Starting a YouTube channel can be a fantastic way to share your creativity, knowledge, or passions with the world; and maybe even build a following or earn an income. But what if you’re camera-shy or just value your privacy? That’s where faceless YouTube channel ideas come in.
If you’d rather focus on creating content than worry about being on camera (or covering up an unexpected zit), going faceless could be the perfect route for you.
Here are 10 of the top faceless YouTube channel ideas to get inspired.
1. Animated Explainers
Animations are a great alternative to filming actual scenes, frame-by-frame. Animated elements work best with explainer videos, such as money and investing, as well as educational topics.
Animated characters also work well when narrating stories, such as based on historical events, biographies, and even works of fiction.
What if you can’t draw? While drawing skills may come in handy, it’s not necessary.
Online animated platforms house premade elements that you can combine in multiple ways to match your script or storyline. Check out the following platforms:
- TalkingPhotos. Imagine if you can upload your photo and make it talk like a real person would without actually having to capture yourself on-cam. If you prefer, you can even create your own characters — it can be a talking animal or pineapple! You also have the option to build your video on the platform itself. Price starts for a one-time fee of $49.
- HumanPal. This provides the same functionality as TalkingPhotos but could work best for presentations. All you have to do is upload a photo, upload your script, select visual elements for your video, and click a button to make your photo talk like a real human presenter. Price starts for a one-time fee of $49.
- Doodly. For plain 2D animation videos, you might want to check out Doodly. Rather than capturing your actual drawings on video, you may instead select predrawn characters, objects, and backgrounds simply by dragging and dropping them onto each frame. The software then dynamically reveals each line as they’re drawn, based on your timer settings. Doodly monthly subscription starts at $49/month.
2. Whiteboard Tutorials
For more classroom-type tutorials, and client or boardroom presentations that mostly require text support, whiteboard tutorials may be more appropriate than animated presentations. These also require less time organising and editing visual elements.
- VideoScribe. This platform can help you create simple whiteboard tutorials but also more complex animated explainers and doodle videos. Search, drag and drop in place over 11,000 visual elements with the capability to change colors and timing animations to tell your story. Price starts from $15/month.
- Powtoon. This platform is positioned to best serve the learning and development requirements of schools and institutions. Individual, Educational, and Enterprise plans are available. Price starts from $8.
3. Gaming Tutorials
Are you a gamer? If so, gaming happens to be one of the most popular niches on YouTube of all time. Just have a look at PewDiePie’s channel and check out his followers and the volume of views his game tutorials are getting!
So, if you think you have the skills, share your tactics with the rest of the gaming community. Help others overcome challenges and guide them through the next level. Show others how to win loots and find easter eggs that’ll make their gaming experience more exciting. Consider the following screen capture software in creating your gaming content:
- OBS Studio. Enjoy standout features for video recording and live streaming at absolutely no cost! It’s an open source software compatible with Windows, MacOS, and Linux that allows you to mix video and audio elements, choose the most compatible configuration for your preferred streaming platform, and more.
- Bandicam. Take your videos in high resolution and drastically compress recordings for easy uploads. Price starts from around $3/month.
4. Relaxation and ASMR
With increasing concerns over mental health, channels focusing on relaxation and ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) have become popular even on YouTube and here’s the best part, it’s mostly auditory.
However, high quality sound recording equipment is an absolute must. Even better if you can pair that with a clear, royalty-free image, video, and audio of a relaxing set like a fireplace or a soothing landscape like waterfalls in a rainforest.
For inspiration, check out how RelaxingWhiteNoise and Peaceful Moments do it.
Feel free to add voice or text prompts to help with meditation and relaxation. Just keep in mind that your professional qualifications may be evaluated for search.
So stick only to what you are certified to talk about – your expertise, and make sure your credentials are prominently presented in your profile.
5. Music Production or Remixes
Since people don’t just head over to YouTube to watch but also to listen, creating a music channel could be a viable faceless channel if you have musical talents to share.
Create original remixes, play an instrument or showcase your vocal prowess to cover popular songs, and even produce original tracks. As the possibilities are endless, this path will be a rewarding niche for the musically inclined.
Discover Chillhop Music and Future House Music to see how it’s done.
Make sure you’re properly set up to capture high quality audio. In any case, you’ll need music software for layering and composition. Soundtrap, DJ Studio, and Ableton Live are just three of the music software you can choose from.
6. Compilation Videos
This faceless YouTube channel idea involves curating videos published by other creators and presenting them in an edited format, such as a list.
Start by settling on a theme, such as ‘cute antics of cats and dogs caught on cam’, ‘baby milestones’, or ‘the best quick dinners under 15 minutes to prepare at home’. Then, start curating videos.
Make sure to be mindful of laws on copyright and fair use. If you’re planning to go down this path, stay updated on YouTube policies.
Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Use only videos with creative commons licenses. You may use YouTube’s search function. You may also use royalty-free images and videos from Pexels, Pixabay, Flickr, and other similar sites.
- Ask for explicit permission to use videos from owners, especially if you’re planning to monetise your channel or sell your compilation video.
- Make sure to create a unique storyline.
- Overlay videos with your own audio or voiceover.
- Acknowledge your sources.
7. Faceless Product Reviews
One way to get product reviews that don’t show your face is by creating compilation videos. You may use product videos uploaded by sellers on ecommerce sites like Amazon. They’d usually be happy if you share links to their products so it’s unlikely that they will contest use.
The best way is to shoot your own video footage focusing on the products that you’re reviewing only. Use video editing tools available on your desktop or iMovie for Mac users. The Canva Free Video Compilation Maker could be another option.
8. Data Visualisations
Turn raw data into compelling stories with charts, graphs, and infographics. Topics like world economics, sports statistics, or market trends may be best presented using data visualisations.
For most data presentations, Windows Excel or Google Sheets will suffice. To analyse larger data sets and create dashboards that help you tell a story, however, Tableau may prove to be more helpful.
Screen capture, add text overlays, turn the audio on, and annotate so you can explain the data more clearly. Keep your video informative and conversational. Find out what your audience would like to know and fulfill their needs by showing them compelling data without ever having to show your face.
9. DIY and Craft Tutorials
If you have a knack for transforming trash to treasure, share your thrifty and creative ideas with the rest of the world. Create a crafting channel to showcase your work.
A DIY tutorial will also be ideal if you’re a certified skills professional, such as plumber, mason, or carpenter. If you have talent in organising stuff, you can show others how to manage cleanliness in their homes too.
Explore more ideas by visiting 5-Minute Crafts and Simple Creative.
Remember to focus on capturing the process so zoom in to your worktable and show the world how it’s done!
10. Silent Vlogs
Perhaps you don’t want to talk at all. Silent vlogging will be appropriate for cooking channels, or if you’re planning to cover ‘a day in the life of’ any subject which could be your fur family member. Or, you might want to document the sights and sounds around you and present it from your point of view.
Just because it’s called ‘silent’, that doesn’t mean you can’t include ambient sounds or even music in the background.
For more inspiration, check out Choki and Nyangsoop.
Getting Started with your Faceless YouTube Channel
We hope you’ve found your inspiration in this list of top faceless YouTube channel ideas. Keep in mind that once you decide to become a content creator on YouTube, you’ll have to keep going and growing your channel so choosing your niche topic is critical.
Invest in equipment and software that will help you create content that others will find enjoyable to watch. Don’t forget to invest in yourself too. As a storyteller, you need to keep honing your craft and your audience engaged.
