The days of working for companies are slowly ending, with people across multiple industries starting their businesses and becoming their own bosses. Video editing is undoubtedly one of these industries, and a rapidly growing one, as it offers tremendous flexibility and creative freedom for anyone bold enough to try.
Whether you're growing a social media channel and looking for something like a YouTube video editor for hire or want to become a freelance video editor yourself, today's guide can help.
Stick around - we'll discuss freelance video editing prices and show you some of the best freelance video editor websites for hiring such talent.
Table of Content
If You Want to Become a Freelance Video Editor
Becoming a freelancer video editor can be a fantastic job, and most go into it because of the flexible work schedules and creative freedom it provides. However, it also requires a lot of dedication, skill improvements, self-promotion, and time spent looking for projects by yourself.
That said, let's see what you need to know and how you can get started with freelance video production:
How Much Do Freelance Video Editors Make
While the hourly rate of a freelance video editor ultimately depends on their experience and skill, in most cases, freelance video editors charge anywhere between $20 and $150 per hour. Some freelancers also charge per project, with most projects starting at $100 and going up depending on the type of editing needed.
Work on Your Video Editing Skills
Continuously working on your video editing skills is the first step to becoming a freelance video editor for hire.
While you can start small and master the basics like cutting clips, fundamental transitions, and syncing audio, you'll also need to dive deeper into other, more advanced editing techniques like color grading and motion graphics to be able to offer a full service as a freelance video editor.
Pick a Suitable Freelance Video Editor
Freelance video production has never been easier than today, as the online world is flooded with dozens of excellent video editing tools to start your freelancing journey. However, the top spot undeniably belongs to Filmora, as it's the perfect video editing software for both beginners and professional editors.
Its intuitive, straightforward, user-friendly interface and easy-to-learn features make Wondershare Filmora an excellent option for anyone still learning the ropes.
On the other hand, its AI-powered tools like text-based editing, thumbnail creation, AI video translation, and music generator can help you efficiently realize your ideas and automate multiple editing tasks, making Filmora the top choice among professionals.
Master Freelance Video Production Using Editing Software
Being a successful freelance video editor isn't just about knowing basic video editing techniques. To increase your chances of being hired, you'll need to become a master video editor who understands the entire freelance video production process, from planning to shooting to post-production editing.
Specialized video editing software like Filmora can help you get to this level. It offers Master Class that allows you to master multiple video editing techniques like audio effects, video stabilization, masking, multi-track editing, etc.
Work on Building Your Portfolio
Having a presence in the freelancing world is one of the most critical factors in being chosen by a client, and that's precisely what a strong portfolio can do for you. Namely, a portfolio can showcase your video editing skills, painting you as the master of the craft.
Your portfolio should also be easily accessible, and platforms like YouTube and Vimeo can be the perfect place to show off your versatile projects, allowing you to convince someone looking for video editors for hire that you're the right person.
Promote Yourself and Look for Clients
Freelancing in video editing is tightly intertwined with an online presence and successful marketing. As a freelancer, you must also handle all self-promotion tasks and establish yourself as a skilled and versatile video editor. Start by joining online communities, networking with like-minded individuals, and engaging with potential clients, all of which are necessary to land any freelancing jobs.
Utilize Freelance Video Editing Platforms
Besides online communities, editors should also join and regularly check freelance video editing websites and platforms, such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer. The more sites you join and add your portfolio to, the more potential clients you'll be in contact with, and the higher your chances of getting a freelancing gig are.
If You Want to Find Reliable Freelance Video Editors
Whether you're a content creator looking for a YouTube video editor for hire or a business looking to hire a freelance video editor for your company's training videos, these individuals offer immense flexibility regarding budget and project size.
However, you must know how and where to find freelance video editors and what to look for before hiring them. In such situations, the following tips can help:
Determine Your Project Requirements
Finding a freelance video editor that fits your needs starts with establishing your project requirements.
Writing them down clearly and in detail and posting what you expect, the timeframe you expect it in, and how you want a particular project to be handled can, by itself, weed out freelance video editors that won't be a good fit, potentially bringing the right person to you without much work on your end.
Platforms/Website to Hire Freelance Video Editors
If you're looking to hire freelance video editors, be it a single person for your online content or a group of them for your business, a great place to start are freelance video editor websites and platforms, with the following ten being the best ones:
Upwork
As one of the largest freelancing platforms, Upwork offers quick access to hundreds, if not thousands, of freelance video editors to fit your every need. The website lets you post your project, review portfolios, and hire freelance video editors per hour or project.
Fiverr
As its name might suggest, Fiverr is a freelancing platform where many services start as low as $5. It's a freelance video editor website with an international user base, offering immense global access to editors for a great price.
Freelancer
While Freelancer doesn't precisely focus on video editors and is a platform for all kinds of freelancing work, it's also a massive website with thousands of video editors for hire. Yes, you'll have to browse the correct categories, but the sheer number of listings guarantees you'll find the right editor.
PeoplePerHour
Those looking to hire freelance video editors for short-form content, like social media clips and ads, will easily find them on PeoplePerHour. Despite its name, PeoplePerHour connects clients and video editors for hire through both per-hour and per-project hiring.
ProductionHUB
Founded in 1999, ProductionHUB is one of the most renowned freelance video editor websites focusing exclusively on media production and online video content. Whether you're looking for a YouTube video editor for hire or an entire production team, ProductionHub is undoubtedly the way to go.
Viedit
As its name suggests, Viedit is a freelance platform focusing exclusively on video editors. This platform has over 50,000 videos to browse and choose an editing style you like. Over a thousand freelance video editors are available for hire, eagerly waiting to create your ideal video.
Video Husky
What makes Video Husky unique is its subscription-based model, where clients can submit as many requests as they want.
Video Husky's editing team, comprising an account manager and an editor, then works on one active project at a time, and you can get up to six exports per project, making the site perfect for YouTube video editors for hire and clients trying to repurpose content on multiple platforms.
Behance
Behance has a massive list of freelance video editors, most of whom are professionals. Beginners aren't precisely present here, as Behance charges a high fee to post listings, so you can rest assured that only expert editors making a lot of money are on this freelance video editor website.
Videopixie
Whether you're after videographers, video editors, or animators, Videopixie is a great place to start looking, as it focuses on freelance video editors and has thousands of profiles you can browse through. This site has editing professionals of all budgets and skill levels, and you can easily see their portfolios.
Mandy
Characterized by its database of professionals focusing on film and TV resources, Mandy is another excellent freelance video editor website with many editing talents to browse through. With Mandy, you'll have no issues finding highly qualified freelance video editors that fit your project needs.
Review Portfolios, Testimonials, and Reviews of Freelance Video Editors
The abovementioned platforms usually have links to a freelance video editor's portfolio, allowing you to review their previous projects and determine whether they fit your needs.
In most cases, these platforms also include customer testimonials and user reviews, letting you see who they've worked with and how satisfied these users were and preparing you for the next vital item - the contract.
Create a Contract
While verbal agreements might work for many freelancing jobs, it's always better to create a contract when looking to hire a freelance video editor. After all, a contract establishes an editor's role and tasks, potentially saving you from unmet expectations, broken promises, and messy situations.
Conclusion
Freelance video production is a growing market that offers complete creative freedom and tremendous flexibility to both clients wanting to hire freelance video editors and freelance video editors themselves.
If you're tired of working for someone else and want to be your own boss, becoming a freelance video editor will undeniably take much work and dedication but be worth it in the long run.
It consists of finding the right freelance video production software like Filmora, continually working on your editing skills, building your portfolio, and promoting yourself on multiple freelance video editor websites.
On the other hand, if you're a client looking for video editors for hire, it's best to start by writing your project requirements and posting them on freelance video editor websites and platforms, like the ten we provided. You can then browse portfolios, read reviews, and sign a contract to avoid messy situations.
FAQ
-
How much do freelance video editors charge?
In most cases, freelance video editing prices are based on the editor's experience and skill. Beginner freelance video editors usually charge between $20 and $50 per hour, while well-established professionals make $100 to $150 per hour. Per-project pricing is also typical and usually starts at $100. -
Can I freelance as a video editor?
Of course, you can. Whether you're just starting and learning the ropes of video editing software like Filmora or already have a colorful portfolio of video editing projects, becoming a freelancer video editor is always possible. You will, however, need to establish a presence on freelance video editing websites and market your skills. -
Which video editing software is best for freelancers?
While there are dozens of great freelance video production tools, Filmora is undeniably the top choice in the industry. Its intuitive user interface and easy-to-use features make it perfect for beginners.
-
How much does a 3-minute video cost?
Freelance video editing prices for a three-minute video depend on the type of video you're editing and the type of editing you're doing. For example, a video that needs stitching and basic editing can cost between $15 and $60. However, if the video needs detailed editing work like color grading or motion graphics, that price can be much higher. -
Can a self-taught video editor make money?
Absolutely! Video editing knowledge doesn't have to come from school or a university. Many freelance video editors have taught themselves how to edit videos by exploring free online resources, watching tutorials, and practicing. Most clients are interested in your video editing skills and portfolio and couldn't care less about formal education. -
Is video editing a good side hustle?
There's recently been a massive demand for online video content, and freelancing in video editing lets you take on such projects in your free time, allowing you to stay at your current job while simultaneously building up your editing portfolio. So, yes, video editing is an excellent side hustle. -
Are video editors still in demand?
Of course. That demand also has the potential to grow even further as digital media has exploded recently, and online video content is now booming across multiple social media platforms. As a result, freelance video editors have access to numerous opportunities in various industries. -
Is video editing a tough job?
Yes, video editing can be challenging, primarily if you work on complex projects that require technical skills and attention to detail. In those situations, editing can take multiple hours of highly focused work. However, regular practice and intuitive video editing software like Filmora can make editing easier. -
Will AI take over video editors?
That's highly unlikely. While it's true that AI-powered tools like Filmora have been making video editing much more straightforward, AI tools are generally good at recognizing scenes and automating repetitive tasks. True creativity, storytelling through videos, and masterful edits still rely on a human video editor.
