How to Start a YouTube Automation Channel (Earn up to $500K in 90 Days!)

Summary: Learn what YouTube automation is and follow our step-by-step guide to launch your automated channel. Discover expert tips to start earning and potentially hit up to $500K in 90 days!

Research shows that with an investment of around $250 per video, some creators have generated returns upward of $20,000 per video through effective automation strategies. That’s some serious cash. Although it may seem unbelievable, these figures are based on actual performance data from established automated channels. It actually happened on YouTube!

That stunning achievement comes from Noah Morris, a YouTube automation expert who made seven figures in one year. He manages more than 20 faceless YouTube channels, each optimized to scale revenue, by dedicating just one day a week to oversee the entire process.

Luckily for you, we interviewed Noah to get an inside view of the automation world. In this guide, we’ll explain how to start your YouTube automation journey and get paid!

What Is YouTube Automation?

YouTube automation concept – creator working at her desk using AI tools

YouTube automation is the process of outsourcing the daily tasks required to run one or more YouTube channels. Successful channels often build a dedicated team—comprising a thumbnail designer, scriptwriter, video editor, and voiceover specialist—to ensure high-quality video production.

Others use a mix of human creativity and artificial intelligence. There are plenty of AI tools on the market now, and they do a decent job of video editing, voiceover, and other creative tasks.

Read more: Learn more about automated video content creation

How Much Does it Cost to Start a YouTube Automation Business?

There’s no perfect answer to this question, as it truly depends on the number of channels involved, the topics they cover, and the level of consistency on YouTube.

However, when we spoke to Noah, he said it took him about 12 videos at an average cost of $100 per video to break even. He also said beginners might need around 35 videos and $3,000-$3,500 to start seeing returns from automated content.

How Much Money Can You Make from YouTube Automation?

This number varies, but if we’re talking about the highest payout possible, it’s well over $100,000. In fact, Noah made twice that in one month with his automated channels.

“In November 2022, I did around $200,000 in YouTube AdSense revenue,” he says.

And in just 90 days, he made $500,000 with automated content!

How to Do YouTube Automation with a Faceless Channel

Ready to get started? We’ll teach you how to choose the right topics, stand out on YouTube, and build a solid team that understands your automation goals! Watch the video for an in-depth explainer, or scroll down to read the tips and tricks.

1. Target a High-Paying Niche on YouTube

Did you know that some YouTube channels earn more money because of the topics they cover? It’s true! Some niches are extremely valuable and bring in thousands of dollars per month, if not hundreds of thousands.

If you want to be successful (and earn the highest AdSense revenue), Noah suggests focusing on sports, celebrities, and crime-related content because they lead to higher RPMs.

“Some of these channels, especially in Q4, can get insanely high RPMs. I’m talking $14 to $15 RPMs,” Noah says.

RPM stands for revenue per mille and is an estimate of what a creator makes from ad revenue and fan-funding on YouTube. An RPM of $10, for example, means you made $10 for every 1,000 video views on your channel.

According to experts, focusing on American viewers can significantly boost monetization since advertisers are willing to pay higher rates in this market. They live in a bigger market and advertisers pay more to capture their attention (and money).

2. Find a ‘Content Gap’ in Your Niche

Analyzing YouTube trends with a magnifying glass on mobile

You can’t beat the best channels until you know what they are, what they do, and where you fit in. So, the next step is to find a gap in the YouTube market. Essentially, you’re figuring out how to “niche down” so you aren’t targeting broad, oversaturated topics that are hard to break into.

This part can be tedious, but Noah shared some tips to speed up the process.

  1. For unbiased research, use your browser's incognito mode to review competitor video views and uncover potential content gaps.
  2. Go to YouTube and type your niche into the search bar. For example, you might type the word “basketball.”
  3. Look for videos with high views that belong to small channels. Chances are, those channels were just created and may be automated.

How to Identify a Content Gap

If you can only find two or three channels with high views and low subscribers in your niche, those videos may represent a content gap on YouTube. This means people enjoy those videos, but few channels are supplying them! Make similar videos so you can stand out and grow your channel.

3. Study Your Competition

Mobile view of a successful YouTube automation channel

Starting a faceless channel on YouTube is just as competitive, if not more, than starting a regular channel. So you need to learn how creators make automated content that feels fresh and entertaining. You should also know how and why those videos get millions of views.

The best plan of action is to study the competition in your niche. Watch their popular videos and take note of what makes them successful on YouTube, whether they have good storylines, emotional appeal, or superb editing. Try to emulate all of that goodness within your content.

How to Stand Out and Diversify

Also, ask yourself, Which topics are missing from the conversation? You can answer this question by looking at channels in your niche that aren’t directly competing with your videos. If their content is related to yours (and performed extremely well), try those concepts on your channel too.

“Normal YouTubers, they would usually create topics based on [their] feelings, but you really want to make decisions based on data and what did well in the past,” Noah says.

4. Build a Team

team of contetn creators

Now that you’ve found a lucrative niche and some video topics, it’s time to build your team! You need about four people to run a YouTube automation channel:

  • Voiceover artist
  • Video editor
  • Thumbnail designer
  • Scriptwriter

Scriptwriters

For scriptwriters, Noah suggests hiring someone who is passionate and knowledgeable about your niche. After all, they’re building the framework of your YouTube videos. You want them to be good!

Voiceover with AI

For voiceovers, you don’t necessarily need a human. You can generate AI voiceovers using tools like Speechify and Lovo AI.

Designers and Editors

According to Noah, finding a good thumbnail designer and video editor are the hardest parts of YouTube automation. An editor who spruces up videos specifically to hold viewers' attention is the best person for the job. Likewise, a thumbnail designer who provides a simple, attractive, and emotional snapshot of your content is a fantastic choice.

You can find both creatives, including scriptwriters, on YTJobs.com!

5. Keep Improving Your Videos

Viral video views

Your videos may be automated, but that doesn’t mean the work ends! You are the “director” of your channel, so it’s on you to understand the audience more and more each day. You want to improve your content, get more watch time, and influence the YouTube algorithm to recommend your videos.

Here are a few tips from Noah:

  • Look at the most-replayed scenes from your YouTube videos and incorporate them into future content.
  • Regularly monitor your comment section to gather real-time feedback and identify what aspects of your content are resonating with your viewers. What is it about your content that pushes them to comment, like, or subscribe?

And, of course, frequently review your YouTube Analytics to identify trends, optimize content strategies, and improve overall viewer engagement and retention.

Will YouTube Automation Hurt My Channel?

YouTube automation is legit when you do it the right way, and it’s totally worth it considering the money you could make. But keep in mind that YouTube does not reward repetitive, low-educational content.

If you’re automating a channel using wind or rain sounds on a loop, there’s a strong chance you won’t get monetized. You can use AI in the process, but make sure you’re creating original content viewers find engaging — preferably, something that has a storyline.

Read more: The Truth About AI: Can YouTube Automation Ruin Your Channel?

Automate Your Channel Faster with AI Content Generator

YouTube automation is the golden topic of 2024, and for good reason. But even with the perks, it’s still time-consuming to direct a team of people, on or off YouTube.

That’s where the AI Content Generator for YouTube comes in handy. With this tool, you can generate an entire content plan for your video — and not just any old blueprint. The generator will give you basic assets to carry out your vision, including

  • Video titles
  • Video descriptions
  • YouTube keywords
  • Video scripts
  • Thumbnail backgrounds
  • Video voiceovers
A video title, description, and video script created by AI Content Generator

Try our AI Content Generator for free today and start creating professional-level videos with automated efficiency!

Understanding the Fundamentals of YouTube Automation

YouTube automation is all about delegating the day-to-day tasks required to manage a channel so that you can focus on high-level strategy and growth. This process involves outsourcing activities like video editing, thumbnail creation, scriptwriting, and voiceovers to either freelancers or AI tools.

The primary goal is to maintain a steady stream of high-quality content without the need to be involved in every step, freeing up your time while still engaging your audience effectively. By leveraging a mix of human creativity and automation software, you can scale your channel, tap into high-paying niches, and build a sustainable, hands-off revenue stream.

Understanding these fundamentals allows you to evaluate which tasks to automate, how to set up an efficient workflow, and what tools or personnel to invest in for maximum impact.

Automation Best Practices and Pitfalls

Successfully automating your YouTube channel requires a balance between efficiency and content quality. Best practices include clearly defining your niche, researching your competition, and identifying content gaps that your channel can fill.

It’s crucial to build a dedicated team of professionals or reliable freelancers to handle specific tasks—whether it’s scriptwriting, video editing, or creating eye-catching thumbnails. However, pitfalls exist: relying too heavily on automation without adding a personal touch can result in generic or low-engagement content.

Additionally, using reused content without sufficient transformation may lead to copyright issues or demonetization. To avoid these risks, always ensure your content is original, adheres to YouTube’s guidelines, and resonates with your target audience. Regularly monitoring your analytics will help you spot trends and adjust your strategy accordingly, so you remain competitive and compliant.

FAQs

What is YouTube automation and how can I start doing it?

YouTube automation involves outsourcing tasks such as video editing, SEO, and channel management to create a hands-off, revenue-generating channel. You can start by choosing a niche, setting up a streamlined workflow, and hiring freelancers to handle the day-to-day operations.

What is YouTube automation?

YouTube automation refers to the process of outsourcing the routine tasks required to manage and grow a YouTube channel. This may include video scripting, editing, thumbnail design, and even voiceovers—all to maximize efficiency and scale earnings.

What is YouTube automation business?

A YouTube automation business manages channels by outsourcing routine tasks, allowing channel owners to earn passive income without daily hands-on work. It combines digital marketing strategies with outsourced talent to scale channel growth efficiently.

What is YouTube automation and how does it work?

YouTube automation works by delegating tasks such as scriptwriting, video production, and SEO to freelancers or automated tools, so the channel owner can focus on high-level strategy. This system streamlines operations, ensuring consistent content output and optimized monetization.

What is YouTube automation examples?

Examples of YouTube automation include channels that outsource video editing and content research, enabling regular uploads without personal involvement in every step. Many tech review and listicle channels use these strategies to maintain growth and profitability.

How does YouTube automation work?

It works by combining human creativity with AI-powered tools. Creators delegate tasks to specialists or use automated software to produce, optimize, and schedule videos, allowing the owner to focus on strategy and content planning.

What are the startup costs for a YouTube automation channel?

Costs can vary widely, but experts report that initial investments per video can be as low as $100, with a break-even typically reached after producing 12 to 35 videos depending on the niche and production quality.

How much money can I make with YouTube automation?

While results vary, top-performing automation channels have reported earning over $100,000 in a month. Revenue depends on views, engagement, niche, and effective monetization strategies like ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing.

Do I need to appear on camera to run an automated channel?

No, many successful channels are faceless. By outsourcing video creation and leveraging voiceover tools, you can build an engaging channel without ever having to show your face.

What skills are essential for managing an automated YouTube channel?

Key skills include strategic planning, understanding SEO, analyzing audience metrics, and effective team management. Technical know‐how isn’t as important since most production work is automated or outsourced.