How to Start a Career in Video Editing & Earn from Freelancing
Video editing has emerged as a lucrative career option with the need for video content in marketing, social media, and entertainment sectors on the rise. One is for aspiring Graphic Design professionals seeking to expand their skills, while the other is for beginners who want to get into the creative side of video editing!
Why You Should Pursue Career in Video Edits
Source:
- YouTube: Making Videos, with Video as content on You tube So Businesses, influencers, and brands need high-quality videos for marketing which creates an incredible demand for skilled video editors. It gives graphic designers the ability to provide more services to clients when you first pick up video editing.
- Video Editing Career Skills You must have
Video editing requires a mix of technical and creative skills for success. Here are some skills you should learn:
Technical Skills:
- Video Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, Da Vinci Resolve, Cap Cut
- For animation and visual effects — Adobe After Effects
- Colour Correction & Grading: Learning about colour theory and LUTs
- Audio Editing: Post-processing sound with Adobe Audition or Audacity
- Starting from: File Formats and Codecs: Understanding Video Compression and Export Settings
Creative Skills:
- Jason Darby, Lead Experience Designer, said: “Storytelling: The ability to craft interesting video narratives.
- Transitions & Effects: Adding Smooth Transition Between Scenes
- Typography & Graphics: Overlays with text and/or motion graphics
- Detail Orientation: Editing work with precision, learning mistakes
How to Get Started in Video Editing: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Learn the Basics
Get started with basic video editing techniques using any of the platforms available. You should be able to find beginner-friendly editing courses on websites such as Udemy, Coursera, and YouTube.
Step 2: Gain Practical Work Experience
- Edit your footage to make short videos. Try working on:
- Content for social media (Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, Tik Tok videos)
- Promos for businesses
- Personal projects such as travel vlogs or documentaries
Step 3: Build a Portfolio
Work to build a portfolio of your best work. As a Frontend Graphic Designer, you can extend your existing skills in personal video editing to form dynamic visual elements. Share your work on Behance, Dribbble, or your own site.
Step 4: Learn Advanced Editing Techniques
- Once you’re comfortable with the basics, there’s advanced techniques to explore, including:
- Green Screen Editing (Chroma Keying)
- Animation 3D & Motion Graphics
- Cinematic Video Effects
- Multi-Camera Editing
Step 5: Start Freelancing
Earn while you learn by taking up freelancing. Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer are great platforms to connect us with clients requiring video editing services.
How to Find Clients:
- Showcase My Freelancer Profile: Showcase my specializations, experience, and portfolio.
- Build Gig Packages: Provide various levels of service (basic, standard, premium).
- Apply for Jobs: Propose with custom messages to potential clients.
- Network online: Share your work with your networks on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter.
Step 6: Keep a Tab on the Trends of the Industry
New tools and techniques are always coming up in the nature of things in video editing. Keep up by following industry influencers, joining video editing communities, and by trying out the latest software updates.
How Much Will You Get Paid as a Freelance Video Editor?
- Freelancers earn based on experience, skills, and demand from clients. Here’s a rough estimate:
- Beginner: $15 – $30 per hour
- Level 4 — Intermediate: $30 – $50/hour
- Expert: $50 – $100+ per hour
- Charge per project, from $50 for short social media videos to $1,000+ for high-end commercial edits.
Final Thoughts
Key Point: To begin a video editing career, you need dedication and creativity. Of course, if you are a Graphic Designer or a Frontend Graphic Designer, learning video editing can help you get better jobs/freelance. With the right tools at your disposal, practice, and taking advantage of the freelance landscape, the passion you have for video editing can become a lucrative career.
To you who want to grab digital video: are you ready? Download an editing software, start practicing, and embark on your freelancing journey now!
