Today's letter is packed with frameworks, tools and 3+ juicy startup ideas you can steal from my latest podcast, The Startup Ideas Podcast.
I recorded 2 new episodes this week and I'll break it down for you.
Episode #1: why you should pay attention to "faceless" YouTube channels
Remember when in 2020, tons of creators use Twitter Threads to build big audiences? People like Sahil Bloom and Joe Pompliano grew like wildfire in this era. They each got hundreds of thousands of followers. It was an arbitrage opportunity. I did too :).
Well, Twitter Threads in 2020 is to Twitter what Faceless YouTube in 2024 is to YouTube. Tons of opportunity.
Faceless channels are the idea of using AI/automations to create YouTube channels that work pretty much on autopilot.
We break down:
- Why faceless YouTube channels are blowing up (and why you should care about them)
- The AI tools you can use to create faceless content (it’s easier than you think)
- How to scale YouTube content into a revenue-generating machine (yes, these channels can be big)
Here’s the 3 step playbook:
Step 1: Find your high-impact niche
Most people are doing faceless YouTube channels all wrong.
They're chasing views. Trying to be everything to everyone. Trying to make money from Google ads. That's not the real opportunity.
You want a high-impact niche - something you can build a community around. Then, you sell products to that community.
Ideally, those products can be a mix of cash-flow and something that could be acquired down the line for 4x-12x+ ARR.
Here’s how you find your high-impact niche:
- Use tools like GummySearch to dig into Reddit and find trending topics
- Look for emerging lifestyle trends - think "anti-phone" movement, keto diet or sober curious people.
- Analyze the audience. What are their pain points? What do they care about? What are the top posts? Why do you think its the case?
- Check out existing faceless channels in the niche — where are the gaps?
Bonus: find a niche that's blowing up on TikTok. If it's hot on TikTok, there's a strong signal there is demand for a faceless YouTube channel.
You’re playing the long game here. You don’t want views - you want something with sustainable value. Something people want to be part of.
(We talk about this more at 19:46 in the pod)
Step 2: Create killer content (no face needed)
Alright, you've got your niche. Now, it's time to make content.
Think about the last YouTube video that hooked you. I bet it wasn't the creator's face that did it. It was the value of the content.
That's the beauty of faceless channels - you're not the star - your content is.
No fancy equipment. No being a "personality." Just good content.
This is where many people trip up. They’re scared to grind out videos.
But with the right tools, you can streamline the process without sacrificing quality.
Your content creation toolkit:
- Scriptwriting: Use ChatGPT or Claude for drafts, refine them until they sound human. I personally prefer Claude.
- Visual designs: Use DALL-E 2 to generate thumbnails and graphics
- Video production: Use Crayo.ai for quick and easy pro-level video creation
- Voiceovers: Use ElevenLabs for AI narration that doesn’t sound like robots (or use it to clone your voice)
- Optimization: Use VidIQ or Mr. Beast’s ViewStats for keyword research and channel optimization. I also enjoy using VidIQ to check most popular questions on other videos which gives me content ideas.
- Note: these tools are far from perfect, but they are getting scary good.
(I break down the process at 14:37 in the pod)
The winning formula is consistency plus quality.
Don't just info-dump. Make the videos unignorable. Tell stories. Use hooks. Keep people watching.
Each video should reinforce your brand and leave viewers hungry for more.
You're building a content machine that works for you 24/7. One that turns viewers into subscribers and subscribers into customers. Give people a reason to subscribe.
Make them think, "Damn, I need more of this."
Look at channels like ‘Daily Dose of Internet’ (18.7M subscribers) or ‘Kurzgesagt’ (22.6M subscribers). They're crushing it without ever showing a face.
Do this right, and you'll have a channel that grows on autopilot.
Step 3: Turn value into cash (and scale your faceless empire)
So you've found your niche, and you're pumping out content. Now, it's time to level up.
This is where most faceless channels plateau, but not yours. You're going to break through.
Most faceless channels stay as 1 channel. The smart ones build a whole network of related channels are promoting each other.
And as you're scaling your channel(s), you should diversify your revenue streams.
Most channels have 1-2 revenue streams and rely mostly on Google Adsense. You leave a lot on the table by relying only on AdSense.
Think products, memberships, software and services tailored to your niche. You build a little product studio around your faceless channel.
Here’s how you monetize and scale your faceless YouTube channel:
- Build Products: Go beyond merch. Create digital products like apps, info products, software. This will create enterprise value. Think James Clear and his Atomic Habits habit tracking app.
- Revenue shares: Partner with brands that align with your niche and offer value to your audience. Negotiate 20-50% rev shares.
- Sponsored Content: Collaborate with companies for sponsored videos that fit seamlessly into your content.
- Paid membership: Use platforms like Patreon, WhatsApp or Skool to create a paid community with some benefits like discounts, events and workshops. I like a low ticket and a high ticket offer. Start with one offer. Bonus it drives more affinity/trust with your audience
The end game becomes building a faceless YouTube empire. Multiple channels, multiple revenue streams, multiple niches, all running with an extremely small team mostly on auto-pilot. If you want, you can add a channel with a face/creator within your network too.
The goal is to create something sustainable. The more value you provide, the more your audience will invest in you.
Your first product might not be a hit, but with feedback and tweaks, you will find what resonates with your audience.
Start small, think big, and keep pushing.
Your faceless YouTube channel might just be the beginning of a bigger journey.
Watch the full episode on YouTube to see my co-host for this episode Jonathan Courtney realize live on the pod how many of his favorite channels don’t have faces. His face was priceless.
Full episode links: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts
Or skip straight to the juicy parts:
02:01 Faceless YouTube channels explained
14:37 Framework and tools for creating faceless YouTube channels
19:46 Choosing a niche for faceless YouTube channels
25:37 Examples of successful faceless YouTube channels
34:03 Benefits of starting a faceless YouTube channel
Episode #2: 4 juicy startup ideas you can run with from startup legend Jesse Pujji
Ever wonder how some entrepreneurs seem to spot golden opportunities everywhere?
Jesse Pujji sold his last business for 8 figures and building a $1B venture studio called Gateway X, a performance marketing powerhouse.
No time to watch? No problem. I have 1 framework and 2 startup ideas for you here:
Framework: Finding and launching businesses
Jesse's approach to business ideation is simple and brilliant: look for cross-sections in things you know.
That weird mix of skills you've picked up? That's your secret weapon.
For example, Jesse started a company to help private equity firms understand marketing - not a typical pairing. Or as he put it, “those are two cross-sections that were unlikely bedfellows.” I thought that was a brilliant way of putting it.
He mashed up his knowledge of marketing and private equity and found his opportunity. Less than a year later, Aux Insights is generating serious cash-low.
Your experiences, knowledge, and network are goldmines for opportunities others might miss. An
It's all about connecting the dots between what you know and what problems exist.
Here's how to put this into action:
- List out your areas of expertise (yes, even the weird ones)
- Think about the industries you've worked in or have connections to
- Look for those unexpected overlaps (the weirder, the better)
- Ask yourself: What problems exist in these intersections?
- Scan your network - which LinkedIn connection could be your first customer?
Sometimes, the best businesses come from slightly tweaking an existing model for a specific niche you know well.
Think of the advantage a retired athlete with a finance degree would have in launching a wealth management firm for professional athletes.
A unique perspective is more valuable than you know.
The magic happens when you find that sweet spot – a problem you understand, coupled with a network to connect you with the right people.
It's like Jesse said - an unfair advantage. In the startup world, your quirks aren't just okay, they're your ticket to the big leagues.
Startup Idea 1: Verticalized expert networks
Picture this: You're the matchmaker of the business world, connecting industry pros with the expertise they need.
Think expert networks like GLG ($3.3B in revenue) or AlphaSights ($604M in revenue), but hyper-focused on a specific industry. I call this the unbundling of GLG.
Instead of being a jack-of-all-trades network, you're the undisputed master of one domain.
Maybe it's quantum computing. Or sustainable agriculture. Or the intricacies of Gen Z meme culture (don't laugh, that's valuable intel).
By focusing on a single vertical, you become the go-to resource for specialized knowledge.
Why does this work? Information asymmetry.
In niche markets, specialized knowledge is worth more than gold.
Now, you might be thinking: “How do I actually do this?"
Well, here's one game plan:
- Pick your vertical: Choose an industry you know or can learn fast. Marketing, fintech, biotech - the world's your oyster.
- Start small: Begin with your network. Who are the experts you already know?
- Create a simple system: It could be as basic as a spreadsheet. Match experts with those who need their knowledge.
- Test & learn: Make a few connections. See what works, what doesn't.
- Iterate & scale: Use feedback to refine your model. Then expand your expert pool.
The beauty of this model is its scalability. You can start lean and grow as demand increases. And you don't need to be the expert.
You're the connector, the knowledge broker.
You're arbitraging expertise, buying low and selling high in the marketplace of ideas.
Every industry has its gurus, its hidden gems of wisdom.
Your job is to find them and spread their message to they people who need it most.
Startup Idea 2: AI-generated kids' music
This idea is so wild it just might work. It combines two booming trends:
1) The exploding demand for kids' content
2) The rise of AI in creative fields
Plus, it's a potential passive income machine. Set it up correctly, and you could be earning while you sleep.
Here's the lowdown from Jesse:
- Kids' music is a massive market on Spotify, with parents (and kids) looking for new, catchy songs.
- AI tools like Suno can compose music in various styles with the click of a button.
- You can create multiple channels or playlists targeting different styles or age groups.
Parents are always on the hunt for fresh content, and with AI, you can deliver it at scale.
Here's the playbook:
- Explore AI music generation tools (there are plenty out there)
- Generate a batch of songs in different kid-friendly styles
- Set up artist accounts on Spotify and other streaming platforms
- Themed playlists: "Bedtime Bops" "Toddler Dance Party" (you get the idea)
- Use basic SEO to make your playlists discoverable
(Jesse lays it out well starting at 41:24 of the pod)
Kids’ music has evergreen market demand.
You can keep creating new tracks to expand your library. While you do, the back catalogue will keep earning you money in the background.
Pro tip: Keep your content age-appropriate and be upfront about using AI. Quality and honesty will set you apart in this market.
Full episode links: YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts
Or jump straight into the juicy parts:
02:44 Startup Idea 1: Hedge Fund information business
06:34 Startup Idea 2: Verticalized expert networks
11:42 Jesse’s framework for finding and launching businesses
24:23 Startup Idea 3: Demographic-specific supplements
41:24 Startup Idea 4: AI-generated kids' music on Spotify
I hope these episodes get your entrepreneurial gears turning. Forward this email to a friend or share on social media to get others thinking.
And if you have a startup idea you want to workshop with me, join me for my YouTube livestreams.
I give feedback to anyone willing to share their idea on stage. Click here to subscribe on YouTube so you don’t miss out.
If you never want to get the occasional Startup Ideas Podcast updates from me, you can remove yourself here (you'll still get Greg's letter on Thursdays).
Have a creative weekend,
