• How To Become A Freelance Video Editor

The potential of today’s technology is unparalleled and as a freelance video editor, you can earn money more readily than ever before.

Here at Evviva, we are committed to helping you achieve financial freedom. One of the key tools to building your abundant life is side hustles like freelancing.

What Is A Freelance Video Editor?

What Is A Freelance Video Editor

A freelance video editor is a video editor who works for themselves rather than for someone else. As a consequence, they have more power over their working environment and schedule.

Freelancers charge a fixed fee per hour or each project to clients who can use them on a regular basis or as a one-time job. Because businesses require their services but don’t want to pay salaries and benefits, freelancers may command a premium. As a consequence, clients need professional video editors and have an immediate demand for your talents and you make great money.

Video editors can work with clients on a number of interesting projects ranging from family videos to movie editing.

Project examples:

  • Wedding videos
  • Independent movies
  • Companies video ads
  • YouTube videos
  • Many more

Why Be A Freelance Video Editor?

Why Be A Freelance Video Editor

There are several advantages to working as a freelancer in 2022. For one thing, the freelance sector in the United States is worth around $1.2 trillion each year, according to CNBC (2020).

That’s a big number.

As a freelancer, you may work from any location with an internet connection. You are in command of your own time, so you are free to choose when and how much to work. You have the luxury of choosing who you work with and what kinds of tasks you perform. Freelancing is a great Side Hustle in college and can even become your career after graduation.

Freelancing can be a great source income. The average freelance video editor makes about $40 per hour, but the top earners make over $250 per hour. (Glassdoor, 2022)

Freelancing gives you the ability to be more selective about the work you take on. You can select and complete projects that interest you and are consistent with your beliefs.

How To Become A Freelance Video Editor?

How To Become A Freelance Video Editor

You don’t have to be a Hollywood superstar or someone with a four-year film production degree to become a freelance video editor. The nice thing about freelance video editing jobs is that you can start with little expertise and yet earn money. Your prices will climb from low to high as your skills and ratings improve, showing how much more experience you have than the competition.

There are a few key things you need to get started as a freelance video editor:

  1. Video editing skills
  2. A portfolio of videos to showcase

If you have these things, you’re well on your way to becoming a freelance video editor.

Video Editing Skills

Video Editing Skills

The first step is to enhance your skills and produce some high-quality video content. There are several resources available to help you learn from the bottom up or further expand your knowledge. You may study on your own by watching instructional videos or enrolling in an online course at home.

The more you practice, the better you get. Here are some tools to help you get up to speed and build your portfolio.

Online Courses:

Adobe Premiere Pro CC Masterclass: Video Editing in Premiere

Adobe Premiere Pro CC Masterclass

This course covers all the basics of video editing in Adobe’s Premiere Pro software. You’ll start with an overview of the interface and then move on to learning how to import and organize your media. From there, you’ll learn how to edit your video, add titles and effects, export your project, work with greenscreens, and more.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to confidently edit your videos using Premiere Pro, an important skill for a successful freelance video editing career.

You will need access to Premier Pro, one of the top editing software, which you can find here.

The Complete Final Cut Pro X Course Beginner To Intermediate

Final Cut Pro X Course

This course is for those who want to learn video editing using Final Cut Pro X. Final Cut Pro X is a professional grade video editing software that will give you the tools needed to wow clients. You’ll start with the basics and move on to more advanced techniques as you progress. This course covers topics such as video titles, visual effects, color correction greenscreen, and more.

You’ll finish with a certificate and have the skills to complete video editing tasks that can help you support your clients.

You will need access to Final Cut Pro X, which you can find here.

The Complete iMovie Course – from Beginner to Advanced 2022!

iMovie Course

For those who have access to a mac and want to start with quality software that is free, iMovie is a great choice.

This course starts with the basics, such as adding clips and titles. Once you have the hang of the basics, the PRO lectures will show you high-level features and workarounds to make iMovie look like a professional software.

You don’t need any prior experience to take this course or to buy a high end software, this is a great place to start if you are on the fence about video editing freelancing. You will likely want to upgrade your software in time, but you can definitely start here!

You will need access to iMovie, which you can find here.

Create A Portfolio

Create a Portfolio

After you’ve fine-tuned your video editing skills, it’s time to start looking for freelance video editor jobs. A portfolio is a collection of your finest work that you can offer potential clients as a demonstration of your abilities.

It’s important to have a diversified portfolio of projects so that clients may see your skillset. You might establish an internet portfolio on sites like Wix, Weebly, or WordPress. It’s simple to get started and free. On platforms like Wix, Weebly, or WordPress, you can create an online portfolio. Some freelancing websites will even allow you to upload your work there to show clients.

If you like video production or took one of the courses above, you’ll have plenty of material for your portfolio. After you’ve finished constructing your portfolio, it’s time to get clients.

Where To Find Clients?

Where to Find Clients

Once you’ve confirmed that you have the necessary skills, it’s time to start earning money! There are several freelance platform sites where you can get in touch with potential clients right away. It’s never been easier for freelance video editors to make money in this field.

You can check out our article on freelance platforms if you would like to see more options, but here are our top three recommendations for freelance artist platforms.

Top 3 Freelance Platforms To Find Clients

1. Fiverr

Fiverr

Fiverr is one of the most popular freelance websites; it is easy to use and has a huge pool of clients ready to hire.

One of the best things about Fiverr is that it’s straightforward; clients can can search for consultants by skills and location, and then view their profiles, reviews, and gig descriptions. Then you both can easily chat on the site.

Key features:

  • Huge pool of consultants & clients
  • Easy to use
  • Consultants are rated and reviewed
  • Fiverr takes a 20% cut of every transaction.

Try Fiverr Today

2. Upwork

Upwork

Upwork is a major freelancing website with over 12 million registered freelancers and 5 million customers. Upwork has a comprehensive vetting procedure for contractors, so businesses know they can rely on you.

A freelancer’s profile on Upwork includes a CV, portfolio, testimonials, and a rate card. To help clients and freelancers find the ideal match, Upwork offers a searchable database of professionals, skills tests, and bids.

Key features:

  • 16 million registered freelancers
  • Rigorous screening process
  • Skills tests
  • 20% fee for the first $500
  • 10% from $500-10,000
  • 5% above $10,000

Try Upwork Today

3. Freelancer.com

Freelancer

Freelancer is one of the most popular freelance sites, with over 25 million registered users and 10 million projects posted every year. If you want to take on one-time jobs or look for long-term employment, Freelancer is a fantastic platform.

One of the finest features about Freelancer is that it provides a variety of methods to earn money, including hourly jobs, fixed-price projects, and contests. This makes it simple to locate work that matches your schedule and abilities. There are also several tools available to make locating the appropriate project easy, such as a searchable database of projects,

Key features:

  • Contests
  • Built-in messenger
  • 6 free bids per month (for free users)
  • 10% fee for hourly projects
  • 10% or $5 (whichever is higher) fee for fixed-price projects
  • 20% fee for services

Try Freelancer Today

What Are You Waiting For?

As a freelancer, you can work from anywhere that has an internet connection. You are in control of your own fate as a self-employed individual. You have the choice of who you want to collaborate with and what responsibilities you wish to assume. Freelance video editing is a fantastic Side Hustle while in school that might even grow into a career by the time you graduate!

Use the three websites listed above or one from our freelance platform recommendation article as your launching pad to success if you want to be a freelance video editor. All of these platforms, including Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer, are great options for finding clients and making money. You can start freelancing today and earn some great money if you follow the steps. Who knows? You may end up with a new career.

Start hustling today!

Co-Founder Bob Neubert is a serial entrepreneur and educator, currently serving as the Director of the nationally ranked Entrepreneurship Program at the University at Buffalo.