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Video editing is nothing short of magic in real life. Using pictures and clips, you make art while narrating a story. You use your vision and creativity to create something extraordinary out of the ordinary for the world to see. Being a video editor means being a magician, storyteller, artist, and creator. While the fulfillment of creating something new is enough of a reward, it is also a great way to make some money!
Still not convinced? Ask Jessica, a 37-year-old mother making a whopping $12,000 a month just by editing videos! What’s even more exciting and motivating is that she started this side hustle from home in her 30s.
By now, you must be wondering how to make money editing videos. Well, that’s what I am here for. These are some of the best ways to make money as a video editor, and the best part is you can work as a freelancer or full-time in the niche you choose!
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1. Offer Video Editing Services to YouTubers
Editing videos for YouTubers is one of the best ways to make money online for many reasons. First and foremost, hundreds of YouTube creators outsource their editing work to freelance video editors. What’s even better is that YouTube is by far the biggest video content platform today, which means more potential clients.
Beginners should jump at this opportunity, as it will help them improve their skills by understanding what works in the industry. This understanding will also help choose the most suitable gigs for you. For example, editing travel vlogs will require some proficiency in video editing, while editing for a podcast or talk show is much simpler.
If you are confused about the first step, start by picking something you are passionate about, like sports, automobiles, movies, books, etc. Next, identify the YouTubers who create content for this niche and start by cold-emailing them. In the email, make sure to attach your portfolio, which you can curate according to the clients you are reaching out to. For instance, if you want to approach movie channels, try editing 2-3 minute movie teasers. It is also a great way to practice your skills.
2. Freelance on Platforms Like Upwork & Fiverr
Marketplaces like Upwork and Fiverr are some of the best tools in a freelancer’s arsenal, and for good reason! They are great for finding freelance clients and give you the freedom to decide the services you offer and for what cost. For freelance video editing jobs, Fiverr and Upwork are great. They let you clearly define your editing and post-editing services like how many edits you will do post-delivery to avoid confusion later.
Also, you decide your timeline and schedule from editing to delivery. So, if you are looking for an overnight remote job or a steady income source, working freelance on Upwork and Fiverr is the perfect opportunity.
Now, the first step is to create an SEO-optimized Fiverr gig with keywords for clients to bid on. If you are using Upwork, the process is a little different. Here, you will be the one bidding on the gigs posted by clients. It is also a good practice to reduce your asking price initially ($15-$25 per project) and reevaluate it after you rack up some positive reviews. No one wants to pay extra for someone without any reviews or ratings!
3. Work with Businesses for Social Media Content
Working for a business and editing videos for social media content is a flexible method where you can edit videos full-time or freelance. What’s even better is they both have unique advantages and will teach you something different. For example, many digital marketing agencies hire in-house video editors, helping you learn how to work with several clients simultaneously. This exposure to different verticals will also help you build your skills as a video editor and an amazing portfolio!
On the other hand, while working with a digital marketing agency guarantees a steady income, freelancing makes you your own boss! As a freelance video editor, you will be helping out businesses with their digital presence on Instagram or TikTok and potentially make over $200 a day while at it. By these businesses, I mean your local gyms, e-commerce stores, restaurants, cafes, or even hotels. Apart from that, be on the lookout for new and upcoming businesses in your area on social media. They are always in need of talented freelancers for different roles.
4. Edit Wedding & Event Videos
While it is true that editing wedding and event videos is fun and exciting, it is also true that it is one of the best video editing side hustles. Did you know there were approximately 2.1 million weddings in 2023? Now add that to the number of events that happen each year to get a rough idea of your potential clients.
A pro video editor can easily make anywhere from $800 to $1300 per wedding video, depending on the project. It is also an easier way to start your video editing career by partnering with local photographers and videographers.
If you are still learning, start by working for free for your friends and family or for local events at a discounted price. Besides that, YouTube channels like RocketStock are a trusted resource for learning cinematic editing techniques like slow motion, color grading, and keystone editing.
5. Start a YouTube Channel About Video Editing
Remember how I said YouTube is the biggest video content platform? Well, that’s because there is more than one way to make money off it! This is less of a work-from-home video editing job and more of a side income or business idea where you start a channel to teach video editing. This is a solid idea for all professional editors, where they can earn comfortably by just uploading 4 to 5 videos weekly from viewership. There are many other ways to monetize your YouTube Channel too, like paid sponsorships, channel memberships, and ad revenue.
Moreover, as video editing is a diverse field with several niches, you can record breakdowns of your editing workflow or teach editing hacks. Other than that, recording software comparisons and teaching color grading are some of the things that you should cover in your channel. The more videos you post, the better the reach, and the more money you make! Don’t forget to add affiliate links for selling editing software like Filmora or Adobe Premier Pro to earn commissions.
6. Create & Sell Stock Footage
Why should photographers have all the fun? Selling stock footage is a great passive income idea for video editors too as using videos is one of the best ways to engage an audience. However, brands don’t always have the budget to shoot unique content, and this is where you come in with your stock footage. It is one of the best remote video editing jobs as you work on your own schedule and don’t have any bosses to answer to!
When selling stock footage, always shoot generic videos that can be used across different niches and by multiple businesses. Some of the stock footage that sells well includes shooting and editing B-rolls of nature, city landscapes, and scenic views as brands can repurpose them as backgrounds for their promotional content. B-rolls are essentially clips used to enhance the primary content, like nature videos that are used in news reports.
There are many marketplaces like Shutterstock, Pond5, and Adobe Stock to sell stock footage. It is a good strategy to sell at multiple platforms simultaneously for better exposure!
7. Edit Real Estate Listing Videos
Maybe you are passionate about architecture or interior design. In that case, why not make money from editing real estate videos? This is a niche that doesn’t need professional-level editing skills. All you have to master is smooth transitions and audio syncing. Apart from creating point-of-view walk-in videos or a detailed rundown of the floor plan, there are many different types of videos you will be editing. Editing real estate videos can also be a great weekend job that will help you improve your editing skills.
To get started, collaborate with real estate videographers and edit their videos at low costs. This will help you learn the ropes and become comfortable without any added pressure. Once you have a portfolio and are comfortable with your skills, offer monthly plans directly to realtors and easily make $150 to $500 per video. Also, leverage YouTubers like Andrei Restrepo to learn how to edit a luxury real estate video!
8. Join a Video Editing Agency or Production Company
If nothing else, there is still the trusted and preferred option of joining a video editing agency or a product company. Many video editors prefer a full-time creative job because of work stability and a regular source of income. Luckily, the demand for full-time video editors has increased significantly with the rise in popularity of OTT platforms and independent filmmaking. You can position yourself better by learning specific skills like motion graphics and color editing. It also helps to have experience in editing videos for advertisements, documentaries, or social media.
Fortunately, it is easier than ever to find video editing jobs online thanks to marketplaces like Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and Indeed. Generally, there are many roles listed on these platforms which you can narrow down by using keywords. To give you an idea, if you are looking for work-from-home jobs, use “remote video editor” as the keyword. Similarly, use keywords to target specific job roles like “video post-production specialist”. Remember, as agencies only hire experienced editors with polished work that will match their client’s needs, you should tailor your portfolio to fit the position you are applying for.
FAQs
1. Can I earn money from video editing?
Yes, video editing is a high-in-demand skill that pays well, whether you work freelance or join as an in-house editor. However, the pay scale of video editors is very flexible and your experience, skills, and the industry you work in will determine your hourly rate. For example, working in the filmmaking, real estate, or event industry will pay comparatively better than editing stock videos or YouTube vlogs. As a new editor, you have the freedom to experiment with different formats to understand the average pay and learn how to edit for different niches.
2. How much money can I make as a video editor?
Video editing is one of the highest-paying creative jobs. However, the money you make as an editor depends on many factors. A newbie video editor in the US makes around $14.13 per hour, while an experienced editor can make as much as $66.11 per hour. Similarly, where you live determines the hourly pay. Areas like Chicago and New York pay comparatively better than Austin or Savannah. The more you refine your skills, the better the pay will be!
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