Unveiling Michael Kebede: A Comedian’s Journey to 280K Followers
Dive into the comedic universe of Michael Kebede as he shares his path from going viral on TikTok to discovering his true passion in comedy…
Creator Brand: Mr. Goopie, Michael Kebede
TikTok: 280K followers, 19.7 million likes
Instagram: 36.8K followers, 25 posts
YouTube: 2.28K subscribers, 295K views
Full time creator: No - student, comedian & part time creator
Hey Michael! Who are you and what is your creator brand?
Hey everyone, I’m Michael Kebede, hailing from Atlanta, Georgia and I've been diving into content creation for about a year and a half now.
Initially, I stumbled into it during my freshman year of college back in 2021 when a funny video I made went unexpectedly viral. From there, I’ve tried out various content styles, from pranks to skits, but eventually found my true passion lies in comedy.
I'm more of a comedian now, focusing on stand-up and improvisational skits, although I still create diverse content online.
How did you come up with your creator & content idea?
I've always been drawn to entertaining others. Originally I wanted to be a soccer player, but that didn’t pan out. As I mentioned, my content creation started back in my initial college days. One of my friends and I filmed this video of us doing a prank, kicking in a door, you know, just for fun.
Little did we know, that video went viral, racking up millions of views and likes. That initial success got me thinking, "Hey, maybe there's something here." So, I started experimenting with different types of content, from pranks to skits, trying to find my niche.
Eventually, I stumbled upon comedy, and it just clicked. I've always had a knack for making people laugh, so transitioning into comedy felt like a natural fit. Plus, I've been a fan of stand-up comedy for as long as I can remember, so diving into the world of comedy creation felt like coming home. From there, it was all about refining my craft, honing my comedic style, and finding inspiration in everyday life.
Nowadays, my content ideas come from just living life and observing the humor in everyday situations. Whether it's a funny interaction I had with a friend or a quirky scenario I witnessed on the streets, I'm always on the lookout for inspiration.
I jot down ideas in my phone, collaborate with my cameraman, Eli, and bring those ideas to life through skits and videos. It's all about capturing those moments of hilarity and sharing them with my audience, one laugh at a time.
What is your content creation process?
Filming a Michael Kebede video typically takes around an hour to an hour and a half, depending on the complexity of the idea. Editing follows that, requiring another hour to finalize.
Overall, from concept to posting, it's a process that usually spans around three hours. While YouTube demands more time and fine tuned editing, short-form platforms like Instagram Reels offer a quicker turnaround.
“It’s not just about pumping out content left & right—it’s about staying true to my comedic style while showing up day in & day out.”
I've found Instagram Reels to be more conducive to creativity, with fewer restrictions compared to TikTok. Although I occasionally dabble in YouTube shorts, Instagram is my primary focus due to its flexibility and audience engagement.
My passion for comedy fuels my work, shaping my daily schedule around filming and editing. I use a notepad on my phone to jot down ideas and collaborate with Eli to bring them to fruition. While organization is key, I strive to maintain a balance and not stress over the process.
In comedy, success isn't always guaranteed. I've learned to embrace failure as part of the creative journey, understanding that not every video will resonate with the audience. It's about continually improving and adapting, rather than fixating on metrics or strategies.
Michael Kebede performing standup comedy
What is your marketing & promotion strategy? How are you growing your brand?
So, when it comes to getting my content out there, I like to keep it consistent. I figure if I'm putting out quality comedy that people enjoy, then the rest will fall into place. I'm not big on flashy marketing strategies or anything like that.
Instead, I pay attention to things like how long folks are watching my videos and how they're engaging with them. That helps me tweak my content to keep folks entertained and coming back for more.
As for growing my Michael Kebede brand, it's all about staying true to my style while also keeping an eye on what's hot and what's not. I want my comedy to be original and stand out, you know?
So, I'm always brainstorming new ideas and trying to bring something fresh to the table. Building that sense of community is key to growing my brand organically.
At the end of the day, I'm just focused on making content that I love and that connects with my audience. It's all about staying genuine and building relationships with the folks who enjoy what I do. Sure, it's not the most traditional marketing approach, but it works for me, and that's what counts, right?
Michael Kebede playing the keys - a man of many talents
How do you engage with your audience?
Engagement, for me, is all about understanding my audience's behavior. I've learned from Andrew McKenna that watch time is crucial. I analyze how long people watch my videos to gauge their interest. If my content resonates, I aim for around 20 to 25 seconds of watch time per minute.
Additionally, I pay attention to when my followers are most active and post during those times. While engagement is important, I don't obsess over it. Instead, I focus on creating content that aligns with my comedic style and resonates with my audience.
I also make it a point to respond to comments and engage with my audience. Whether it's a simple thank you or sharing a laugh, I value every interaction. While I don't always ask my audience for content ideas, I appreciate their feedback.
Ultimately, I create content that I find funny and authentic. However, I do take note of which videos perform well and may revisit similar themes in the future. At the end of the day, I prioritize staying true to myself and my comedic style.
How have you monetized your business model?
My platform isn’t very monetized at the moment. While platforms like TikTok offer some opportunities to cash in through programs, I've found that the real money comes from sponsorships and brand deals. Companies slide into my DMs to chat about collaborations, and then we hash out the details and work together to create sponsored content that's a win-win for both of us.
Sure, I haven't cracked the TikTok monetization code just yet, but I've been working with some brands to deliver on sponsorship deals.
Honestly though, cash flow isn't always smooth sailing. Sometimes it feels like TikTok's algorithm is out to get Michael Kebede, but I'm not sweating it too much. I’m very focused on creating great content that keeps my audience coming back for more.
Looking ahead, I've got plans to expand my monetization game beyond TikTok. I've got my sights set on YouTube and mainly on performing standup comedy. And if I can keep growing my platform and snagging those sponsorships along the way, well, that's just the cherry on top.
Money's not the be-all and end-all for me—I'm all about chasing my passion and making people laugh.
What are your biggest lessons learned & challenges faced?
This journey as a content creator has been a rollercoaster. One of the biggest lessons I've learned is the importance of consistency and authenticity. It's not just about pumping out content left and right—it's about staying true to myself and my comedic style while showing up day in and day out.
Sure, there have been times when views were terrible and doubt creeped in, but I've learned to keep pushing forward and trusting in my craft.
And speaking of doubts - imposter syndrome does creep in. There have been moments when I've questioned whether I'm good enough or if I'm just fooling myself. But you know what? I've come to realize that everyone—yes, even the big shots—has their own doubts and insecurities. It's all about pushing through those moments of self-doubt and reminding myself that I've got something special to offer.
I've also faced my fair share of haters and naysayers along the way. People love to critique and tear down, but I've learned to brush off the negativity and keep doing my thing.
At the end of the day, I'm not here to please everyone—I'm here to make people laugh and share my unique perspective with the world. And if that means ruffling a few feathers along the way, then so be it.
What technology & tools do you use?
When it comes to creating my content, I like to keep things simple yet effective. My iPhone 15 has been my go-to tool for capturing my content on the fly. Sure, it may not be the highest end camera out there, but it gets the job done, and that's all that matters to me. Plus, the convenience of having a high-quality camera right in my pocket is unbeatable.
As for editing, I'm all about keeping it user-friendly with InShot Pro. The best part is that it’s super intuitive, so even a tech newbie like me can navigate it with ease.
While I know some creators swear by high-end gear, I've always believed that authenticity trumps all. So as long as my content is funny and relatable, I'm not too fussed about having the fanciest setup. At the end of the day, it's all about the laughs, not the gadgets.
What future plans & goals do you have for your creator brand?
Looking ahead, I've got some big dreams and aspirations for my Michael Kebede creator and comedy brand. One of my main goals is to become the best Ethiopian-American comedian in the world.
I want to carve out a unique space for myself in the comedy world and use my platform to showcase my talent. Being a trailblazer in the comedy scene is no easy feat, but I'm ready to put in the work and make it happen.
“Failure is just part of the journey... It’s all about how you pick yourself back up and keep pushing forward.”
In addition to conquering the comedy world, I've also got my eyes set on branching out into other avenues like movies and stand-up comedy.
I want to flex my creative muscles and explore new opportunities to entertain and inspire audiences. Whether it's cracking jokes on stage or making folks laugh on the big screen, I'm eager to see where this journey takes me.
What really drives me though is my passion for comedy and storytelling. I want to keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible and continue evolving as a creator. So whether I'm making people laugh on social media or up on the comedy stage, you can bet I'll be giving it my all.
What advice do you have for aspiring content creators?
First and foremost, consistency is key. You gotta show up day in and day out and put in the work if you want to make it in this game. But it’s not just about grinding away mindlessly. You gotta be constantly improving and honing your craft. So keep pushing yourself to be better and never stop learning. There’s no substitute for hard work.
Next up, stay true to yourself. Don't get caught up in trying to please everyone else or following the latest trends. The real magic happens when you embrace your unique voice and perspective. So don't be afraid to let your personality fly and show the world what makes you special.
Also, failure is just part of the journey. You're gonna stumble and fall along the way, but that's okay. It's all about how you pick yourself back up and keep pushing forward. So don't let setbacks discourage you. Use them as fuel to propel yourself towards your goals.
As for the future of content creation, who knows where we're headed? One thing's for sure, though—it's gonna be wild. With new platforms popping up left and right and technology evolving at lightning speed, the possibilities are endless.
But no matter how much things change, one thing will always remain the same—the power of storytelling. So keep honing your craft, keep pushing boundaries, and who knows? You might just be the next big thing in the world of content creation.
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