Guide to Starting an ASMR Channel

Ready to start your own ASMR channel, but not sure where to begin? Besides whispering into a microphone, learning how to make ASMR videos also requires a bit of planning and a quiet space to record. 

ASMR channels can be wildly successful when done right. The top creators rack up millions of views while essentially whispering, tapping, and making soft sounds into expensive microphones. Sounds crazy, right? But the truth is, people love it.

How to Make an ASMR Video

Image credit: Pexels

Knowing how to make ASMR videos might seem like a walk in the park at a glance, but it takes more than just whispering into your iPhone and calling it a day. 

The difference between a video that puts people to sleep (in a bad way) and one that sends tingles down their spine is a few things that most newbies don't even think about. 

Step 1: Plan Your Content

You thought you could wing it and see what happens? Nice try. Even the ASMR videos that seem made up on the spot have some kind of game plan behind them. Figure out which triggers you will use and in what order you'll do them.

Write down a rough outline that covers:

• Trigger sequence: Map out your sound journey
• Approximate timing: How long to linger on each delicious sound
• Props needed: Your tingles toolkit
• Key phrases: If you're brave enough to speak

The ASMR channels dominating YouTube feeds right now have one thing in common: structure. It all starts like a tingling rollercoaster with peaks, valleys, and a satisfying final drop.

Step 2: Set Up Your Recording Space

Image credit: Canva Free

Not only will those background noises destroy your audio, but they'll have you pulling your hair out during editing. Find the quietest corner of your place and transform it into tingles central.

The ideal ASMR recording spot needs:

• Sound dampening: Blankets, pillows, anything soft to kill that echo
• Controlled lighting: Soft, flattering, nothing harsh
• Comfortable seating: Your back will thank you later
• Organized props: Within reach but out of frame

Most successful ASMRtists have some form of dedicated recording space. Even if it's just your closet with blankets pinned to the walls, your audio quality will thank you.

Step 3: Choose Your Equipment

Now, about sensitive microphones. You will notice a depletion in the old bank account when you invest in good equipment. If not simply from buying that Blue Yeti everyone recommends, chances are good you'll want to experiment with binaural setups too, hopefully securing your channel's future.

Your ASMR arsenal should include:

• Binaural microphone: For that 3D sound that makes spines tingle
• Camera with decent low-light performance: Nobody wants grainy visuals
• Tripod or mounting system: Shaky cam is for horror movies, not ASMR
• Headphones: To catch those unwanted sounds before your viewers do

For beginners, the Blue Yeti is the gateway drug to quality ASMR. Pair it with whatever decent camera you already own, and you're in business.

Step 4: Record Your Video

The first time you hit record, you'll feel like you forgot how to be a normal human being. Your movements will seem awkward, your breathing as loud as a freight train.

When recording ASMR:

• Positioning: keep a consistent distance from your mic
• Movements: only slow and deliberate
• Breath: try to be silent and effective

The ASMRtists who seem the most natural? They're the ones who recorded the same sequence fifteen times before nailing it. Practice doesn't make perfect, but it does make watchable.

Step 5: Edit Your Video with Flixier

Everyone around you will go the distance to convince you that you need the most expensive editing software possible. Not that much, anyway. But start simple and grow. Debt reduction vs. increased earning potential. These are just some of the things new ASMRtists in their first year now focus on.

A surprising number of top ASMRtists report spending more time editing than recording. With Flixier cutting that time nearly in half, you might actually have time for a social life.

Your editing checklist:

• Remove any background noise: nobody wants to hear your neighbour's dog
• Balance those levels: the difference between a whisper and a scream
• Smooth transitions: no jarring jumps between triggers
• Add your branding: make them remember you

Did you think premium editing software was the only way? You'll feel like you've been overpaying once you see what Flixier offers at just $10/month. That's less than two Starbucks coffees (tips included).

Step 6: Optimize for Upload

It may seem all the rage right now just to hit upload and hope for the best, but that's just hype. Optimization is really important here.

Before uploading your ASMR video:

• Export in 1080p or 4K
• Use MP4 format 
• Test those audio levels across different devices
• Create a worthy thumbnail

What to Incorporate in Your ASMR Videos

Image credit: Pexels

Certain sounds consistently rank high on that tingle meter, while others just fall flat. Here are some of the most effective ASMR triggers:

• Whispering: This is the OG trigger. Soft, close-to-mic whispering creates that intimate experience viewers crave. Variations include soft-spoken, mouth sounds, and breathy whispers.
• Tapping: Using your fingernails, rings, or tools to create rhythmic tapping on various surfaces. Wood, plastic, glass, and metal all produce quite a distinctly pleasing sound.
• Scratching: Similar to tapping but producing a grittier sound. Try rubbing on some cardboard, cloth, or specialty scratch pads.
• Brushing sounds: Makeup brushes on microphones, hair brushing, or brushing various textures. The gentle swooshing sound is really effective for relaxation.
• Crinkling: Packaging, paper, plastic, or anything that makes that distinctive crinkling noise. A recent study showed that ASMR enthusiasts ranked crinkling in their top five favourite triggers.
• Personal attention: Role-plays where you attend to the viewer: face measuring, haircuts, medical exams. These simulate the one-on-one care that triggers strong ASMR responses.
• Ear-to-ear techniques: Binaural microphones are used to create a 3D audio experience in which the sounds move from one ear to another. This spatial quality adds a lot of depth to your videos.
• Mouth sounds: From gentle kissing sounds to tongue clicking. Some viewers love it, while others run for the hills faster than a dad who goes out to buy a pack of cigarettes.
• Liquid sounds: Water pouring, spraying, dripping. There's something primally satisfying to these sounds that many find attractive.

Popular Types of ASMR Channels

You don't want to copy what everyone else is doing (most new ASMR creators start by mimicking the big names), and you don't want to choose something so bizarre that it alienates potential subscribers, either.

If you decide to start an ASMR channel, here are some ideas on how to start an ASMR channel by niche:

Eating/Mukbang ASMR

This is arguably the most viewed category in the entire ASMR universe. Creators like SAS-ASMR have built empires around the simple act of eating on camera. Her channel features everything from honeycomb to full English breakfasts, all consumed with deliberate attention to the sounds produced.

What makes eating ASMR so popular? It combines visually interesting foods and the primal satisfaction of hearing someone enjoy a meal. SAS-ASMR isn't exclusively focused on eating sounds; she incorporates whispering in some videos to create variety.

Sleep-Focused ASMR

You might have been the most relaxed person on Earth, but insomnia hits everyone eventually. If work stress isn't keeping you up, it's that argument you had three years ago playing on repeat in your head at 3 AM.

These channels typically feature:

• Longer videos: Often 30+ minutes to accompany the full falling-asleep process
• Gentle triggers: Soft-spoken words, light tapping, and non-jarring sounds
• Bedtime-appropriate content: Often organized in dedicated playlists like "ASMR for Sleep"

What makes sleep ASMR really effective is its singular focus. There's something about a creator who's dedicated their entire channel to helping you drift off that builds trust with viewers.

Roleplay ASMR

The psychological study of ASMR viewers showed that many people crave personal attention. Viewers reported deeper relaxation and stronger tingles when given basic human interaction scenarios in ASMR form.

Roleplay ASMR recreates scenarios like:

• Medical examinations: Doctor checkups, eye exams, dental visits
• Personal care: Haircuts, makeup application, spa treatments
• Customer service: Hotel check-ins, shopping assistance
• Educational settings: Teacher attention, tutoring sessions

They make you feel cared for in a safe environment. The calming attention releases those warm-up hormones like oxytocin, much the same as when you get actual personal care.

Tapping and Trigger-Focused ASMR

Other ASMR creators take it a little further to the point, utilizing only precise triggers and avoiding setups altogether. These videos consist of:

• Object tapping: Using fingernails or tools on various surfaces
• Scratching: Creating textured sounds on microphones or objects
• Mouth sounds: Clicks, kisses, and other oral triggers
• Visual triggers: Hand movements, light patterns, and slow movements

The best thing about trigger-based channels is that they are efficient. Viewers know what they're getting, and YouTubers can master specialized techniques rather than creating elaborate situations.

Experimental or Creative ASMR

Some creators built their fame on being "pleasantly unpredictable" with ASMR that doesn't always neatly go into neat categories. 

These innovators keep the ASMR community fresh by constantly introducing new triggers and concepts.

Creative ASMR might include:

• Unusual objects: Things you'd never have imagined would make nice sounds 
• Mixed media: Visual art with sound triggers
• Storytelling: Narrative-driven ASMR videos
• Technology integration: The use of new recording techniques or equipment

Frequently Asked Questions

What does ASMR stand for?

It stands for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. In plain English, that tingling feeling runs from your scalp down your spine when certain sounds hit your ears just right.

When did ASMR start?

The contemporary history of ASMR began on October 19, 2007, when a user named "okaywhatever" posted about a peculiar tingling sensation on a health forum at SteadyHealth.com. 

The actual term "Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response" wouldn't appear until 2010, when Jennifer Allen coined it to give the experience a proper name. YouTube saw its first deliberate ASMR content uploaded in 2009, setting the stage for what would become a global sensation.

How Does ASMR Work?

The science behind ASMR is still evolving. Researchers think that it activates the same parts of your brain associated with bonding and relaxation. All those whispers and gentle tapping sounds trigger a neurological response that feels really good. Plain and simple.

Is ASMR good for you?

Did you think meditation was the ultimate relaxation technique? You'll feel like you've been missing out once you experience ASMR, and not just from the tingles. Also, the science backs it up:

• Stress reduction: Studies show ASMR can significantly lower cortisol levels
• Improved sleep: Many report falling asleep faster and staying asleep longer
• Pain management: Some chronic pain sufferers use ASMR as a complementary therapy

Why is ASMR So Popular?

ASMR offers something that's increasingly rare: genuine relaxation without a subscription fee or any side effects. ASMR provides a sanctuary to our senses and calms us down.

A psychological study of ASMR viewers showed that 82% use ASMR to help them sleep, while another 70% use it to deal with stress. When given a choice between traditional meditation apps and ASMR videos, the tingles won out time and time again.

Why? Because it feels authentic. Good ASMR videos create a sense of being cared for, even when it's clearly performed. That gentle whisper saying everything will be okay? We all need that sometimes.

How to Soundproof for an ASMR video?

Some of the best and easiest solutions are just nailing blankets to the wall with enough space that the air pockets and mass help absorb sounds from within. This low-budget approach works surprisingly well for beginners.

Your soundproofing strategy should include:

• Wall treatment: Heavy blankets, acoustic foam, or professional panels
• Floor dampening: Carpets, rugs, or foam mats under your recording area
• Door and window sealing: Weather stripping to block external noise
• Background noise elimination: Turn off fans, AC, and other humming devices

Why does ASMR make you sleepy?

ASMR induces sleepiness through its profound relaxation effects and stress reduction properties. The experience triggers the release of oxytocin and other calming hormones that help the body transition into a rest state.

This explains why so many people watch ASMR content before bedtime. The deep relaxation resembles a meditative state, naturally leading to drowsiness as the body's fight-or-flight response powers down.

Why does ASMR make you tingle?

ASMR is the relaxing and tingling feeling triggered by specific imagery and sound. The exact mechanism is still undergoing research, but it would suggest it has to do with the release of dopamine and serotonin and the body’s physical relaxation response.