Webs@Work

Here’s a chance to be a YouTube millionaire, but only if you’re a top content creator. In the US, users of video-sharing site are already making money from the videos they post on the site. The project is being extended to other countries, starting in the UK.

Those signing up to the YouTube Partner Programme will be offered a share of the revenue generated from advertisements that run next to their video. Partners are independent video creators and media companies who are looking for online distribution. New YouTube partners include LisaNova, renetto, HappySlip, smosh, and valsartdiary.

The amount earned will depend on the number and popularity of the videos. YouTube says those making “several thousand dollars a month” are regularly producing videos with over one million views

The first wave of US partners – including singer/songwriter Tay Zonday, wordsmith hotforwords and comedians apauledtv and peteandbrian – have already become responsible for a significant percentage of YouTube’s total traffic, according to YouTube.

As people spend more time on social networking sites, they are increasingly thinking about how to monetise it. YouTube is part of the trend of social networks and user-generated content sites offering people a chance to make money for the content they create.