If you’ve spent any reasonable amount of time on social media over the past few years, you’ve probably recognized that video has gotten huge. Not only are there more homemade videos being uploaded to YouTube and other platforms thanks to smartphone technology, but businesses are also recognising the power of video as a marketing tool.
In fact, video is so popular that 80% of all consumer internet traffic is expected to be video traffic within the coming year.
The explosion of video has created a need for skilled videographers, production assistants, and video editors. Few companies keep these types of skills in-house, relying instead on outside firms to produce marketing and promotional videos, and even films and TV shows. However, more and more companies are choosing to rely on freelance video editors, which has led to a boom of freelance video editing jobs.
Although almost half (47%) of video editors work in the film industry, about 24% of film and video editors are self-employed.
If you have the skills, aptitude, and tools, you can find freelance video editing jobs online. You may just want to do this as a side job, but now that there are freelancing platforms like Fiverr, you can even do freelance video editing jobs from home full time.
Here’s what you need to know about how to become a freelance video editor.
Before you jump into a freelance video editing career, it’s important to choose a direction. For starters, you may want to select a specific genre to work in, such as music videos, documentaries, or video advertisements. This will help you specialize, build a portfolio, and get higher-paying gigs.
You can break into other niches later, but it’s important to establish a body of work before you start experimenting.
If you’re starting from scratch, you may need to obtain an education or acquire the tools necessary to do the job. This can get expensive, so make sure you understand the advantages and pitfalls of this line of work before committing.
One of the key advantages of working as a freelance video editor as opposed to working as an in-house editor at a production company is the ability to pick your own jobs. You’re allowed to say “no” to assignments, so you can establish your own niche rather than having to work on everything your boss tells you to. You’ll even be able to make your own hours.
You can also get paid more per assignment as a freelancer. Technically, you’re running your own business, so you’ll be paid like a business. Many full-time freelance video editors can make more money doing freelance work than they ever did as a full-time employee.
But there are a few challenges to watch out for in this line of work. As a freelancer, you’ll need to find enough work to keep a steady flow of income coming in.
You’re also responsible for all your own tools and equipment. If something breaks or needs to be replaced, you can’t rely on an employer to pay for it.
Although it’s possible to start a video editing career without a formal education, most companies will expect a video editor to have a bachelor’s degree in film studies or production as a minimum or at least some type of certification that signifies you know the basics. This is especially true in the film and TV industry.
It can also help to establish a portfolio to gain some credibility. This isn’t something you can do overnight. Production managers will typically look for two things on your resume: whether or not you have the skills to work on the video they’re making and whether or not you’ve worked for respectable companies in the past.
As far as tools, equipment, and software go, you may need some or all of the following:
For more advanced work, you can also consider tools like editing controllers, color grading control surfaces, and advanced sound recording tools.
Although it can be hard to find freelance video editing jobs when you first start out, it’s made much easier with a platform like Fiverr. Fiverr lets you market yourself directly to the people who need your skills by letting them find you. They can order gigs directly from your profile with nothing more than the click of a button.
To get started on Fiverr, consider creating strong links through Fiverr’s many educational courses. Fiverr’s courses cover everything from design and brand strategy to voice over acting. These courses are affordable, easy to follow, and are led by some of the world’s leading creative experts.
When you create your Fiverr profile, don’t forget to use the video option on gigs to showcase your previous work. You’ll need this evidence as proof that you know your stuff, and most Buyers will only be compelled by video proof.
Don’t get frustrated if you don’t get large gigs right after you launch your profile. Instead, try to build a reputation by taking smaller gigs to start with. Create gigs which you know you’ll be able to execute efficiently.
Once you’ve got a few assignments under your belt, you can experiment with larger, more challenging gigs. You never have to be stagnant as a freelance video editor on Fiverr. As your skills and experience grow, so will your business!
Yes, you can become a successful video editor on Fiverr - the marketplace attracts all kinds of clients who need your skills. However, it takes effort to make it as a serious freelancer on Fiverr or anywhere else. Of course, you want to hit the ground running, but you've got to build a solid foundation from which to grow your freelance video editing empire.
Be prepared to invest lots of time and energy into creating a stellar Seller profile and portfolio, and building your first gigs to offer to potential buyers. Start small and be willing to accept smaller projects while you establish your reputation on the platform.
As you wow your clients and they leave you positive ratings, and as you improve your skills, you'll be able to branch out and tackle larger, more lucrative projects.
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