Video editing used to be a job that only movie studios and advertising agencies needed. Now, if your business isn’t on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, you’re missing a huge part of your potential audience. Hiring a video editor may seem overwhelming. In this article, we will walk you through everything you need to know about hiring a video editor.
If you’re ready to hire a video editor now, we recommend checking out ZipRecruiter. ZipRecruiter has a resume database that allows you to search for qualified video editors to fit your needs.
How To Hire A Video Editor
Determine Your Video Editing Needs
How many videos do you need, and how long will they be? Do you need videos for social media? Do you need videos for YouTube? Do you need someone to piece the video together or do you need cinematic edits?
Answering some of these questions and getting clear on this is necessary to move on to the next step.
Determine The Type Of Video Editor You Need
If you want to put together full-length feature films, you’ll need someone different than someone who puts together two-minute TikToks. Additionally, if you’re going to do two or three short videos a year, it’s different than if you want a constant stream of new material. Here are your options:
- Freelance video editors. These are independent video editors. You can hire them for a single project or on an ongoing basis. You must have a clear contract with them about expectations, the scope of the project, and costs. It’s also important that you don’t treat a freelancer as an employee. They will not work exclusively for you, and they will use their own equipment. Otherwise, the IRS will consider them an employee.
- Part and full-time video editors. You have control over when and where they work (not that you should, but you can!), and they will use your equipment. They don’t need a contract because you’ll either pay them by the hour or a salary (.)if they qualify under the Fair Labor Standards Act.)). They are entitled to all the benefits available to your employees, as they are employees. Hiring directly can be a great idea if you have a constant and ongoing supply of video editing work.
- Agency video editors. In this case, you aren’t necessarily hiring a person to do the work; you’re hiring a company to do the job. They may assign the work to a variety of people. There are advantages to this scenario, as you get the backing of a group of people. They vet the editors, which helps lower your risks in hiring.
How To Evaluate A Video Editor
Evaluating candidates can be difficult if you don’t have video editing experience yourself, so here are some tips for evaluating candidates.
- Ask to see their portfolio. Even a video editor starting out should have a portfolio from school or personal work, or internships. Their style must match your vision.
- Ask them to walk you through the process. They should be able to speak confidently and clearly about what it takes to put together a video.
- Make sure you’re clear about your expectations. Will they be part of the creative idea team, or will you hand them raw footage and have them put it together? However, you want to use them, make sure they understand your processes.
- Ask for references. Yes, the portfolio is critical for understanding their end product, but references can speak to if they are easy to work with, how they handle requests for revisions, and if they generally end up producing on time and budget work.
Top Skills To Look For In Video Editors
The best video editors have these skills:
- An eye for detail: A focus on detail is important. Video editors have to determine the sequence of the film and decide what portions are usable or not.
- Creativity: Video editors need to be creative and be able to determine what film will evoke what emotion, what sound/music will work best, and then be able to synchronize all of this together.
- Interest in video editing: You don’t want to work with someone who hates what they do. Choosing a video editor that has an interest or passion for editing video is important.
- Patience: Video editing takes time. Video editors need to be patient when editing and when communicating with clients.
- Communication skills: Video editors should be able to communicate well via phone, chat application, or email.
- Time management skills: Video editors need to have time management skills in order to meet deadlines and complete projects.
- Technical skills: Video editors need to know how to use video editing equipment, computers, and other necessary programs and tools to do their job.
Where To Find Video Editors
When searching for video editors, there are a few places we recommend.
ZipRecruiter
ZipRecruiter allows you to post a job opening or search via their resume database. Read our full ZipRecruiter review to learn more.
Indeed
Indeed can be a great place to post and search for video editor candidates. Read our full Indeed review to learn more.
Behance
Behance is said to be the largest creative network for showcasing and discovering creative work. There are many types of creative work to be found on Behance, including video editors.
Fiverr
Fiverr is an online marketplace that helps you connect with freelancers. There are many types of freelancers on Fiverr, including video editors.
Related: Best Free Job Posting Sites
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to hire a video editor?
It really depends on the project, but Thumbtack estimates that it will cost between $356-$400 “to edit a three-minute, pre-shot video. Includes basic 2-D graphics, image, and audio enhancements.”
How much does a video editor charge per hour?
This can vary based on skill and location, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics says the average rate is $32.33 per hour.
How much does it cost to edit a 10-minute video?
This will depend on the complexity of the video but expect to pay at least $200 or $300 for a primary job.
What should I look for when hiring a video editor?
Someone who will share your vision and has the skills necessary to do the work.
The Bottom Line
If you don’t have a video editor now, you may need one in the future. It’s not just about social media; it can be for internal training or meetings as well. It can make a huge difference in how clients view you if you have professionally produced video. If you’re ready to hire a video editor, consider posting your job opening on ZipRecruiter!
