How to create custom AI avatars: a step-by-step guide

Wyzowl's 2026 State of Video Marketing report found that 63% of video marketers now use AI tools for video creation or editing — up from 51% the year before. But the real advantage comes when that avatar is uniquely yours.

The three creation methods

Videotok has three paths to creating your custom avatar. Each fits different needs.

Method 1: Start from scratch with descriptions

The most flexible option. Describe your ideal avatar in detail, and the AI generates it.

My process:

• Name your avatar something memorable
• Write a detailed appearance description (age, ethnicity, hair, clothing, expression)
• Generate and review
• Specificity matters. "Professional woman" gives you generic results. "35-year-old woman with shoulder-length dark hair, wearing a navy blazer, warm smile, studio lighting" gives you something usable.

Method 2: Use character templates

Short on time or creative energy? Templates work. Videotok has 1000+ customizable avatars across 30+ languages.

Pick a template close to what you want, then modify the details. Faster than starting from zero while still allowing personalization.

Method 3: Upload your own image

This is where things get interesting for personal brands. Upload a photo of yourself (or someone who has given permission), and the platform creates an AI avatar based on that image.

⚠ Only use images of yourself or images you have explicit rights to use. AI avatar creation raises legitimate ethical considerations that shouldn't be ignored. As providers of this technology, we encourage you to exercise the utmost care and fully respect the image rights of real individuals.

Simply upload an image and add your avatar's name. Remember to select the image aspect ratio (16:9 - 9:16)

How to edit an avatar

If you want to edit an avatar you've already created whether its appearance or background setting, simply:

• Click "Edit"
• Enter a description of the changes you'd like to make, or upload a reference image

My step-by-step creation workflow

Here's the exact process I use to create avatars that actually look professional.

Step 1: Define the avatar's purpose

Before touching any tools, I answer these questions:

• What type of content will this avatar appear in?
• What emotion should the avatar convey?
• What's the target platform (vertical for TikTok/Reels, horizontal for YouTube)?

This prevents the common mistake of creating an avatar that doesn't fit your content style.

Step 2: Write the appearance description

I use a template structure:

• Age: [specific number]
• Gender presentation: [details]
• Ethnicity: [be specific]
• Hair: [color, length, style]
• Clothing: [specific items, colors]
• Expression: [default emotional state]
• Background preference: [if applicable]

The more detailed, the better. Vague descriptions produce vague results.

Step 3: Generate and iterate

First generations rarely nail it. I typically generate 3-4 variations before finding one that works.

Look for:

• Natural-looking facial features
• Appropriate professional appearance
• Expressions that match your brand tone

Create a video with your avatar

Method 1: automated workflow

If you're short on time or you don't want to spend too long on the creation process, simply:

• Choose an avatar from the library or create your own
• Enter a video prompt or topic to auto-generate the script
• Upload a product image if you want to promote a specific product
• Select the video language
• Choose the aspect ratio (16:9, 9:16, and more)
• Click generate and wait a few minutes for the full video to be created

Method 2: manual workflow

In this case, the manual workflow gives you full control scene by scene. You'll need to:

• Create or choose an avatar
• Select the Video option
• Choose "Speaking avatar" if you want your avatar to talk
• Choose "Motion control" if you want to upload a video and have the avatar replicate the movement

Avatar and Advertising

UGC Ads

Using avatars to create user-generated content such as ads is one of the strategies adopted by the most successful startups and big tech companies. You've probably seen ads from Base44 or Replit on YouTube, those were exactly AI avatars.

Here's a useful resource to understand how successful brands use UGC avatars. It's a collection of over 130 real UGC ads that can help you find inspiration and see what's worked for other businesses.

Commercial Ads
Since an avatar can be any person, character, or mascot created with artificial intelligence, you can recreate virtually any type of commercial with avatars.

If you want full control over every scene, I'd recommend using the professional editor and starting from scratch. If you want a solid result but prefer to move faster, you can clone a reference video and then tweak the elements to make it your own.

Common mistakes to avoid

After creating dozens of avatars, here are the pitfalls I see most often:

• Over-describing clothing details. The AI handles general style better than specific brands or patterns.
• Ignoring lighting consistency. If your avatar looks like it's in studio lighting but your background is outdoor, it breaks immersion.
• Skipping the voice matching. An avatar that looks 25 but sounds 50 creates cognitive dissonance.
• Using the same avatar for everything. Different content types benefit from different avatar presentations. A casual avatar works for vlogs; a formal one works for tutorials.

What to do next

Creating your first custom AI avatar takes about 15-20 minutes once you understand the process. The time investment drops significantly for subsequent avatars.

My recommendation: start with one avatar for one specific use case. Master that workflow before expanding.

Want to share your avatar creation results or ask questions about specific use cases? Connect with us on LinkedIn or X


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FAQ on how to create avatars

What is an AI avatar and how does it work?

An AI avatar is a digital character created using artificial intelligence that can mimic human expressions, speech, and movements. It works by combining text-to-image generation, lip-sync technology, and voice synthesis to produce realistic talking figures for video content without needing a real person on camera.

Can I create a custom AI avatar from my own photo?

Yes. Platforms like Videotok.app allow you to upload a personal photo and transform it into a talking AI avatar. You can also create one from scratch using a text description or choose from a library of over 1,000 pre-made avatars.

Are AI avatars good enough for professional marketing videos?

Absolutely. AI avatars are now used by successful startups and major brands for UGC ads, product demos, and social media content. With the right prompt and workflow, custom avatars can deliver professional-quality results at a fraction of the cost and time of traditional video production.

What's the difference between a stock avatar and a custom AI avatar?

Stock avatars are pre-made and available to everyone, meaning your audience may see the same face on multiple channels. A custom AI avatar is unique to your brand, it ensures visual consistency, differentiation, and can be tailored for specific poses, environments, and content styles.

How long does it take to create an AI avatar?

Creating your first custom AI avatar typically takes 15–20 minutes. Once you're familiar with the workflow, subsequent avatars can be created in just a few minutes especially when using templates or uploading an existing image.

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