How to Create AI Avatar Videos Step by Step

Before touching any software, clarify:

Purpose:

• What action should viewers take after watching?
• What information must they retain?
• What problem does this video solve?

Audience:

• Who is watching? (Employees, customers, students, general public)
• What is their knowledge level on this topic?
• What tone resonates with them? (Formal, casual, technical, conversational)

Format:

• Where will this be viewed? (Training portal, YouTube, social media, website)
• What is the ideal length? (30 seconds, 2 minutes, 10 minutes)
• Will this be part of a series?

The script does most of the work. AI avatars can only work with what you give them.

Script Structure:

1. Hook (First 5-10 seconds)
   - Grab attention immediately
   - State the value or problem clearly

2. Introduction (10-20 seconds)
   - Who you are/what this is about
   - What they'll learn

3. Body Content (60-80% of video)
   - Break into 3-5 clear points
   - Use transitions between points
   - Include examples or analogies

4. Conclusion (Last 15-20 seconds)
   - Summarize key takeaways
   - Clear call-to-action

Scripting Best Practices:

Do:

• Write in spoken language, not written prose
• Use contractions (you’ll, it’s, they’re)
• Include natural pauses with punctuation
• Keep sentences under 20 words
• Read your script aloud before using it
• Use active voice (“Click the button” not “The button should be clicked”)

Don’t:

• Write long, complex sentences
• Use jargon without explanation
• Pack too much information into one video
• Forget to include pauses
• Make it overly formal unless that’s your brand

Script Template Example:

[Hook]
"Spending hours creating training videos? There's a faster way."

[Introduction]
"I'm here to show you how an AI-powered workflow can cut your video production time to [your result], while keeping the quality up."

[Body - Point 1]
"First, the time problem. Traditional video production requires filming, editing, and revision. That's [your number] hours per finished video."

[Body - Point 2]
"With AI avatar technology, you write a script, choose an avatar, and generate your video in minutes. No filming, no editing."

[Body - Point 3]
"Speed isn't the only benefit. You also get consistency. Every video keeps the same quality and brand voice."

[Conclusion]
"If you're ready to change how you create video content, click the link below to get started."

Paste the script from step 2 into your tool, then choose the presenter and the voice. The flow differs slightly between the two platforms.

In Synthesia

Synthesia offers 125+ stock avatars on Starter and 240+ on Enterprise, with full-body gestures and 140+ languages.

1. Start a video. Create a free account and open the editor from a template or a blank project.

2. Choose your avatar. Pick a stock avatar (Express-2 is the latest generation, with full-body gestures) or make your own:

• Avatar Builder customizes a stock avatar with your logo and brand colors.
• Personal Avatar is built from a single photo or a short recording (3 on Starter, 5 on Pro).
• Studio avatars, recorded on green screen for the highest quality, are a paid add-on at $1,000/year.

3. Enter your script. Paste it into the editor and fine-tune delivery with SSML tags: <break time="500ms"/> adds a pause and <emphasis>important</emphasis> stresses a word.

4. Select a voice. Choose from 140+ languages and accents and match the voice to the avatar.

5. Customize and generate. Set the background, add your logo and text overlays, then generate at 1080p.

In Synthesys

Synthesys starts from a format rather than a blank timeline.

1. Pick a format. There are 11 to choose from, including UGC ad, TV commercial, presenter video, sales video and explainer.

2. Add your input. Supply a script, a URL or a prompt.

3. Choose the presenter and voice. Use one of 1,000+ stock avatars or your digital twin, then pick a voice from the 140+ languages.

4. Generate. Starter includes 3,500 credits a month, and each format has a fixed credit cost per 15 seconds: a presenter video costs 161 credits, a UGC ad 400.

Every plan includes full commercial rights, so the videos can go straight into ads and client work.

Choosing an Avatar

Whichever tool you use, these factors help:

• Industry alignment: Business attire for corporate, casual for lifestyle content
• Audience demographics: Choose avatars that mirror your audience
• Content tone: A friendly smile for welcoming content, a serious expression for formal topics
• Diversity: Rotate avatars if you are creating a series and want to show inclusivity
• Consistency: Use the same avatar across a series for brand recognition

Voice quality can make or break an avatar video.

Stock voices. Both tools offer dozens of voices across accents, ages and speaking styles:

• Match the voice to the content (authoritative for training, friendly for customer content)
• Make sure the voice age and style fit the avatar
• Keep the same voice across a series
• Use a native accent for your target audience

Your own voice. Cloning builds a digital replica of your voice from a recorded sample. Record in a quiet room with a good microphone and keep your energy consistent. Synthesia offers Express-Voice cloning on paid plans; Synthesys includes voice cloning on every plan. It suits a personal brand and regular production.

Your avatar needs a context.

Backgrounds:

• Pre-designed template settings for a quick, polished start
• Your own image for brand-specific environments or a product behind the presenter
• A video background when you want movement

Branding:

• Logo: usually an upper corner or lower third
• Colors: match backgrounds to your palette
• Fonts: custom fonts for any text overlays
• Lower thirds: name and title cards for the avatar
• Intro and outro cards: bookend the video with branded frames

Pre-generation checklist:

• Script proofread (spelling, grammar)
• Avatar selected and appropriate
• Voice chosen and tested
• Background suits content
• Branding elements added
• Video dimensions correct for the destination platform
• Call-to-action included

Hit generate. Rendering usually takes minutes, longer for long videos.

Watch critically for:

• Lip-sync accuracy: Do mouth movements match the audio?
• Natural pacing: Does it sound rushed or too slow?
• Gesture timing: Do hand movements feel natural?
• Audio quality: Is the sound clear and balanced?
• Visual composition: Is the avatar properly framed?
• Brand elements: Are all logos and text correctly placed?
• Call-to-action clarity: Is the CTA visible and clear?

If anything needs fixing:

• Edit the script for better pacing (add or remove pauses)
• Try a different voice if the current one does not fit
• Adjust the background if it distracts
• Regenerate, since a re-render only takes a few minutes

Captions: many platforms generate captions automatically; you can also export an SRT file for editing software. They matter for accessibility and for viewers watching without sound.

Thumbnail:

• Capture a frame with a good avatar expression
• Add text that states the video’s value
• Use contrasting colors and your branding elements