How to earn money by doing video editing?
The last decade has seen a steady increase in the popularity of video. The coronavirus pandemic has given a much-needed boost to video making, and most brands today have video as a part of their digital initiatives.
While many brands are keen to use video to promote their business on Instagram or YouTube, not all of them can afford to hire an in-house team. This has created immense freelance earning opportunities for individuals who are proficient in video editing.
Working as a Freelance Video Editor
At the core of modern human existence lies the concept of earning money to make the ends meet. As a freelance video editor, you will be earning your bread and butter in a creative process. The better you are at your job, the higher the pay will be. Further, you will have the flexibility to work as much as you want and the creative satisfaction will keep you going.
However, you need to understand that there are two sides to every coin and freelance editing is no cakewalk. You need to invest your efforts in learning the skill and finding relevant clients. You will also need to procure an editing laptop, hard drives, and editing tools.
Beginning Your Journey to Freelance Video Making
For those who are ready to rise to the challenge and embark on the journey of video editing, here is a detailed guide to help you plan your freelance.
Step 1: Learn Video Editing
If you want to make money as a freelancer, you need to first master the skill that you are selling. You do not need to set up an editing studio to learn video editing. Ideally, a laptop that is in memory, has USP ports, a graphics card, and a powerful CPU will suffice. As you scale up and take several freelance projects, you may need external hard drives and high-quality headphones to do justice to your work.
After you procure the necessary hardware, the next step is deciding on the editing tool to use. With a tool like InVideo, you can create high-quality videos even with the free version. The premium version is reasonably priced at $20 per month and you can use that to give watermark-free videos to your clients.
InVideo is an online video editing tool and you do not need a high-end desktop to complete your editing with this tool. Further, InVideo can be used on your existing iOS or Windows devices thus saving you from incurring additional setup costs. While the choice of video editing software is important, the workman is always more important than the tool. Irrespective of the editing tool that you choose, it is plausible to create client-pleasing videos if you put your heart into it.
While experience is the best teacher in a creative field such as video making, multiple online resources will help you master the finer nuances of the art. With Bootcamp courses available on e-learning platforms such as Udemy, Skillshare, and Lydia, the sky is the limit to your learning. If you are on a tight budget and cannot afford to pay for these courses, several tutorial videos on YouTube will help you navigate your way.
Step 2: Find Yourself Freelance Tasks
Once you are confident of your video editing skills, the next step is finding freelance tasks. Several freelance websites act as a mediator between you and potential employers. PeoplePerHour, Fiverr, Upwork, and TopTal are some of the most popular options. ViEdit and Tongal are some freelance websites that are dedicated to video editing. While some of these platforms require you to bid for a task, others subject you to rigorous screening. We recommend that you read up on all the platforms before deciding on the ones you wish to enroll in.
For seasoned video editors, Behance and ProductionHUB are job boards that will help you land the job that you wanted. While these platforms give you access to a global network of vendors, you need to have a creative portfolio to establish your position in such a platform.
With digital presence being an essential part of a business’s existence, local businesses need the services of freelance video editors to prepare their advertisements or prepare social media videos. These days, local event planners are often keen to promote festivals, weddings, and corporate events through video. Reach out to such event planners and other local businesses to offer your freelance editing services.
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If you find that the lack of video editing exposure is a hurdle in your path of nagging freelance jobs, you can look for collaborations with YouTubers. While this may not be a high-paying task, it will give you the exposure that you need to get better freelance projects.
Step 3: Grow Your Video Editing Business
Once you start getting business and gain experience, it is time for you to spread your wings. Start by building a strong portfolio that showcases your editing skills in a befitting manner. For those on a tight budget, YouTube is an excellent platform for showcasing your portfolio.
If you can afford it, try to create a website that has your best-edited videos, as well as a list of the services that you offer along with their pricing. Testimonials from your past clients who are satisfied with your work and contact form for prospective clients to reach you, add to the value of your portfolio.
To have a competitive advantage, identify your favorite video editing niche and specialize in it. For example, if you enjoy editing wedding videos, try to team up with wedding planners. When you restrict your work into doing only the things that you enjoy, you fall in love with your job. Over time, it becomes easier for you to establish yourself as an industry veteran.
Thus, freelance video editing is a lucrative career option. When you take a step-by-step approach and improve your skills, take up tasks, build the reputation and come with an attractive portfolio, you clear the path of future growth.