YouTube has become the go-to platform for anyone who wants to start an online business or earn some extra income from home. And while most of us know that we can turn our hobbies into profitable side hustles by getting creative with marketing and promotion, not everyone knows how easy it really is to make money on Youtube without actually doing anything at all.
Here’s one way that almost no one talks about. You don't even need to show your face in order to be successful at making videos that bring in cash—you just have to use your imagination. The key to success here lies in understanding which types of content will work best for your target audience. Once you've mastered this strategy, you'll be able to create videos anywhere and everywhere. Whether you want to build a brand presence through product reviews, host cooking shows where guests cook meals together, shoot tutorials focused on specific topics, or record original music, there are plenty of options available if you think outside of the box.
So let’s get started. Here are 4 things you should consider before launching any type of video project:
1) What kind of content would interest my followers?
Think about the kinds of videos you already watch regularly. If you like funny cat reactions, then maybe you could try creating something similar but with pets instead of cats. Or perhaps you enjoy watching inspiring quotes or motivational speeches... why not combine these two genres into one?
2) Who am I targeting specifically?
If you only share content featuring yourself, then how does anyone else (or someone new) find out about you? Consider sharing more information about your niche, background, personality, etc., so potential viewers feel connected to you and understand why they'd choose to follow along. This also helps them connect their own interests and needs with your message. So when someone searches for "best dog food," chances are you might come up as an answer because you've been blogging consistently about dogs and pet care products over time. When you post relevant video responses to questions like this, you help your audience learn more about themselves and what they truly value. Plus, you give back to the community since you're helping others discover interesting subjects they may never otherwise look into.
3) How long should each clip be?
There isn't necessarily a set length of time per clip. Obviously longer clips take more effort than short ones, but depending on the subject matter, style, and production quality, a 2 minute clip can still pack quite a punch. Of course, the ideal length varies based on your goals, but a general rule of thumb is roughly 3 minutes unless your topic requires much less attention. However, shorter clips aren't always better either. Sometimes, a quick 10 second shot provides enough visual appeal that viewers won’t mind waiting around for additional footage later on.
4) Where should I upload my creations?
You can simply embed your videos right onto your blog or website using HTML code… or you can opt to stream directly from platforms such as Facebook Live, Instagram Stories, TikTok, Twitter Video, Snapchat, and other places. For those looking to reach a wider audience, uploading directly to sites like Vimeo and Dailymotion often results in higher clickthrough rates. But remember, once uploaded to social media channels, you can repurpose the same video multiple times throughout the day, week, month, year, etc.
Now that we've covered that, here are four examples of different types of content you can produce without ever having to talk or perform personally:
Videos featuring celebrity appearances tend to receive the highest engagement among users. In fact, according to Social Media Examiner, 80% of consumers trust recommendations made by celebrities, especially when offered in person. If you’re interested in leveraging this phenomenon for personal gain, simply contact famous personalities within your industry and ask if you can interview them via phone call/Skype. Some stars prefer to do live chats exclusively, while others are open to prerecorded interviews. Either way, providing valuable insights into your particular area of expertise will establish your credibility and authenticity from the moment viewers tune in.
Another option worth considering is hiring professional videographers to film segments for you. While this is typically more expensive, it allows you to focus solely on producing high-quality, entertaining content rather than worrying about sound levels, camera angles, editing, lighting techniques, etc. Professional producers usually offer complete control over every aspect of the process, including script development, location scouting, casting, wardrobe selection, props, soundtrack choices, and more. They handle everything involved with shooting the actual footage, ensuring that you spend your time focusing on developing ideas instead of technical details.
Video bloggers are known for their witty commentary during scenes, but did you know that you can skip speaking altogether? Yes, you read that correctly. There are several methods for achieving “talking head” status without saying a single word. One popular method involves incorporating audio narration between shots, sometimes called Voiceover Narration. With this technique, you speak directly into a microphone attached to your computer screen. Then, after capturing all necessary images, you edit out your dialogue, leaving behind natural sounding text overlays that appear seamlessly alongside your photos. Another approach is to utilize recorded audio tracks. Instead of relying on narration, however, you simply play recordings directly into the camera lens itself. A third option is dubbed “silent movies,” which involve combining both photo sequences and spoken words into a single movie file.
To ensure consistency across all three approaches, make sure to write down important points beforehand and practice delivering lines aloud until you’ve perfected your timing and cadence. Keep track of what works well for you so you can rework certain sections in subsequent projects. If you plan ahead, this step alone saves lots of time and energy wasted trying to rehearse boring monologues. Also, keep in mind that silent films require special equipment that can vary widely in price range. Depending upon your budget, you might decide to purchase dedicated software such as Adobe Premiere Pro CC 2017 (free trial version required), Final Cut Pro X ($299–$999), Da Vinci Resolve ($399–$499). Alternatively, you can buy hardware such as Canon NEX 5T ($699), Sony RX 100M II ($1999), Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera ($899), RED Helium 8K+ ($8,995 + $6,595 shipping), Phantom Flex 8" ($1499), DJI Osmo Mobile 3 Gimbal w/Smoothview ($199), Zoom Q&A HD Wi-Fi Webcam ($149.95), Rode PSA-1 Wireless Microphone System ($1195), Redlake LUMIX GH5S 16MP Super High Definition Full Frame Mirrorless Digital Camera ($2949), etc.
Other great tips include:
Avoid overly dramatic expressions. Be sincere and relaxed at all times. Always maintain eye contact. Speak clearly, loudly, and slowly. Don’t rush through your lines. Act naturally, yet confidently. Take breaks whenever needed.
Don't forget to breathe. Pausing briefly before answering prompts creates space for thought and reflection. It doesn't reveal your true feelings because pauses allow room for pause & reflection. Speaking too quickly can cause you to lose track of your thoughts. Use a timer or stopwatch to check your pace.
Use simple gestures. Gestures express emotion, meaning, and attitude. Avoid complex movements with unusual hand poses. Simple palm motions suffice.
With today’s technology being what it is, you probably wouldn’t dream of going straight from idea inception to finished product without first taking advantage of powerful digital tools designed to improve productivity. Software such as ScreenFlow ($249.00 - $599.00) and Camtasia Studio ($349.00 – $1299.00) provide precise guidance on how to navigate through steps associated with video creation. These applications guide you through each phase of the editing process, offering detailed instructions on color correction, adding effects, captions, transitions, animations, graphics, logos, title screens, annotations, and more. Additionally, programs such as iMovie ($19.99) and GarageBand ($9.99) allow you to produce stunning, cinematic productions entirely free of charge. And if you haven’t taken full advantage of Apple’s native apps, learning how to master QuickTime Player is a must.
And again, while you certainly don’t have to rely upon automated solutions to achieve outstanding final results, they can definitely speed up the process considerably. After all, spending hours agonizing over poorly edited clips that lack direction and flow is a waste of precious time. That said, you shouldn't underestimate the importance of proper organization and planning. Having an organized workflow makes a world of difference when you’re dealing with large volumes of data, assets, notes and timelines.
YouTube has become one of the biggest entertainment platforms in the world over the past decade or so thanks largely to its user-generated content. But what if you don't want to record yourself talking about whatever topic you've chosen? Can you still turn that idea into cash? Here's how...
Yes. There are various methods by which this can be done but perhaps the easiest way is through affiliate marketing where you recommend products and services within your videos rather than giving an opinion (which requires speaking). This means you simply need some sort of connection with the product provider to earn commissions from sales made as a result of your recommendation - these days often via Amazon Affiliates. You'll find lots of information online regarding getting started with this method, including our own guide here at MUO.
If you'd like more detailed info then check out Matt Watson's recent article on making money using affiliate links instead of ads. The key thing to remember is that all you have to offer viewers is useful advice and tips. Don't try selling them something unless you know exactly why someone would want to purchase said item.
Another option is creating tutorials around specific topics such as photography, cooking etc., and recommending certain items as part of those lessons. For example, my friend Dave LeClair recently did just that when he created his series "The Art Of Photography" -- each episode was essentially a tutorial explaining different aspects of photography while also incorporating recommendations on gear. In short, he had no reason to include himself in any of the clips because he wasn't teaching anything directly related to camera equipment or lenses (his main focus) -- he merely recommended things that were relevant to improving photographs. He makes money purely from viewer purchases via PayPal (donations aren't allowed), although it should be noted that we consider him to be a paid endorser since he receives compensation for promoting certain brands.
You may not wish to take this route however, especially if you plan to use your channel to create new original content rather than simply repurposing existing projects you've already recorded. If you decide to go down the path of uploading pre-existing footage, keep in mind that most producers will require ownership of the material before allowing you to upload it anywhere else. That doesn't mean you can't share it however, just bear this point in mind.
Finally, another possibility is to create instructional guides based upon other peoples' work. These are usually known as 'how-to' videos, and unlike the previous two examples, involve you personally providing commentary throughout the entire clip. As far as earning royalties goes though, you won't receive much beyond ad revenue which isn't really worth mentioning here.
All told, none of these options allow you to generate significant income without actually being involved in producing the project itself. They're great for smaller channels who only ever wish to promote their own stuff, but larger companies tend to prefer celebrity endorsements and brand deals in order to maximize profit margins.
One alternative approach is to hire a voiceover artist instead of doing everything yourself. While hiring professionals is certainly cheaper than paying thousands of dollars to produce a full length feature film, the cost savings alone wouldn't justify spending hundreds of hours working on a potentially unsuccessful endeavor.
In addition, even professional actors may struggle to provide consistent quality due to lack of training. Many amateur actors learn their craft on set, meaning they frequently perform under pressure and without proper coaching. Not every actor possesses the skills necessary to play themselves convincingly enough to fool audiences. It takes years of practice to develop realistic acting techniques, after all.
This is particularly true for lip movements. Even if you're able to hold steady during a scene and speak clearly enough to convey emotion, chances are that your facial expressions look unnatural and stiff. Professional actors spend countless hours learning how to move naturally in front of cameras, so it's unlikely that anyone could pull off the same trick without extensive experience.
Fortunately, there's now software available that allows users to manipulate audio files to achieve similar effects. One popular piece of software called Waveform Audio Normalization does precisely this. Simply put, it normalizes the volume levels of recordings so that they sound less distorted, whether it's a speech file or a soundtrack track. By taking advantage of this effect, you can present yourself as a narrator, either reading scripted text or delivering monologues.
While it might seem odd that anyone would pay attention to a disembodied voice, studies show that listeners respond better to voices whose characteristics match those of the actual speaker. That suggests that it's easier to relate to a character played by Jake Gyllenhaal or Scarlett Johansson than a generic movie star. Another study showed that human faces produced stronger emotional reactions than computer generated ones. So don't discount the power of appearing real to viewers.
A lot depends upon the type of narration you choose to employ. Some narrators read scripts word-for-word, others improvise dialog and transitions between scenes. Either way, you'll probably end up sounding robotic unless you invest time to learn how to properly emote. Fortunately, this process is fairly straightforward once you understand basic principles of prosody, rhythm and timing. A free resource for learning about these areas is provided by Oxford University Press in the form of an interactive animation.
It's important to note that a number of commercial clients demand high production values, meaning they expect Hollywood-style special effects. To meet their expectations, you'll likely need to engage a team of experts who specialize in visual effects, lighting, background music composition, post-production editing and mixing.
So long as you're comfortable sharing clips containing imperfections, you shouldn't encounter too many obstacles. After all, most people aren't looking for perfection anyway. What they want are experiences, emotions and characters. And if you can deliver that effectively, you'll surely win fans.
There are several possible approaches here depending on your goals. First of all, you could rely solely on self-promotion. Your best bet for generating interest is building a sizeable following first. Once you start gaining traction, you can begin posting regularly and starting conversations with potential followers. Keep updating your profile page with fresh content until you eventually attract the right audience.
Alternatively, you could leverage social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter to advertise your channel. Posting status updates and tweets periodically is essential, along with regular appearances on trending hashtags (#tweetchat, #fbhashtagsearch, #twitterchat, #fbooklive) and keywords ("#ytd"). Search engines scour sites like Pinterest and Reddit to index interesting posts, photos and discussions. All three of these tools are excellent resources for finding targeted traffic.
By combining elements of both strategies, you can build a solid base of subscribers who follow your channel and refer friends to watch. Then whenever you release a new video, you can direct interested parties back to your website or blog where they can sign up for notifications.
Your next goal is to gain exposure outside of niche communities. Try searching Google Trends for subjects you're passionate about and seeing if you can capitalize on trends. You could also submit articles to websites that focus on topical issues. Be sure to link to your YouTube account somewhere near the bottom of your submission, alongside contact information.
Once you reach critical mass, you can start branching out to cover broader themes. Perhaps you'd like to write book reviews or give lectures. Or maybe you'd like to expand into podcasts or screenplays. Whatever direction you ultimately choose, always ensure that you remain authentic. People love authenticity, especially in celebrities.
Lastly, you could opt for more experimental tactics such as releasing videos straight onto YouTube without having previously uploaded it elsewhere. This is typically referred to as 'upload bypass', and it involves you submitting low-quality versions of your project to streaming sites. Since your aim is to spread awareness of your channel, you don't necessarily need to worry about search engine optimization rankings. Just wait until somebody discovers your masterpiece and shares it on social media.
As discussed earlier, the vast majority of successful channels are dedicated entirely to self-promotion. However, it's important to note that a select few notable personalities have managed to carve out niches and cultivate loyal fan bases despite never publicly displaying themselves. Here are a couple of suggestions for achieving success without putting your personality center stage:
1. Create an entertaining podcast
Podcasts are increasingly becoming a viable source of passive income. Indeed, many top podcasters claim that they've earned tens of millions of dollars per year from the platform. How does this happen? Well, it starts with the creation of engaging stories. When you combine compelling narratives with well-produced soundtracks and expert interviews, you end up with a polished product that appeals to a wide variety of tastes.
2. Write and publish a novel
Authors often complain about publishers offering little support aside from publicity. On the contrary, readers are more appreciative of authors who produce novels independently. Why? Because books represent an author's complete creative output. Readers enjoy knowing that writers possess unique talents and insights that they haven't acquired otherwise. Plus, it gives them a sense of accomplishment, regardless of whether or not they enjoyed the finished product.
3. Start writing a screenplay
YouTube has become one of the best places in the world for entrepreneurs to earn money online. In fact, some creators have made millions by posting content that other viewers find entertaining or educational. But how does someone go about making money on YouTube without actually being there themselves? There are several options available which we'll discuss below.
There are plenty of things you could record but don't need any actual footage. For example, if you want to create an instructional guide then screencasting software like Screencast-O-Matic can be used to capture screenshots and annotate them with arrows and text boxes as needed. You might also use a whiteboard, PowerPoint presentation, or even just pen and paper to explain something.
The beauty of these methods is that all you really require is a little bit of creativity. If you've ever taken a course before, you know how easy it can get when instructors tell you exactly what needs to be said rather than simply hoping you understand through body language alone. The same goes for explaining concepts via images or diagrams. With this method, you wouldn't necessarily need to show anyone anything at all -- unless you wanted to.
If none of those appeal to you, then maybe creating animations would work better for your particular project. This approach works especially well for tutorials where the presenter isn't going to take questions after their talk (like speeches) because there will likely be no room for interaction between the viewer and the speaker. Animations allow for more freedom in terms of style and flow. They're perfect for demonstrating processes visually instead of speaking out loud.
Another option is using slideshows created with tools such as SlideShare to present information. When done correctly, the results can look almost identical to traditional presentations. However, unlike static photos and GIFs, animated videos play automatically so you won't lose viewers who aren't interested in seeing every frame before moving onto the next slide.
Animating doesn't have to mean working entirely from scratch either. Using programs such as Adobe Character Animator or Synfig Studio allows users to import pre-made assets into projects. These may not always fit perfectly into whatever niche you intend to fill, but sometimes imperfection is part of the charm.
Once you've finished animating everything, you can export the final product as a SWF file, MP4 movie, or HTML5 ready-to-upload webpage. Even though most platforms require additional software to upload files, you should still choose whichever format makes sense based on what kind of audience you expect to reach. A quick Google search for "video conversion" can help you here.
In addition to animation, there are also plenty of creative ways to record audio. Voiceover artists often specialize in providing narration for audiobooks, podcasts, documentaries, movies, commercials, etc., so finding one shouldn't pose too big of a problem. As long as you follow industry conventions regarding length, tone, inflection, volume, pace, pitch, speed, and cadence, hiring someone else to provide voices is usually fine.
As previously mentioned, having someone speak directly into a microphone is another way to record yourself. It's generally considered acceptable because your listeners tend to feel closer to the person doing the reading due to the intimacy provided by the mic. On top of that, you can control the equipment remotely and edit the script later. While this strategy tends to produce the highest quality recordings, it requires specialized gear. Not everyone owns a decent pair of headphones, let alone a high-quality sound mixing desk.
However, there are alternatives. Instead of relying solely on your own vocal chords to carry audio across the internet, consider investing in professional studio equipment. Some examples include microphones, digital mixers, analog synthesizers, samplers, drum machines, effects processors, MIDI controllers, piano roll editors, and virtual instruments. Once you learn how to manipulate each instrument individually, you can add multiple sounds together to achieve unique timbres and textures.
While live music performances can certainly be recorded, you'd probably end up spending quite a lot of time editing the resulting tracks afterwards. Unless you plan on becoming a musician, stick with samples until you've got enough experience under your belt.
Lastly, if you prefer to rely less on hardware and focus more on software, Audacity and GarageBand 2 both offer built-in multitrack DAWs that support dozens of different plugins. Many popular ones are free while others cost hundreds of dollars per license depending on whether you purchase full versions or trial/demo versions.
With all these possibilities open to you, why bother filming yourself at all? Especially considering the amount of effort involved? Well...it depends. Most successful YouTube channels feature original video series that are filmed exclusively for television broadcast. That means that the producers must meet strict deadlines and adhere to very specific guidelines. Unfortunately, there are only so many hours in the day to fulfill production obligations.
That's precisely why scripted entertainment shows exist. Whether written by professionals or amateur writers trying to break into Hollywood, scripts are typically formatted to contain certain elements that attract audiences (such as cliffhangers). Scripted shows are produced and published regularly, meaning that there's already demand for them. And since they're not tied down to producing new episodes weekly, there's ample opportunity for experimentation and innovation.
You could try writing your own scripts and publishing them publicly, but that takes a great deal of skill and practice. Alternatively, you could hire a ghostwriter to write a screenplay. Afterward, you could direct the film yourself or pass it off to a third party. Just keep in mind that scripting itself is hard enough, so you may want to enlist the aid of experienced collaborators to improve upon your initial ideas.
On the other hand, if you're looking for something simpler to implement, you could start blogging. Blogging entails writing articles on topics related to your chosen field or genre of interest. Then, you publish the posts on websites specifically designed for bloggers. Popular sites include Tumblr, WordPress, Medium, LiveJournal, Posterous, Weebly, and Squarespace.
When readers click on links within blog entries, they wind up visiting your personal website. From there, they can explore pages filled with interesting facts, opinions, quotes, jokes, illustrations, pictures, and similar media. Since blogs are relatively simple to set up, you only need basic hosting services and domain name registration.
This technique is ideal for building credibility as a subject matter expert. It's also a great way to build connections with fans through regular updates and commentary. Plus, by sharing your thoughts and experiences openly, you give others permission to do the same. What better gift could there possibly be for aspiring creatives?
Even if you decide to stay away from getting in front of a camera, you can still make money on YouTube without showing up in real life. All you need is a webcam, microphone, computer, headset, or similar accessories.
For starters, you can use streaming apps such as OBS Studio to monitor broadcasts via webcams or desktop cameras. By adjusting settings such as audio input, output, gain, mute points, and filters, you can adjust overall levels accordingly. Then, once everything seems satisfactory, you could turn your attention towards adding background noises and ambiance.
Or you could opt to download clips from existing productions hosted elsewhere. Services specializing in royalty-free stock footage, such as Stock Video Library and Shutterstock, host thousands of pieces of material categorized by category, year, color, and resolution. Simply select the clip you wish to use, right-click, and save it locally. Now you can share it wherever you please.
Of course, you don't have to strictly limit yourself to footage that came straight from the source. Thanks to technologies such as green screens, chromakey kits, and special lighting techniques, you can integrate various objects and backgrounds into scenes without drawing eyes toward your physical presence altogether.
One thing worth mentioning is that if you plan on using a webcam, you should check its specifications beforehand. Depending on your device, it may not perform as intended during extended periods of usage. Fortunately, you can solve this issue by purchasing dedicated webcams meant for lengthy sessions.
Lastly, if you're feeling particularly adventurous, you could try broadcasting in 360 degrees. To pull this feat off, you'll need a VR headset such as Vive, Rift, Cardboard, GearVR, Daydream View, Clips, or Tango [Broken URL Removed]. Once you plug it into a PC running Steam, you can access numerous games that cater specifically to virtual reality environments.
It varies. According to estimates cited by Business Insider, the average revenue generated by a channel ranges anywhere between $0-$1 million annually. Of course, factors such as popularity, type of content, and subscriber count come into play. Regardless, the following tips will definitely increase your chances of success.
Create engaging titles and descriptions. Make sure that keywords associated with your topic appear prominently throughout. Also ensure that they match what appears in the tags section. Try to avoid generic phrases that don't clearly describe what the video contains.
Just follow our battle-tested guidelines and rake in the profits.