How to hire video editors
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. A video captures motion in thousands of pictures. It’s no wonder so many businesses wish to include video in their content marketing campaigns. If you want to create professional videos for your business, a video editor can help.
So how do you find a video editor? What follows are some tips on finding top video editors on Upwork.
How to shortlist video editing professionals
As you’re browsing available video editing consultants, it can be helpful to develop a shortlist of the freelancers you may want to interview. You can screen profiles on criteria such as:
- Brand fit.
- Portfolio.
- Feedback.
How to write an effective video editing job post
With a clear picture of your ideal video editor in mind, it’s time to write that job post. Although you don’t need a full job description as you would when hiring an employee, aim to provide enough detail for a contractor to know if they’re the right fit for the project.
An effective video editing job post should include:
- Scope of work: From video collages to covering an event, list all the deliverables you’ll need.
- Project length: Your job post should indicate whether this is a smaller or larger project.
- Background: If you prefer experience working with certain industries or media platforms, mention this here.
- Budget: Set a budget and note your preference for hourly rates vs. fixed-price contracts.
- Video type: Do you need live action footage (e.g. a product video) you’ve shot or sourced online (e.g. stock clips edited along a storyline), an animated video using motion graphics or digital animation, like a whiteboard video, or a hybrid video that uses a combination of both?
Ready to give your video content that professional look and feel? Log in and post your video editing job on Upwork today.
Consider including any of the following for more detail:
- Background information. What is your company or business? What products or services do you provide?
- Business goals and scope of the project. Explain the purpose of the video(s) and what you hope to accomplish with them.
- Where will the footage come from?
- Explain how the videos will be used and where they’ll be published.
- Include your timeline, budget, and deliverables.Be sure to build in time for feedback and rounds of revision. Be specific about what file format you want the video to be delivered in, and any resolution specifics.
VIDEO EDITORS FAQ
What is video editing?
Video editing is the art of cutting, manipulating, and rearranging video to create a new work. It refers to all the post-production tasks that go into turning raw footage into a compelling video. Video editors cut excess footage, choose which reels to highlight, touch up audio, and add graphics and effects that go into a final product.
Here’s a quick overview of the skills you should look for in video editing professionals:
- Video editing and production
- Video editing tools such as Adobe Premiere Pro
- Photo editing tools such as Photoshop
- Motion graphics software such as After Effects
Depending on their specialties, video editors may be behind the camera, in the audio booth, behind a computer, or all of the above. The video producer you engage may be able to help with the following:
- Video conceptualizing and storyboarding
- Sourcing footage: Live action clips, stock clips, or screen capture
- Motion design, animated graphics or text. Note that motion graphics is a very different skill than editing, but the two can overlap. If your video is strictly animated, be sure to engage a motion graphics designer.
- Sound recording and editing, voice over editing, and music selection
- Transitions, color grading, effects, and pacing with music
- Optimization and publishing
- Projects like eLearning or explainer videos
- and more
Why hire video editors?
Want to start producing high-quality videos to support your business? To begin assembling your video dream team, you need to start with a thorough creative brief. This will help you craft attention-grabbing, effective job post to attract the top talent you need.
Your logical first hire will be the cornerstone of your video team—a video editor. A video editor can help with it all: Establishing a storyline, sourcing clips, designing transitions, and editing together your finished product. They’ll be able to coordinate with other talent like voice over artists and scriptwriters every step of the way, and handle the final publishing steps.
The trick to finding top video editors is to identify your needs. Is your intention to create a promotional video for a product launch? Or are you creating educational materials for an online course? Do you require experience adding motion graphics to your video for a new ad? The cost of your video editing project will depend largely on your scope of work and the specific skills needed to bring your project to life.
How much does it cost to hire a video editor?
Rates can vary due to many factors, including expertise and experience, location, and market conditions. Learn about the cost to hire video editors.