Many assume that defining a good MBTI content creator is subjective, but I don’t think so. While everyone has personal tastes in entertainment, certain styles and themes appeal to broader audiences and dismissing popular content as lacking depth or creativity doesn’t change its popularity. As a high Extroverted Thinking (Te) user, I can’t help but accept data as is even if it goes against my personal beliefs. Even if I think someone is overrated, I can’t deny their success.

Success, in the context of MBTI content creation on YouTube, involves balancing three key elements that will be addressed later in this post. We need to first define what success means so that we’re all on the same page. “Success” is measured by YouTube metrics such as likes, dislikes, comments, subscriptions, and shares—criteria that YouTube uses to promote videos. Your videos will not get promoted if it doesn’t perform well in those metrics and there’s no secret method to improving the ‘algorithm’ since the “algorithm” is purely viewer engagement. 

I’m aware that some creators don’t care about these metrics and instead treat YouTube like a personal diary and there are also other content creators where social media isn’t their priority or usually deliver short form content that doesn’t dive into cognitive functions. My focus here isn’t on those creators, but on creators that are actively seeking audience engagement discussing in-depth analysis of MBTI in a long format presentation such as myself. 

As with any field, certain qualities increase the likelihood of success within specific systems. While some elements may be beyond our control, others can be refined with effort. Let’s use the example of a fashion model: natural attractiveness might boost a person’s chance of being a fashion model, but they can miss the opportunities if they lack the skills to present themselves well or if they are outside the desired body composition that the industry is looking for. This comparison highlights that while some aspects are out of our control such as winning the genetic lottery, others can be developed to improve success in any field.

So if you’re considering becoming a content creator in the YouTube MBTI ecosystem, here are three defining characteristics that will help with channel growth. 

1. Physical Presentation and Atmosphere

A content creator’s appearance and environment contribute significantly to audience perception. This factor affects men and women differently, as society often scrutinizes women’s appearances more harshly. However, anyone can appear more credible by putting thought into their appearance, using good lighting, and curating a clean background. You don’t have to be the best looking person or wear fancy clothing, it just has to show that you put in effort when creating the video and the level of effort is determined by the viewer and not the content creator themselves. 

For example, I wouldn’t trust financial advice from someone recording on a cluttered sidewalk, dressed in stained clothes nor would I trust a person in a suit with a New York skyscraper backdrop giving philosophy advice. It doesn’t match the message of the video. Appearance is relative to the community you’re part of, and in the MBTI community, we lucked out because the aesthetic is usually casual and laid-back, reflecting everyday wear. 

The easiest way to explain our appearance is to dress casually as if visiting a public place such as the local bar, the mall, or local fair with your friends with the intention of just hanging out. We’re not overly dressed like we’re going to a club or dressed for a job interview; that will actually take away from the message. It is tougher to be seen as credible by others in the community if you don’t look like you’re part of the community. Presentation matters even if the topic is about the abstract whether we like it or not. 

2. Personality

Unlike our physical attributes, personality is entirely within our control, yet some creators don’t seem to prioritize it. Personality includes not only the creator’s demeanor but also how the information is presented, from delivery style to editing choices. Developing an engaging personality as a content creator is essential. Period. The video will be considered boring if the presentation is boring. It’s similar to being in a dry lecture where students are dozing off but unlike a professor who is guaranteed an audience because tuition is already paid, content creators compete for viewers’ attention. 

In marketing, this is often called “branding.” Think of popular characters like Captain America, Wednesday Addams, or Naruto; characters who evoke specific traits and emotions. Just by hearing their names, there are defining traits that are automatically associated with the character that sets them apart from other characters. A content creator’s personality similarly sets them apart, creating memorable associations. Viewers have countless options when choosing a form of entertainment, so they’ll choose creators who stand out over a sea of mediocrity. In a nutshell, they’ll choose to watch someone they like.

I consider personality the most crucial factor, and here’s why: Would you listen to someone you don’t enjoy being around, even if they had valuable insights? I want to emphasize this next line because I feel like it’s commonly missed by so many content creators that I believe to have potential to be great within the community. Likability influences engagement, especially in a community with many creators discussing similar topics. 

For me, embracing my authentic self—being relatable, humorous, and empathetic—has helped foster connections with viewers, some of whom refer to me as a friend or family-like figure. I can’t replicate the styles of other creators, trust me, I tried. I tested multiple different approaches before I arrived at a style that is able to show the parts of myself that resonate with my audience that also sets me apart. Lastly, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to personality because your identity is unique to your own personal strengths and will be seen as disingenuous if mimicked.  

3. Trust and Knowledge Delivery

The final crucial aspect of content creation is trust. Even the most knowledgeable content creator will struggle to build an audience if they can’t communicate their ideas in an accessible, believable way. A person can be the next Savant in Cognitive Function Theory and not have a following because trust has not been built with the audience. Trust comes in many forms and takes time to build which hinges on consistency. Viewers continue engaging with creators for many reasons such as trust to be insightful, entertaining, or uplifting. I personally watch Frank James videos not because I trust that it’ll be insightful but instead that I know I’ll get a good chuckle from the absurdity. Inconsistent content fractures this trust, making it harder for viewers to invest in future videos.

Newer content creators sometimes assume that putting content out there automatically builds trust. Some also believe that trust is built off the accuracy of knowledge or past accomplishments. That’s not how it works, it only results in their initial attention. Trust is formed through consistent emotional engagement. A content creator can be incorrect on a topic and still build trust within the community if they show that they are receptive to feedback and are willing to grow. You might not gain their subscription on that video but maybe on a later video where you demonstrated growth. 

Trust is fragile and is the most difficult to bounce back from if tarnished since a single misstep can damage it. A content creator can luck out and have a video go viral, but inconsistent follow-ups can lead to a decline in viewership. A simple way to summarize this portion is if someone visits a burger restaurant but finds only tacos. It breaks trust in the same way inconsistency damages a channel’s credibility.

Conclusion

While there are many key elements to successful MBTI content creation, I believe the three most important are physical presentation, personality, and trust. Most thriving channels excel at two of the three, and the most successful channel is an unrivaled master of one (while still demonstrating two of the three factors). For newcomers, leveraging these traits can make a significant difference in growth potential and should be considered when creating content. 

Successful channels are entertaining, have a unique identity, and have earned the trust of their community. Finally, success is not defined by the volume of content produced, and that the old adage of “if you build it, they will come” is one of the worst pieces of advice you can receive. Believe it or not, there is a method to success and effort is required for success.