FED: Australia's YouTube stars set to reap rewards

AAP General News (Australia)
04-17-2008
FED: Australia's YouTube stars set to reap rewards

Eds: Embargoed 0400 (AEST) Thursday, April 17



By Darren Osborne, Technology Writer

SYDNEY, April 17 AAP - Australian YouTube film-makers are set to make money with the
expansion of the website's advertising program.

The YouTube Partner Program provides money to YouTube content creators in exchange
for displaying banner ads on their videos, has been launched in Australia today.

The program has been operating in the United States and United Kingdom for several
months, with some participants earning thousands of dollars per month.

"It has certainly been an incentive for people to create more content," a YouTube Australia
spokesman said.

"There are people overseas who have millions of video views and are earning thousands
of dollars."

The program is open to content creators, big or small, who have a significant audience.

"It's open to all sorts of people with popular, widely-viewed videos," the spokesman said.

"We're hoping there will be lots of Australian video producers who will benefit from
this program."

A select group of Australian YouTube producers have already signed up to the program,
including AngryAussie and babyporridge.

"It's definitely a bonus," babyporridge said.

"It's a bit like your grandparents giving you a little something to go out with and
get something nice."

Babyporridge, who has been contributing to YouTube since June 2007 and has more than
3,700 subscribers, says the key to success is interacting with your audience.

"I went into it because I wanted to interact with the community," she said.

"I write a lot of original songs, and sometimes I do some comedy skits. It really depends
on what I'm feeling at the moment."

YouTube users who want to become part of the program should visit au.youtube.com/partners

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KEYWORD: YOUTUBE (EMBARGOED)

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