VoIP champion Skype jumped on the user generated content (UGC) bandwagon Wednesday with the announcement of two new services.

Skype 3.1 introduces the beta release of Skype Prime, which is essentially an expertise marketplace.

Skype Prime allows users to make money and reach potential customers around the world. An in-built billing mechanism allows users to set up and determine their own per minute or one off fees for giving ‘expert’ advice.

Skype Prime fees are paid using PayPal and subject to a 30 per cent charge by Skype for using the service. Skype has 171 million registered users.

Sten Tamkivi, general manager of ecommerce for Skype said that Skype Prime “is all about making the world a smaller place. If you are a financial advisor or astrologer, a sports coach or a tutor and you want to sell your expertise online, Skype Prime opens up a whole new market by letting you sell your knowledge to Skype’s global community.”

The second new feature is SkypeFind, a community generated guide that lets users rate, review and log their favourite businesses no matter where they live.

Since launching in beta three weeks ago, SkypeFind has attracted more than 4500 listings in over 124 countries.