Outsourced Video Editing Services: Your Guide to the Right Fit

In an era where video content holds a dominant position in media, the demand for high-quality video editing services has reached an all-time high.

Whether you're a content creator, a business owner, or a marketing professional, the key to making a lasting impact in the digital landscape often lies in the seamless presentation of your visual content. But how do you ensure that your video editing needs are met efficiently and effectively?

In this blog post, we'll dive deep into the world of outsourcing and help you to find the perfect video editor to transform your raw footage into polished masterpieces.

First off, what is it? Outsourcing video editing means that it is a process of one assigning a video editing task to an external agency or freelancer who has specialized skills in that area.

Pros and Cons of Outsource Video Editing Services

For starters, the pros are..

1. Team Access: Outsourcing companies for video editing provides access to a team of skilled editors who can efficiently handle your projects.

2. Scalability: You have the flexibility to adjust the level of video editing support to match your evolving needs.

3. Streamlined Workflow: These companies specialize in video editing and optimizing the editing process for efficiency.

4. Consistent Quality: Professional editing services ensure high quality video content.

Then, the cons may be...

1. Cost Considerations: While scalability is possible, continuous outsourcing may result in higher costs compared to other options. This could be worth it if high quality videos are being edited.

2. Creative Alignment: Finding an outsourced video editors that align with your creative vision can be challenging

Establishing the Boundaries of Your Project's Tasks

Do you want a stock video, corporate videos, youtube videos, real estate videos, animated videos, personal videos, or one off projects?

For one-time projects, evaluating success based solely on the final output is sufficient. However, if you have an ongoing need for fresh content, it's essential not to underestimate the significance of building a strong rapport. A solid working relationship with your video editor can lead to fewer revisions and save valuable time.

Once you've clarified your preference, you can proceed to define the scope of your work. To do this, consider the following factors:

Purpose

The purpose of your video is the fundamental driving force behind your project. It's the "why" that guides all the creative and technical decisions that follow. Defining the purpose of your video is important, as it sets the direction for the entire content creation process.

What is the intended result when someone views your video? Typically, it's to entertain, educate, sell, or a combination of these objectives.

Length

When looking into the outsourcing process, the length of your video is a critical factor that can significantly impact the workflow between the video editors and yourself. Determining the ideal duration for your video is also essential as it directly affects how your content is structured, the amount of information you can convey, and the viewer's level of engagement.

Are you looking for concise or extensive content? Longer videos may require more time to complete, and sometimes that means more complex edits, which could lead to paying more money.

Turnaround Time

The turnaround time refers to the period between the initiation of your video and its completion. It is a critical factor to consider as it impacts your entire project and its scheduling, the availability of your dedicated video editor, and the overall efficiency of your content production process.

What is the urgency of your project's completion? What is the video length? Ask your potential video editors what their editing time looks like.

Audience

Understanding your target audience is a cornerstone of effective video content creation and editing. The audience is the group of people for whom your video is intended, and their preferences, interests, and characteristics play a significant role in shaping the content.

Who is your target audience, and how do you aim to engage them?

Budget

Understanding and managing your budget effectively is key to a successful video editing project and for choosing the right video editing service provider. It helps you align your expectations with the resources available, ensures transparency in financial matters, and allows for a realistic assessment of what can be achieved within your financial constraints.

Professional video editors and a solid video editing partner can provide guidance on how to optimize your budget while achieving your desired results.

What financial resources can you allocate? Keep in mind that there might be additional expenses beyond your editor's fees that you need to consider. As mentioned, more complex projects, other editing requests and specific use of editing software may alter your budget.

Where Will You Find Your Video Editor?

The actual process of video editing outsourcing and finding an online video editing company might consume the majority of your time, but fortunately, the internet offers a lot of valuable resources for locating skilled and talented editors.

UpWork

Upwork is a powerhouse in the world of freelance, offering access to an extensive talent pool of over 12 million skilled professionals across various fields. To find professional editors, you'll likely find a suitable candidate here. The platform is user-friendly and allows you to set up your account at no upfront charge, making it an accessible option for those on the lookout for editing services.

While it's a convenient platform, it's essential to be aware of the financial aspect. Upwork applies a 3% processing fee to all payments made through their system. This fee contributes to the platform's operational costs, such as payment processing and dispute resolution services, which can be vital for a smooth collaboration with your chosen editor.

A downside is that one has to search for a while and message a few people before starting a project, This can take hours of your free time.

Fiverr

Fiverr originated as an online marketplace where individuals could offer and purchase various digital services, including video editing, initially priced at $5. Comparable to Upwork, registration is cost-free, but there are associated service fees. For transactions totaling $40 or less, a flat fee of $2 is applied, while a 5% fee is charged for transactions exceeding $40.

To read more on the ins and outs of Fiverr, read another of our recent blog posts!

LinkedIn and Facebook Groups

LinkedIn is an often overlooked platform for discovering freelancers. You can search for video editors based on location, experience, or their current job role. To maximize your results, consider posting a job and allowing candidates to apply.

There are also Facebook groups available where you can connect with freelancers. However, when considering hiring a video editor through Facebook, conducting thorough research is crucial. It's advisable to examine their previous work, reputation, and experience. A brief interview with a few pertinent questions can also be a valuable step.

These platforms offer excellent opportunities to tap into a global network of skilled freelance video editors. Using these resources ensures that your projects receive professional editing tailored to your unique vision and goals.

Evaluating Your Potential Editors

When outsourcing video editing services, it's important to evaluate the video editor's capabilities. It's essential to ensure that the editing process is efficient, meets your quality standards, and more, It helps you make an informed decision about the right video editing for your project.

Technology Capabilities

To find talented editors, as well as skilled, is important, but it's not sufficient on its own. Without the right hardware, an editor may struggle to perform the job effectively.

Considering this, it's crucial to determine whether your candidate possesses a computer with the necessary capabilities to handle the digital services workload. Inquire about their operating system, video card, hard drive capacity, and internet connection speed.

Additionally, it's vital to know which software they use. Adobe Premiere and Final Cut Pro are industry standards. Here are the other top video editing softwares for apple devices and windows!

At Spivo, your video creation and final product is curated in Adobe Premiere Pro! Spivo is an editing service that thousands love because of the video editing software they use.

Skills and Experience

In this process, you'll come across numerous skilled editors at various stages of their careers. The choice of the editor you hire ultimately depends on your specific expectations and project requirements. Here is a distinction between two types of experienced editors.

For starters, we have an entry level editor and at this stage may have limited technical expertise, but they are often characterized by a strong work ethic and a desire for improvement. At the very least, an editor possesses a basic understanding of what elements to include or exclude in a video.

Next we have, an advanced editor who is often a more professional video editor with advanced experience and have an extensive portfolio of past work. They are proficient in advanced techniques such as motion graphics and sound design. In many cases, advanced editors specialize in one or more of these specialized areas, bringing a high level of expertise to your project.

The choice of editor should be based on your project's complexity and your desired level of expertise. It's important to align the editor's experience with the specific needs of your project to ensure a successful outcome.

Previous Clients and Work

To assess an editor's expertise, one should be ask candidates to share their work with you. As part of the screening process, consider having candidates complete a paid test project.

Offer limited details to experienced candidates and more guidance for those with less experience. This test should be challenging yet achievable within a short timeframe. When reviewing their test project, focus on how closely it aligns with your desired style, branding elements like music and graphics, and the selection of included footage.

This evaluation process ensures you make an informed decision when hiring an editor from a video editing agency.

You should also ask candidates to share previous work from other clients! Most online video editing services will have a link to their reviews page.

File Transfers

Keep in mind that you'll also have to set up cloud-based folders for sharing video files and assets with your editor.

If your files are 100 GB or smaller, services like Dropbox, Google Drive, or WeTransfer will suffice. For larger files, creating proxies is necessary.

Proxies are lower-quality versions of high-definition footage, often used for editing 4K video to enhance efficiency. They prevent the editor's computer from slowing down, making the editing timeline faster.

Keep this in mind when speaking to a potential freelance video editor or your potential full time editor.

Paying Your Editor

Hourly Rate versus Fixed Rate

Once you've made your selection, the next step involves coordinating the payment structure. When outsourcing video editing, there are two primary payment arrangements to consider: hourly rates or fixed rates. Additionally, it's crucial to be aware of potential additional costs beyond labor that might be necessary to cover.

When outsourcing video editing services, you compensate your editor for the time spent on your project. You can choose to have your editor manually track their hours or request them to utilize time-tracking software during their work.

The advantage of this arrangement is that you pay only for the actual time worked. This can be particularly advantageous if you anticipate the possibility of changes or last-minute project cancellations, as you won't be responsible for any further charges.

When paying a fixed rate, you pay your editor for the specific output they produce. This agreement is particularly advantageous if you have a set budget in mind. It's often negotiated as a daily, monthly, or flat project rate.

Unlike hourly rates, editors operating under a fixed rate structure have a stronger incentive to work efficiently. They receive a predetermined amount regardless of the time it takes to complete the project.

However, the downside of fixed rates is reduced flexibility. If you need to redefine your scope of work, you may need to re-negotiate your editor's compensation.

Carefully choosing between these payment structures should align with your project's scope, your budget constraints, and your expectations for efficiency.

Make sure you set up solid communication skills with your video editing team to ensure you're on the same page!

How About Spivo Video?!

Spivo Video is a trusted video editing service that allows you to submit your raw footage for professional editing by their skilled team of editors.

Spivo's pricing begins at $149 per video but is tailored to your specific project, with a seamless process to receive a customized quote. They offer a wide range of video editing services, from travel and business videos to weddings, with added free resources.

One notable benefit is their quick 7-day turnaround time, with a commitment to making revisions based on your feedback for up to 30 days. They also provide the Adobe Premiere project file for added security and future modifications.

Spivo's features include access to 8,000 royalty-free songs, or you can use your own music. They employ color correction, audio enhancement, transitions, and color grading, ensuring polished clips with specialized intros and outros.

Their team is so confident in your satisfaction that they offer a guarantee: if you don't love your video, it's free. Plus, they provide unlimited revisions to ensure your content meets your expectations.