Since its launch in 2005, YouTube has become the single, most popular website, with the number of videos growing 20% to 6.1 million in one month (from July to August 2006). In just January 2008 alone, nearly 79 million unique visitors logged on to YouTube to watch over 3 billion videos. YouTube is pop culture’s main hub, helping artists get noticed by millions, publicizing humorous family escapades caught on tape, and serving as this year’s most innovative presidential campaign strategy tool.

How does YouTube work—and better yet, how can it work for those looking to break into entertainment? A new book, 15 Minutes of Fame: Becoming a Star in the YouTube Revolution serves an all-inclusive guide to discovering YouTube. Author and well-known Hollywood producer Frederick Levy shares his YouTube knowledge by explaining in step-by-step detail what it takes to get noticed online, as well as the basics of how to maximize the site’s features.

Written for all skill levels, Levy begins by describing how YouTube came to be and how creators, Chad Hurley, Steven Chen and Jawed Karim, have changed the world of media by making online videos available to everyone.

Levy introduces beginners to YouTube, explaining vocabulary, equipment needs, and how to upload video from a mobile phone. For the more advanced video producer, Levy offers ideas and tips that help videos get noticed on the Internet.

Whether a beginner or expert, Levy offers facts, ideas and advice about YouTube and video-making, including:

• What is Viral Video? A video clip gaining quick and widespread popularity through sharing, Levy explains how viral video was the concept behind YouTube and has become an integral part of media today.

• Making the Video. Levy demonstrates how to make a video and explores the various types of equipment needed from camcorders to editing programs, recommending specific brands and programs.

• 15 Minutes of Fame profiles. Throughout the book, Levy includes viral video success stories including Kevin Flynn, creator of “Peanut Butter Jelly Time,” LisaNova, who signed a contract with MadTV based on her YouTube videos, Esmee Denters, who went on tour with Justin Timberlake after her YouTube videos were discovered, and the infamous “Lonelygirl15,” Jessica Rose. Levy also interviews producers, casting agents, and the YouTube stars of tomorrow—Jay Brannan, Emmalina, Blame Society Productions, Justin Sandercoe, and others—to provide advice for getting seen and heard by the right people.

• World wide rights. For YouTube newcomers, Levy provides an overview of user rights, potential problems, and how to avoid them.

What does the future hold for YouTube and viral videos? Levy uses his experience and knowledge of Hollywood to not only help YouTube users achieved stardom, but also analyze where YouTube will take media in the future.