How to Make YouTube Videos Without Showing Your Face (Complete Guide)

Want to start a YouTube channel but hate being on camera? You're not alone—and you're in luck.

Some of the most successful YouTube channels never show the creator's face. They make millions of dollars, build massive audiences, and maintain complete privacy.

In this guide, I'll show you 7 proven methods to create YouTube videos without showing your face, complete with examples, tools, and step-by-step instructions.

Why Create Faceless YouTube Videos?

The benefits:

• Privacy: Stay completely anonymous
• Scalability: Easier to outsource or automate production
• No camera anxiety: Never worry about how you look
• Lower costs: No expensive camera equipment needed
• Location freedom: Create from anywhere
• Easier batch creation: Record 10 voiceovers in one sitting

The reality: Faceless doesn't mean lower quality or less money. Many faceless channels earn $10K-$100K+ per month.

Method 1: Screen Recording + Voiceover

What it is: Record your computer screen while explaining something via voiceover.

Best for: Tutorials, software demos, educational content

Examples:

• Leila Gharani (Excel tutorials, 1.4M subs)
• Kevin Stratvert (Microsoft/productivity, 1.6M subs)
• Programming with Mosh (coding tutorials, 3M+ subs)

How to Do It

Equipment needed:

• Computer
• Microphone ($50-$150 recommended)
• Screen recording software

Free screen recording tools:

• OBS Studio (Windows/Mac/Linux) - Professional, feature-rich
• ShareX (Windows) - Simple and lightweight
• QuickTime (Mac) - Built-in, basic but works
• Loom (Web-based) - Easy for beginners

Paid options:

• Camtasia ($299 one-time) - Editing + recording combined
• ScreenFlow (Mac, $169) - Professional features

Process:

1. Plan your tutorial (outline steps)
2. Open the software you're teaching
3. Start screen recording
4. Talk through each step clearly
5. Edit out mistakes
6. Add text overlays for key points
7. Export and upload

Pro tips:

• Zoom in on important areas
• Use cursor highlighting
• Add timestamps in description
• Keep it concise (cut fluff)

Monetization Potential

• Ad revenue: $3-$15 RPM (tech/software has high RPM)
• Affiliate links: Software recommendations, courses
• Sponsorships: Tool companies pay well
• Your own courses: Sell advanced versions

Example: Excel tutorial channel, 100K subs, 300K views/month = $3,000 ads + $2,000 affiliates = $5,000/month

Method 2: Stock Footage + Voiceover Narration

What it is: Narrate over stock video footage or images.

Best for: Documentaries, storytelling, educational explainers

Examples:

• History Matters (2M+ subs) - History explainers
• Aperture (2M+ subs) - Philosophy and deep topics
• The Infographics Show (14M+ subs) - Educational animations

How to Do It

Where to get stock footage (free):

• Pexels - High-quality, no attribution required
• Pixabay - Videos and images
• Unsplash - Premium quality photos
• Coverr - Beautiful video clips

Paid stock footage:

• Envato Elements ($16.50/mo unlimited downloads)
• Storyblocks ($30/mo unlimited)
• Adobe Stock (pay per asset)

Process:

1. Write your script
2. Record voiceover
3. Download relevant stock footage
4. Edit video: sync footage with narration
5. Add background music (low volume)
6. Add text overlays for emphasis
7. Export

Editing software:

• DaVinci Resolve (free, professional)
• Adobe Premiere Pro ($20/mo)
• CapCut (free, beginner-friendly)

Pro tips:

• Match visuals to what you're saying
• Use B-roll for visual interest
• Keep cuts dynamic (change scene every 3-5 seconds)
• Add subtle zoom/pan effects

Monetization Potential

• Ad revenue: $2-$10 RPM
• Sponsorships possible
• Affiliate links if recommending products

Example: Educational documentary channel, 50K subs, 200K views/month = $1,500 ads + sponsorships

Method 3: Animated Explainer Videos

What it is: Use animations to illustrate your narration.

Best for: Complex topics, science, business explainers

Examples:

• Kurzgesagt (20M+ subs) - Science animations
• AsapSCIENCE (10M+ subs) - Science explainers
• The School of Life (8M+ subs) - Philosophy/psychology

How to Do It

Animation tools:

Beginner-friendly:

• Canva (free/Pro) - Simple animations, slides
• Powtoon ($19/mo) - Animated presentations
• Vyond ($49/mo) - Business animations

Professional:

• Adobe After Effects ($20/mo) - Industry standard
• Blender (free) - 3D animation (steep learning curve)

Easier alternative:

• Hire on Fiverr ($50-$300 per video for simple animations)
• Or use TubeChef to generate videos with AI-driven visuals

Process:

1. Write script
2. Create storyboard (sketch key scenes)
3. Record voiceover
4. Create animations matching voiceover
5. Add background music
6. Export

Pro tips:

• Keep animations simple (complex = time-consuming)
• Use templates to speed up production
• Consistent style across videos builds brand

Monetization Potential

• Ad revenue: $3-$15 RPM (educational content performs well)
• Sponsorships: Science/education brands
• Patreon: Loyal audiences support quality animation

Example: Science animation channel, 200K subs, 500K views/month = $7,500 ads + $3,000 Patreon = $10,500/month

Method 4: Slideshow Presentations + Voiceover

What it is: Create slides with key points, add voiceover narration.

Best for: Educational content, business topics, motivational content

Examples:

• The Plain Bagel (Finance, 800K+ subs)
• Ali Abdaal (Productivity, often uses slides, 5M+ subs)

How to Do It

Tools:

• PowerPoint (Microsoft Office)
• Google Slides (free)
• Canva Presentations (free/Pro)
• Keynote (Mac)

Process:

1. Outline your topic (5-10 main points)
2. Create slides for each point
3. Add visuals, charts, bullet points
4. Record voiceover
5. Export slides as video or screen record presentation
6. Edit and upload

Design tips:

• Minimal text per slide (3-5 words max)
• High-contrast colors
• Use icons and images
• Consistent template across videos

Monetization Potential

• Ad revenue: $5-$20 RPM (business/finance content pays well)
• Affiliate links: Tools, courses, books
• Your own products: Courses, templates

Example: Finance education channel, 75K subs, 250K views/month = $3,750 ads + $2,000 affiliates = $5,750/month

Method 5: Text-to-Speech AI Voices

What it is: Use AI-generated voices instead of your own voice.

Best for: Any faceless content type, especially if you're camera-shy AND microphone-shy

Examples:

• Many meditation/affirmation channels
• News compilation channels
• Some educational channels

How to Do It

AI voice tools:

Best quality:

• ElevenLabs ($5-$99/mo) - Most realistic, emotional range
• Play.ht ($19-$99/mo) - Very natural sounding
• Murf.ai ($19-$99/mo) - Professional voices

Budget options:

• Natural Reader (free tier available)
• Balabolka (free, Windows)

Process:

1. Write your script
2. Copy script into AI voice tool
3. Choose voice (male/female, accent, tone)
4. Generate audio
5. Download and sync with visuals
6. Edit and upload

Pro tips:

• Add punctuation for natural pauses
• Use SSML tags for emphasis (if supported)
• Test multiple voices to find one that fits
• Some viewers dislike AI voices—test with your audience

Monetization Potential

Same as regular voiceover content. YouTube doesn't penalize AI voices if content is valuable.

Note: Disclosure recommended but not required. Some creators mention "AI-assisted narration" in description.

Method 6: Hands-Only / POV Videos

What it is: Show only your hands performing tasks (overhead or POV shots).

Best for: Cooking, crafts, DIY, art, unboxing

Examples:

• Tasty (Cooking, 21M+ subs)
• 5-Minute Crafts (80M+ subs)
• Unbox Therapy (18M+ subs - minimal face time)

How to Do It

Equipment:

• Smartphone or camera
• Tripod or overhead mount ($20-$50)
• Good lighting (ring light or natural light)

Process:

1. Set up camera angle (overhead or POV)
2. Perform the task with hands in frame
3. Add voiceover or text overlays
4. Edit for pacing
5. Add background music

Pro tips:

• Clean, organized workspace looks professional
• Stable camera (use tripod, not handheld)
• Clear, well-lit shots
• Speed up slow parts in editing

Monetization Potential

• Ad revenue: $2-$8 RPM
• Affiliate links: Tools, ingredients, supplies
• Sponsorships: Brands love cooking/craft channels

Example: Cooking channel, 150K subs, 600K views/month = $4,000 ads + $1,500 affiliates = $5,500/month

Method 7: Compilation & Curated Content

What it is: Curate clips from other sources, add commentary/context.

Best for: Fails, funny moments, educational compilations

Examples:

• Daily Dose of Internet (14M+ subs)
• FailArmy (16M+ subs)

How to Do It

Important: You MUST have rights to use clips. Options:

• Use Creative Commons licensed content
• Get permission from original creators
• Use fair use (commentary, education, criticism)
• Film your own clips

Process:

1. Find/film relevant clips
2. Arrange in logical order
3. Add voiceover commentary or text
4. Edit together with transitions
5. Add background music
6. Export and upload

Legal considerations:

• Fair use is complex—transformative use helps
• Adding commentary makes it more defensible
• Credit original creators
• Respond quickly to copyright claims

Monetization Potential

• Ad revenue: $2-$10 RPM (varies widely)
• Sponsorships possible with large audience

Risk: Copyright strikes can kill your channel. Be careful.

Choosing the Right Method for Your Niche

Niche	Best Method
Software tutorials	Screen recording + voiceover
History/documentaries	Stock footage + narration
Science explainers	Animated videos
Business/finance	Slides + voiceover
Cooking	Hands-only POV
Meditation/ASMR	Stock footage + AI voice
Gaming	Gameplay footage + voiceover
True crime	Stock images/footage + narration

Tools Summary: Complete Faceless Creation Stack

Voiceover:

• Your voice + $50 mic (best for authenticity)
• ElevenLabs AI voice ($5-$99/mo)

Visuals:

• Pexels/Pixabay (free stock footage)
• Canva (graphics, $12.99/mo)
• Screen recording (OBS, free)

Editing:

• DaVinci Resolve (free)
• Adobe Premiere Pro ($20/mo)

Music:

• YouTube Audio Library (free)
• Epidemic Sound ($15/mo)

All-in-one automation:

• TubeChef - Generate complete faceless videos from scripts

Common Faceless YouTube Mistakes

Mistake 1: Robotic AI voices

• Fix: Use premium AI voices (ElevenLabs) or your own voice

Mistake 2: Boring visuals

• Fix: Change scenes every 3-5 seconds, add graphics

Mistake 3: No personality

• Fix: Your narration should have energy and emotion

Mistake 4: Copyright violations

• Fix: Use licensed content, transformative fair use, or original footage

Mistake 5: Inconsistent uploads

• Fix: Batch create 4-6 videos at once, schedule ahead

Frequently Asked Questions Can faceless channels get monetized?

Yes! YouTube doesn't require you to show your face. As long as you meet requirements (1K subs, 4K watch hours) and follow policies, you can monetize.

Do faceless channels grow slower?

No. Some of the fastest-growing channels are faceless. Growth depends on content quality, SEO, and consistency—not whether you show your face.

Should I ever reveal my face later?

Only if you want to. Many creators stay faceless forever. Some do a face reveal at 1M subs as a milestone. It's personal preference.

What's the easiest faceless method to start?

Screen recording + voiceover if you're teaching software, or stock footage + narration if you're doing documentaries. Both are cheap to start and easy to learn.

Can I use text-to-speech for the whole channel?

Yes, but test it with your audience. Some niches (meditation, news) accept AI voices well. Others prefer human narration.

Your First Faceless Video: 7-Day Plan

Day 1: Choose your niche and method
Day 2: Write your first script
Day 3: Record voiceover (or generate AI voice)
Day 4: Gather visuals (stock footage or screen recording)
Day 5: Edit video (sync visuals + audio)
Day 6: Create thumbnail, optimize title/description
Day 7: Upload and promote

Then repeat! Batch create your next 3-4 videos to build momentum.

Final Thoughts

You don't need to show your face to build a successful YouTube channel. Screen recordings, stock footage, animations, slides, POV shots, AI voices—you have endless options.

The key is consistency and value. Whether your face is on camera or not, viewers care about one thing: does your content help them?

Pick a method that fits your niche, create your first video, and start uploading. The YouTube algorithm doesn't care what you look like—it cares if viewers click and watch.

Ready to scale faceless content creation? Tools like TubeChef can help you generate complete faceless videos from scripts, making it possible to upload daily without spending hours on production.

What type of faceless content will you create? Let me know in the comments!