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We’ve heard of success stories from ordinary people becoming rich and famous because of Youtube- from Pewdiepie who has a net worth of $30 Million to Michelle Phan who has a net worth of $50 Million to name a few. They’ve amassed such a huge amount of money simply because they braved to put their faces on Youtube.
But does that mean that we don’t stand a chance if we aren’t comfortable putting our faces out there? Absolutely not.
A lot of people don’t want to show their face and voice on youtube for privacy reasons, anxiety or disability but i hope that this post will encourage you to jumpstart on becoming a youtuber!
Disclaimer: I am not in any way guaranteeing that you’ll become the next Pewdiepie and earn millions from your youtube account. But of course, the most important thing that I always tell my readers whether they’re staring a blog or making videos is that you always have to make sure that you’re providing VALUE for other people consistently. And all your content should be ORIGINAL or else you’ll risk being hit by copyright restrictions and worse, being demonetized by youtube!
It is also imperative to read Youtube Partnership Program Requirements and Eligibility beforehand.
Just last year, Youtube has rolled out a new policy regarding “Reused Content.” You can read their guidelines here: FAQ: Removed from the YouTube Partner Program for Reused Content.
In liue of these guidelines, it is highly recommended for new youtubers to upload a video showing their faces or voice. However, if for personal reasons you choose not to, you can still upload videos without showing your face or voice provided that your content is VALUABLE, UNIQUE, WELL-EDITED and ORIGINAL.
Having said these, let’s discuss some of the best youtube ideas for shy people without talking and showing your face!
1. Animation Videos
Animation videos are eye-catching, highly entertaining and the most fun way to communicate your story with your viewers. It is also one of the most flexible communication tools because you can foray into any niche whether it be educational, demonstrative or inspirational, etc. Animation videos immediately capture the attention of first time visitors hence it increases the chance of getting more subscribers and views. Animation videos are perfect if you’re an artist who also has a talent in story-telling.
But you don’t have to be a professional artist to be able to create compelling and professional animation videos. There is a simple whiteboard animation software that allows you to create just that!
DOODLY
Doodly is the simplest drag and drop Whiteboard Animation Video Maker that allows you to make professional looking animation videos in just minutes! Even if you’re a beginner or has no programming knowledge, simply choose from thousands of custom made animations, drawings and objects, then drop them into Doodly’s easy to use interface.
You can also choose from beautiful canvases- whiteboards, blackboards, greenboards, or even glassboards. Not only that! You can also choose from their royalty free music and free audio tracks perfect for any niche.
Doodly is indeed the perfect choice for aspiring youtubers who are looking to present their stories in the most engaging and compelling way.
2. Cooking Tutorial Videos
The cooking tutorial niche is one of the most popular and most lucrative niches on youtube. People prefer to watch step by step demonstrations than just reading the recipes by themselves. Some famous youtubers in this niche earn as much as thousands to millions of dollars depending on views and the number of subscribers.
You don’t have to be a professional chef and you dont have to have top of the line kitchen equipment to start. You can choose to pick a subniche- e.g. you can be a one-pot chef, or a college student who cooks simple recipes for those with a limited budget, or you can focus on asian cuisine or western cuisine or even baking!
3. Mukbang Videos
Mukbang came from the combination of two korean words that means Muk (eat) + Bang (room) = Mukbang (eating room). In short, this is the type of video where you just record yourself eating just about anything! If you love eating food then this is the best niche for you.
Watching someone eat might sound weird but mukbang videos have exploded in popularity due to ASMR triggers.
What is ASMR?
ASMR stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response that helps relax and calm the body through its euphoria inducing sedative sounds. Mukbang eating videos trigger ASMR because it gives that feeling of pleasure that one can derive from eating, and it’s as if your viewers were on your shoes eating those delicious foods.
If you dont want to show your face, you can just opt to show the lower part of your face and your mouth.
4. How To Videos
By screen recording
Without showing your face or voice, you can still make How To Videos by recording your screen. This is particularly helpful especially if your niche is software. For example: You can screen record “How to Download WordPress” or “How to install Adobe Photoshop”. You can add text commentaries for each step.
Hands-on tutorials
There are millions of video ideas under the sun that you can make just by showing your hands- whether your niche is construction, knitting, dentistry, dressmaking, grooming, etc., as long as your videos are original and well-edited, you can make money off of it.
5. Play an instrument or Upload your own music
Monetizing covers of copyrighted songs can be quite tricky because there’s always a risk that the owner of the original music can claim and take down your video. Some copyright owners agree to revenue sharing while some disputes results in video demonetization.
Here are some of the guidelines when uploading covers on youtube.
And here’s How to Enable Revenue Sharing for your song cover on youtube.
But of course, if you’re an artist, the safest way is to upload your original music or play instrumentals of your original composition.
6. Timelapse Videos
Timelapse videos are videos that capture a focused imagery, an object, or a scenery for a long period of time. The essence of capturing timelapse videos is showing the subtle changes in the focus subject. Usually, it requires a professional camera and editing softwares to be able to complete a timelapse video. Some examples of timelapse videos that are popular on youtube are: timelapse videos of the sky, the city, the weather, a blossoming flower, etc.
7. Product Demonstrations
Aside from the hands-on tutorials from #3, you can also show product demonstrations starting from UNBOXING VIDEOS to showing a simple WALKTHROUGH on how to use the product.
Unboxing videos have exploded in popularity ever since the advent of Apple products which are known for their sleek boxes and packaging. Part of the customer experience starts from the packaging itself and a lot of consumers base their purchasing decisions from watching reviews on youtube. You could show the product aesthetics, its specifications and the like. In order to add more value, you can also add text commentaries and price comparisons with other similar products.
Hands-on walkthrough videos are also very helpful in consumer purchasing decisions. For example, walkthrough videos on latest Iphone is proven to be one of the most popular searches on youtube.
8. Pet videos
Not only does pet-ownership is booming across the globe, but pet related content are also dominating social media. I mean, who can’t resist not watching that video of a golden retriever doing tricks. Or that video of a cat sleeping that simply went viral because… well.. he’s a cat!
Pet videos are immensely popular because it has an emotional appeal and because pets are so cute and lovely that their mere existence makes the world a brighter place.
If you have a pet, you can document just about anything they’re doing! Just dont forget to give him a treat while you’re at it!
9. Go Pro Videos
If you’re in the travel niche or you just simply love to travel, you can still make videos without showing your face or voice by making a Point of View (POV) recording by using Go Pro.
One example is a surfing video. It’ll be as if you’re taking your viewers for a ride under the waves as you enjoy the warm summer of the beautiful Siargao. Not only are these posts engaging and entertaining, but it also allows you to give your viewers a second-hand experience of what it is like to be a surfer.
Other popular POV videos are scuba diving videos, or extreme sports videos, bike riding videos, just to name a few.
10. Drawing
This is perfect for established artists or even aspiring artists to put themselves out there. You can show your fans a walkthrough on how you create your art via the various editing software that you use, or give them a simple tutorial or tips on how to improve their drawing.
You can also make a timelapse video of you drawing or painting your art. You fans would be honored to see how an artist creates a masterpiece from just a plain blank canvas! Show them the tools that you use! You can even place affiliate links of those products for additional income.
11. Gaming
The Gaming niche is pretty popular with the male and younger demographic. In fact, a lot of them have actually made a career out of gaming and broadcasting their games whether it be pc games or phone app based games.
However, because of the new rules rules that Youtube has rolled out specifically about uploading reused content, it’s best to check out some copyright restrictions of the software developer before screen recording your game.
It’s also best to include your own insights about the game and add text commentaries as subtitles to add VALUE.
12. Lifestyle Videos
The lifestyle niche is actually broad in a sense that you could post anything about your life. Some topics that have been popular on youtube are: “The Day in the Life of…” and “Vlogmas Videos” every Christmas. Usually, lifestyle videos are leveraged by celebrities, singers and already famous social media influencers looking to expand on their reach by giving their fans a glimpse of their lives.
If you aren’t a celebrity or a social media influencer and still wants to post valuable content without showing your face and voice, you can show your lifestyle using POV recording. You can make “A Day in the Life of a Shy College Student” or “A Day in the Life of a Harvard Freshman Student” or “A Day in the Life of a Computer Science Student”, etc.
To give you an example, you can check out Jihyunkkung‘s “Daily Vlog of a Korean College Student Who Likes to Cook” video. She has over 600k + subscribers as of today’s writing.
13. Cafe Vlogs
Cafe Vlogs could be a subniche of the cooking niche but the interest for coffee and drink preparations grew in popularity on its own. Similarly with mukbang types of videos, cafe vlogs started in South Korea and are now gaining more traction in the west. Cafe owners and baristas are posting videos of themselves behind the counters preparing various drinks from their menu. Cafe vlogs can be considered as ASMR videos as they trigger calming sensations.
To give you an example, youtuber 최블리choively is a cafe vlogger and has more than 90k subscribers.
14. Aesthetic Moodboards
This is perfect for interior designers, or artists or even amateurs who just love aesthetics. The concept is pretty much like Pinterest where you compile your favorite aesthetic images in video format. Add commentaries and copyright/ commercial free music to your videos to suit the mood of your compilation.
These types of videos are perfect for those who are looking for inspirations for their weddings, or birthdays, or home decorations.
15. Astrology & Tarot Card Readings
Astrology is gaining more popularity especially amongst millennials. Regardless if you believe in it or not, it is a 2.2 billion dollar industry and it is still expected to grow because Gen Z’s have the same attitudes towards astrology as Millennials.
Contrary to popular belief, Astrology is so much more than your “Sun” sign e.g. Leo if you’re born in the month of August, etc. Astrology dabbles into different branches like Natal Chart which analyzes your Sun, Moon, Rising Sign, etc. at the day and time of your birth. Astrology also talks about relationship compatibilities like Synastry and Composites. Or if you’re into the stock market, you can delve on Financial Astrology which examines the effect of planetary movements to various financial markets.
Tarot Card Reading is another form of divination that utilizes tarot cards and various spiritual tools to gain insights into the past, present or future of a person depending on each query. Creating a youtube video where you’re giving tarot card readings seem very impersonal and generalized, but you can actually narrow it down according to their zodiac signs. If you prefer to not show your face and voice, you can just opt to show the cards and use text commentaries.
16. Restaurant Reviews
If you love to eat but you don’t like to make mukbang videos at home because of privacy reasons, you can just visit your favorite restaurants! Just be sure to check out each restaurant’s policy about filming inside their premises or ask for permission before filming.
You don’t have to be a professional food critic to do this. Just document your overall dining experience, show their menu and prices, and show each dishes! Add your insights and tell your viewers via text commentaries if you’ll recommend these restaurants to them.
17. Stock Market Trading
Stock Market Trading videos have become more popular because a lot of people have been looking for ways to earn money online and at the comfort of their homes. Getting their hands dirty is very risky especially for beginners because they might lose all their money if they dont have the proper capital and risk management knowledge. So it is highly recommended for beginners to learn from the experts by watching their trading strategies. Trading books can cost thousands of dollars so trading videos on youtube can help them jumpstart their journey.
You can demonstrate your trading techniques to your viewers- from opening an account in a legitimate broker, to opening an order, to showing various patterns that are either bullish or bearish indicators, to selling, etc. Once again, if you don’t like to use your own voice, you can just opt to make text commentaries.
