I like the idea sacriel said in a livestream better to be honest. Having some type of colored cloth on/around your hand so your teammates could see that, maybe choose a color for you and your friend?
Maybe getting a closer spawn to your friends wouldn't hurt, but i don't mind if they don't change that since I've played the game since it came out (the mod). It's supposed to be harder in the start so you can understand the game better, like don't trust people and don't stand in a city for to long since it's bad for you?