A chance to quit your day job

Read Time:3 Minute, 12 Second

YouTube draws 500 million unique visitors each month

2 billion videos are viewed each day

thousands of people have a new day job

A few years back, streaming video exploded onto the scene and continues to grow. YouTube reportedly draws 500 million unique visitors each month – advertiser are taking advantage of the dedicated audiences and low barriers to entry. Thousands of amateur video producers have taken advantage of this creative opportunity and have quit their day job – YouTube, for one, has distributed millions of dollars in advertising revenue to its 20,000 most popular amateur producers since 2007.

Are you sick of the same old, same old?

“We share millions of dollars with our partners every year,” said Tom Sly, the site’s head of strategic partner development.

The amount advertisers pay varies with the popularity and quality of the videos, with creators receiving as much as $20 per thousand views. If a video goes viral, it can get millions, or even 10s of millions of hits. You do the math.

“Across the board we’re seeing those numbers increase as we see higher quality content and the ability to target users so that advertisers have more fine-grained control,” Mr Sly said.

It’s not just YouTube who are are paying for hits, Dailymotion.com; Blip.tv; and Newsy.com all accept video from willing amateurs.

The subject matter is varied and it all has a place in the market. One minute movies, comedy sketches, politics, pet care, the list is endless.

In 2010, the number of YouTube partners making over $1,000 per month from advertising revenue went up 300%, the company said.

The company declined to release specific figures, but Mr Sly said “hundreds” of video creators make more than $100,000 a year and “thousands” make more than $10,000 a year.

The top performing web shows on Blip.tv are on target to take in more than $1 million in advertising revenue each, said Eric Mortensen, senior director of programming.

“There are certain class of people, and it’s not that they are rejecting TV, they never even thought to be like TV in the first place,” he said. “And because of that they are doing new and different things and that’s how they end up making money.”

Mike Michaud, who started online production company Channel Awesome after being losing a job at an electronics retailer, says the revenue he earns from host Blip.tv has enable him to hire six full-time and two part-time staff members.

“I don’t have the daily grind that a nine-to-five usually entails,” Mr Michaud said.

“I wouldn’t say I’m living comfortably just yet, but I am living much better than before.”

Industry analysts say that online video audiences are loyal and attentive and feel a connection to the creators.

Your hobby could become your day job

As the online video advertising and merchandising infrastructures become more sophisticated, analysts say more and more people are likely to strike out on their own in web video.

“I see this becoming the new television, but a place where the average person has a much better chance of getting noticed and making money than if they were to go the traditional route via Hollywood,” Mr Michaud said.

Alan Lastufka, author of YouTube: An Insider’s Guide to Climbing the Charts, said: “The money may not always be headline-worthy, but it’s enough to quit your day job, stay in the basement on your computer and spend your time connecting with fans.

ATTENTION TALENTED AMATEURS

MadMikesAmerica is developing its own YouTube channel, if any of our readers have a camera and they enjoy shooting short 2 to 3 minute videos on any subject whatsoever, get in touch with us. You never know, it could be a chance to quit that day job.