Best Video editing tips to start your freelancing career as a Video Editor

Working as a freelance video editor can make you a lot of money even from Bangladesh, but of course, you need to know how to move in the middle and take a couple of actions before. The good news is that online training is all the rage, so no matter what you've studied, you can become a video editor through courses of Ghoori Learning and other resources you can find online.

Do you want to become a freelance video editor? This post interests you, so continue reading.

What is video editing?

Video editing consists of manipulating and reorganizing video shots in different ways to create a new work. Editing is generally considered part of the post-production process, which includes titles, color corrections, sound mixing, and more.

It can be a task as simple as stitching different scenes together or as complex as adding computer-generated images, and audio, and stitching various elements together. This process can take from hours to many days of work.

What does a freelance video editor do?

A freelance video editor takes care of editing and assembling the raw material. This can include camera sequences, dialogue, sound effects, etc. Among the main functions of a video editor are the following:

• Rearrange, add or remove sections of video or audio clips.
• Apply color correction, filters, and other enhancements.
• Create transitions between clips.
• Capture studio-quality photos and videos.
• Manage and supervise all technical aspects of video recording and editing.
• Import, register, and tag video files.
• Perform final product reviews.

How to be a professional video editor

Being a good video editor is not a quick process, far from it, but it is worth it if you are interested in this field here are the best video editing tips that will help you by giving you the steps to become a freelance video editor.

You just have to put them into practice seriously.

i) Choose a genre 

Regardless of whether you want to edit commercials or feature films, you must give yourself the task of fully understanding the genre of your interest in order to guide the video editing process.

Choosing a genre will help you better develop a body of work to showcase your products to potential customers, who will come later.

ii) Train, develop and practice your skills

Once the above is done, it is important to take specialized courses in video editing, especially if your training is outside this field of work.

It is important to know the editing software and, later, make samples to perfect your skills and develop your talents. Always be open to learning and seek help if you need it. Only in this way, you will be able to grow and succeed in this job.

iii) Get the right gear

Video editing requires proper equipment in order to produce smooth, quality work. The costs can be high, but keep in mind that it will be an investment that will help you for a long time.

If you really want to be a freelance video editor, invest in good equipment to make it last. Over time and as you improve, you will recover the initial investment and much more.

Necessary tools include:

• High-performance computer, with enough RAM and a good processor.
• High-resolution video camera.
• Quality headphones.
• Video editing software.

iv)  Build a portfolio

Think carefully about how you want to present your video samples and if you want to create a website where you highlight your work.

This is your cover letter, so you must work very well with it so that people can be interested in your work, contact you and hire you.

In case you opt for a website, you can add a form on it to collect email addresses and contact information to send emails about videos or editing and keep yourself in the mind of potential customers.

v) Make connections and network

Consider creating a network of industry professionals so you can connect with those who can help you grow your business. This network will help you get more exposure to mentors or advisors who might share experiences with you.

This process is slow, you will start with a small network of friends, but later you can work on strategies to make it more extensive and have more opportunities as a freelance video editor.

vi) Consider volunteering or low fees

To get started and before you start building a client base, you can volunteer to accumulate work samples so you can attract more clients or prospects. Consider having rates a little lower than average.

You can help organizations that do not have a budget for video production, for example:

• Nonprofit organizations
• schools
• Small companies

vii) Develop a proper billing system

Freelance video editors can work on multiple projects at once, so having a system in place to track payments and due dates is necessary to avoid losing face with clients.

How much does a video editor earn?

The income of video editors has increased in recent years, this is due to the high demand they have in different areas, such as cinema, online training, etc.

A freelance video editor's salary depends on the projects they take on and complete, but they typically earn between BDT 30,000 to 70,000 per month, according to recent stats. The more experience you have, the more money you can earn. 

Video editing: 10 tips for beginners

An essential step in post-production, video editing can be a real headache for beginner videographers. Between the selection, modification, processing, and assembly of your video sequences, making a captivating video is a long creative process. To make your video editing a success, here are 10 tips for beginners!

1. Have a clear and overall idea of the finished video

Make a storyboard to have a clear vision of the story you are going to film. Don't lose sight of the purpose of your video or your target audience. Thanks to your storyboard, you will be able to determine the basics of your video and the passages that will require the most attention.

2. Think about the video editing before starting the film

It's hard to think about video editing upstream when you're a beginner and yet, it will make your editing considerably easier. Try to think about special precautions to take while filming, such as using soundproof padding to reduce echo.

3. Use the right software

Choose video editing software that can read all file formats whenever possible. If this is not the case, you will find a lot of software to convert your rushes, but be aware that you will lose quality.

Windows Video Editor or Apple iMovie is great for basic video editing, and they're free, too!

Adobe Spark or Wondershare Filmora are two paid software, but they allow you a little more creativity and remain accessible to beginners.

4. Let the viewer breathe

The actual video editing can begin. The first piece of advice for you is to let each sequence infuse itself in the mind of your viewer. For this, it is important not to chain important ideas without pausing.

To do this, add transitions, here are the three most commonly used in video editing:

• The crossfade: It evokes the dream and is often used in scenes where the emotional intensity is strong.
• Fade to black: Regularly used between two scenes, it suggests a temporal or spatial ellipse.
• The clear transition: The plans follow one another without transition, giving an impression of continuity in time and space.

5. De-noise your video

If buzzing and crackling are interfering with your video, use noise removal plug-ins instead of bandpass filters. They are much more efficient for a more professional finished result.

Make sure vocals are clear, distinct, and loud enough without being overdriven. And finally, normalize the sounds so that their sound volumes are uniform throughout the video. For this step, it is better to make the settings manually instead of using plug-ins. Close your eyes to better hear potential errors.

6. Add titles and credits to your video

Stay sober in your titles and above all consistent with the visual identity of your creation. You will find many free fonts on Dafont.com.

As for the credits, its length must be proportional to the film. Be imaginative in this last part if you don't want your viewers to leave before the end!

7. Insert the music at the right time

Music plays an essential part in a film, it can have a lasting impact on the viewer, provided it is used well! Here are some tips for beginners:

The same image will not have the same meaning depending on the music chosen, carefully select your music.

• Full-length music will bore your viewer.
• Emphasize the main ideas of your film with adapted pieces.
• Make sure the music is in harmony with the length of the scene and cut it wisely so that it goes unnoticed.
• Use only royalty-free music and avoid music supplied with editing software that is found everywhere.

8. Grade your video

Color grading consists of adding filters to your video to improve the final rendering. Color is extremely important in a film, it helps to finalize your video to make it look more professional.

• Adjust the saturation and hue of your images.
• Use black and white only when necessary.
• Test the filters and effects included in the video editing software.

9. Export your video to the right formats

Pay attention to the formats chosen to broadcast your video. If it must be shared on the Web, prefer light formats and trim its resolution. It will be more easily shareable on social networks and will avoid slowing down your website.

10. Tips to be a good video editor

Do you want to start a freelance video editing career? Here are some tips for you to take into account and apply.

i) Go slowly

If you are new to video editing, it is best to start with small projects so that you can gain experience and be able to meet your commitments in a timely manner, without losing face with your clients.

If you work for a company and want to freelance, reduce your formal work hours if possible and spend more time on freelance clients. This way you will be able to build a larger client base and you will be able to become independent.

ii)  Be creative and versatile

Be open to working on different genres or projects and not just those that correspond to your preferences.

Consider projects that aren't ideal for gaining experience and a chance to improve your video editing skills. This is how you will learn how to be a good video editor

iii) Get feedback

If you have friends in the same field, share your final products with them to receive feedback and be able to detect errors or failures and fix them for the following clients.

In this way, you will have the possibility of delivering better work every day. Keep in mind that satisfied customers are the key to success, so this point is important to learn how to be a good video editor.

Best courses to be a freelance video editor

If you are just starting out and want to know what are some of the best courses to become a freelance editor, then you can check Ghoori Learning courses for Video Editing.

• Video Editing 
• Motion Graphics 
• Video Editing fundamentals 
• Audio enhancement and removal

i) Editing and narrative for short films

You will learn the basics of audiovisual and cinematographic storytelling, including the different types of shots and their uses in order to convey an appropriate message to the right person.

Also, you will know the whole process to edit a short film successfully. From how to organize it, review it, and mark up your shots, to how to sync up your audio and video and successfully finish the editing process.

ii) Introduction to Adobe Premiere Pro

The scope of this course is that you can learn Adobe Premiere Pro with no prior knowledge, and by the end of the course, you can be ready to master this software, which is great for editing videos for film, TV, and the web.

You will be able to learn about the functions and tools of this app and how to use them to be able to create and edit videos like a professional.

How to look for a job

So far, you have everything you need to work as a freelance video editor. It's time for you to learn how to look for work in editing. This process is simple, but you have to be very patient.

• Look for websites for freelance jobs, such as Workana, Fiverr, and FlexJobs.
• Sign up for them: build a striking profile with all your experience to attract customers.
• Be patient and apply for various projects.
• Accept all possible jobs so that you gain experience and begin to build authority.

Final thoughts

Starting to train and work as a freelance video editor takes time and effort, but you can have great results and generate good income if you take this job seriously and grow.

You have all the bases to achieve it, so it's time for you to be the best video editor and start working to achieve what you want: to be an independent video editor.

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