Online video behemoth YouTube announced today an initiative in which original content creators will now have an opportunity “to reap rewards from their work” and receive the same promotional benefits afforded to YouTube’s other professional content partners.

YouTube is inviting US and Canadian users to join their expanded YouTube Partner Program. Earlier this year, the YouTube Partner Program began rewarding the site’s most popular and prolific original content creators by allowing them to earn money from their videos. Previously, users eligible for the revenue-sharing program were those considered to have a “significant” audience on YouTube (as measured by video views, subscribers, etc.) Now, anyone living in the US or Canada can apply to become a partner at youtube.com/partners. Partners decide which of their videos they would like to generate revenue on YouTube, and in turn, receive a portion of the revenue generated from ads that run next to those videos.

YouTube also hopes that its expanded Partner Program will entice and benefit marketers, expanding both the quality and quantity of video content available to marketers.

Says YouTube: “This new program will improve the YouTube experience by inspiring users to develop more innovative, original content and encouraging marketers to develop interactive ads that are relevant and appealing to the YouTube community.”