The Complete Guide On How To Hire A Video Editor

Video content creation has become a crucial part of how we communicate today. As the demand for video rises, so does the need for quality video editing.  Let's say you've just finished shooting an excellent video for your business. You are excited to share it with the world and get it out there. But then you realize you don't have the skills or the time to edit the footage, and the excitement drains. If this scenario sounds familiar, you’re not alone. 

Fortunately, hiring a skilled video editor can relieve this common pain point so you can get back to what you love—running your business. In this article, we’ll explain how to hire a video editor that suits your project’s specific needs so you can find the right fit fast while staying within budget.

Moonb is a video marketing agency that can help you with your editing needs. Our talented editors have experience creating various video types, from promotional content and testimonials to educational videos. We can work with your existing footage or help you create a video from scratch so you can achieve your goals and get back to what you love.

What Does a Video Editor Do?

A video editor uses these elements to tell a story:

• Footage
• Sound
• Graphics 

A typical day in the life may include: 

• Creating treatments and storyboards
• Developing scripts
• Producing and editing videos and photos for multiple platforms
• Short-form daily content for social media platforms to long-form series
• Sourcing and/or creating and adding:some text
  • Graphics
  • Animations
  • Special effects
  • Music
  • Sound effects
  • Sound bites

A video editor also decides how to maximize the content’s value online and helps align the final version of the piece with the appropriate distribution platform. 

Types of Video Editors

Before we proceed, though, let’s review some terms to ensure we're both talking about the same thing when it comes to hiring a video editor. 

Freelance Video Editor

Usually (ok, hopefully) a former full-time professional who has gone solo with a handful of cherished clients. You could be one of them if you play your cards right. Freelancers of all levels can be found on platforms like Upwork or People per Hour. 

Outsourced Video Editors

Plenty of video editing companies/agencies like Moonb offer access to a pool of dedicated editors, but what they're selling is more than just a particular editor but a 'job done' service. If you need more help or less help over time, you just scale up or back. 

Full-Time Video Editor

You're all in with one editor. As much as you have a dedicated editor working only on your projects five days a week, they rely on you alone for a pipeline of work and a salary. Hiring a full-time video editor means payroll paperwork, holiday and sickness pay, pension scheme, and tax. But it also means building a team culture and robust capacity. 

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How To Hire A Video Editor

Experience and Portfolio - The Editor’s Resume

Look for an editor with a strong portfolio demonstrating their expertise in handling various types of video projects, such as:

• Promotional videos
• Explainer videos
• Branded content

Their past work should align with your vision and quality standards. Ask for examples in your industry to ensure they understand your audience and the tone you're aiming for. 

Creative Capabilities - The Art of Video Editing

Video editing isn’t just about cutting and splicing clips together. It requires creativity to tell a:

• Compelling story
• Enhance brand messaging
• Engage viewers

Their portfolio can help you see if their style aligns with what you envision. Ensure the editor has the creative vision to bring your ideas to life, including knowledge of:

• Effects
• Transitions
• Sound design
• Color grading

Technology and Software Expertise is The Editor’s Toolbox

An experienced video editor should be proficient in industry-standard software like:

• Adobe Premiere Pro
• Final Cut Pro
• After Effects
• DaVinci Resolve

These tools are crucial for delivering high-quality, professional-grade video edits. Inquire about their workflow and whether they can work with your preferred file formats and video specifications.

Turnaround Time and Workflow Efficiency: Meeting Your Deadlines

Discuss timelines early in the hiring process. You want an editor that can meet your deadlines without sacrificing quality. Ask about their process for reviewing drafts and handling revisions. Agencies or editors offering efficient communication channels and feedback loops can save time and reduce back-and-forth delays.

Client Reviews and Testimonials: Editor Reputation

Client testimonials and reviews provide insights into an editor's reliability, communication, and overall customer experience. Look for reviews that mention how well the agency or editor: 

• Adhered to deadlines
• The quality of their work
• How they handled client feedback

Positive reviews from clients in similar industries to yours can give you more confidence in their ability to meet your expectations.

Scalability and Flexibility and Anticipating Future Needs

Your video editing needs may change over time, whether you need more frequent edits or different types of videos. The best agencies are flexible and can scale their services according to your requirements. Ensure the agency can accommodate large projects and ongoing minor edits if needed. 

Subscription-Based Pricing and a Cost-Effective Approach

One of the most cost-effective approaches to hiring a video editor is through an editing agency that offers a subscription-based pricing model. These subscription services are more than just finding any video editor. They’re about getting reliable, consistent video editing support without the commitment of a full-time hire. Your subscription should give you access to a team of video editors who know your brand and style.

So consider video editing subscription services to get out of the feast or famine cycle of freelance hiring and make the most of your budget. It could be a monthly plan with a set number of video editing hours or videos. Whatever it is, evaluate it; don’t try to sell yourself on it in the context of your needs. 

Transparent Subscription Models for Better Client Satisfaction

Don’t include long-term commitments in the initial subscription. Then, say you have options to explore and would be happy to discuss them further if they’re interested. Only commit to a subscription with an understanding of the terms and don’t include hidden fees or unclear deliverables, which can lead to dissatisfaction and poor results.
At Moonb, we follow this model. With a fractional editor subscription, you’ll receive updates every two days and unlimited reviews. 

Benefits of Subscription-Based Video Editing vs. Traditional Models

Moonb is a video marketing agency offering unlimited video editing subscriptions. We offer seamless project management integration via:

• Trello
• Slack
• MS Teams 

We also have weekly strategy calls and a contract-free, full-service production approach. Moonb is a superior alternative to:

• Traditional video agencies
• Freelancers
• In-house production teams

Our flexible, subscription-based model, combined with our expertise in creating compelling video content, positions us as the ideal partner for companies looking to elevate their marketing and educational initiatives through the power of video. Start a 3-day free trial to take your content to the next level. 

Where Can I Find Video Editors To Hire?

Moonb: A Video Editing Solution for Businesses

Moonb is a video marketing agency offering unlimited video editing subscriptions. We offer seamless project management integration via:

• Trello
• Slack
• MS Teams 

We also have weekly strategy calls and a contract-free, full-service production approach. Moonb is a superior alternative to:

• Traditional video agencies
• Freelancers
• In-house production teams

Our flexible, subscription-based model, combined with our expertise in creating compelling video content, positions us as the ideal partner for companies looking to elevate their marketing and educational initiatives through the power of video. Start a 3-day free trial to take your content to the next level.  

Upwork, One of the Most Popular Freelance Websites

Upwork is one of the top websites for freelancing, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a place where you can find all kinds of freelancers at varying prices. Job openings are constantly posted, and that includes job listings for animation. Regardless of your vision, Upwork will help you find the perfect animator for the job. It’s surprisingly easy to get started. 

You can simply type the word “video editor” in the search bar and choose from a library of freelancers fit for any budget. 

Fiverr, An Alternative Option to Upwork

Fiverr is a lot like Upwork. It’s another website dedicated to helping freelancers find new clients quickly. The website is broken up into sellers and buyers. As a buyer, you can post job listings and browse the endless number of sellers offering their services. When it comes to video editors, there are thousands of sellers to choose from. This means you’ll never run out of options.

Twine, A Curated Directory of Creative Freelancers

If you haven’t heard of Twine, this is your lucky day. Unlike the other freelance sites, Twine will do the vetting for you. No more wondering whether or not you have a quality animator on your hands. Twine selects and hand-picks freelancers before they even make it to the site. How cool is that? Twine lets animators create their profiles and showcase their portfolios. This will allow you to log in and browse a detailed list of high-quality freelancers.

Behance and A Portfolio Website for Creative Professionals

Behance is all about community. Much like LinkedIn, it functions as its social media site. The difference is that this is social media specifically designed for creatives. Video editors can build their portfolios here and connect with other artists to share feedback. As the editors on Behance post updates on their latest creations, you’ll be able to see their progress in real-time.

Guru, A Flexible and Affordable Freelance Platform

Guru is a cost-effective site that hosts freelancers of all types. It provides various tools to help with project and payment management. What’s really cool about Guru is that it offers immense flexibility. You can set up your payment plan by:

• The hour
• The task
• Each milestone

You can even specify your location constraints, making it easy to hire locally or abroad. 

What Factors Should I Consider When Hiring A Video Editor

Software Skills: Why They Matter When Hiring a Video Editor

Before evaluating candidates, you must know which software is required for your video projects. So, it is essential to identify the editing tools relevant to your video content type. To assess software proficiency, look at your current video editing workflow and future needs. You can review your video production process and see which software is required and which is nice. To do this, go through your video content types and editing requirements. Then, create a list of must-have and nice-to-have software skills. 

Make sure the video editor is skilled in the software your team uses: 

• For Mac – Final Cut Pro 
• For Mac or PC – Adobe Premiere Pro 
• For Motion Graphics – Adobe After Effects 

The point is to make your software requirements specific to your workflow, starting with the tools you use most often. Once you’ve identified the critical software, your evaluation should go beyond just knowledge. Try to show the candidate you’re looking for actual proficiency and speed in these tools. 

Here are some tips to assess software proficiency: 

• Ask for examples of video projects done with specific software. 
• Ask about advanced features or techniques they’ve used in Adobe Premiere Pro or Adobe After Effects. 
• Consider giving a small test video to test their skills in action. 
• How do they stay up to date with video editing software changes? 

Making this assessment thorough makes it feel less like a tick-box exercise and more like finding the right fit for your video editing team.

Portfolio Review and Assessing a Video Editor’s Relevant Background

These portfolio reviews aren’t just about looking at pretty videos. They’re about testing the video editor’s ability to meet your needs. Your evaluation (at least most of it) should be focused on video projects similar to your content type and style. So, to avoid being swayed by shiny but irrelevant work, consider these when reviewing portfolios: 

• Overall quality
• Creativity
• Variety of video types
• Technical skills

Whatever it is, analyze it — don’t just glance at it — in the context of your needs. Include only a few videos in your evaluation. Consider whether the video editor’s style and skills work for your content. Mention you have specific areas to focus on and would be happy to discuss their most relevant work if they’re interested. 

How to Evaluate a Video Editor’s Portfolio Beyond Aesthetics

Never judge a portfolio solely on its looks, and don’t ignore the importance of storytelling and pacing, as these are key to engaging video content. Here are the areas to focus on when evaluating portfolios: 

• Quality and creativity
• Various video types:some text
  • YouTube video reviews
  • Vlogs
  • Product marketing
  • Social media videos
• Technical skills:some text
  • Color grading
  • Sound design
  • storytelling ability
• Alignment with your brand style and video content type.

Technical Setup and Ensuring Timely Deliverables

Content creators need timely deliveries. However, not all video editors have the technical setup to meet your needs. How do you check if a potential video editor has the technical setup for your video projects? The trick is to ask specific questions about their:

• Equipment
• Internet speed
• Workflow

Ensure that a reliable technical setup is critical to your video editing collaboration. Content creators assume all video editors have the proper setup. However, several technical factors can make or break a smooth video editing process. Here’s how to check a video editor’s technical setup. 

• You must ensure its technical setup matches your needs. So, it is essential to discuss this in detail:some text
  • Hardware
  • Software
  • Internet connection

The best way to check technical setup is to create a requirements checklist. You can review your video production workflow and see where technical limitations would cause issues. To do this, review your typical video specs and delivery requirements. Then, create a list of technical must-haves for your ideal video editor. 

For remote video editors, check:

• Computer specs:some text
  • Processor
  • RAM
  • Storage
• Internet speed:some text
  • Upload capabilities
  • Download capabilities 
• Power reliability:some text
  • Backup solutions for uninterrupted work
• File storage and transfer methods. 

The point is to be clear about your technical requirements, starting with the most critical parts of your video editing workflow. After you’ve outlined your technical requirements, your conversation with potential video editors needs to be specific. Show the video editor you understand the importance of a solid technical setup. 

Assessing Technical Setup for Seamless Video Editing Collaboration

Here are some tips to check technical setup: 

• Ask about their computer specs and how they handle big video file sizes. 
• Ask about their internet speed and reliability for video file transfers. 
• Discuss their backup and storage solutions for video files. 
• Consider asking for a test run of their video file delivery process.

Being thorough with this technical assessment makes it less like nitpicking and more like ensuring a smooth video editing collaboration.

Trial Project and Testing Compatibility and Skills

These initial projects are not about getting free work. They’re about testing compatibility and skills in a real-world scenario. Your trial should be similar to your video content. Consider offering a paid trial to avoid misunderstandings and to be fair. It could be a shorter version of your usual video content or a more significant video segment. Whatever it is, make it test the skills you need – don’t try to get the most out of it. 

How to Structure Fair and Effective Trial Projects with Video Editors

Include simple requirements in the trial. Ask if they would like to do a small pay as part of the evaluation process. Then, say you have a specific task in mind and would be happy to provide more details if they’re interested. Never ask for free work for trials, and don’t make the trial so big that it burdens the video editor. 

Here’s how to approach a trial: 

• Choose a task similar to your usual video editing needs. 
• Set clear deliverables and deadlines. 
• Offer fair pay for the trial work. 
• Give detailed feedback and assess their response to your feedback.

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How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Video Editor?

Larger companies with ongoing video editing needs may hire video editors as salaried employees. This means there is a:

• A steady stream of work
• A stable paycheck
• Full-time employee benefits
• Also, you need a fixed schedule and little project control (you edit what your boss tells you to edit)

According to GlassDoor, as of January 2023, the average salary for a video editor is $54,911, ranging from $35,000 to $88,000, depending on the company. Usually, this establishment hires video editors as freelancers: 

• Smaller companies
• Startups
• Individual clients
• Film studios

Freelancing lets video editors work flexibly and choose their projects while giving clients a more comprehensive range of talent and more lenient use of their budget. 

Pay Type and What You Need To Know Before Hiring A Video Editor

Freelance video editing rates can vary by type.

Per Hour

Hourly rates vary depending on experience, project scope, and more. Upwork categorizes freelance pay scales into:

• Beginnersome text
  • $20–$45
• Intermediate/advancedsome text
  •  $45–$100
• Professionalsome text
  • $60–$100

Salary.com says the median hourly rate is $41, with rates between $27 and $61. 

Per Day

Per diem rates are often used for short projects but may cause timing issues for larger projects. 

Fixed Rate

Fixed rates usually involve exchanging a lump sum upon project completion. This pay type is often used for more extensive and prolonged projects. 

Experience Matters and How It Affects Video Editor Rates

Although even a beginner editor may be talented, most clients want to see previous client work and recommendations. Without these, it’s hard to justify a higher pay rate. For clients with a smaller budget and project, such as a short YouTube video, a video editor with less experience can work.

Editors with more experience often have more advanced skills and charge higher rates. For those needing more in-depth video editing, looking for video editors with a robust client list and professional portfolio of work is wise.

Ability, The Hidden Factor That Influences Rates

What sets a good editor apart from a great editor is their ability to take raw footage and create a fantastic end product. Whether it’s an emotional story or a hilarious advertisement, a great editor understands that timing is critical. For the best end product, clients should look for editors whose work aligns with their needs. For example, if your video requires animation editing, look for an editor with extensive experience editing animated videos.

Size and Type of Project and Why They Matter When Hiring a Video Editor

Across video types, knowing the scope of raw footage and the desired finished product is extremely important. A client might have 200 hours of footage that they want to be distilled into a 20-minute video, meaning a lot of time just sifting through footage to see what’s usable. Knowing the size and type of project helps dictate its pay scale.

Here are some of the more popular projects and their usual rates:

Commercials and Branded Storytelling

According to the Blue Collar Post Collective (BCPC), the breakdown of pay rates for freelance commercial and branded storytelling editors is as follows: 

• Hourly rate: $20–$500some text
  • Average hourly rate: $83 
• Day rate: $175–$2,000some text
  • Average day rate: $771 

Documentaries

Documentaries pay rates vary significantly. Some editors may work at a much lower rate for documentaries they see as passion projects or focusing on precious topics. The BCPC shows documentary video editing rates as follows: 

• Hourly rate: $55–$150some text
  • Average hourly rate: $87 
• Day rate: $325–$1,500some text
  • Average day rate: $692 
• Weekly rate: $500–$5,000some text
  • Average weekly rate: $3,597 

Episodic Programs

Rates for TV show editing are more standardized due to union regulations. General rates according to the BCPC are: 

• Hourly rate: $42–$150some text
  • Average hourly rate: $89 
• Day rate: $475–$1,100some text
  • Average day rate: $763 
• Weekly rate: $2,000–$7,000some text
  • Average weekly rate: $4,250 

Scripted Features

Editors working on scripted features will likely belong to the Motion Pictures Editors Guild, which regulates contracts and rates. According to ZipRecruiter, as of December 2022, the average annual pay for a film video editor in the United States is $54,055. 

As per the BCPC, editing rates for scripted features are: 

• Hourly rate: $32–$75some text
  • Average hourly rate: $52 
• Day rate: $600–$3,000some text
  • Average day rate: $1,160 
• Weekly rate: $900–$20,000some text
  • Average rate: $4,728

Start a 3-day Free Trial to Take Your Content to the Next Level

Video editing is a vast field. As such, different video editors specialize in various kinds of editing. Here are a few of the most common types of video editors: 

Event Video Editors

These editors specialize in editing video footage from events like:

• Weddings
• Parties
• Corporate functions

They create engaging highlight reels and longer-form edits that tell a story and capture the essence of an event. 

YouTube Video Editors

As their name suggests, YouTube video editors focus on editing videos specifically for the YouTube platform. They understand the ins and outs of creating engaging content for YouTube, including:

• How to optimize videos for search
• Create eye-catching thumbnails 

Social Media Video Editors

Like YouTube editors, social media video editors specialize in creating content for social media platforms like: 

• Instagram
• Facebook
• TikTok

They understand each platform's unique style and preferences and how to create attention-grabbing videos that engage users and encourage shares. 

Film Editors

These video professionals work on editing footage for:

• Feature-length films
• Shorts
• Documentaries

They typically work with directors to create a vision for the film’s edit and use their expertise to tell a story through video. 

Commercial Editors

Commercial or advertisement editors focus on editing video content for marketing purposes. They create short, engaging videos that grab viewers’ attention and quickly convey a message. Commercial editors often work under tight deadlines and with creative teams to ensure the final product meets everyone’s expectations. 

Game editors

Video game editors, or cinematic editors, work with video footage captured from in-game animations to create engaging storylines and cutscenes for video games. They may also work on trailers to help promote upcoming game releases. 

Freelance Vs. In-house Video Editors

You can also categorize video editors based on their employment status. Freelance video editors work independently, taking on projects as they come. They often have a diverse portfolio that showcases their skills across various niches. 

In-house video editors work as a part of a marketing team or video production company. They may specialize in a specific type of editing, but they also create content for a particular brand or organization to ensure consistency and meet ongoing video needs.

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