Are you an avid  political junkie?  Cyclist?  Civic leader? Foodie?  Dog lover?

Whatever your passionate interest you can now turn your video coverage of it into dollars.

 You may secure a profitable, very part-time gig as a citizen reporter – only you get to choose your beat.

Here’s why. Newspapers, radio stations, blogs and even businesses and causes can now host their custom video channel via YouTubeDirect. It launched today.

Watch the organizations that jump on this bandwagon. Find the one that needs your kind of video clips. They will split the ad revenue with you when the channel posts your video.  Cool eh?

This could be your moonlighting business. What captivating video short story, or how-to could you create to:

• Offer a walking tour of local sights to see and things to do

• Highlight a heart-tugging story of how a non-profit made a difference in someone’s life

• Illustrate the way you love to use a product

• Cover a local parade, street fair, hot community debate or other event

Perhaps it’s time to turn your personal interest into your “beat” as a very part-time reporter.

Some major media outlets have already jumped on board including some of my favorites: National Public Radio (NPR), The Huffington Post, Politico, The San Francisco Chronicle and The Washington Post. Hewlett Packard is in – and seeking videos on climate change.

Here’s how it works.  Participating organizations can pull a custom version of YouTube’s upload platform on their own Web site by using an app  - an application programming interface.

Then you can upload videos directly to this app on their site.  There the organization can review and select the ones to offer, on-air and/or online.  Via the app the organization can also contact the individual who submitted the clip.  If that hosting group chooses to monetize the videos with advertising, then the contributor can get a split of the revenue.

There are multiple, profitable ways you can partner to crowdsource eye-catching video.

For example, you may choose to launch your own channel around your specific personal interest or professional expertise or language or locale.  Or you may suggest that your club, association or other group launch a channel – inviting members, clients and others to contribute, include ads and split the revenue. 

Tweet This | Stumble This | Bookmark on del.icio.us | Digg It!