Video editing is one of the most in-demand jobs today, and the reason is simple. That is because it has become a popular and effective marketing tool in the current time.
More and more companies are shifting towards digital media marketing, where video does wonder. Today, video marketing is the top marketing strategy for every business worldwide.
Surveys revealed that video forecasts to make up 82% of the web traffic by 2020; that’s why video editors’ job market is exploding. People are choosing it as a full-time career. If you’re among them, you’ll be happy to know that you can make a good amount from video editing and that too by working from home.
In this article, you’ll get to know the average income of freelance video editors, where to find online freelance video editing jobs, and how to increase your income as a freelance video editor.
How much do freelance video editors make?
US Bureau of labor and statistics stated that film and video editors average $86,830 per year. The wage starts from $31,940 for the ones who are new. You can make up to $170,040 if you have experience in the field.
It means the hourly pay of a freelance video editor comes at $41.75 and can range from $15.36 to $81.75, depending on your experience level.
On freelancing platforms such as Fiverr and Upwork, beginners charge $20 to $45 per hour for simple video edits. Meanwhile, experienced and advanced video editors who have a polished portfolio and can go beyond the basics can charge their clients from $50 to more than $80 per hour, depending on the quality and complexity of the editing required.
Best online platforms to find video editing jobs
Online video editing makes you able to reach out to the global market and gives you more freedom. You can choose to charge your client on an hourly basis or project basis. Additionally, it also allows you to pick which projects you want to work on so you can dictate how your portfolio will grow.
If you’re interested in working as a freelance video editor, you must visit these popular websites to find video editing jobs.
Behance
Behance is a well-known social media platform that allows you to showcase your creative work and get discovered by clients worldwide. If you’re having issues in creating a portfolio, then don’t worry. Behance offers a limit of 1GB per video file. Upload your work samples and use them as your online portfolio.
Other than that, Behance also has an excellent job postings section. You can regularly check that for full-time work.
Mandy
Mandy is a job platform that is widely used by TV and film-making professionals. They search here and apply for production jobs here. Thousands of video editing professionals are competing here for the best positions; you’ll need to find a way to stand out. Tailored cover letters, updated social feed, and an online portfolio of your previous work can help catch Mandy’s clients’ attention.
ProductionHub
ProductionHub is a local community where vendors, local crews, and freelancers connect with experienced and professional content creators. It will ask you to sign up for monthly membership, which starts at $4.99, before using this media production job site. After doing so, you can list your profile in the video editors’ section and begin hunting the post-production editing jobs.
Fiverr
If you’re new to freelance video editing, you should check out Fiverr. The least amount you can get for a video editing project is $5. Fiverr is a great platform where you can get your feet wet and build your portfolio. Getting new clients might be tiresome for you, but later on, after completing few projects, you won’t get upset.
Upwork
With 3,800 active video editing jobs, Upwork is one of the best places to start your freelance video editing career. If you aim to target mid-range and long-term clients, then Upwork can help you in that.
Increase your income as a Freelance Video Editor
So, now you have a better understanding of how much you can earn as a freelance video editor and where you can earn it. The next question is how you can make yourself stand out from others and earn more. There are some practical tips on how you can increase your income as a freelance video editor.
Don’t limit yourself.
Learn other related programs related to video editing, don’t limit yourself to just one or two. Along with a strong grip on commonly used tools, familiarize yourself with other tools like After Effects, Lightroom, Photoshop, Sound Forge, Audition, and more. The more you learn these programs, the more you will add value to any project, and the more they will pay you.
Improve your time management skills
By finishing your task faster, you impress your client and open yourself for more work (more income!) or more time to learn or improve the existing skills.
Follow the below-mentioned steps to edit videos faster.
- Learn the shortcuts of software you are using.
- Never mix up your rough, fine, and final cuts.
- You can use placeholders to remind you what to do.
- Once the client approves your final mix, only then do the audio mix.
Keep yourself updated
Staying on top of the latest video editing industry trends will help you earn more than your competitors. Clients prefer those professionals who know their craft’s ins and outs because it can result in more effective and impressive videos.
A more effective video can lead to more sales, and ultimately the client will pay you more than your expectations. The easy way to keep yourself updated is to follow the right blogs, social media accounts, and YouTube channels.
In Conclusion
In freelance video editing, clients pay you based on the value that you can provide to their project. There are video editors who are earning anywhere from $5 per hour to $50 per hour.
Your income will be relative to your skillset, timeliness, and ability to meet the client’s needs. So, work on enhancing your skillset and never undervalue yourself.
