| A few years ago I cashed in and moved to | | | | certain television shows. That's crazy, but that is |
| Thailand from the USA. One of the only things I | | | | the power of video. |
| had of any worth at all was a Sony CyberShot | | | | If you're interested in shooting video at YouTube, |
| camera that doubled as my video camera. This | | | | follow these simple steps: |
| camera shot 640x480 video at 30 frames per | | | | 1. Buy a simple Sony camera that shoots |
| second and was quite good at it. I could have | | | | 640x480 video at 30 frames per second. I still |
| bought a separate video camera if I wanted, but | | | | use a Sony camera that shoots at this same |
| I wanted something compact and able to shoot | | | | resolution because it produces good size videos, |
| both great photos and decent videos. | | | | high quality resolution (HQ) in YouTube. |
| I began shooting videos about things I was doing | | | | 2. Experiment with shooting yourself walking |
| in Thailand. Then, one wacky day I decided that it | | | | around and holding the camera or someone |
| would be great fun to shoot some video of me | | | | shooting you. Leaving a video camera on a tripod |
| eating some insects, worms and things that I | | | | usually results in boring shots - better that your |
| found at an outdoor Thailand market. I created | | | | camera is moving around a bit to give that sense |
| the "Gross Grub Series Videos" at YouTube. The | | | | of realism. |
| videos were of horrible quality just because I | | | | 3. Devise a topic that you love to talk about and |
| shrunk them to 320x240 resolution and a | | | | could produce something every single day about if |
| mediocre quality setting in Windows Movie Maker | | | | you wanted to. Passion about your topic seems |
| when I converted them. The reason being, my | | | | to be the one indicator of success when it comes |
| internet connection was my mobile phone and to | | | | to any business. If you don't love it - you won't |
| upload video more than 30 megabytes large was | | | | do it. |
| a serious effort and usually died mid-upload. | | | | 4. Experiment with different themes. You might |
| Even so, it didn't matter. I couldn't believe what | | | | not hit on a theme that large groups of people |
| happened, suddenly my videos were getting | | | | want to see for your first few tries. No matter, |
| thousands and thousands of views. I quickly | | | | keep trying. Look at the number of top viewed |
| applied to the "partner program" and was | | | | girls showing makeup tips. They aren't |
| accepted. What that meant is that I could now | | | | professionals in the least and are killing the views. |
| have Google AdSense ads run on my videos and | | | | What if you're a guy talking about makeup tips - |
| in the right column - and be paid for clicks on | | | | that would be so funny, and probably do really |
| them. A part time internet business was born. I | | | | well. Odd, funny topics do well. Can you be funny? |
| now have 177 videos posted at YouTube and | | | | Might as well try, right? |
| over 2.3 million views. | | | | 5. Once you have hit upon a popular topic and |
| As I went back and compared the number of | | | | have 20,000 views or so of multiple videos go |
| hours that I worked on various online projects | | | | ahead and apply at the YouTube partner program |
| over the years I found that these videos actually | | | | and see if you can get accepted. If so, you'll also |
| made more money than all but one of my other | | | | need an AdSense account so Google can pay |
| projects - per hour of effort. That's incredible. It's | | | | you. |
| incredible because it's easy and fun. What a | | | | 6. Get to work perfecting your new business. It |
| business! | | | | isn't brain surgery, and you will probably be |
| Take a look at YouTube and see if there is | | | | amazed at the low quality video broadcasts that |
| anyone on the top channels doing anything like | | | | are getting millions of views. |
| you could envision yourself doing. Notice that | | | | Give it a try, it's an amazing way to make some |
| there are very few experts shooting video with | | | | extra money. An even better way to make all |
| perfect lighting or great scripts. Some of these | | | | your money, yes? |
| video stars get more views per week than | | | | |