Landing Your First Job as a Video Editor: A Guide

1.    Reach Out to Brands Directly

Think of your favorite brands. Most of them always are in need of new videos, and therefore constantly look for fresh and vibrant talent. Brands are also realizing the importance of video marketing. Up to 86% of businesses use video as a marketing tool.

Your part? Show them your creativity. Contact. Collect a portfolio, build it up, make it sparkle, and send it their email. Go beyond. Do not expect that they will come to you. Go right ahead and knock on their door (well, email)!

2.    Check Out Local Studios for a Job as Video Editor

Local studios are gold mines. Often, they’re the first stepping stones for video editors making a mark in the industry.

These studios take on every kind of video project: commercials, documentaries, everything. It is a very good place to learn a little bit about everything and see what type of video you prefer to edit. In which case, all that you have to do is write down the best video edits you have and, therefore, get to show them. In case they like your work, then they are surely going to give you a chance to work on their projects. But if they fall in love with your work, then they will surely hire you as a full-time video editor!

3.    Apply as an Assistant Video Editor

Every expert started somewhere, often as an assistant. You can do the same. Be an assistant editor for some time before you get to be the main. It is very informative and will give you the chance to learn and meet people within that industry, besides assisting on big jobs and seeing how everything falls into place.

Plus, it’s a fantastic way to network and make connections that could lead to bigger opportunities.

4.    Freelance Platforms are Your Friend

Search for jobs online. Upwork, Freelancer, Fiverr—all of these websites teem with businesses looking for video editing talent. There you can build a profile, showcase some of your best work, and finally start bidding for projects and building your career with different clients and industries. These are perfect for making a diverse portfolio and gaining experience in working with all sorts of people.

But it’s always not just a walk in the park to get a job on these freelance platforms, offering stiff competition and relatively lower rates than other options we’ve given.

5.    Engage in Online Communities for Video Editors

Of course, these days, fans and editors meet online in lots of different places. Websites like Vimeo or Reddit have groups where people share their videos and discuss them. That is a possibility to show off the work and learn from others.

But that’s not the only benefit of joining these platforms.

And this is the place where people come mostly for networking, but they end up collaborating with each other. Many even land up with some great jobs. Participate in these communities, share your work, and stay ready for constructive criticism; your next job can be just a conversation away.

6.    Film Schools Aren’t Just for Learning

If you are in school, make sure to work the resources in school. They usually have some kind of job board and can reach out to an extensive network that includes alumni and industry contacts. If you didn’t go to film school, countless establishments would love nothing more than to have the cream of the industry at their events.

There will also be an opportunity for you to attend workshops, seminars, and even networking events. It is not the place for looking for a job, but you get to meet people and have ideas about video editing.