Your career is on the line. Yet, you are still aiming in the traditional jobs market. 

What a loss!

Unemployment looms large not just in Ethiopia but globally, posing a significant challenge to the workforce. The formal job market often falls short of absorbing the increasing number of job seekers, exacerbating economic strain and limiting opportunities for personal growth and financial stability. 

If you are targeting the traditional jobs market where the youth unemployment rate is over 23 percent in Ethiopia,  (as per the data from Ethiopian Statistics Service ), you are denying yourself a long lasting favor.

For the youth in Ethiopia, the employment landscape is particularly grim, with limited prospects and fierce competition for the few available traditional spots. This predicament not only hampers individual progress but also contributes to a broader sense of frustration and disillusionment among the younger generation.

At least 160,000 students enroll into universities, and an equivalent number of them join vocational training institutions, each year. Among the university graduates, only 58% of them are employable’’ as reported by the Ethiopian reporter. 

Look, we didn’t say employed.  That is why we think you may be aiming in the wrong place. 

Amidst these challenges, digitalization presents an alternative solution.

TikTok is clearly one of them.  If not one of the best emerging career shifts among the digital natives.

Get and read our previous take on Freelancing

Tiktok, as you know it, is a social media platform that offers a glimmer of hope for Ethiopian youth. TikTok’s positive future lies in its ability to democratize creativity, providing an inclusive space for expression and entrepreneurship. The platform transcends traditional barriers, offering a dynamic and engaging space for individuals like you to showcase your talent, ideas, and perspectives. It enables you to solve real life problems through your talents while building personal brands online.

TikTok operates as a beacon of opportunity for income generation with various pathways to success. By creating compelling, valuable and quality content on a regular basis, you can attract a substantial following, opening doors to brand partnerships, collaborations, and participation in the TikTok Creator Fund. The platform’s algorithm, based on user preferences, ensures that your content reaches a wider audience, increasing the likelihood of monetization.

TikTok presents two distinct account types (Personal and business accounts) tailored to your  goals. 

TikTok Personal Accounts ( also called creator accounts) are used by most people on TikTok. This type of account is a good choice for general TikTok users, content creators, and most public figures. 

If you meet the requirements ( being at least 18 years old, having more than 10,000 followers with over 100,000 views in the last 30 days, regularly posting original content and following TikTok’s Community rules ) a personal/ creator account can help you unlock the potential for monetization through the Creator Fund. 

TikTok Business Accounts are public profiles that allow brands and businesses to use TikTok’s marketing tools to build a cohesive marketing strategy. If you run a business, a TikTok business account offers a variety of features and content creation tools to help you achieve your business goals. TikTok business accounts offer more advanced advertising tools than personal accounts, which can help your business reach a larger, more targeted audience. 

Although you are guaranteed to switch between Personal and Business accounts at any time, it is highly advisable to plan right from the beginning of joining the Tiktok platform.    

If you look further, TikTok continues surprising the world enabling a diverse range of services such as 

• TikTok Shop for your business to showcase and sell products directly on the platform, 
• Online courses to monetize your expertise, 
• Live mentorship sessions for real-time engagement and guidance of your followers base,      
• Effect development and be part of the community while generating revenue, 

How do people succeed on TikTok?

Success on TikTok hinges on a combination of creativity, value creation, strategic understanding of the platform’s algorithm, and consistent engagement with the audience among others. 

Firstly, comprehending TikTok’s algorithm is crucial. The platform relies on a “For You” page, where content is curated based on your preferences, past interactions, and trending challenges.

As a creator, you enhance your visibility by using popular and relevant hashtags, participating in trends, and crafting content that captivates viewers within the first few seconds. Understanding the algorithm’s preferences and staying attuned to trending sounds and challenges can significantly amplify your content’s  reach.

Secondly, as in any other platform, Tiktok favors quality content that creates value to followers. Be it entertaining or problem solving, your content is guaranteed to go viral, if it grabs the eye balls of users in the platform.

Thirdly, your consistency in posting is another key factor. TikTok rewards regular content creators, and a consistent posting schedule helps maintain audience interest and loyalty. Whether it’s daily uploads or a structured posting plan, a reliable presence on the platform keeps the content fresh and engages followers over time. Your posting consistency not only aligns with the algorithm’s preferences but also fosters a sense of anticipation among your audience.

Moreover, your active engagement with the audience is paramount. Responding to comments, collaborating with other creators, and participating in duets or stitches not only increases your visibility but also creates a sense of community. Building a genuine connection with your followers contributes to long-term success, as engaged and loyal audiences are more likely to share content, participate in challenges, and contribute to your overall success on TikTok.

Tiktok is passing the 1 billion users mark globally. Currently, Tiktok is estimated to register over a million users in Ethiopia creating career choices for so many talented people at all age groups and geographic locations. 

A tremendous opportunity is ahead of you, and it is time for you to intentionally leverage tiktok to meet your career choices.  Ignore the naysayers and start with

• Understanding the platform,
• Providing quality content,
• Ensuring regular and consistent Posting,
• Engaging authentically with the Audience,
• Utilizing trending sounds and challenges,
• Optimizing the Hashtag Strategy,
• Collaborating with other creators,
• Showcasing creativity in the first few seconds,
• Responding to Comments and fostering community,
• Maintaining a unique and authentic voice,
• Staying informed about TikTok Trends and Features, 

Step-by-Step Guide to start creating on TikTok

1. Create a TikTok Account: Download the TikTok app and sign up for an account using your email or phone number. We suggest both options.

2. Optimize Your Profile: Choose a catchy profile picture, write an engaging bio, and add any relevant links, such as your Instagram or YouTube channel.

3. Understand TikTok’s Interface: Familiarize yourself with the For Your page, the home feed, and the Discover page to understand the content TikTok offers.

4. Explore Trending Content: Stay updated with popular trends, challenges, and sounds by exploring the Discover page regularly.

5. Create Engaging Content: Craft attention-grabbing videos by keeping them short, using music creatively, and adding captions.

6. Utilize TikTok Features: Experiment with features like duets, stitches, and effects to enhance the creativity of your content.

8. Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments, ask questions, and collaborate with other creators to foster a sense of community.

9. Optimize your Hashtags: Use relevant and trending hashtags to increase the discoverability of your content.

7. Post consistently: Develop a consistent posting schedule to keep your audience engaged and attract new followers.

10. Analyze TikTok Analytics: Switch to a Pro account to access analytics. Analyze data on views, likes, and follower growth to understand your audience better.

In the face of limited traditional job opportunities, TikTok emerges as a dynamic alternative for  you to not only express yourself  but also to turn your creativity into a source of income. It’s showingup’s call for you to embrace this transformative platform, be intentional, unlock its potential, and embark on a journey of innovation and financial independence. 

TikTok isn’t just an app; it has become a gateway to your empowerment for an alternative career future.

Embark on a transformative journey now!

Dive into the world of TikTok, a beacon for the future of work and unlock doors to earning, learning, and personal growth. Here’s your roadmap:

1. Explore Boundless Opportunities: Immerse yourself in a realm of possibilities, discovering diverse career paths, engaging in personal development training, and gaining entrepreneurial insights. Success begins with exploration.

2. Join a Dynamic TikTok Community: Connect with kindred spirits who share your aspirations. Engage in conversations, exchange ideas, and share success stories. Together, we can inspire and empower one another.

3. Enhance Your Skills: Invest in yourself by acquiring new skills. Whether through online courses, workshops, or hands-on experiences, continuous learning is the key to staying ahead in our dynamic world.

4. Stay Informed with Showing Up:  Stay updated on the latest trends, success stories, and opportunities. Subscribe to our Showing Up Newsletter for a regular dose of inspiration and valuable insights delivered directly to your inbox.

5. Ignite Change with Action: Remember, it’s not just what you know but the small actions you take that truly matter for your growth. Take the leap and start making a difference in your journey now.

👉 P.S If you find resonance in the content, please share, repost, and comment to ensure it reaches those who could benefit the most. 

👉 To start, we highly recommend carefully studying these accounts: @yonasmoh,  @jlalu_stencil , @realhamdifeki and @melegnaa, and following the growing TikTok account of Showing Up.  

 👉 Connect with us on our social media pages for daily doses of motivation and inspiration ⤵️