How to Make Money On YouTube Without Showing Your Face or Losing Your Dignity

Yep, you can learn how to make money on YouTube without showing your face – and still keep your private bits out of sight.

You and I both know that YouTube is a behemoth of an online platform that people are making millions of dollars on every stinkin’ day.

But, putting my ol’ mug out there on the internet for all to gawk at is not something that I’m particularly fond of.

I mean, come on, I really don’t need the whole, “boy, doesn’t she look old/heavy/weird/etc…” critiques from people that I haven’t seen or talked to in eons.

Not that I should care… but I know deep down I just feel kind of skeevy about it.

So, all of this rambling is to say that I get it.

We all want to take advantage of the YouTube phenomenon, but we also don’t want to have to jump around in our underwear to random songs of the moment or come up with witty compilation videos of ourselves using random software or trying new products.

So, what is a recording averse woman such as myself supposed to do?

Create a faceless YouTube channel of course.

How do we do that?

Let’s figure it out together.

This post may contain affiliate links. This means I could earn a commission if you purchase through my links, however, there is no cost to you. Rest assured, I only promote products that I use or think are great. Thanks for reading!!

How To Make Money on YouTube Without Showing Your Face (or Butt)

Crafting Your Secret Identity

Embarking on the journey of making money on YouTube without showing your face begins with a crucial step – identifying your niche.

This is akin to creating your secret superhero identity, the one that will resonate with your audience and set you apart from the crowd. Yes, we’re talking about niches again, but for good reason.

Now, let’s be clear. This isn’t similar to concocting a super star LinkedIn profile. You’re not trying to attract the random HR recruiter from Useless Junk Company (unless, of course, that’s your cup of tea. In that case, voila, there’s your niche.).

The importance of your niche cannot be overstated, as it determines the audience you’re engaging and the kind of content you’ll generate.

Thankfully, the world of faceless video content is as diverse as it is expansive.

Consider tutorial videos, screen recordings, voiceovers for gameplay, product reviews with narrations, podcasts, and beyond.

Your niche could even be hinged upon your unique talents, skills, or passions. Possess the knack for transforming an ordinary pancake into a work of art reminiscent of Van Gogh’s Starry Night? There’s a niche for that. Can you beatbox your way through the crescendos of a Tchaikovsky symphony? You’ve got yourself another niche.

With all of these, you might have to show your hands and your voice might be heard, but your mug is still in safe space.

Remember, in the vast sea of YouTube, your niche is your lighthouse, guiding you towards your target audience and setting your channel apart from the rest. By nailing down a specific niche, you’re not just creating a unique identity for your channel, but also building a targeted and engaged community around your content.

Becoming the Master of Disguise

With your niche carved out, the stage is now set to plunge into content creation.

Brace yourself, as this is your chance to channel your inner Spielberg and create your masterpiece. Remember, the secret sauce to making money on YouTube without showing your face lies in crafting high-quality, engaging content that strikes a chord with your audience.

You might be wrestling with the question, “I won’t be showing my face, so how do I make my content enticing?”

The world of content creation extends far beyond the realm of visuals. You have an array of resources at your fingertips – your voice, your distinct viewpoint, your wit (of course), and your storytelling prowess, all of which are tools as potent, if not more, than a visual display.

Remember, even the Mona Lisa, the quintessence of visual art, wouldn’t have been captivating if not for the intriguing story and mystery that enshroud it. It’s not about what the audience sees; it’s about how you make them feel. And, I know you can make them feel just wonderful.

On top of these natural skills, there is an assortment of tools and software designed to elevate your content production game. Consider Canva, your personal graphic designer helping you create visually appealing graphics. Audacity is your sound engineer ensuring impeccable audio quality. And OBS Studio is your director’s camera facilitating screen recording and streaming. These tools aren’t merely resources; they’re your allies in this journey, helping you maintain the intrigue and engagement in your content while keeping your identity under wraps.

The Secret Handshake

Now, onto the secret handshake of the YouTube world – SEO and keywords.

Think of this as the secret code that will make your video visible to the right audience. Researching and using the right keywords in your title, description, and tags will help your video surface in YouTube searches.

Don’t forget to utilize your main keyword in a natural and relevant manner. This will help you reach those who are sailing in the same boat, searching for ways to make money on YouTube without making a cameo appearance.

Cashing in on the Invisible

As your channel grows in popularity, you might find yourself teetering on the brink of a vital decision — monetization. Transforming the invisible digital digits of your YouTube views into tangible, spendable cash is an enticing prospect. And while it may seem daunting, it really isn’t, and this is where it gets good.

The Gateway to Monetization

The YouTube Partner Program (YPP) is the first money hurrah. The YPP (not down with the OPP) lets you bring in the cashola in a few ways – ads displayed on your video masterpieces, channel memberships, and the merchandise shelf.

It ain’t easy peasy joining the YPP though. You have to pass through the eligibility criteria doors first. This means that you have to have 1,000 subscribers minimum and people have to have viewed your content for 4,000 hours (watch hours) in the last 12 months.

Once you’re in – it’s on. You can earn a portion of the money from ads that are displayed on your wonderful videos.

Your YouTube Boutique

Beyond the YPP, YouTube is again generous (sarcasm inserted here) and gives you numerous ways to earn some more of that M-O-N-E-Y. Channel memberships allow your viewers to pay a monthly recurring fee for exclusive perks like badges, new emojis, and access to exclusive videos.

Then, there’s the merchandise shelf, your very own YouTube boutique. This feature allows you to showcase your official branded merchandise right on your video page. Want to sell T-shirts with witty catchphrases or perhaps your line of invisibility cloaks? This is the place. To unlock this feature, you need to have at least 10,000 subscribers.

Profiting from Your Fame

Super Chat and Super Stickers add an exciting dimension to monetization, especially for channels that host live streams or premieres. Viewers can purchase Super Chats or Super Stickers to have their messages or stickers stand out in the chat stream. Imagine it as a shout-out, a high-five, or a generous tip from your viewers — a profitable acknowledgment of your content. Whoop. Whoop.

Earning while Endorsing

Affiliate marketing is another fantastic way to generate income from your YouTube channel. This method involves partnering with companies or brands to promote their products or services. You can include their links in your video descriptions, and for every purchase made via your link, you earn a commission.

Here’s the clincher: you don’t need to sell out to sell. Ensure any product or service you endorse aligns with your niche and offers genuine value to your viewers. Maintaining authenticity and integrity is paramount in affiliate marketing. After all, your dignity is not for sale. Right? Right.

If you want to learn more about affiliate marketing (and you do), check out my post Not A Pyramid: How To Make Passive Income With Affiliate Marketing.

Your Channel, Their Billboard

As your subscriber count balloons, you may attract the attention of brands interested in sponsoring your content or striking a deal with you. This can be a lucrative venture, as brands often pay handsome sums for promotion within a popular YouTube channel. Again, remember to partner only with brands that resonate with your content and audience.

Fan Funding Your Dreams

Crowdfunding is another viable option to make money on YouTube. Platforms like Patreon, Kickstarter, and GoFundMe allow your fans and followers to financially support your work in exchange for rewards. It’s like passing around a digital hat after a captivating tap dancing street performance.

Weaving the Spell

Having a community of engaged viewers is YouTube’s version of the philosopher’s stone. It’s a way to ensure long-term success for your channel. So, make sure you’re actively responding to comments, asking for feedback, and creating an atmosphere that encourages interaction.

Also, consider making friends with other YouTubers in your niche and collaborate. This will not only boost your viewership but also help you establish yourself in the YouTube community.

The Magic Potion

I know we all know this, but making money on YouTube is not a wake up with boatloads of money in our hands kind of situation. It does take some time. Most people out there give it around a year before there is really any traction. BUT, that’s not to say that it will take you that long. You may have a viral sensation and be raking it in before the month is out. No one can be very exact on this. Just, be patient and stay consistent in your journey.

Resources to Check Out:

If all of this info is fine and well, but you’re still looking for a more detailed step by step process to making money on YouTube, I highly recommend Erika Kullberg’s Mastering YouTube Course. It is really thorough, and she’s an attorney, so there is some security in that.