All right, so YouTube automation.
Intrigued, so were we.
Yeah, it's a hot topic.
We decided to, well, deep dive into it,
found this YouTube video, it's called
Complete YouTube Automation Tutorial for Beginners.
Catchy, right?
Very descriptive.
The subtitle was what really grabbed us, though,
make money on YouTube without making videos.
Now that's a promise.
Right, so we had to check it out.
The video is by a guy named Dave Nick.
Apparently he's been doing the whole YouTube thing
since like 2014.
Claims he's figured out how to make money on YouTube
without even showing your face.
Let alone making the videos yourself.
So he calls this faceless YouTube automation.
Sounds a little mysterious, right?
Definitely, and honestly, up at skeptical at first too.
I mean, is it even legit?
All right, like are we talking about
stealing content or what?
Well, according to Dave Nick, absolutely not.
He's very big on this being a real sustainable business.
Not some shady, get rich, quicks game.
Nope, he's all about building something legitimate.
Okay, so legitimate business.
But what is YouTube automation in practice?
What are we actually talking about here?
It's kind of like, imagine you're the CEO
of a media company.
Okay, I can picture that, go on.
Instead of producing movies or TV shows though,
you're making YouTube videos.
All right.
But here's the thing, you're the brains
behind the operation.
The mastermind.
You're not necessarily the one on camera
or even editing the videos.
Got it.
So I'm the CEO who's doing the actual work then.
You'd have a team, each video has these five main parts.
Right.
Right, research, script, voiceover, editing,
then making that thumbnail.
Makes sense.
You could have a separate person for each of those jobs.
Ah, I see.
Or maybe one person doing a few of them.
Exactly.
Depends on your budget, how big you wanna go,
that kind of thing.
Okay, I'm starting to get the picture.
But why should someone even bother
with this whole faceless YouTube thing?
What's the big appeal?
Well, first off, think of it like the ultimate side hustle.
You get all the benefits of YouTube's huge audience,
but without the pressure of being on camera.
So no awkwardness, no stage fright.
No need to worry about what you look like or anything.
You see the appeal there.
Plus, you've got the potential for passive income.
You know, unlike TikTok,
where it's all about the immediate moment,
your YouTube videos could be out there
working for you for months, years even.
So you're telling me I could be earning money
while I'm sleeping.
Exactly.
And that's not all.
YouTube itself pays you through ad revenue
just for bringing in viewers.
Oh, right, I forgot about that part.
And then that traffic, those viewers,
they could become your customers for other things too,
if you wanna build your own brand.
Okay, you've got my attention.
But just how many ways are there
to actually make money with this?
Is it all ad revenue or what?
Dave Nix says there are 10.
10 different ways to monetize a faceless YouTube channel.
10, late on me.
Well, ads are just the start.
There's affiliate marketing, sponsorships,
selling digital products, courses.
You could even use it to promote your own physical business.
Whoa, that's a lot of options.
Let's say I'm just starting out though.
What would you say are the easiest ways to get going?
Hmm, good question.
Probably print on demand or affiliate marketing
would be the most beginner friendly.
Okay, I've heard of those, but break it down for me.
Sure, so print on demand is like you design merch, right?
T-shirts, mugs, whatever, with your channel's logo
or even inside jokes from your videos.
Sounds fun, but I don't wanna deal with inventory
or shipping or anything.
Exactly, that's the beauty of it.
You partner with a company that handles all that stuff.
You just promote the products on your videos
and get a cut of each sale.
I see, so I get to be a merch mogul without the hassle.
I like it.
Now what about affiliate marketing?
How does that work?
Well, you find companies that sell products
related to your channel's topic.
Let's say you're doing vegan cooking videos, right?
You could partner with companies that sell vegan cookbooks
or special ingredients or even kitchen appliances.
Okay.
Yeah, you put special links to those products
in your video descriptions.
So if someone watches my video and then clicks the link
and then buy something, you earn a commission.
Nice, so I'm getting paid to recommend stuff
my audience is already interested in, genius.
But before I get too carried away,
let's talk about the elephant in the room,
the YouTube algorithm.
How do I even get people to watch my videos
in the first place?
Ah, yes, gotta play the algorithm game.
Dave Nix, he calls the key to success, the big three.
The big three sounds ominous.
What are they?
Quick through rate, watch time and engagement.
Okay, I'm guessing those are important,
but break it down for me.
What exactly is click through rate?
It's basically out of all the people who see your video,
thumbnail and title, how many actually click on it?
Okay, so like it's all about grabbing attention
as people are scrolling.
Think of it like walking down the street, right?
You see those are just shop windows.
Which ones make you actually wanna go inside?
Ah, I get it.
So I need a captivating thumbnail
and a title that makes people wanna learn more.
Exactly, high click through rate tells YouTube,
hey, this content is good, people are interested.
Then they're more likely to show it to even more people.
Makes sense.
Okay, so what about watch time?
That one's about how long people actually stick around
to watch your video, so longer the better, obviously.
But why does YouTube care about that?
Well, their goal is to keep people on the platform
as long as possible, right?
So the longer people watch your videos,
the more YouTube thinks, hey, this content is good,
it's keeping people engaged.
So they promote it more.
Yep.
And lastly, engagement.
This one's about how viewers interact with your videos.
Liking, commenting, sharing, subscribing to your channel.
All those things tell YouTube
that people aren't just passively watching,
they're actually enjoying the content, connecting with it.
So it's not just about views,
it's about building an active audience,
people who are really invested in what I'm doing.
Exactly.
Okay, I'm getting it.
So click through rate, watch time, engagement,
the big three, how do I actually get good at those though?
Where do I even begin?
Well, Dave, Nick has some interesting strategies for that.
He also talks about the importance
of choosing the right niche for your channel.
A niche, huh?
So I can't just make videos about anything and everything.
You could, but focusing on a specific topic area
is a much smarter move.
A niche helps you target a particular audience,
build a dedicated following,
and become known as like an expert in that area.
So what are some good niches
for this whole YouTube automation thing?
Dave Nick recommends four
that are particularly hot right now.
Technology, finance, crypto and NFTs, and then celebrities.
That's an interesting mix, some very different areas there.
Yeah, we can dive into the specifics of those later.
Sounds good.
But before we do, there's one thing we haven't talked about
that seems pretty important, copyright.
Oh, right, good point.
That's a big deal on YouTube.
I've heard horror stories about people
getting their channels taken down for copyright issues.
What does Dave Nick say about that?
He is very, very clear about this.
Re-uploading someone else's video,
even if you think it's like a creative commons thing,
is a huge no-no.
So that whole download a video and re-upload it
with my own voiceover strategy is completely off the table.
Absolutely.
Not only is it unethical,
but it's also against YouTube's rules
and could get your channel shut down.
Wow, okay, got it.
So what about the music I use, images, all that?
Do I need to worry about copyright for everything?
Pretty much, yeah.
Anytime you include anything in your video
that you didn't create yourself,
you need to make sure you have the right to use it.
Okay, so how do I even find copyright-free stuff to use?
Dave Nick recommends YouTube's audio library
for music and sound effects.
There are also tons of websites where you can find
free stock footage and images.
You just gotta do your research and make sure
it's all properly licensed for commercial use.
So the key takeaway here is be extra careful
and always err on the side of caution
when it comes to copyright.
Exactly.
It's way better to be safe than sorry.
Okay, so let's say I've launched my faceless YouTube channel.
I'm creating awesome original content
and people are starting to watch.
What's next?
How do I take things to the next level?
That's where things get really interesting.
It's time to level up and build a system
that lets you work smarter, not harder.
All right, I'm intrigued.
Let's talk about that.
So leveling up, huh?
Yeah.
Ready to get strategic
with this whole YouTube automation thing?
Absolutely.
I'm all about working smarter, not harder,
especially when it comes to building a business.
That's the spirit.
Yeah.
And you know, Dave Minick actually has
a specific strategy he recommends.
Especially when you're first starting out.
He calls it the replication method.
Replication.
Hmm, you're not talking about
like copying other people's videos, are you?
Because we just talked about how important it is
to avoid copyright issues.
No, no, no, not copying.
More like learning from what's already working.
Think of it as a cheat sheet for YouTube success.
You look at channels that are already successful
in your niche and you kind of analyze them.
Look for patterns in what they're doing.
So I'm playing detective,
trying to figure out what's making these channels tick.
What kind of things should I be looking for?
You're trying to crack the code, basically.
Like, are they using humor?
Are their videos super short?
Or are they going for those long, in-depth ones?
What kind of titles and thumbnails
are really grabbing your attention?
Do they have a certain editing style that keeps you hooked?
Once you start to see those patterns,
you can take those winning elements
and, you know, put your own spin on them.
So I'm not directly copying them,
but I'm using their success as a guide
to help shape my own content.
Exactly.
It takes out a lot of the guesswork,
especially in the beginning.
Let's say you're interested in that finance niche
we talked about earlier.
Specifically, investing, right?
You'd find popular channels
that are already making investing content,
and you really break down their videos.
Okay, I'm watching their videos, taking notes.
What am I looking for specifically?
Pay attention to what seems to be resonating
with their audience,
which thumbnails are getting the most clicks,
what video lengths are performing the best,
what topics are people commenting on and sharing the most.
Doing that kind of research,
it gives you a roadmap to success, basically,
because it's based on what's already proven to work.
That's smart.
It's like having a mentor, but instead of one person,
I'm learning from a whole bunch of successful creators.
Exactly.
And speaking of proven strategies,
Dave Nick Suckett talks a lot about this concept
of evergreen content.
Evergreen content, what's that?
Think of it like a classic song that never gets old,
or a piece of advice that's always relevant,
no matter what.
Evergreen content is basically topics
that stay interesting and valuable over time.
So these are videos that could potentially attract viewers
for months, even years to come.
Exactly.
Like if you make a video about the newest iPhone,
that's only gonna be relevant for a little while, right?
A new one's gonna come out soon enough.
But if you make a video about, say,
basic inverting principles
or fundamental photography techniques,
those are evergreen.
They have lasting value.
Right, okay, I see why that's important,
especially if I'm trying to build a business,
I want content that's gonna keep working for me long term.
Makes sense, right.
Evergreen content is a key part
of building a sustainable YouTube channel,
something that can generate passive income
for you in the long run.
So how do I find these evergreen topics?
One way is to think about the foundational knowledge
or skills in your niche.
What are the core concepts that never really change?
Another strategy is to look at what people are searching for.
You know, there are certain search terms
that stay popular over time.
There are tools that can help you with this,
keyword research tools.
So I'm finding out what people are actually typing
into YouTube when they're looking for information.
Smart, okay, so I've got my evergreen topic now,
I need to actually get people to watch it.
What are some tips for boosting that click-through rate
we talked about?
I need people to actually click on my video when they see it.
Ah, yes, the art of the irresistible thumbnail.
Dave Nix shared some really interesting insights on this.
It's all about optimizing those thumbnails
to get the most clicks possible.
I'm all ears, thumbnails are so important,
it's the first thing people see.
Exactly, it's your one chance to grab their attention,
make them want to learn more.
One thing he does is he uses really bright,
contrasting colors in his thumbnails.
So I'm going for something that visually pops.
Exactly, he also recommends using close-up shots of faces,
especially faces expressing a strong emotion.
Ah, I see, tapping into that human connection, right?
We're drawn to faces and emotions.
Right, and here's another tip.
Use text overlays.
Don't just rely on the image alone.
Add text to your thumbnail to clearly communicate
what the video is about, or maybe highlight
the main benefit someone will get from watching it.
So it's like a little mini billboard pitching my video
in a single image.
Exactly, now a great thumbnail would get people to click,
but how do you keep them watching the whole video?
That's the next challenge.
Right, got to keep them engaged from start to finish.
One trick Dave Nick uses is something called pattern
interrupts.
Pattern interrupts, OK, you're going
to have to explain that one.
Think about watching a movie, right?
And it's just scene after scene.
It's all kind of predictable.
You might start to get bored or even zone out a little.
I've definitely been there.
Pattern interrupts are basically unexpected changes
in the video that shake things up a bit.
They keep viewers on their toes.
Oh, OK, I like where this is going.
Give me an example.
Let's say you're making a video about the top 10 travel
destinations.
Instead of just showing one beautiful shot after another,
you could throw in some funny memes
or maybe an unexpected sound effect
or even just some quick jump cuts to different scenes.
Just little things to break up the monotony.
So you're keeping things interesting
by adding in some surprises.
Exactly, you're keeping people's brains engaged
by constantly introducing something new.
Love it.
It's all about keeping the viewer guessing and wanting more.
What other trips do you have?
Another one is to build suspense or curiosity
throughout the video.
Ooh, suspense.
I love a good cliffhanger.
How does that work on YouTube?
You could start your video by asking a question
or maybe presenting a problem that you're
going to solve later on that immediately is people interested.
And then throughout the video, you
drop little hints or teasers about what's coming up,
keeping them hooked, and wanting to find out the answer.
It's like a trail of breadcrumbs leading them
through the video.
Exactly.
And of course, you want to actually deliver on that promise.
Given the valuable information or the intertailing payoff
by the end.
So it's not just hype.
There's substance behind it, too.
I like that.
Right.
You want people to feel satisfied and wanting
to come back for more.
This is all great advice.
I'm getting pumped up to go make some awesome videos.
But let's back up a bit and talk about how these videos actually
get made, like the nuts and bolts of the whole production
process.
OK, let's dive into that.
Remember those five key elements we talked about before?
Research, script, voiceover, editing, thumbnails.
Right, the building blocks of every faceless YouTube video.
Where do we even begin?
Research is always the first step.
Yeah.
This is where you figure out what your video is going to be about.
You got to find a good topic, something people are actually
interested in, something that will resonate with your target
audience.
How do you even go about finding the right topics?
There are a few different ways you can approach it.
One is to just think about your own expertise or passions.
Like, what are you really knowledgeable about?
What are you genuinely interested in?
So if I'm already an expert in something,
I can leverage that knowledge to create valuable content.
Exactly.
You're essentially sharing your expertise with the world.
I like it.
What if I'm not an expert in anything specific, though?
That's where keyword research comes in.
There are tools out there, like Google Keyword Planner or Tube
Buddy, that can help you figure out what people are searching
for on YouTube.
So I'm finding out what people are actually typing in when
they're looking for videos.
Exactly.
You can see how many people are searching for specific keywords
each month, which gives you an idea of how big the potential
audience is for a particular topic.
That's really helpful.
OK, so I found my topic.
I've done my research.
What's next?
Time to write the script.
You got it.
The script is basically the blueprint for your video.
It lays out everything.
What you're going to say, what visuals you're going to use,
how the whole thing will flow.
Think of it like the architectural plans for a house.
OK, I'm with you.
Any tips for writing a really engaging script?
Dave Nick has a great tip for this one.
He says to write in a conversational tone.
Like, imagine you're talking directly to the viewer.
So don't make it sound like a boring lecture or something.
Exactly.
Be relatable, be engaging.
Maybe even inject a little humor into your writing.
Think about how you'd explain this topic to a friend.
Keep it casual and conversational.
Got it.
OK, so script's done.
Now what?
Time to the voiceover.
This is where you bring your script to life
with a captivating voice.
It's like casting an actor for a movie role.
You want the perfect voice for the part.
So do I have to be a professional voice actor
to make these videos?
Not at all.
You can totally record your own voiceover
if you feel comfortable doing that.
But if you're not super confident in your speaking abilities
or maybe just don't love the sound of your own voice,
there's a really easy solution.
Let me guess.
Outsourcing.
You got it.
There are so many talented voiceover artists out there
and they're really affordable too.
You can find them on platforms like Fiverr and Upwork.
That's good to know.
I'm not sure I'm ready to unleash my voice on the world
just yet.
OK, so we've got research, script, voiceover.
Now it's time for the magic of editing.
You got it.
This is where you take all those raw materials, the script,
the voiceover, any visuals you're using,
and you weave them together into a polished, engaging video.
It's like putting together a puzzle, except instead
of cardboard pieces, you're working with video clips,
audio files, and visual effects.
What are some things to keep in mind when I'm editing?
What separates a good YouTube video from a great one?
Dave Nick really emphasizes visual storytelling.
It's not just about slapping together random clips.
You want to use visuals that enhance the story,
evoke emotions, keep viewers engaged.
So I'm basically directing a mini movie here,
thinking about the pacing, the transitions, the music,
sound effects.
Exactly.
A skilled video editor can make all the difference
in bringing your content to life and keeping people
glued to the screen.
What about editing software?
I'm guessing there are a lot of different options out there.
There are.
The industry standards are Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro,
and DaVinci Resolve.
But those can be pricey.
So if you're just starting out, there's
some free options too, like Open Shot and Shot Cut.
That can definitely get the job done.
So I don't need to invest in expensive software right away.
That's good to know.
I can start with the basics and then upgrade later on
if I need to.
Exactly.
You can always scale up your tools as your skills
and your budget allow.
OK, so we've got the video edited and ready to go.
Now what?
We still need that killer thumbnail
to make people actually want to click on our video.
Right.
We talked a bit about thumbnail optimization earlier,
but it's worth emphasizing just how important it is.
It's like they say you never get a second chance
to make a first impression.
Exactly.
Yeah.
Your thumbnail is like a mini billboard
that's got to grab attention and make people want to click.
It's the first thing people see.
And it can literally make or break your video.
OK, so we know it's important.
But how do we create thumbnails that actually work?
Dave Nick says, to use high quality images that
are relevant to your video's topic,
don't use blurry low resolution images.
They'll make your channel look unprofessional.
Got it.
High quality images relevant to the video, anything else.
He also suggests using bold text overlays.
You know, clearly communicate what the video is about
or what the main benefit is.
Think about the one key takeaway you want people
to get from your video.
And try to sum it up in a few words.
So it's about being clear and concise.
Exactly.
And use colors and fonts that are consistent with your brand.
It's all about building a cohesive look for your channel.
OK, this is all coming together now.
We've talked about choosing a niche,
finding evergreen content, making those thumbnails pop,
all that good stuff.
But let's be real, this all sounds like a lot of work.
How do we make this whole YouTube automation thing
truly not automated?
That's the million dollar question, isn't it?
Yeah.
That's where the real magic of this business model happens.
Remember how we talked about you being the CEO, not the talent?
Right.
I'm the mastermind, not the one on camera.
This is where that CEO mindset really comes into play.
OK, I'm ready to put on my CEO hat.
What's the first step in building a system that runs itself?
So how do we actually make this whole YouTube automation
thing, well, automated?
It still sounds like a lot of work.
That's where it gets really interesting.
Remember, you're the CEO, not the one doing every single task.
Right, the mastermind, delegate and conquer,
that's what I always say.
But where do we even start?
First step is figuring out what tasks you can
hand off to other people.
OK, so thinking back to those five key elements, research,
script, voiceover, editing, thumbnail, which of those
can I actually outsource?
Tentatively all of them.
You can find freelancers for any of those jobs.
Really?
Wow, that's awesome.
Where do I find these magical freelancers?
There are tons of platforms out there, Fiverr, Upwork,
even Facebook groups specifically for finding freelancers.
Awesome, so I can find writers, voiceover artists, editors,
graphic designers, the whole shebang.
Pretty much.
And a lot of times you can find people who
fit a range of budgets too.
That's a relief.
OK, so I'm building my dream team,
taking the pressure off myself.
Exactly.
But here's where you, the CEO, come in.
You got to be a good manager.
Right, right.
I can't just throw money at people and hope for the best.
Nope, you got to be organized, be clear about what you want,
make sure everyone's on the same page,
working towards the same goal.
So practical tips for managing all these freelancers,
hit me with them.
Communication is key.
Be super clear about what you expect,
when you need things done, what style you're going for.
OK, communication, got it.
Anything else?
Style guides can be helpful too.
Share examples of videos you like,
give feedback throughout the process.
That way you know the final product
is going to be what you want.
Right, makes sense.
What about managing all the tasks, the deadlines?
Seems like it could get messy with so many people involved.
Definitely.
That's where project management tools come in handy.
Dave Nick recommends Trello.
It's free.
I've heard of Trello.
Isn't that like a visual way to organize stuff?
Yeah, you create boards, lists, cards.
It's a great way to keep track of everything
and make sure nothing falls through the cracks.
So everyone on my team can see what's happening,
what needs to be done next.
I like it.
And then another tool that can be helpful is a Time Tracker.
Time Tracker, what's that for?
It lets freelancers track exactly how much time
they spend on your projects so they get paid fairly.
Oh, right, that's important.
Plus, it helps you keep an eye on costs.
Make sure you're staying within your budget.
OK, so to sum it all up, delegate, communicate clearly,
use tools to keep everything organized.
You got it.
Build that system that runs smoothly,
even when you're not directly involved
in every little detail.
So paint me a picture.
What does a fully automated YouTube business actually
look like in action?
OK, imagine this.
You found a hot topic using your keyword research, righty?
You create a super detailed brief for a freelance writer.
Tell them exactly what you want the script to be about.
OK, got my script.
Now what?
Send that script to a voiceover artist.
Give them instructions on the tone, the style you're going for.
They send back a professional sounding recording.
Then I send the script and the voiceover to my editor,
along with some examples of videos I like,
so they know the vibe I'm going for.
Exactly.
They put it all together, make a killer video.
And then last but not least, I send the finished video
to my graphic designer to whip up a catchy thumbnail.
You got it.
And I could be doing all this from anywhere in the world,
as long as I've got my laptop and internet connection.
Exactly.
That's the freedom of it.
It really is like a well-oiled machine,
just humming along in the background.
And I get to focus on the big picture,
growing my business, enjoying life.
That's the dream, right?
Of course, getting it all set up takes work.
Yeah, finding the right people, figuring out the process.
That all takes time and effort.
It does.
But any business worth having is going
to require some upfront investment.
Right.
And the rewards for YouTube automation can be huge.
Passive income, building a brand, reaching people
all over the world, having more freedom and flexibility.
Exactly.
Wow.
This has been amazing.
I feel like I've learned so much about this whole YouTube
automation thing.
Me too.
So what's the one thing you want our listeners
to walk away with today?
That YouTube automation is a real business model.
But it's not some magic get rich quick scheme.
It takes work.
It takes learning.
It takes building a solid system.
But if you're willing to put in the effort,
it can be life changing.
Well said.
I'm feeling inspired to go start my own faceless YouTube
empire.
Any last words of advice for people who are ready to jump in?
Just get started.
Don't overthink it.
Don't let fear hold you back.
Start small, experiment, learn as you go.
And there are so many resources out there to help you.
We mentioned Dave Nick's course.
That's a great place to start.
And if you're feeling lost, don't
be afraid to reach out to other creators,
join online communities, learn from people who are already
doing it.
Exactly.
The world of YouTube is always changing.
But the basics stay the same.
Create good content, make the algorithm happy,
and build a system that works for you.
And there you have it, folks.
Our deep dive into the world of YouTube automation.
We hope you learned something new, got some inspiration,
and feel empowered to create something awesome.
Until next time, keep learning, keep creating,
and keep diving deep.