How to Hire a Freelance Video Editor: What You Need to Know
So you’ve got an exciting video project but need a skilled editor to transform your raw footage into polished, professional content. Whether you're a business owner, content creator, or individual looking to make something special from your home archive, finding the right editor is key to bringing your vision to life. Finding an editor is incredibly easy but finding a good one, who’s right for you can be a challenge. In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to hire a freelance video editor who’s a great fit for your needs.
Why Hire a Freelance Video Editor?
A freelance video editor brings flexibility, creativity, and specialised skill to your project—often at a more affordable rate than a full-time employee or agency. Whether it’s for YouTube, corporate videos, wedding footage, or social media content, a skilled editor can:
Save you hours of time 🕰️
Enhance your message with professional visuals 🎨
Increase viewer engagement and retention 📈
Help your content look and feel premium 😎
Step 1: Know What You Need 🤔
Before you start your search, get clear on your project requirements. Ask yourself:
What kind of video do I need? (e.g., promo, vlog, testimonial, reel, event)
How long will the final video be?
Do I have all the footage, or will the editor need to source stock clips or music?
What’s my deadline?
What’s my budget?
Having clear answers will help you find the right match faster and avoid confusion down the line.
Step 2: Where to Find Freelance Video Editors🔎
Here are some popular platforms and strategies:
Freelance marketplaces – Bark, Upwork, and PeoplePerHour
Professional directories – Behance, ProductionHUB
Social media – LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube
Referrals – Ask peers or industry contacts for recommendations
Google search – Look for local or niche editors with relevant portfolios
Pro Tip: Searching for terms like “freelance video editor for YouTube UK” or “hire editor for wedding video London”can help you find specialists who match your style and location.
Step 3: Review Their Portfolio 📂
Every freelance video editor has a unique style. Look for:
Examples similar to your project
A good sense of pacing and storytelling
Sound design and music choices
Clean cuts and smooth transitions
Consistency across different types of projects
Don’t just look at the visuals—listen, too! Sound is half the experience.
Step 4: Ask the Right Questions 🙋♀️
Once you’ve shortlisted a few editors, reach out and ask:
How do you approach a new project?
What’s your turnaround time?
Do you offer revisions?
What software do you use? (e.g., Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve)
Can you work with my file formats and resolution?
Bonus Tip: Ask for a quick Zoom or phone call to get a feel for communication and working style.
Step 5: Set Clear Expectations 📆
Before work begins, make sure you both agree on:
Project scope and deliverables
Number of revisions included
Deadlines and milestones
Payment terms (e.g., deposit, final payment)
File delivery method (WeTransfer, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.)
Having everything in writing protects both parties and keeps things professional.
Things to prepare 💼
Get your house in order - Before working with an editor you will need to identify all the files you’d like to use. This may include photos and videos and also media held by others. Some client know the exact footage they want so you may want to make a spreadsheet outlining the filea and or exact timings.
Sharing - In most cases you should be able to share your files online using e.g. WeTransfer, Dropbox, icloud, G drive etc. If you have really heft files, or indeed a very slow internet connection, you can always send your hard drive securely by post to a trusted editor.
Things to Avoid ⛔️
Don’t DIY
If you want a professional film or a home video that can be enjoyed for generations, don’t fall into the trap of trying to do it yourself or getting an amateur to do you a favour. Time is money so while some people think they’re avoiding costs by doing and learning editing themselves, they are simply spending their precious work or leisure time.
Original footage - Always share the original video where possible and avoid sharing by e.g Whatsapp as this compresses the file.
Red Flags 🚩
No reviews - If an editor doesn’t have reviews they are probably either starting out or experimenting.
No website - Again, this is a sign the editor is inexperienced. This means the editor may lack the skills and also the ability to understand what you want.
Fiverr - Although there are exceptions, generally speaking, freelancers on Fiverr compete on price and so their model is to do as many jobs as possible, as quickly as possible. Needless to say your project proabably won’t get the care and attention it deserves if you hire someone from such a site.
They’re cheap - You can either do a job cheaply or do it properly and rarely can you achieve both, especially if you pay attention to the next point.
Language and culture - So you found an editor in Bangladesh who charges $4 an hour? Great! What could possibly go wrong ? A hugely underestimated part of hiring a freelancer is communication and understanding what the client wants. If your freelance video editor doesn’t understand you, or you don’t understand them, you may well be left wishing you were having your wisodom teeth extracted instead!
Final Thoughts: Finding the Right Fit
Hiring a freelance video editor is more than just ticking boxes—it’s about finding someone who understands your vision and communicates well. Look for a balance of technical skill, creativity, and reliability. When you find the right fit, you can relax and lool forward to your vision coming to life.
Looking for a Freelance Video Editor?
I help businesses, creators, and individuals turn raw footage into engaging, polished content. Whether you want to make a timeless wedding slideshow to remember your special day, or need someone to help boost your online profile , I’m conficent I can help you. Have a look at my reviews here and feel free to get in touch here.
