Video editing is a great way to make some extra money on the side. You can be your own boss, set your own hours, and work from anywhere. Can video editing be a job? Yes!
There are a few different ways you can make money as a video editor. You can work as a freelancer, start your own business, or find a full-time job.
If you’re interested in working as a video editor, there are a few things you need to know. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to get started, including what skills you need and where to find work.
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What Skills Do You Need?
To be a successful video editor, you need to have strong editing skills. You should be able to tell a story with your edits and make sure the audio and video are in sync.
You also need to be proficient in using video editing software. The most popular programs are Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and Avid Media Composer.
It’s also helpful to have a strong understanding of filming techniques. This will allow you to make better edits and create higher-quality videos.
If you don’t have any experience with video editing, there are a few ways you can learn. Here are some of the most common ways.
Take an Online Course
There are a number of online courses you can take to learn video editing. These courses will teach you the basics of editing and give you the opportunity to practice your skills.
Some of the most popular online courses are offered by Udemy. These courses typically cost between $50 and $200. The best way to find a course that’s right for you is to read reviews and compare features. Some of the characteristics you should look for include the length of the course, the price, and the instructor’s experience.
These courses should help you with all aspects of video editing, to include:
- technical skills
- motion graphics
- camera angles
- editing work
- visual effects
- organizing footage
- unusable footage
- production studios
Attend a Workshop or Conference
If you want to learn from the best, attending a workshop or conference is a great way to do it. At these events, you’ll have the opportunity to meet and learn from top video editors.
You’ll also be able to network with other professionals in the industry. This is a great way to find potential clients and get your name out there.
There are a number of different workshops and conferences you can attend. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show is one of the most popular events for video editors.
Other popular events include the Adobe Video World Conference and the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP) Conference.
Read Books and Blogs
If you want to learn on your own, there are a number of books and blogs you can read. These resources will teach you the basics of video editing and help you improve your skills.
One of the most popular books is In the Blink of an Eye by Walter Murch.
For blogs, we recommend The Black and Blue and No Film School. These blogs are written by experienced video editors and offer a wealth of information on the industry.
Watch Tutorial Videos
Another great way to learn video editing is to watch tutorial videos. These videos will walk you through the basics of using different software programs and show you how to make specific edits.
Some of the most popular tutorial channels include Video Copilot, RocketStock, and PremiumBeat. I like these channels because they offer a wide range of tutorials, from beginner to advanced.
In addition, these channels frequently offer free resources, such as templates and stock footage.
Find a Mentor
If you know someone who is already a successful video editor, ask if they’re willing to mentor you. A mentor can teach you a lot about the industry and help you develop your skills.
Having a mentor is also a great way to network and find potential clients.
The best way to find a mentor is to reach out to people you know in the industry. You can also attend workshops and conferences to meet potential mentors. One thing to remember is that you need to offer something in return, such as your time or skills. Don’t expect a mentor to just give you their time for free.
They have to make a living too!
Is Video Editing a Good Side Hustle?
Now that you know a little bit more about video editing, you might be wondering if it’s a good side hustle.
The answer is yes! Not only can video editing be a job but video editing can be a great way to make extra money. That’s because there’s a lot of demand for video editors.
Businesses, bloggers, and even individuals need help creating videos. And, if you have the skills, you can begin your career path and start offering your services as a video and film editor wether for short film and video or feature length productions.
Create a Portfolio
To get started, we recommend that you first create a portfolio of your work. You can then use this portfolio to land clients and start earning money.
Your portfolio should showcase your skills and highlight the type of work you’re capable of doing. For example, if you specialize in wedding videos, be sure to include some of your best work in your portfolio.
If you don’t have any previous work to show, you can create some practice videos. You can then use these videos to land your first few clients.
Set Your Rates
Once you have a portfolio of your work, it’s time to start setting your rates. When setting your rates, be sure to consider the time you’ll need to complete the project and the complexity of the project.
For example, a simple video editing job might take you two hours to complete. However, a more complex project could take you ten hours or more.
To get an idea of what others are charging, we recommend that you check out sites like Fiverr and Upwork.
On these sites, you can browse through video editor profiles and see what type of services they offer and how much they charge.
Of course, you don’t have to charge the same rates as others. But, these sites can give you a good starting point.
Find Clients
Once you have your portfolio and rates set, it’s time to start finding clients.
There are a number of ways to find potential clients, such as online job boards, social media, and word-of-mouth.
I’d recommend that you start by creating a list of businesses or individuals who might need your services. Then, reach out to them and let them know what you can offer.
Online job boards, such as Upwork and Fiverr, can also be a great way to find clients. However, be sure to vet the clients carefully before taking on a project. In addition, it’s always better to get paid upfront rather than after the project is complete.
If you know someone who owns a business, ask if they need help with their video content. Video editing can be a great way to get your foot in the door with a company.
Finally, don’t forget about social media. Social media platforms, such as Twitter and LinkedIn, are great places to connect with potential clients.
Examples of Video Editing Jobs
There are several different types of video editing jobs that you can do as a side hustle. Let’s take a look at a few examples.
Wedding Videos
One of the most popular types of videos to edit is wedding videos. Wedding videographers often hire video editors to help them with the editing process.
If you edit wedding videos, you’ll be responsible for putting together the footage from the big day, such as the ceremony, speeches, and reception.
In addition, you may also be responsible for adding music, transitions, and other special effects.
Business Videos
Another type of video that you can edit is business videos. These videos are often used for marketing purposes and can be anything from product demos to customer testimonials.
One of the interesting aspects of business videos is that they often require you to have some knowledge of the company’s products or services.
For example, if you’re editing a product demo, you’ll need to understand how the product works in order to edit the video effectively.
Educational Videos
Educational videos are another type of video that you can edit as a side hustle. These videos can be used for online courses, training programs, or even just for informational purposes.
If you edit educational videos, you’ll need to be able to understand the material being taught in order to edit the video effectively.
In addition, you’ll also need to be able to add captions, graphics, and other elements that will help the viewer to understand the video while keeping the director’s creative vision.
Music Videos
Music videos are another type of video that you can edit as a side hustle. These videos can be for up-and-coming artists or well-known musicians in the entertainment industry.
If you edit these types of videos, you’ll need to have a good understanding of the song and the artist’s vision for the video.
In addition, you’ll also need to be able to add music and sound effects, transitions, and other special effects to your video editing projects to have the desired final footage.
Social Media Videos
Finally, social media videos are another type of video that you can edit as a side hustle. These videos are often used for promoting products or services on social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Here’s how to make money from Instagram.
If you edit social media videos, you’ll need to be familiar with the platform’s requirements, such as video length and aspect ratio.
In addition, you’ll also need to be able to edit the video footage in a way that is engaging and shareable.
How Much Can You Earn as a Video Editor?
As a freelance video editor, you can earn anywhere from $20 to $100 per hour, depending on the type of work you do.
For example, if you edit wedding videos, you can expect to earn around $50 per hour. However, if you edit business videos, you can expect to earn closer to $100 per hour.
In addition, the amount you earn will also depend on your experience and skills. If you have a lot of experience editing videos, you can expect to earn more than many video editors who are just starting out.
Finally, keep in mind that the rates you charge will also depend on the market you’re in. For example, video editors in New York City can expect to charge more than video editors in other parts of the country.
Education Requirements for Freelance Video Editors
There are no formal education requirements for freelance video editors such as bachelor’s degrees. However, it is important to have strong editing skills if you want to be successful in this field.
In addition, for most video editors, it is also helpful to have a strong understanding of the different types of video editing software. For example, as I mentioned above, Adobe Premiere Pro is a popular video editing software program for video projects and digital footage.
If you’re not familiar with video editing software, there are plenty of tutorials and online courses that you can take to learn the basics.
Finally, if you want to edit social media videos, it is also helpful to have a strong understanding of the platform’s requirements. For example, as I mentioned earlier, Facebook requires videos to be a certain length and aspect ratio.
What are Some Other Freelance Video Production Jobs?
While video editors focus on the post-production process, there are other freelance video production jobs that focus on the pre-production and production phases.
Here are a few examples of other freelance video production jobs that you can do as a side hustle.
Video Producer
A video producer is responsible for managing the video production process from start to finish.
As a video producer, you’ll be responsible for tasks such as finding clients, negotiating contracts, and managing budgets.
In addition, you’ll also be responsible for managing the production team and ensuring that the video is completed on time and on budget.
Production Assistant
A production assistant is responsible for assisting the video producer with the day-to-day tasks of the production.
In this job, you’ll be responsible for tasks such as setting up and breaking down the set, running errands, and keeping the production organized. In addition, you may also be responsible for handling some of the equipment.
Sound Engineers
Sound engineers are responsible for recording, mixing, and mastering the audio for a video production.
In this job, you’ll need to have a strong understanding of audio equipment and software. In addition, you’ll also need to be able to work well under pressure and meet deadlines.
Editing Assistants
Editing assistants (not to be confused with an assistant editor) are responsible for helping the video editor with the post-production process.
In this job, you’ll be responsible for tasks such as organizing the raw footage, adding graphics and effects, and exporting the final video. In addition, you may hav edit footage or do other video editing work.
Camera Operators
Camera operators are responsible for operating the camera during the production of a video and will often work with the director to get the shots that are needed.
In this job, you’ll need to have a strong understanding of cameras and how to use them. In addition, you’ll also need to be able to work well under pressure and think on your feet.
Subtitler
A subtitler is someone who adds subtitles to a video or audio program in order to help viewers comprehend what is being said. This can also be done for international audiences to translate the dialogue into different languages.
Subtitlers are responsible for transcribing the spoken words, adding timings and formatting text in order to ensure that the subtitles match up with the dialogue. They must also make sure that the subtitles fit within the allotted time frame of each segment and are easily legible onscreen. Here’s more info on how to make money by making subtitles.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a variety of freelance video production jobs that you can do as a side hustle. And, the best part is, you don’t need a formal education to get started.
If you have strong editing skills and a good understanding of video editing software, you can start freelancing as a video editor.
And, if you’re not familiar with video editing software, there are plenty of tutorials and online courses that you can take to learn the basics.
FAQ – Can Video Editing Be a Job?
Does a video editor make good money?
The video editor job market is growing and the career outlook is good. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 12 percent job growth for video editors between 2018 and 2028. This is faster than the average for all occupations. While the median salary for video editors was $59,780 in 2018, the top 10 percent of earners made more than $112,040. So, if you’re looking to make good money as a video editor, you’re in luck. The demand for skilled video editors is expected to rise in the coming years, so now is a great time to start building your skills and experience.
What job can you get with video editing?
As consumer demand for streaming content continues to grow, the need for skilled video editors will increase. Video editors will be needed to create and edit short-form content, such as that used in social media or online news platforms. In addition, the increasing popularity of virtual reality (VR) and 360-degree videos is expected to drive demand for video editors who are familiar with this new technology. As more businesses produce video content in-house, they will also need workers to edit this material. Moreover, the growing popularity of live-streaming platforms, such as Twitch and YouTube Live, is expected to spur demand for video editors who can create visually stimulating content on tight deadlines.
Is video editing stressful?
Like any job, video editing can be stressful at times. However, the stress level will vary depending on the nature of the project, the deadline, and the client’s expectations. In general, video editing is not a high-stress occupation. However, it is important to be able to work well under pressure and meet deadlines.
How do I become a successful video editor?
There is no one formula for becoming a successful video editor. However, there are some important skills and qualities that will help you succeed in this field. First, you need to have a strong understanding of video editing software and how to use it. In addition, you need to be creative and have a good eye for detail. Finally, it is important to be able to work well under pressure and meet deadlines. If you have these skills and qualities, you will be well on your way to becoming a successful video editor.
