The same story can flop as one format and fly as another. A product launch looks great on a phone screen; an explainer works better as a drawing; a hot take needs nothing but big words. Here are ten faceless styles, what each one is good for, and real examples made with Make Viral Reels.
1. Whiteboard
A hand draws the explanation while the voiceover talks. Because the picture builds up as it's spoken, viewers stay to see what comes next.
Best for: explainers, science, "how it works", step-by-step ideas.
2. News brief
A headline, the key facts, and a ticker along the bottom: it looks and feels like a news segment, which makes it feel urgent and trustworthy.
Best for: launches, announcements, industry news, anything that happened this week.
3. Phone in hand
The real web page or app shown on a phone held in a hand. Viewers see the actual thing, not a description of it.
Best for: apps, websites, products, deals, "look what I found".
4. Text story
Two voices text the story out like a chat. It reads like eavesdropping on a conversation, which is hard to scroll past.
Best for: surprising facts told as a reaction ("Wait, really?"), debates, myths vs facts.
5. Bold text
Big words on strong colour, timed to the voice. Simple, loud and very readable with the sound off.
Best for: one striking claim, quotes, short punchy stories.
6. Text on video
Text over calm footage with music and no voiceover. The words light up as they're read, so it works muted.
Best for: tips, quotes, motivation, pages that post without a voice.
7. One-liner
One big question or statement, no voice. It's designed to start a conversation in the comments.
Best for: questions to your audience, polls, hot takes.
8. Proof Punch
Our signature style: real quotes and sources on screen with big stamps that land on the key words. It shows the receipts, so the claim feels earned.
Best for: stories where the proof is the point: studies, reviews, numbers, quotes.
9. Stickman
Two stick figures act the story out. It's light, funny and easy to follow.
Best for: everyday situations, relatable problems, simple stories with two sides.
10. Countdown
A ranked top-3 list, counted down to number one. The ranking itself keeps people watching to the end.
Best for: "best tools", "top tips", comparisons.
How to choose
| If your story is… | Use |
|---|---|
| An explanation | Whiteboard, Stickman |
| Something that just happened | News brief |
| A website, app or product | Phone in hand |
| Backed by quotes or numbers | Proof Punch |
| A list | Countdown |
| A reaction or a debate | Text story |
| One strong line | Bold text, One-liner |
| Something to read with the sound off | Text on video |
Not sure? Make the same story in two styles and post both. Your audience will tell you which one they like.
New to faceless video? Start with how to make faceless reels, step by step.
On the Free plan you can try Whiteboard, Stickman, Proof Punch, News brief and Phone in hand. All ten styles open on the paid plans; see pricing.