Fun YouTube Vids Turning into Huge Money Makers

While most people see YouTube as a bit of fun and a place to kill some time, some video uploaders are making a great income from their hugely popular viral videos.

With many videos getting millions of views, most people think YouTube are the only ones making money from the advertising, but that's not the case.

YouTube has a Partnership Program where if accepted, they will share part of the advertising revenue with the video creator.

Some Unexpected YouTube Winners

Charlie Bit My Finger

'Charlie Bit My Finger' became an Internet video sensation after first being aired on US TV.  The video clip soon got picked up by home video shows in other countries, and the hits just went through the roof.  At the time of writing the video has had over 389 million views!

The video features one-year-old Charlie Davies-Carr and his brother Harry, in a typical family video.  Then Charlie bites his brothers finger and it's the reaction of Harry and the whole innocence of it, that really captured people's hearts.

After the video got such huge exposure, Mr Davies-Carr was invited to upgrade his YouTube channel and become a YouTube Partner.  This now means that every time his videos are viewed, he gets a share of any ads that are clicked on.  So far, this deal has netted over £100,000. 

On the back of the first video's success more Harry and Charlie videos have been uploaded. But so far, none of the new videos have captured a memorable moment, to rival the first finger incident.  Another Harry and Charlie video has over 27 million views, but not much happens in it.  I suspect the views are that high, because people are looking for another great moment to rival the first.

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David After Dentist

David Davore uploaded a video of his son David in Jan 2009, acting all loopy and funny while still under the effects of anesthesia, after visiting the dentist. At 102 million views right now, David is another big winner in the partnership program. He's rumoured to have earned close to $100,000 in the first year.

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Some YouTube 'Full-Timers'

While many of the successful viral video uploaders found unexpected success, there is a growing breed of video makers carving out a full-time living, from their videos alone.

Cory Vidal - Star Wars A Capella Tribute

Cory found success with his amazing Star Wars tribute medley.  He obviously spent a lot of time, thought and effort getting this video just right.  Star Wars has millions of fanatical fans, so any video of this calibre was sure to be a viral video winner.  

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Building on this success, Cory has 199 YouTube videos to date and doesn't look like stopping.

NigaHiga - The YouTube Partner King

Ryan Higa gained exposure in 2007 from videos like 'How to be a Gangster' and 'The iPod Human', both of which have now been watched over 30 million times each.

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With over 1 billion views of his videos, it's hard to find a bigger amateur video success story in the YouTube Partnership Program.  You can find all his videos here: http://www.youtube.com/user/nigahiga

How Do You Become a YouTube Partner?

YouTube claims that hundreds of people are making over six figures a year, through their partner program.  YouTube closely monitors the views of videos, and if a video shows signs of going viral, they contact the poster to setup a partnership deal. 

However, you don't have to wait around for YouTube to come knocking at your door.  If your videos are getting a lot of views, you can apply to become a YouTube Partner and share a cut of the advertising.

YouTube Partnership Application

If you upload regular videos that get a lot of views, you can apply to become a partner here:

www.youtube.com/partners

Some Key Partnership Acceptance Criteria

1. Your videos must contain original material.
2. You must have permission to monetize all the audio and video content contained in them (so no music tracks or images you don't have the rights to).
3. You must regularly upload videos that are watched by thousands of YouTube users.

Extra Benefits

In addition to getting a cut of the advertising money, as a YouTube Partner, you'll also have access to analytical data to track your audience, improved copyright protection and the ability to upload videos without a length or a file size limit.  Plus the ability to brand your video channel with your own graphics.

Opportunity Summary

If you've already got videos on YouTube getting lots of views, it makes sense to check out their partner program, to see if you meet their requirements. It'll be the closest thing to getting free money you've probably experienced.

BUT, be aware that the overwhelming majority of online videos DO NOT go viral, in spite of many people's best efforts.  The most popular videos are often those uploaded with no real commercial intent, just the desire to share a fun, weird, cool or heart warming moment.

Don't Give Up Your Day Job Just Yet!

If you're lucky enough to get into the partnership program, don't give up your day job and expect an ever flowing bundle of cash.  Even viral videos have a life cycle and will eventually fizzle out, as interest moves to the newer uploaded videos. 

So you'll have to keep the good stuff coming and keep the interest high on your viral video winners.

YouTube could also choose to pull the plug on you, or change the partnership deal, especially if they find you've infringed on someone's copyright, so keep a close eye on that.

Overall, the partnership program does offer a great potential way of making money, from the huge fan base of YouTube users. Just remember to keep your feet on the ground and keep trying new video ideas to see what works.