5 Tips on Growing Your Freelance Video Editing Business

Starting or growing your video editing business as a freelancer comes with many challenges.
Even if you’re careful and driven or have planned everything to the smallest details. There’s always going to be something. However, most of these challenges can be overcome with a bit of strategic planning and having a roadmap from the beginning.

Many new freelancers in video editing or all freelancers in general struggle with finding clients and securing consistent income in the beginning. The main challenge with freelance work is that it can get quite unpredictable and seasonal depending on your niche. To be working all of the time, you’ll need to focus on a couple of important points – Finding your niche as fast as possible, marketing in both paid & ‘’free’’ and communicating with potential clients in a convincing way. 

To help you find your footing, we’ve put together a list of tips that every freelance videographer and editor can count on in order to get their business going and growing.

Here are five of the biggest points to focus on.

Step 1: Finding Clients (Free sites)

There are many sites and platforms that make it easier than ever before to find potential clients. Needless to say, your presentation should be impressive enough to score some gigs.

Before we look at profiles and how to create the best one. Here’s a list some of the platforms that are perfect for freelance video editors:

• Upwork.com is one of the biggest international freelance marketplaces
• Taspin.com – A website to manage your clients, projects, invoices and files.
• The LinkedIn jobs catalog
• Freelancer.com video editing jobs (lots of competition, many of the projects come with fairly low pay. Still, you can come across some interesting gigs every once in a while)
• Behance jobs
• Production Hub – a website dedicated entirely to video editing and production gigs
• People Per Hour – while the focus falls mainly on the UK market, there are some interesting international projects here
• Fiverr is another place where you can post a gig but the competition is quite intense
• Viedit allows you to post projects and put together a creator profile
• Mandy.com – a job site for all kinds of creative projects
• Toptal.com  – an exclusive network of the top freelance editors. developers, designers etc. 

Obviously, these are just some of the online possibilities. It’s a good idea to focus on a few of those (for example – Upwork, LinkedIn and Fiverr). Make sure that your online profile highlights all of your skills, especially the niche qualifications and skills that separate your  work from others.

It’s very important to make your presence distinctive. Feature a portfolio of the work you’ve done for clients. Get some client testimonials, as well. These can be especially effective when it comes to marketing your skills online. No one wants to work with half empty profiles or a poorly written copy.  

Here are two examples of bad and confusing profiles and two great ones. 

Bad example 1: Doesn’t have a professional photo, a real name or a clear headline. 

Bad example 2: This one is better than the first one as it has a real photo, name and basic info about availability, education but the headline, bio and skills don’t match. Also, there’s no previous work or samples potential clients can check out.

Good example 1: Has a real photo, name and is verified. The headline matches the skills, portfolio and education.

This profile also has a small intro video under ‘’Meet Sam N.’’ wherein he tells a bit about his process and experience. Another great thing about this profile is the reviews – It looks like he asks for reviews and testimonials after each project and they’re usually 5 stars.

The only thing missing on this profile is his availability, but I’m sure he’s busy even with a $100/hr rate.    

Good example 2: She doesn’t use her real name, but her profile has a real photo and is verified. She’s very active and quick even though she might be in a different time zone than her main market, the US. The headline, bio, skills and portfolio match perfectly and she has + 40 reviews from real clients.    

Online platforms will give you a good starting point when it comes to seeking out new projects. There are, however, a few more things you can do to reach even more clients:

• Do a stellar job every single time to encourage word of mouth promotion from your current and former clients.
  
• Join online communities and forums for the purpose of networking with other video editors (Facebook Groups, Reddit and LinkedIn all provide such opportunities)
  
• Build your own website and fill it with quality content often – that’s a great opportunity to benefit from search engine traffic and people looking for video editing services.
  
• Don’t underestimate the importance of old-school business cards you can distribute at events and networking opportunities.
  
• Update your site and portfolio with new videos and projects you’ve worked on as often as possible and highlight what you did on those projects specifically. 

Step 2: Marketing

You have many channels that can be used for networking. To make the most of those, you’ll need to master some marketing essentials.

As a freelance video editor, you’re also a part strategist and business owner. You’ll be responsible for promoting yourself and building a brand that clients will find attractive.

Good marketing is all about building your reputation (both online and offline). If people consider you an authority within the realm of video editing or post production, they’ll be more likely to turn to you when in need of professional assistance.

To market yourself like a pro and get clients to discover your services, you can rely on the following approaches:

• Fill your website with quality content, blog posts, how-to guides and examples of your work.
  
  
  https://katietoomey.com/project-work-gallery/
  
  
  Online content gives you powerful opportunities to distinguish yourself from other service providers.
  
  
  https://katietoomey.com/netflix-lost-in-space-intro/
  
  It builds your personality and also demonstrates your know-how. Maintaining a consistent posting schedule will also help you rank higher on Google for your keywords.
  
• Build an online community via social media like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter, if you have the time!
  
  It doesn’t have to be thousands or a Youtube channel. 10 – 50 enthusiastic videographers to learn from, exchange advice with or collaborate should be enough depending on your goals. 
  
  
  Both visual and non-visual channels can help you communicate with people potentially interested in your services.
  
• Encourage former clients to write reviews and online testimonials (via Facebook reviews, Google Maps & Reviews, Upwork, Fiverr etc..) about their interactions with you. People trust online recommendations (USE THE FORMAT ON TASPIN DRAFT)
  as much as the information they get from friends and relatives.
  
  
  
• Run an occasional paid promotional campaign. Google ads and Facebook ads are two examples of cost-effective options you can use every once in a while to market a specific service or reach new clients.
  
  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8_m8-Gmuf8
  
  You can try with less than $50 on either and see if it’s working for you. To make the most of these promo opportunities and other pay per click (PPC) campaigns, you’ll have to come up with a client persona and a demographic profile.
  
  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvV7ZcRVQ4g
  
  This way, you’ll do a bit of targeting to make the most of the paid promotional opportunity.
  
  There are many ways to create a persona, but I just created a simple one using this template. 
  
  
  
• Partner up with other businesses and freelancers. Event venues, your local chambers of commerce, event planners, marketing agencies, film production companies and many other businesses could refer clients if you establish solid and amicable professional connections.
  
  Don’t just send them a cold email and call it a day.
  
  Bad example of a freelancer editor asking to collaborate with another editor.  
  
  Subject line: ‘’Cheap work, only $10/hr’’
  
  Body: Hi David James,
  
  I can work cheaply and fast.
  
  My work: 
  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4zsdd1
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjkuhffdh
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOPsc89
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNASjnda
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMssssM
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4z17Uuo
  
  Preti Ohjal
  
  Good example
  
  Subject line: ‘’Collab with an experienced editor’’
  
  Body: Hi David,
  
  Hope your week is going well!
  
  I read about your work with Laura Hansen and I’ve had a similar experience. I just moved to LA and I’m actually looking for editors to collaborate with.
  
  Are you looking for any AE experts?
  
  I’ve 9 years of experience and here’s a few samples I’ve worked on this year.
  
  Phone: 343 234 890
  
  LinkedIn
  
  Jacob Gregor  
  
  You have to do your research and check if it’s a win-win. Also, it’s very important your services are complimentary.   
  
  1. Always do your research before you contact them. 
  
  2. Do their business and goals align with yours?
  
  3. Is it a complimentary service / product or a direct competitor?
  
  4. Why should they partner up with you?
  
• Update your online portfolio often to present your newest and best projects.
  
• Come up with promo campaigns and special discounts (these can be especially beneficial during “dry” periods when you need to land some new gigs)
  
  
  
• Be very specific about your rates and feature such information on your website. This strategy builds transparency and helps manage expectations.
  
  When getting in touch with you, clients will have a very specific idea about what they’ll get and how much it will cost. Communication will also be much easier this way instead of using your time replying to calls and emails asking for rates / prices.
  
  Every project is of course different, but having ‘’starting prices or daily rates’’ on your site helps.
  https://www.veedyou.com/start/  

And finally – produce amazing work every single time!

Letting your videos and projects speak for themselves will undoubtedly be one of the most powerful forms of marketing.

Step 3: Pick Your Niche 

Eventually, you’ll find out that it’s much easier to get new projects by going for a niche and specializing.


entrepreneurhandbook.co.uk

If you have very specific skills and qualifications that set you aside from the competition, then those are the ones to market and focus on. Not only will competition be lower when it comes to specialized projects and skills, but those gigs also give you a chance to charge more.

Everybody would like to charge more if possible, but this is especially important for freelancers that use global freelancing sites like Upwork and Fiverr. 

For example, if you enjoy working on documentaries, trailers and corporate videos there’s going to be some overlap, but you might lose a bid to someone that specializes in each area much more.  

The same applies to editing ads, sports, music videos or vlogs. 

Some video editors are afraid of going niche because that means that they wouldn’t attract the more “general” clients.

Establishing yourself as an authority or expert within a certain niche, however, provides excellent opportunities and establishes loyal clients as they’re already working with the best and most specialized editors. This process will take some time and patience, but if you’re good and motivated, you’ll definitely get there.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVljH74fLS8 

You can also narrow your niche even more by differentiating yourself from other local video editors.

For this purpose, check out what they’re doing in terms of work but also marketing / networking and their rates / prices, if possible. You can do a simple Google search + your location or use something like ShareGrid.  

When you have this information, you can set the right prices for the services you’re offering.

It’s up to you to decide if you’d offer slightly lower prices than the competition. If you are a niche service provider and nobody else features similar solutions in your district or city, you can go slightly above average as far as prices are concerned. That is a good opportunity for building a bit of exclusivity.

Step 4: Always Improving Your Skills

Speaking of being good or an expert in your niche – video editing and post production in general is an ever-evolving field.

Technologies in the world of videography change all the time. The same applies to video editing tools and software platforms. Even editing techniques and styles change as societal trends impact the kinds of video people are drawn to.

Staying competitive in such a dynamic market isn’t easy but it’s crucial if you want to secure the long-term survival of your business.

This means that as a freelancer, you have to invest in acquiring new skills and mastering the latest technologies that emerge on the video editing market.

There are many courses, learning opportunities and workshops you can attend to grow as a freelance video editor. Use these opportunities to continuously differentiate yourself from everybody else and carve a niche that you can dominate.

3 free video editing courses:


1. Vegas Pro 15 – Basic Video Editing Bootcamp

You’ll learn to: Be able to use Vegas Pro 15 to create a video project, edit video clips, slice and transition between video clips, add music and B rolls, add titles, do basic special effects, and render a final video file.

2. Learn Expert Video Editing using KineMaster App

You’ll learn to:

– Be able to create edited video on mobile

– Be able to remove green background and composed it with background loop

– Be able to add titles, credits, graphics in the video.

– Become a pro in video editing.

– Earn money with YouTube channel by making professional videos

3. How to Improve Your Video Editing Skills

You’ll learn to:

– Create a memorable travel video.

– Apply presets in Adobe Lightroom.

– Learn to use Adobe Premiere Pro.

– Plan smartly before shooting for footage.

– Learn the tools needed for creating an awesome short film.

– Learn how to travel with a baby.

3 paid video editing courses:

1. VIDEO EDITING. Techniques loved by pro broadcast filmmakers




2. Master Premiere Pro – Advanced Techniques

3. Learn Video Captioning From Scratch To Pro-Level

Investing in your professional knowledge is probably the number one way to get an optimal return on investment.

Keep track of news in the field and of opportunities that competitors offer to clients. If you’re lacking knowledge in a specific technique or you’re hearing about an opportunity for the very first time, you should definitely inquire further and seek ways to expand your knowledge.

Step 5: Staying Organized

The final thing you have to do on an ongoing basis in order to grow your freelance video editing business is staying organized.

As we have already mentioned, this is a business and you are the boss, editor and manager.

It’s going be very hard to run a freelance business by just being a great video editor and forgetting about your other duties. You have to be a strategist, a project manager, good with money and many other things.

The good news is that you can find various tools and apps that will help you keep track of projects and other key aspects of doing your job.

Some good solutions you may want to consider include:

• Todoist: a great app for to-do list creation. It comes with a free version if you’d like to test it out for a certain period of time without spending money.
  
  Starters: Free    Pro: $3     Teams: $5
  
• Taspin: to manage your clients, projects, invoices, feedback, and other essential aspects of your business.
  
  Pro: $20     Teams: $$$$$$$$$$$
  
• Toggl or HourStack: time tracking apps that will give you a very accurate idea about the amount of time spent on the execution of a certain project.
  
  Toggl: Starter: Free Pro: $9 Premium: $18  / HourStack: Pro: $9 Teams: $12
  
• Dropbox: for the organization of documents and files, as well as the effortless sharing of such data with clients and business partners.
  
  Starter: €9.99    Pro: €16.58   Teams: €10 per user
  
• Evernote: it gives you a chance to create notes, keep them and sync them on the cloud for effortless accessibility on the go.
  
  Starter: Free    Pro: $8   Teams: $12 per user
  
• Trello: a project management app that’s very convenient and helps to ensure effective tracking, as well as high levels of productivity.

Starter: Free    Pro: $10 

• Bidsketch: a proposal creation app that helps you make your applications for various projects look much more professional and organized.

Starter: $29    Pro: $79   Teams: $19 per user 

• Wave: an invoicing and payment processing app that can be particularly beneficial for freelancers. 

Starter: $20 + fees   Pro: $35 + fess 

• Google Docs: can be used in many ways – to share documents with clients, create spreadsheets, put together project templates and time management spreadsheets.

Personal: Free  Starter: $6   Pro: $13 per user  Teams: $18 per user

• Notion.io:  organize your notes, databases, boards, wikis, calendars and reminders.

Personal: Free   Starter: $4  Teams: $8 per user

• Canva: for graphic design and storyboards.

Starter: Free   Pro: $13 per user   Teams: $30 per user

Each of these app categories features many alternatives that some video editors will find more intuitive or cost-effective. What matters is identifying areas where you’re having challenges in organizing your work and seeking out the best solutions.

Final thoughts

Building a successful freelance editing business takes planning, effort, time and patience.

Chances are that you’re not going to see a major client influx right off the bat. You’ll probably have to go through some dry spells and challenging phases that will make you want to give up. But you shouldn’t!

Use these moments to learn, fine-tune your strategy and introduce novel approaches aimed at growing your clientele and establishing your reputation.

Learning and trying new things will always pay off in the end.

Add quotes as graphics and then … From ‘’How I built…..’’

See how other freelancers are building their businesses.

1. How I built my $7k / month freelancing business using Craigslist
2. How I built my $5k / month video editing business in Sydney
3. Coming…

Add a photo of the editors + First name + link to posts?

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How I built my $7k / month freelancing business using Craigslist

By Matt Slotemaker from 12afrefilms.

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