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If you like watching videos and are curious to know how to create them, or if you want to be a YouTuber someday, you might consider video editing as your niche in freelancing.
Videos will be the new source of traffic as we move to faster internet experience in the future. On Facebook alone, 60% of the traffic comes from videos.
Also, YouTube is now the second largest search engine. A lot of Philippine artists or even ordinary people want to earn from it.
Lastly, e-commerce businesses are moving to video advertising as you notice with Amazon and AliExpress.
In this post, you will learn how to be a video editor without any experience.
You just need to develop your creativity and patience in learning how to use the softwares.
Let’s dive right in.
You can start with Adobe Premiere Pro as it contains the fundamentals for video editing and it's the most popular software to date. Once you become well-versed in using it, you can easily transition to other tools.
To give you a winning edge when applying for video editing jobs, you can also learn Adobe After Effects.
YouTube intros, outros, names, titles, text animation, lower third, and other special effects can be created through this software.
Where can I get the software?
Subscribe to Adobe and sign-up for their 30-day trial period. You may also find it in Lazada.
Before buying and downloading it, don’t forget to check the computer specs requirements. Video editing softwares require high specs and high RAM capacity.
Where can I learn how to use these software products?
If you’re on a shoestring budget and you just want to practice, go ahead and look for tutorials on YouTube.
Make a note of everything that you learn, save useful links, and organize them in one folder so it’s easy to go back to the lessons when needed.
Once you’ve acquired enough knowledge, it’s time to roll your sleeves up and practice what you’ve learned. Launch your own video creation project and try different categories such as:
YouTube vlog
Facebook video ads for e-commerce
Wedding video
Goalcast-type video
Instagram video
Where can I find free video footage?
YouTube (creative commons)
Vimeo
Videezy
Videvo
Pexels
Where can I get free non-copyrighted music?
YouTube audio library
Bensound.com (credit the owner)
Make sure to create your original version. Produce 1 to 2 videos for each category with a duration of 1 to 3 minutes each.
Alternatively, you can download other people’s videos or famous music from YouTube and use them to practice your editing skills.
How can I download high-quality videos on YouTube?
Use 4K video downloader which is a 100% free software. Download the videos in MP4 format only because it's the most supported file in all softwares.
Once you’re done editing, save the videos in your Google drive. These will serve as proof that you’ve done the work. You can use them as your portfolio to show to your target clients later on.
But never upload them back on YouTube or Vimeo. Although you’ve made some alterations, they’re still not your original creations so you could run into some serious copyright issues.
Can I upload videos on YouTube and show them as unlisted or private?
There is no option to share private videos on YouTube. It can be done for unlisted videos but both of them are being scanned by YouTube’s videobots. So if you download and reupload them, they are still subject to copyright issues and will be flagged accordingly.
Why are some YouTube channels using other people’s videos or clips from famous movies without any copyright issues?
Yes, you can use other people's videos or clips from famous movies as long as they’re only 10 to 30 seconds in length and your content must be about something else. You must follow YouTube’s “fair use” policy.
Check out famous YouTube videos for inspiration and model their thumbnails. As you go on watching, you’ll eventually sharpen your own skills. Pick out the best tips and implement them right away.
I don't know how to use Photoshop.
Use Canva but it would be best to use Adobe Photoshop. If you have studied Adobe Premiere already, it will be easy for you.
Remember the saved videos in your Google drive? Get the link and share it in your own website at strikingly.com. It's a simple web development tool that's all plug and play. Put the video thumbnails and publish your site.
I don't know how to create a portfolio site.
Go back to YouTube and again, look for tutorials that demonstrate how to create one. Just make it simple; there’s no need for something fancy. Your videos are what your potential clients would want to see.
Once you’re done with the above steps, create your profile in different freelancing platforms and respond to job posts for Video Editors. Submit proposals and include your video portfolio.
Some business owners or companies will ask you to first create a trial video as part of their selection process.
In this case, you can either ask for a paid trial or you can create a video with a watermark then submit it to them. Show them what you’ve got. Your creativity is the key to landing a job.
Another option is to go to Twitter and search for, “I need a video editor” and message the ones who posted the tweet. The opportunity is already there so go out of your way and close the deal.
You can also join Facebook groups of video editors, either Filipinos or foreigners, as jobs are posted there as well. Interact with them, comment, and add value before offering your services.
If a job post has a link to their YouTube channel, that’s a bonus for you. Study it very well and check for their color trademark or branding. Observe the video editing style and model it.
You’ll create a great impression because that means, you are proactive and they don’t have to train you with the basics. You’ve done your homework before communicating with them further.
Video editing changes from time to time and varies from platform to platform.
Model some of the highest paid video editors in Fiverr, Upwork, and other freelance platforms.
Follow YouTubers who teach video editing. That’s a great opportunity to level up your skills and best of all, it’s free.
Here are some video editing software products which are easy to learn but not quite popular:
Sony Vegas 15 - It has presets and premade transitions already.
Wondershare Filmora - It has presets and premade transitions too.
Camtasia 9 - It is best for screencast tutorials.
Panzoid.com - Intro/outro maker
Kinemaster - Android App
Final Cut Pro - For Apple users
Davinci Resolve - It’s almost similar to Premiere Pro but tutorials are hard to find.
If you want to pursue video editing as your niche in freelancing, I hope you’ll have the courage to take the first few steps today.
Let me leave you with this quote:
“A resourceful person can see opportunity when others only see obstacles.” - Garrett Gunderson
