How To Become a Freelance Video Editor in 2023

How To Become a Freelance Video Editor in 2023 (8 Steps)

How To Become a Freelance Video Editor in 2023 (8 Steps) – Recently, freelance video editors have quite high opportunities. The reason is, one of the most frequently used forms of content marketing by almost all business industries today is video.

So, if you are interested in getting into this field of work but don’t know where to start, you are in the right place. Because this article will share tips and how to become a freelance video editor for beginners. 

What Is a Freelance Video Editor?

A video editor freelancer is a professional freelancer whose responsibility is to take raw video footage and edit it.

The video editing process is generally carried out using the basic principles of filmmaking, such as editing footage , creating stories, animation, and other elements to create visually appealing videos.

Skills a Freelance Video Editor Must Have

Not just anyone can start a career as a video editor, because this job requires special expertise and skills.

If you are interested in having a career in this field, you must have the following skills:

  1. Able to operate video editing applications (After Effect, Premiere Pro, and so on).
  2. Has the ability to record video.
  3. Have creative ideas.
  4. Able to communicate well.
  5. Negotiation basis.

These five skills are the basic things that a freelance video editor must have. In addition to special expertise in editing , a freelancer must have good communication and negotiation skills.

8 Steps to Become a Freelance Video Editor

If you are serious about having a career in this field, then there are several steps you must take to start this career.

1. Learn the Science of Video Editing

Before starting to build a career as a video editor, you need to learn the basics of video editing .

You can learn this by watching YouTube videos about video editing tutorials , how to record videos properly, create storylines, and so on.

Apart from YouTube, you can take online courses on Udemy, SkillShare, or Coursera. These three platforms provide many classes ranging from filmmaking, scripting, animation, and so on. 

Interestingly, after completing the class, you can get a certificate that you can put on your CV and LinkedIn profile. This certificate is very useful to increase your credibility as a freelance video editor.

2. Study editing software

After learning the basic knowledge of editing , the next step is to practice this knowledge using software .

One of the editing software most often used by editors is Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe After Effects. So, try to learn both software .

3. Sharpen Skills at the Internship Place

Before starting a career as a freelancer , it’s a good idea to seek work experience first as an intern video editor .

As previously explained, almost all business industries definitely use video content as their marketing medium. Therefore, the opportunity for video editor jobs is very large.

As long as you are an apprentice, you will get far more practical knowledge. You can also discuss with your colleagues how to make interesting videos and understand the procedure for making videos from pre-production to post-production .

4. Volunteers

To improve your editing skills , you can offer video editing services to your friends or family.

It could be, they are in need of a freelance video editor for their wedding or small business needs. Maybe this project won’t generate any money, but this activity will improve your skills in video editing and add to your portfolio of works.

5. Determine the Genre 

After having a lot of work experience, you must have realized that you have a particular genre that you like. Whether it’s a feature-length film, stop motion , commercial, or wedding .

If so, then focus on practicing making and editing videos in that genre to build your portfolio.

6. Create an Online Portfolio

You really have to do this step, because the client will always ask for your portfolio to measure how good the works you have made are.

Creating an online portfolio is very easy. You can rely on social media, build a personal website, or showcase your work on Behance.

a. Social media

If you don’t have sufficient funds to build a website , then you can rely on social media to display your work. 

Generally, the social media that freelance video editors often use to display their work are Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. These three platforms can display the images and videos that you have created. 

Interestingly, this platform can also get a good response from the audience in the form of likes , opinions, and so on.

b. Website

If you want to look more professional, then you can build a portfolio website yourself. On the website , you can display your profile in detail, starting from your identity, skills, projects that have been made, and so on.

Apart from functioning to display works, you can also maximize your website with the help of Google Ads to increase traffic. The more audience that comes to visit your website , the higher the chances of getting clients.

c. Behance

Behance is the platform most often used by the world’s freelance video editors to display their works. Starting from graphic design, animation, commercial videos, and so on.

One interesting thing about this platform is that when someone sees your uploaded work, they can give an “ appreciate ” sign   and even offer to work with you.

However, to get there, make sure you always update your portfolio as often and as detailed as possible because clients will judge your performance from there.

7. Take advantage of LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the perfect social media if you want to get your first client easily. This is because social media is the first place companies visit to get references when they want to hire professional freelancers .

Here’s how to optimize your LinkedIn profile so that it’s discoverable by employers.

a. Include Keywords

The first thing you should fix on your LinkedIn profile is the “Headline.” Make sure the headline on your LinkedIn profile includes the right keywords according to the job you are looking for.

Since you are a freelance video editor, you can use the keyword “ Freelance Video Editor ” in the headline section of your LinkedIn profile. 

If you still feel lacking, try to write the same keywords in the search field. After that, look at the “ people also searched for ” section at the bottom of the page. 

There, you will see several keywords that are often used by other users to find freelancers . You can take these keywords and include them on your LinkedIn profile. 

LinkedIn

b. Complete Work Experience and Certificates

Next, complete the work experience and certificate fields on your LinkedIn profile. These two parts are very important because the first thing clients see is your work experience and certificates.

Interestingly, on LinkedIn you can describe your duties and responsibilities and the works you’ve created. So, you can take advantage of this feature to show off your work to clients.

LinkedIn

8. Offer Services on Freelance Sites

Currently, the opportunity to find and get a job can be done online . All you need to do is create an account on freelance sites like FastWork, Fiverr, Upwork, and Sribulancer.

From the site, you can promote your services and make the job rates you want.

Come on, Have a Career as a Freelance Video Editor!

Don’t be afraid of not getting your first client when you start your career as a freelance video editor .

Stay patient and keep updating your portfolio, and soon there will be companies interested in working with you.

In addition, freelance work will benefit you for a career while working more flexibly.

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