists to boost session time.

KPIs Commissioners Will Ask (and How to Hit Them)

Include these in your deck and show how you’ll hit them:

Average View Duration (AVD) — Target 40–60% for 12-minute episodes.
Retention at Key Beats — 75% retention at the 1-minute mark; 50% at midpoint.
Shorts-to-Subscribe — 0.5–2% conversion rate from Shorts to channel subscriber.
Commerce Conversion — If selling kits, aim for a 1–3% click-to-purchase conversion from episode links. (See guidance on product catalogs and conversion funnels in this product-catalog case study.)
Share Rate — 1–3% share rate per episode increases organic reach.

Pitch Email Template (Short & Professional)

Copy, paste, and personalize:

Subject: Pitch: [Series Title] — [Format] — Pilot Ready

Dear [Commissioner Name],
I lead [Channel/Brand], a craft-focused channel with [X subs] and [Y watch hours/month]. Attached is a pitch deck for [Series Title], an [episode count] series designed for [platform]. Links to a pilot and 3 highlight clips are below. I’d welcome a short call to discuss adaptation for your commissioning priorities. Best, [Name] [Phone] [One-line credit].

Real-World Example: How a Small Creator Won a Commission (Case Study)

In 2025, a UK maker packaged a 6-episode pitch based on upcycling (pilot + 12 Shorts). They had modest subs but excellent AVD and a 2% kit sales conversion. By presenting a tight budget, three sample clips, and clear KPIs, they secured a branded pilot. The lesson: data + deliverables > follower count. See a similar growth playbook in this case study that highlights the power of metrics over raw follower numbers.

Advanced Strategies Commissioners Admire in 2026

Data-first storytelling: Show how past clips performed — retention curves and commerce benchmarks (case studies like the Goalhanger example above).
Vertical-first production: Shoot in ways that give both horizontal and vertical crops natively to avoid awkward repurposes; learn why vertical-first thinking matters from the vertical video ecosystem write-ups (vertical video startups).
Co-pro partnerships: Propose small co-funding or distribution splits, especially attractive to broadcasters exploring digital deals (see pitching playbooks for platform deals).
Local-to-global: Mix local maker stories with universal craft techniques to satisfy both PSB values and platform scale; commissioning teams at broadcasters like BBC and regional streamers reward this mix.
Green production: Include sustainable sourcing notes — environmental credentials are increasingly asked for by commissioning editors. See green creator playbooks in adjacent creator fields (Beauty Creator Playbook).

Common Pitfalls (And How to Avoid Them)

Sending a long, text-heavy deck — keep slides visual and scannable.
Not including deliverable clips — always attach at least one full-length sample and three Shorts. Use clip-first automations to package samples quickly (clip-first tooling).
Unrealistic budgets — provide tiered budgets and justify costs line-by-line.
Ignoring the Shorts ecosystem — finalize a Shorts plan before you ask for funding.

Final Checklist Before Hitting Send

Deck PDF + one-page pitch attached
Unlisted links to full episode and three highlight clips
Clear ask and suggested timeline
Budget tiers included
Contact details and next-steps call-to-action

Closing — Make It Easy to Say Yes

Commissioners are flooded with ideas. The difference between a pass and a greenlight is clarity: clear format, measurable KPIs, deliverables that serve both long-form and short-form platforms, and a sensible budget. Use the pitch deck template above, choose one of the five bingeable episode concepts, and prepare three clips that show you can deliver on the metrics.

If you want a copy of the editable deck and the episode deliverable template, I’ve got a downloadable version ready. Hit the button below to get the files, plus a sample email you can customize for BBC, YouTube, or streaming commissioners.

crafty

Contributor

Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.