YouTube has assured Nigerian and South African users that the YouTube NextUp programme will be available in both countries, creating an opportunity for video creators to advance their YouTube careers and take their video channels to the next level.
According to a statement by the world’s most popular video sharing platform, twenty creators with eligible channels producing fresh and compelling content will be selected to win a production stipend of $1,000 to be used for the acquisition of production equipment to advance their YouTube careers. It further disclosed that the selected creators will also have the opportunity to attend a week-long intensive ‘Creator Camp’, learn new skills and access support by the YouTube partnerships team.
For eligibility and selection into the YouTube NextUp programme, creators are expected to have at least 10,000 to 100,000 subscribers and at least three pieces of original and native video content uploaded in the past three months. In addition, channel accounts must be compliant with the YouTube community guidelines and have no strikes. Participation in other YouTube creator masterclasses is also a basis for acceptance.
To apply for the YouTubeNextUp programme, which is currently open, each creator is required to submit an entry form along with the video they are most proud of and that best represents their technical production skills, creativity and storytelling ability. They also need to answer either of these essay questions in 200 words or less: ‘Why should you be selected?’ , ‘How do you collaborate with other channels?’ or ‘What are your plans for the next two years?’
Judging, according to YouTube, will involve the evaluation of the creator’s submitted video and essay, along with a general evaluation of their channel.
Commenting on the programme, Addy Awofisayo, YouTube content partnership in sub-Saharan Africa, said YouTube NextUp aims to take YouTube creators to the next level in terms of income generation and professionalism.
