YouTube hopes to sell more video makers on the virtues of ads as site strives to make money

YouTube’s new sales pitch: join our ad program

SAN FRANCISCO — YouTube hopes to convert more amateur videographers into capitalists as it strives to show more advertising on its Web site and end years of uninterrupted losses.

The Internet’s top video channel will try to increase participation in its advertising program by actively recruiting the makers of widely watched clips.

The more aggressive approach announced Tuesday is a switch from YouTube’s previous practice of waiting for video makers to apply to join the ad program, which started in December 2007.

YouTube, owned by Mountain View-based Google, believes the change will boost its advertising partners from the thousands to the tens of thousands.