How to Become a Freelance Video Editor [Problems Revealed]

Becoming a freelance video editor has been one of the best choices I've made in my career. Transforming raw video footage into polished, shareable content with color adjustments, smooth edits, and more—that's the enjoyable part! However, it didn't happen overnight.

It took commitment, learning new skills, and a lot of experimenting to reach where I am today. Now, I work as a video editor at FixThePhoto. In this guide, I'll share my experiences and tips on how you can succeed as a freelance video editor.

A freelance video editor reviews raw video footage and makes edits to adjust the length, sound, and overall quality. They work on a contract basis for various clients rather than being employed by one company. Their tasks include creating promotional videos for different organizations, editing event footage, and collaborating on films for independent filmmakers and studios.

If you want to start as a freelancer, you should also be prepared to help capture memories at events like weddings or corporate gatherings by creating music videos.

Typical tasks:

• Use editing software to view and organize raw footage into a sequence that tells a story.
• Import, log, and tag video files.
• Perform a rough cut to remove excess footage.
• Revise the initial cut to improve it.
• Enhance colors and mix sound.
• Move scenes around in the film's timeline to restructure them.
• Perform a final review to ensure the video is of high quality.
• Compress, save, and catalog the final product.
• Keep records of the services provided to clients.

Unlike some jobs, you don’t need specific qualifications like a bachelor’s degree to become a freelance video editor. Although some accreditation can be helpful, having video editing experience is more important.

There are some basic requirements that clients look for when they want to hire a videographer or video editor:

Training and experience using video editing software for Windows or Mac, such as Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro. You should have skills in color grading, audio editing, and creating motion graphics and special effects.

A suitable computer for video editing needs to have enough RAM and processing power to handle your projects effectively.

Strong backup plan. A reliable backup plan is crucial. A common strategy involves keeping three copies of your data: two stored locally on different devices (like your computer’s hard drive and an external drive), and one copy stored remotely using cloud backup software. When using Premiere Pro, I like that it automatically saves backup copies of my projects regularly.

Strong organizational skills. You’ll likely manage your assignments, create timelines and budgets for post-production, and handle project assets such as video footage and audio files throughout production and editing.

Effective communication skills. Communication skills are vital for freelancers to maintain good relationships with clients. This includes skills like active listening, responsiveness, and clarity in your communications.

I recommend finding clients through a combination of online platforms, networking, and self-promotion.

Online freelance markets. Use business freelance services like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer where you can create profiles, showcase your work, and bid on client projects.

Social media. Online platforms such as LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter are valuable for sharing your portfolio, interacting with potential clients, and joining relevant groups.

Industry events. Attend industry events, film festivals, workshops, and local meetups to network with potential clients and peers.

Website. Create a professional website or use platforms like Behance or Vimeo to display your portfolio, client feedback, and contact details.

Blogging. Optimize your website for search engines and write blogs about video editing tips and past projects to attract organic traffic.

Specialized job boards. Check specialized job boards and websites like Media Match, Mandy, and ProductionHUB that focus on creative and media roles.

YouTube and tutorials. Produce tutorials, vlogs, or demo reels on YouTube to demonstrate your skills and attract clients seeking proficient editors.

Collaborations. Collaborate with other freelancers, production companies, or agencies to access larger projects and maintain steady work opportunities.

Freelance video editing can pay well, especially as you gain experience. However, your income depends on several factors:

Location. Editors in cities like LA and New York typically charge higher rates than in other places.

Specialization. Editing specific types of videos, such as fashion or startup promos, can command higher fees compared to editing shorter clips.

Portfolio and skills. Just like in freelance photography, your work speaks for itself. The more impressive projects you have in your portfolio, the more you can charge.

Type of client. Larger brands usually have bigger budgets, allowing you to earn more per project. They also expect high-quality work.

Speed. Fast turnaround times often justify higher rates.

Last year, I earned around $70,000 freelancing. I've been doing this for about 5 years, building a strong portfolio and developing skills that allow me to handle even complex projects effectively.

As someone experienced in this field, I recommend starting with strong skills in video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro and continuously learning to stay updated with industry trends. It's also important to set competitive rates and maintain a professional online presence to stand out.

What sets a professional video editor apart from an amateur is specialization. If you try to work on all types of projects — commercials, real estate videos, events like weddings, music videos, and more — you won’t master any one area. It’s better to focus on a specific niche and fully understand the styles and expectations for that type of video content.

Your portfolio can be a YouTube channel or a website where you showcase your videos. A YouTube channel helps you share your work across different platforms, acting as a marketing tool. A website is more traditional and customizable, where you can include contact information for potential clients to reach you.

I recommend looking at these tools to create a portfolio: Wix, Vimeo, and Squarespace. I also showcase my work on Behance. These platforms let you create pages with video embeds and detailed descriptions, and you can use the “Collections” feature to group related projects together.

Get comfortable using video editing software by making sample videos to improve your skills. Keep learning through tutorials, trade publications, and online forums. I watched many Adobe Premiere Pro tutorials, which helped me improve my skills. Even if you think your portfolio is complete, keep working on projects to learn new skills and refine the ones you already have.

There are many great platforms for finding freelance video editor jobs locally, nationally, and internationally. Online job boards, video-specific Slack groups, and gig websites like Fiverr can help you build your professional profile and get more freelance work.

LinkedIn is also important for making connections. It lets you to apply for jobs and put your name, face, and portfolio in front of potential clients and collaborators.

Over time, you’ll need a clear strategy to work more effectively with clients. My business strategy includes:

• Developing my billing system.
• Creating proposals for clients and partners.
• Improving contracts, invoices, and handling tax obligations.
• Setting clear deadlines and work schedules. I use time management software called RescueTime. It automatically tracks the time I spend on apps and websites, even specific documents, without needing timers or manual entry.
• Improving how I present products to clients. You can try Dropbox Replay to host live video review sessions and gather feedback.