Video content is necessary in the business world and for influencers and other persons who want to make an impact online. However, professional editing costs money, and depending on a professional video editor, they can charge $50 and above per completed minute of the video. It always poses a great challenge to look for ideas on how to trim expenses while at the same time keeping the receipt affordable.
The good news is that it is possible to get an experienced video editor for a cheaper price as long as you follow the right steps to do so. As in any other field, there are many tricks that can help to get high-quality editing while not spending huge amounts of cash.
Establish Appropriate Cost Expectations
First, one must understand that the craft of editing videos demands time and money to be spent on advanced software and experience. Many people view fair rates as mere frills; in fact, such rates help talented editors continue to produce quality content. If you want to achieve the lowest possible cost, you may have to sacrifice on issues such as time delay, and product differentiation.
However, not all video projects have to be made with the expenses similar to those in Hollywood. In cases of less complex videos such as testimonials, event recaps, or social media clips, you might find a fresh talent editor at a relatively cheaper price but with a better quality of work. This should be accompanied by realistic expectations on factors such as length, special effects, graphics and other measures that add costs. You should spend more money on the key aspects that would help you express your brand story or message to the audience.
Learn to leverage DIY editing tools
If you are not a complete novice at video, then it may be wise to invest in editing software, which costs significantly less than employing a professional. If you want to edit your video to the essentials like cutting, adding transitions or effects and even adding visuals, there are more affordable options such as Adobe Premiere Rush, iMovie, or even free tools like WeVideo.
The idea is that since there is a gradual learning curve you might spend more time on the edit but the overall end cost will be significantly less. For less complex video creations, it is possible to spend some time to learn the basics of video editing. You can always get a professional editor to fine tune or polish up segments that you initially struggled with.
It is preferable to find Editors in regions that have a low cost of living.
Some of the video editors who work in areas with low living expenses usually offer their services at relatively cheaper rates hence the saving. Vietnam, the Philippines, Egypt, Serbia and some countries in South America have a rich pool of talent that can edit English videos at very cheap prices that range from $15-$50 per finished minute.
While searching for an international video editor, ensure you check portfolios and customer feedback well before hiring them. Seek for better communication, and previous experience in dealing with western clients. Although the difference in time often becomes an issue as it can result in additional expenses, overseas editing could be cheap for the right project.
Hire Video Editing Students
Many students in videography or film school use video editing as a way of making bills while at the same time also building their portfolio. Many among them are equally very brilliant, fast caliber, and eager to prove themselves in the new field they have chosen.
Contact local technical schools, community colleges, universities, or video production programs to find students who are willing to edit your videos at a student rate of $15–$30 per hour. SEE: Be clear on expectations and suggest the types of videos you love so they can use them to guide the editing process. While it may require more supervision from your side, using students as your videographers could potentially help you save money in the long run and direct it to other necessities of your videos.
For this reason, there is a need to take advantage of gig platforms.
Platforms such as Fiverr and Upwork allow businesses to outsource freelance video editors from across the world and several of them offer their services at cheaper prices to establish themselves and build up their portfolio. Prices begin at $5 for simple video editing of brief clips, which are typically shared on social media. Other more detailed editing services such as animation effects, logo intros, or compilation videos could cost anything between $100 and $500, depending on the experience of the editor.
Select freelancers based on portfolio, feedback, number of gigs done, and previous ratings given by customers. Search for editors who allow as many revisions as it takes for you to be satisfied with it. Although gig platforms claim to take their cut from the editors’ earnings, you usually receive professional editing services for as low as 50% of traditional studio rates.
Use of Contract & Full-Time Staff should be selective
If you have long-term overhead video requirements, such as social media promotions, YouTube videos, or company training, then it would be best to look for full-time editors actively seeking contract or staff work. Most of the video editors are either independent or employed by post-production facilities, and therefore, they have to engage in other freelance editing jobs to earn their living; this makes them to charge less hourly rates.
It is important to state the kind of editing work you need regularly and set price depending on the amount of work, time taken and other related demands. However, regular payments of consistent editing fees on a weekly or monthly basis can sometimes be detrimental in terms of cash flow but the overall costs can be less if compared to piecing together one off gigs.
Partner With Production Companies
Contact experienced video production firms for collaboration on projects where they shoot, script, organize, or perform any other roles in exchange for affordable editing services. Many of the studios are expensive when it comes to shooting a video from conception to completion. But they might be willing to agree on revenue sharing and lower costs in exchange for your overseeing one or several steps of the production cycle.
Ensure that each partner benefits from the partnership; for instance, while you focus on delivering raw footage that has not gone through final editing, the production company focuses on post production such as editing, graphics, animation, sound design among others. It not only makes the entire process of video making cheaper, but it also helps cut down on time and energy required to organize every aspect of a great video.
Story First
When one is preparing for a video editing project, it is crucial to remember that it is more important to capture a viewer into an interesting story and evoke their emotion than to dazzle them with complicated effects or sophisticated cuts. Elegant videos are made with professional editing; however, it should be wise to say that the content should be more engaging. At this stage, it might make sense to hire an editor and developing strong stories and messages, which resonate with audiences, by reallocating budget.
It is important here to note that the best video productions are when there is a perfect blend of the story that drives the video and the complex processes of editing. In fact, spending more on editing for content that does not inspire can be even more expensive than a lack of editors. Your budgets should be built in a way to support the stories and brand experiences that are the foundation of great videos.
Over to You
Hiring an experienced video editor at an affordable price depends on the balance between affordable service costs and expectations of quick turnaround time, number of revisions, and complex visual effects while setting up budgets to enable basic editing that can improve the quality of your video.
Be aware of opportunities such as employing students, overseas editors, production companies, and contractors that can save costs without compromising the editing skills and experience that are important to make your videos spectacular. There are always ways to come up with best solutions that will enable you get the best video editing services that can capture your audience’s attention and make them engage in the video content you post.
