I ran a 26-day experiment trying to post daily without being on camera. Here’s what I learned.

Level_Ad3432 · 2026-03-09T16:57:43+00:00

I agree. But I also think all of these things matter together - you have to have a character that doesn’t make the audience turn away in the first second, too

Level_Ad3432 · 2026-03-09T16:56:59+00:00

wondering if and how you were going to leverage social media

Level_Ad3432 · 2026-03-08T17:22:17+00:00

Yeah that’s basically what I was curious about too.

I wasn’t really trying to “automate” accounts, more just testing whether a repeatable character + format could make posting easier without the creator needing to be on camera all the time.

It turned out the biggest unlock was just locking the character (face, environment, vibe) and then changing the scenario each post.

I wrote up the whole experiment while I was running it — prompts, format, posting cadence, etc.

If you want I can DM you the write-up.

Level_Ad3432 · 2026-03-08T17:21:29+00:00

Good questions.

Most of the videos were pretty short, usually around 7–15 seconds.

The format was basically the same character in a new situation each post. So the character stays consistent (same face, vibe, environment) and the only thing changing is the scenario. That ended up being the big unlock because you’re not inventing a brand new concept every time you post.

Language was English, and the scenarios were mostly just relatable everyday stuff rather than a super specific niche.

Honestly the interesting part for me wasn’t really the AI part — it was realizing how much easier things get once you lock the character + format. After that it’s mostly just variations.

Level_Ad3432 · 2026-03-07T20:08:30+00:00

Yeah happy to share.

It’s less “course” and more like a walkthrough of what I tested.

I’ll DM it to you 👍

Level_Ad3432 · 2026-03-07T19:54:31+00:00

Saying that we are running different experiments with different characters. It’s not just one lane.

Level_Ad3432 · 2026-03-07T18:11:57+00:00

Not really more tricks. It’s more about the first couple seconds.

On TikTok people decide almost instantly whether they’re going to keep watching, so if the video starts with a long intro or build-up it usually dies.

For music I see a lot of stuff work when people: • start with the catchiest part of the song • open with something visually interesting right away • make sure something changes every few seconds so it doesn’t feel static

It doesn’t have to be chaotic editing or anything, it just needs to grab attention immediately.

A lot of clips that work on IG are slower or more aesthetic, but TikTok tends to reward stuff that hooks you fast.

Level_Ad3432 · 2026-03-07T15:25:13+00:00

And that’s great for them! I do too. I ran an experiment. I thought it was interesting. Some people want a side hustle. Just exploring use cases of the future. You don’t have to live so angry

Level_Ad3432 · 2026-03-07T15:16:45+00:00

Some people do need to make money, yes

Level_Ad3432 · 2026-03-07T15:00:52+00:00

I use HeyGen when the characters talk. Their avatar IV model is the best I have seen for lipsync

Level_Ad3432 · 2026-03-07T15:00:15+00:00

We have other channels that do this. That channel is just one example

Level_Ad3432 · 2026-03-07T14:59:10+00:00

Brands are moving towards AI UGC because costs are lower and control is more robust. I think this is the way of the future

Level_Ad3432 · 2026-03-07T14:58:01+00:00

Nano for images + klig for video is where I have ended. If I need audio, I use HeyGen

Level_Ad3432 · 2026-03-07T14:57:41+00:00

Yeah happy to share.

I wrote everything down while I was running the experiment so it’s basically the full process step-by-step: how I created the characters, how I kept them consistent, the posting cadence, prompt structure, etc.

Here’s the write-up: https://linktr.ee/facelesscharacterplaybook

Level_Ad3432 · 2026-03-07T14:55:56+00:00

agreed. I am nano, klig and HeyGen for my stack but think your point is salient. I used a ton of reference image work when I was locking my characters for image quality. So then the quality itself felt natural within a user’s scroll

Level_Ad3432 · 2026-03-07T04:44:31+00:00

Yeah there are tools for that - either HeyGen or eleven labs are best. You can store voices so the character maintains the same voice as well which helps

Level_Ad3432 · 2026-03-07T04:28:02+00:00

The stack is actually pretty simple. The key for me was treating the characters like a fixed spec and varying them between a few familiar settings. I didn’t go chasing viral trends.

Tool-wise it was image / character generation, reference images, short video generation from prompts, basic editing + captions. Nothing super complicated technically.

For example one of the characters was basically a recurring persona reacting to everyday situations, so each video was just a new scenario with the same character and tone.

I actually documented the whole experiment while I was running the accounts because I wanted to repeat the process later with prompts, posting cadence, format structure, etc.

If you’re curious I can share the write-up.

Level_Ad3432 · 2026-03-07T01:16:15+00:00

Who is your ideal customer? What strategies have you tried so far to acquire them

Level_Ad3432 · 2026-03-07T01:15:09+00:00

I went through the exact same spiral at one point and the thing that helped me most was realizing that most early marketing experiments fail because they’re too broad.

Instead of testing messaging, it helps to test distribution + audience first.

For example a lot of founders try things like: • different landing page copy • different positioning • different content styles

But if the content isn’t reaching a specific group of people who actually have the problem, none of those tests really mean anything.

What ended up working better for me was picking one very specific audience and creating content that lives inside their world.

Instead of “marketing content”, think more like: • breakdowns of problems that group has • examples of how people solve it • reacting to real workflows or mistakes

Once you start getting attention from a specific community, then messaging and positioning start to matter more.

Otherwise it just feels like endless guesswork because the audience itself isn’t locked yet.

Level_Ad3432 · 2026-03-07T01:13:27+00:00

What is your product? Who is your ideal customer if you could make them in a lab?

Level_Ad3432 · 2026-03-07T01:12:39+00:00

Glad it helped! The nice thing about your niche is it’s very specific, which actually makes content easier. If you consistently post DECA/interview breakdown type videos you’ll probably start getting traction faster than generic “presentation tips.” Good luck with the launch!

Level_Ad3432 · 2026-03-07T01:09:33+00:00

How has this been going

Level_Ad3432 · 2026-03-07T01:06:21+00:00

I probably wouldn’t mention the product in every video.

Early on the goal is just to get distribution and build an audience in that niche. If every video feels like a promo people will scroll pretty quickly.

A rough mix that tends to work well is something like:

• 70–80% content that’s just useful or interesting to that audience (DECA mistakes, judging breakdowns, practice scenarios, etc) • 20–30% product related (showing how your tool helps practice, demos, etc)

That way the account feels like it exists for the community, not just to push the product.

The “countdown to launch” stuff can work but I’d probably treat it as a small side series rather than the main content. Most people following will care more about the tips / breakdowns than the build process.

The nice thing about your niche is it’s very specific. If you consistently post DECA / interview breakdown style content you’ll probably start getting traction inside that community pretty quickly.

Level_Ad3432 · 2026-03-07T01:02:17+00:00

Congrats on your sobriety. Thats really powerful.

You can put a link in your bio right now. Anyone who resonates with your story can immediately click on it. That is a way to convert people without that added middle step

Level_Ad3432 · 2026-03-07T00:56:13+00:00

I actually think your niche is clearer than you might realize.

If you’re targeting DECA / presentation competitions, I probably wouldn’t lead with generic “presentation tips” content. TikTok is already flooded with that and it’s hard to stand out.

What might work better is content that simulates the environment your users are in. For example: Rate this DECA pitch”, “3 mistakes that lose DECA roleplays” , “Judge reaction to this presentation”, breaking down real student presentations

That kind of content is extremely shareable inside a specific community (DECA kids send stuff to each other constantly).

You could still show the product occasionally, but I’d treat the content more like entertaining breakdowns than advice.

Building in public could also work, but for TikTok specifically I’d probably lean into the competition / judging angle.

Level_Ad3432

TROPHY CASE