Artificial intelligence is changing how we make digital avatars. HeyGen is a top tool for creating lifelike avatars. You can use your own videos or design a character from scratch.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to make your first avatar. We’ll cover text-to-video characters and pricing too.
Step 1: Access the Avatar Creation Tool
To start:
- Log in to your HeyGen account.
- Go to Avatars and click on Create New Avatar.
- Select Hyper-Realistic Avatar.
👉 Note: You need the Creator Plan (premium) for this. If you don’t have it, you can buy it as an add-on.
Step 2: Upload Your Video
- Record a minimum 2-minute video of yourself.
- Make sure you’re in perfect conditions:
- Use a high-quality camera
- Have clear audio with a professional microphone
- Set up good lighting
📌 Remember: input equals output. If your video is bad, your avatar will look bad too.
Upload your video when you’re ready, or use Google Drive.
Step 3: Give Consent for AI Cloning
HeyGen needs a consent video. This confirms you’re okay with them making a digital avatar of you.
Your video will capture your gestures and movements. For example, if you use hand motions when speaking, your avatar will do the same in future videos.
Step 4: Generate Your Avatar
After processing, your avatar will be in your HeyGen dashboard. Now you can:
- Open AI Studio
- Choose your video format (portrait for Instagram/TikTok or landscape for YouTube)
- Upload a script for your avatar to read
Hit Submit and your avatar will make a video in minutes.
Step 5: Create a Text-to-Video Avatar
Want to make an avatar without using your own footage? You can generate avatars from scratch.
- Go to Avatars > Create New Avatar.
- Select Generate.
- Customize your avatar by choosing:
- Name
- Age
- Ethnicity (e.g., Middle Eastern, Asian, European, etc.)
- Gender
- Style (e.g., Pixar, realistic, cartoon)
Example: Sarah, a stunning Middle Eastern female YouTuber with almond-shaped eyes, in her mid-20s.
Preview different options until you find one you like, then save it.
Step 6: Add Voice to Your Avatar
Next, assign a voice:
- Upload your own voice recording, or
- Let HeyGen auto-generate one for you
You can also train the model for different looks, angles, poses, and styles.
Step 7: Generate Your Video
Now you’re ready to produce content:
- Go to Create with AI Studio
- Insert your script
- Hit Submit
Your AI video will be ready in just a few minutes.
Why Use AI Avatars?
AI avatars make it possible for anyone to create high-quality content, even without appearing on camera. This is useful if:
- You’re camera shy
- You want to clone yourself for faster content creation
- You need consistent, professional-looking videos
HeyGen Pricing
HeyGen offers multiple plans:
- Creator Plan – Ideal for individuals, includes unlimited video generation and one custom avatar.
- Team Plan – For small teams, allows more advanced features.
- Enterprise Plan – Tailored for businesses with larger-scale needs.
Videos can be up to 30 minutes long, and all plans include unlimited exports.
Final Thoughts
The rise of AI avatars means anyone can become a YouTuber, content creator, or online educator without expensive equipment or spending hours recording. Whether you use a clone of yourself or design a unique character, HeyGen makes the process accessible, fast, and affordable.
Now that you know how to create your own AI avatar, the next step is learning how to write powerful video titles and scripts to maximize reach and engagement.
