Content creation is opening new doors for young Bhutanese. From TikTok videos to YouTube channels, more young people are building careers online. But turning passion into income is not always easy. Limited monetisation opportunities remain a challenge. A recent training programme in Phuentshogling helped creators bridge that gap.
At just 23, Sangay Wangchuk, better known online as AKA Changzey has built a following on TikTok and YouTube. He is known for his witty humour and his ability to turn everyday moments into something that makes people laugh.
But Sangay’s journey was not straightforward. He left school after class five. But amid life’s journey, his interest in entertaining people never faded. What started as a genuine passion for making others laugh gradually turned into a profession. Today, he earns his livelihood through content creation, bringing humour and joy to audiences across digital platforms.
“I have not studied much, but I believe we can achieve a lot. There was a time when I thought I would spend my life in the village driving a pickup truck. Today, I create content on TikTok and YouTube. If you pursue your interest, hobby, and dream with dedication, you can achieve anything. I have always loved singing and creating content. Above all, making people laugh gives me immense happiness.”
Sangay is not alone. Many young Bhutanese are now pursuing content creation as a full-time profession. However, creators say the industry comes with its own challenges, particularly limited monetisation opportunities.
To help address this, content creators recently attended a five-day training on live streaming and digital content creation.
“Many of us did not know much about content monetisation on digital platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube. The workshop taught us how creators can earn from their content. We also learned about audience engagement, interactions, content analysis, and strategies to improve the reach and impact of our content,” said Namgay Wangchuk, a content creator.
“We learned a lot from the training. We now understand how to upload videos effectively, the best times to post, how to identify and reach our target audience, and the ways content creators can earn through their work. There are many limitations in our country, and one of the biggest challenges for us has been monetisation. The training helped us better understand how to address that challenge,” said Dawa Tshering, another content creator.
The Copyright and Creative Industry Promotion Division supported the training. According to the division, initiatives like this are part of the government’s Economic Stimulus Programme to strengthen and promote Bhutan’s creative industries.
“One of the main objectives of the workshop is to teach content creators how to monetise their content on digital platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. The participants also learned strategies to identify, target, and engage their audiences more effectively. Overall, the workshop is aimed at upskilling young people and helping them make better use of digital platforms for creative and economic opportunities,” said Kinley Tshering, Support Organiser.
With the right support and skills, digital platforms can be more than just entertainment. For Bhutan’s young content creators, they are becoming a way of earning a living.
Kinley Dem, Phuentshogling
Edited by Sonam Pem
