When people think of content creators, and particularly YouTubers, they often picture larger-than-life personalities and over-the-top presenters. While this is certainly true of many prominent influencers, the variety of personalities is as broad as the content itself. In this post, we explore the role personality plays in content creation and how you can develop your own unique voice.

What does personality mean in relation to content creation?

Personality in content creation is about much more than being outgoing, funny or charismatic. It’s the combination of qualities that makes your content feel recognisably you. It can come through in numerous ways. The way you speak, your sense of humour, your opinions, your appearance, your knowledge and even the way you produce your videos, are all reflections of your personality.

Personality can take many forms as a youtuber and different audiences react to different personas. Some audiences respond to enthusiastic and energetic characters while others may appreciate a calmer more authoritative tone. Often a particular type of content will feature certain personality types BUT then again, sometimes it can work best when the personality does not match the expectation. Standing out is key with video creation so playing with peoples expectations can be an effective tool.

And don’t just think of personality as the way you verbally and physically communicate. Your personality can also be expressed through visual style, choice of music, clothing, hair, graphics, editing and the overall atmosphere you create. All of these elements contribute to the impression your audience gets of you.

Personality has become a defining feature of content creation

Traditional media often separated the personality from the content. Television shows would use presenters but often the programme itself was the main attraction. Social media and platforms such as YouTube have fundamentally changed this relationship.

Today, the creator is integral to the product. Audiences don’t simply follow a channel because of what it covers; they follow the person delivering it. With almost every subject now covered online, the personality of the person presenting the content can become a crucial deciding factor. For example two creators can make videos about exactly the same subject, yet one can build a much larger following. This is because they feel more relatable and the audience warm to there personalities and approach.

This is particularly apparent with vloggers, streamers, influencers, commentators and entertainers, where personality can be central to the entire format. While not quite as crucial, the same principle can still apply to tutorials, reviews, educational channels and even business content.

In a crowded creator economy, your personality can become a form of differentiation. The subject attracts viewers to your video, but your personality is what keeps them watching and coming back for more.

How important is personality for your content?

The question of the importance of personality all depends on the type of content you create. If the content is centred around comedy then it will depend almost entirely on the creator’s personality. On the other hand a tutorial or informational channel’s focus will not depend as heavily on the personality of the person presenting.

That doesn’t mean personality is irrelevant in information-led content. A distinctive teaching style, conversational delivery or ability to explain complicated subjects simply can make a creator much more engaging.

Your first priority should always be to create content around subjects that genuinely interest you and that you enjoy making. When you’re passionate about what you’re producing, that enthusiasm naturally comes across on camera. And genuine enthusiasm is infectious. Viewers are far more likely to engage with content when they can see that the creator genuinely cares about the subject.

The key is finding the right balance. You shouldn’t feel that you have to force a particular personality or presentation style simply because you think your audience expects it. You’ll know when you’re striking the right chord as it will feel natural to both you and your audience. This will, in turn, be reflected in the comments section and overall channel engagement.

Develop and cultivate the personality your audience wants

When it comes to presenting your personality on screen by far the most important factor is to be yourself. At the same time it’s also important to consider the audience you are communicating to. Different audiences respond to different characteristics.

Think about why your viewers are watching. Are they looking to be entertained, educated, inspired, reassured or challenged? Understanding this can help you decide which aspects of your personality to emphasise.

A technical audience might value authority and expertise, while a lifestyle audience may respond more strongly to warmth and relatability. There isn’t necessarily a single correct personality for your niche.

Be yourself, but the best version

“Just be yourself” sounds like an obvious piece of advice, but being completely natural in front of a camera can be surprisingly difficult.

It may take time to relax into your own skin in front of the lens. It’s not easy trying to stay on subject, remember information and appear natural, all at the same time. Any YouTuber will tell you that practice is the key. Once you become familiar with the technical and presentational demands you can start to relax and can focus on becoming more natural, letting your true unflustered personality shine through.

You will eventually identify your natural strengths and allow them to become more prominent. If you’re naturally enthusiastic, embrace that. If you’re knowledgeable, let that expertise come through. If you have a dry sense of humour, use it.

Speaking conversationally and allowing genuine reactions into your videos can be far more engaging and endearing than producing slick , script based content. So become comfortable with the occasional mistake or word fluff as this can all make content feel more authentic.

Find your own voice and avoid the temptation to imitate

It’s almost impossible to create content without being in some part influenced by other creators. Watching established YouTuber can teach you plenty about presentation. Studying how they tell stories, establish pace, and engage with audience’s can offer valuable insight.

You just need to make sure this analysis does not become imitation. Copying another creators style exactly including phrases, mannerisms, delivery or entire format can make your content feel unauthentic, unoriginal and in the worst cases cringeworthy. Instead, look at what you admire about another creator and consider how you could translate the same approach in your own way.

Embrace any unique quirks or mannerisms you have as these may actually be your greatest asset. The things you initially consider unusual or insignificant can become part of what makes you recognisable in a landscape where everyone is attempting to conform.

Personality is more than just what you say and how you say it.

Personality can often be communicated without saying a word. Things like your clothing, hairstyles, sets, graphics, editing techniques and even your choice of music can all contribute to your overall identity. So you should consider all of these aspects when trying to establish and cultivate your online persona.

Think about both the visual and sonic characteristics you want to convey in your content. Once established its important to keep these choices consistent. For instance a creator making energetic fitness videos might use fast edits and high-energy music, while someone making relaxing yoga content will want to choose a completely different sonic and visual palette.

Sound may not be the first thing you consider in regards to personality but it can be surprisingly powerful for establishing and reenforcing a feel. Music is a particularly emotive tool. We often associate musical themes with particular levels of energy, attitude and feel. These can be used to enhance and reinforce your onscreen personality.

Split personality: creating a character

In this section we turn everything we have been discussing upside-down. Not every creator wants to present their everyday personality on camera. Creating a character or persona can offer an alternative and more unconventional approach to content.

This can work particularly well for comedy, gaming, sketches, commentary and entertainment. You can either present a heightened version of yourself or create an entirely different persona. Doing so can give you the freedom to behave differently from how you normally would, helping to remove some of the self-consciousness that can come with being on camera.

Just be aware that maintaining a façade over a long period can become draining. The best characters often contain elements of the creator’s real personality. Rather than pretending to be someone else, you can exaggerate particular characteristics and turn them into a recognisable persona. Another effective approach is to subvert expectations by creating a character that challenges stereotypes, such as a nerdy street artist or a punk rock potter. Clothing and styling can then reinforce the effect.

And while this may be an unconventional approach you are never the less still expressing your personality on screen. It’s just that it may not be your own.

A perfect example of this is YouTuber Nardwuar who’s chippy, upbeat enthusiasm and unconventional look contrast hilariously with the music industry heavyweights he interviews.

Use humour, knowledge and skills to enhance your personality

Personality doesn’t mean having an over inflated ego and constantly trying to entertain your audience. Knowledge, expertise and practical skills can be just as powerful and represent what makes you unique.

Humour can make information memorable. Expertise can establish authority. Storytelling can create an emotional connection, while genuine enthusiasm can make your audience really care about a subject. Learn to embrace and embellish these essential aspects of your personality. You should always try to think about what you have to offer that other creators don’t.

Conclusion

Don’t worry about having your complete on-camera personality worked out before you publish your first video. Like every other aspect of content creation, it is something that will develop with experience. The more content you create, the more you’ll discover what feels natural and comfortable. And by paying attention to audience engagement you can identify which aspects of your personality resonate most with viewers.

You may find that some characteristics are worth developing further, while others need to be dialled back. There is no need to force it. The most effective personalities tend to emerge naturally over time.

Ultimately, people can find information, tutorials and entertainment almost anywhere. Your personality could be the thing that makes your content stand out, encourages viewers to connect with you and, most importantly, gives them a reason to come back for more.

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