If you spend most of your free time on social media, you must have probably recognized that video has gotten huge. Not only are individuals uploading homemade videos to YouTube and other platforms, but businesses are also using video as a powerful marketing tool.
The popularity of video can be imagined from study reports, revealing that 80% of consumer internet traffic is expected to be video traffic within a few years.
This rising trend of video created demand for skilled production assistants, videographers, and video editors. Several companies hire full-time, experienced individuals or rely on outside firms to produce promotional and marketing videos. However, many companies are shifting towards freelance video editors., which has increased freelance video editing jobs.
You can find freelance video editing jobs online. But the question is, what does a freelance video editor do? How can you become a freelance video editor? And what skills are required for freelance video editing?
This post will give you a detailed review of freelance video editing and answer all of your questions.
What Does a Freelance Video Editor Do?
A video editor is an individual who does production and post-production changes to a digital video or film, with the motive of making it more compelling. Being a freelance video editor, you are not affiliated with a single production company and can work with any company or organization and accept projects from them.
As a freelance video editor, you work closely with the director to edit scenes and implement post-production enhancements. The freelance video editors work with computers and software to add, edit, or rearrange scenes in a video according to the client’s instructions.
The job functions of freelance video editors have changed due to the growing popularity of online video content and the increase in YouTube celebrities and influencers. Almost every company has its social media accounts, and they are using videos for marketing. They hire freelance video editors to create ads, edit videos, and apply post-production changes that involve incorporating CGI or other enhancements, such as sound, lighting, and other special effects, into the video.
How to Become a Freelance Video Editor
Freelancing gives you the freedom of being your own boss. You will have more control over your working hours. If you have experience in video editing, you already have the potential of getting a freelance video editing job.
While freelancers enjoy the freedom of working from home, how much they work, choosing their working hours, this freedom comes at a cost. There are numerous challenges you need to prepare for when applying for any video editing job.
These steps will help you become a successful freelance video editor.
Plan Your Career
If you want to quit your traditional full-time job and learn how to enter into video editing, it is necessary to prepare a concrete plan for your video editing career. Don’t opt for it before you plan for all possible outcomes.
Many freelancers fail due to poor planning. They rush into the freelance industry for entry-level video editing jobs without understanding their client’s video editing requirements.
It would be best to remember that your financial independence and livelihood depend on your video editing career’s success. Before starting, it is recommended to have enough savings because it might take some time to get a client, so you don’t have to worry about paying rent for the next six months.
Enhance Your Video Editing Skills
Before applying for freelance video editing jobs, evaluate your editing skills and your potential client’s requirements. You should know the necessary skills to survive in this industry.
If you don’t have a grip on these skills, enroll yourself in professional video editing courses to increase your success chances. You’ll need to have detailed knowledge of the video editor business and how to handle all the video editing gigs you take on.
Choose the courses that cover the complete cycle of video creation and the skills required to create good video content.
Learn the proven and repeatable methods of creating highly persuasive video scripts because your video will be irrelevant if your video isn’t engaging and doesn’t turn your viewers into buyers.
Take the time to learn any evolving trend in video editing. This will allow you to offer more value to your clients when you start working on freelance video editing projects.
Invest in Professional Video Editing Software
There are dozens of video editing tools available on the internet that allow users to create videos quickly. When planning your freelance video editing career, list down all the equipment and tools you will need. If you have experience in the film and video industry, you’ll better understand the tools of the trade.
If you feel comfortable with the best video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro, you’ll need to buy a powerful computer with sufficient RAM and a high-quality graphics card, high-resolution camera, headphones, and external hard drive. If you have a tight budget, then you can consider another professional video editing software according to your needs.
Brand Yourself as a Freelancer
In freelance business, one of the most challenging stages is gaining recognition for your skills and work, but once they come to know about your work, it becomes easier to get projects.
The best way to get noticed by your potential clients is to create a name for yourself in the industry.
Create a freelance video editor website and put all samples of your best video editing work. Learn how to write a freelance video editor resume or an impressive video editor job description.
Where to Find Freelance Video Editing Jobs
There are many freelancing platforms where companies and small businesses find freelancers to do specific tasks. You need to go through these marketplaces and look for video editor jobs.
In Conclusion
If you dream of becoming a freelance video editor, it’s the right time to take the plunge. Video media is growing rapidly, and there is no end to this growth in the near future.
Businesses of all kinds are looking to use video for their advertisements and information sharing. But most of them don’t have enough technical knowledge, equipment, and talented personnel to create high-quality video.
If you have the talent, are willing to work hard, and are determined to improve continually, you’re going to be a successful freelance video editor.
