Part of 🎥 MODULE 3: Video Creation Tools in Action (Articles 10–13) in Crash Course: Starting an AI Video Generation Business from Scratch
Your Shortcut to Speaking on Camera Without Actually Being on Camera
So, here’s a little story. A few months ago, I was supposed to film a tutorial. Nothing fancy. Just me, a mic, and some slides. Easy, right?
Wrong.
The lighting was weird. I flubbed my lines twelve times. My cat decided it was time for a performance of his own (on my desk). And don’t even get me started on what Zoom did to my hair. Long story short — I bailed.
Then I found Synthesia.
Let me tell you — if you’ve ever wanted to “be” in a video without actually showing up, dressing up, or stressing out, this tool is your new best friend. It’s like cloning yourself digitally, minus the existential crisis.
In this article, we’re gonna get hands-on with Synthesia:
🎥 What it is
🧠 Why it’s kinda genius
⚙️ And how you — yes, even if you’re tech-averse — can use it to turn boring ol’ text into dynamic videos featuring realistic avatars (a.k.a. talking humans who aren’t really humans).
🧑🏫 First Off, What Is Synthesia?
Imagine you could hire a professional presenter — polished, multilingual, always camera-ready — and have them deliver your words. That’s Synthesia in a nutshell.
You type in your script. Choose an avatar (human-looking, not Sims-style). Press a button. Boom. A video of a talking person, saying exactly what you wrote, appears before your eyes. And they never ask for a coffee break or forget their lines. Win-win.
💡 Why People Love (and Use) It
Let’s be real. Most people don’t love being on camera. Between setup, nerves, and 37 retakes, it’s enough to make you want to cry into your ring light.
Synthesia solves all that. It’s fast, clean, and weirdly empowering. You go from “uhh, maybe later” to “wait, I just made a training video in 10 minutes.”
It’s perfect for:
- Course creators (hello!)
- Coaches & consultants
- Internal training
- YouTube explainers
- Social media snippets
- Your Aunt Sally’s knitting club announcements (hey, if she’s into AI…)
🎯 Let’s Do This: Step-by-Step Guide
Pull up Synthesia.io, and follow along. We’re building your first avatar video. I’ll walk you through it like your tech-savvy cousin who talks fast but loves you.
Step 1: Sign Up (or Log In)
Go to https://www.synthesia.io.
You’ll need an account. Yes, they’ll ask for an email. No, they won’t ask for your blood type.
They’ve got free trials and paid plans — but for this tutorial, you can get started with the basics.
Step 2: Click “Create Video”
Sounds obvious, but you’d be amazed how many people just stare at the dashboard like it’s an alien control panel. Just breathe and hit the big “Create Video” button.
It opens up a surprisingly friendly editor.
Step 3: Pick Your Avatar
This part’s fun.
You’ll see a lineup of avatars — real humans (not uncanny robots) who’ve been filmed in a studio and turned into synthetic versions of themselves.
Some look corporate. Some look cool. Some look like they just stepped off a TEDx stage. Choose one that fits your vibe.
Feeling spicy? Choose a British accent. Feeling chill? Grab a more casual avatar.
Heads up: Avatars can’t wink or dance. Yet. But they do speak clearly, in a bunch of languages, and they blink convincingly — which is more than I can say for some YouTubers.
Step 4: Paste Your Script
You’ll see a script box on the right-hand side. This is where your magic lives.
Paste your script. Or write it here. Think like you’re talking to your audience — not your high school English teacher. Be casual. Use contractions. Break the fourth wall. Toss in some dry humor if that’s your thing.
Example:
“Hey there, welcome to Module One. Don’t worry — there won’t be a quiz. But there might be some AI wizardry…”
The more human your words, the more natural the avatar sounds.
Step 5: Customize Background, Layout & Text
This part lets you go from “meh” to “made-for-TV.”
🎨 Pick a background (image, solid color, or video)
🖼️ Resize or reposition the avatar (want them in a little bubble in the corner like a news anchor? Go for it.)
📝 Add on-screen text, bullet points, or visuals
If you’re going for a training vibe, include step numbers or key phrases. If it’s more storytelling, keep it clean and focused.
Bonus tip: Synthesia integrates with PowerPoint — so you can literally turn your slides into a video with voiceover and an avatar in minutes.
Step 6: Choose the Voice (or Upload Your Own)
You can choose from a variety of AI voices (some better than others — test ‘em!).
Want to get fancy? Upload your own voiceover and let the avatar lip-sync to you.
It’s a bit trippy to watch, but it works.
Step 7: Hit “Generate Video” and Grab a Snack
Click that beautiful “Generate Video” button and let Synthesia do its magic. It usually takes a couple of minutes.
This is the part where I suggest making coffee, stretching your back, or watching a cat fail a jump on YouTube.
When it’s ready — you get a clean, shareable MP4 file. No watermark, no weird pop-ups, just your polished video avatar doing their thing.
💬 FAQs I Wish Someone Had Answered
“Can I make myself into an avatar?”
Yes, if you’re willing to record a very specific video of yourself and submit it to Synthesia’s custom avatar process. It costs a bit more, but hey — the future is now.
“Do they blink too much?”
Actually no. It’s kinda creepy how realistic they are. They blink, shift weight, and nod just like a real person. It’s uncanny in the best way.
“Can I update the script later?”
Yes. Just pop back into the editor, change your text, re-render the video. No need to re-record anything.
🤔 Real Talk: Will People Know It’s AI?
Short answer: maybe.
Long answer: If you write your script well (with warmth and clarity), and choose a natural voice, most folks won’t notice — or won’t care.
In fact, a lot of audiences like this style. It’s efficient. It’s consistent. It gets to the point. Especially for explainer videos or internal training. You’re not trying to win an Oscar — you’re trying to get your point across.
🎉 Let’s Wrap This Up
Look, I get it. Talking avatars might feel weird at first. There’s something uncanny about a smiling digital person reciting your words. But once you get past that “wait, is this too futuristic?” moment, you’ll start to see how powerful it is.
You can go from idea → script → video in under 30 minutes. No cameras. No microphones. No stress.
And that, my friend, is the kind of creative freedom we’re here for.
So — are you gonna try Synthesia? Or are you still wrestling with your webcam and apologizing to your ring light?
Let me know how it goes. Better yet — send me your first AI video. I’ll bring the popcorn.