If you’re producing regular content — whether you’re a business trying to build brand awareness or a creator trying to grow an audience — you probably already know that video is one of the most engaging content formats out there. And while DIY tools have made video editing easier and more accessible than ever, there’s one thing they can’t replicate: the value of a long-term collaboration with a professional video editor.
As any content creator or business knows, video marketing can be one of the most demanding types of content creation out there. Between planning, filming, editing, and publishing, there can be a lot to juggle – and that’s where professional video editing services come in. Here’s why starting a long-term collaboration with a professional video editor could be one of the smartest moves you make for your brand or business.
Why Outsourcing Video Editing Works
Outsourcing video editing is when you hire a professional video editor to edit your videos on your behalf, rather than doing this yourself or hiring someone to do this in-house. Usually, you will shoot your content and share the raw footage with your video editor, along with a creative brief or any notes about what you would like the finished video to look like. Your editor will then work their magic and send back a polished cut that matches your branding, style, and vision.
Like many businesses and content creators, you may be hesitant to outsource video editing. This may be because you worry about losing creative control over your business, or because you are worried that your video content may decline in quality if you are not creating it yourself. However the reality is that outsourcing video editing can actually be a great way to enhance your creative process and take video marketing for your brand or business to the next level.
Working with a professional video editor can bring a fresh, professional eye to your footage. Not only will they be able to add a professional polish to your videos from a technical point of view, but they will also be able to offer creative input and ideas you may not have thought of – from a better angle or transition to a completely new approach to storytelling.
The Benefits of Hiring a Video Editor (And Keeping Them)
Video marketing has never been more important for businesses, with around 98% of marketers thought to be using video marketing as part of their content strategy. A lot of people tend to think of video editing services as a one-off thing, where you hire someone to cut together an ad for social media or clean up your latest vlog. But the real value of working with a video editor doesn’t come from a single project — it comes from building a relationship with them over time.
When you work with the same editor over time, that’s when your content starts feeling more cohesive, professional, and consistent. The more you work together, the more your professional video editor will get to know your style, voice, audience, and goals for your brand or audience – and the more they will be able to add value for you as your long-term creative partner.
So, why hire a video editor and what exactly do you gain from sticking with the same editor long-term? Here are a few of the benefits of hiring a video editor and partnering with the same editor for the long run.
- They take your video content to the next level: A good video editor can use their technical expertise to take your videos from “fine” to “standout” – whether that’s by cleaning up bad audio, fixing up awkward pacing, or correcting issues with brightness or contrast. By bringing a fresh, objective eye to your footage, they will also be able to offer creative input and new ideas to elevate your content in ways that you may not have thought of!
- They save you time (and headaches): If you’ve been using DIY tools to do your own video editing, you’ve probably found that this approach takes a lot of time – and comes with a lot of headaches as well. You might be feeling overwhelmed or missing deadlines, or maybe you’re feeling uninspired and like everything is starting to look the same. A professional video editor can take care of the entire video editing process for you, so all you have to do is shoot – they’ll do the rest.
- They offer faster turnaround times than one-off freelancers: Working with the same editor on an ongoing basis can be a great way to save time. Any time you work with a new freelancer, you have to spent time explaining your brand, your workflow, and your likes and dislikes. But when you work with the same professional video editor, you will be working with someone who already knows your system and style, so you don’t have to explain this over and over again each time you need a video edited. Also, a long-term editor will have your branding, templates, style guidelines, and creative assets ready to go, so your projects will get turned around faster than if you were working with a one-off freelancer.
- They can be more cost-effective: While cost isn’t everything, outsourcing video editing long-term can often end up being more affordable for your brand or business compared to doing it yourself, hiring multiple freelancers, or taking someone on in-house. This is particularly true when you start factoring in some of the other benefits of hiring a video editor long-term like time saved, reduced revisions, and higher quality, better-performing content.
- They know your brand: By working with the same professional video editor on an ongoing basis, they will get to know your brand and likes and dislikes from a style point of view. Not only will this help them to produce higher quality, more aligned content that is on-brand and consistent across platforms, but they will also be able to offer new ideas and creative input to take your content to the next level. A professional editor will know what kinds of videos perform well, and be able to provide tailored recommendations that elevate your content beyond your original brief.
- They keep you consistent: When it comes to content creation, consistency is key. Whether it’s weekly YouTube uploads or regular social content, audiences demand quality content that they can count on – which means needing to show up consistently by posting on a regular schedule. If you are doing all your shooting and video editing yourself, maintaining that level of output can be hard. But a professional video editor can make it easier for you by handling the technical and creative side of production, so you can spend more time shooting or focusing on other areas of your business.
- They can grow with you: Outsourcing video editing rather than hiring a video editor in-house can also be a great option for smaller brands and businesses. What’s great about outsourcing is that as your business or brand grows, your video editor can grow with you, offering a flexible and scalable solution.
How to Build a Long-Term Relationship With a Video Editor
If you’re ready to build a long-term relationship with a professional video editor, here are some tips to make your creative partnership a success.
- Find an editor who is the right fit for you and your business: Although it can sometimes be tempting to choose the editor who offers the lowest price or fastest turnaround times, price and availability aren’t everything. Rather than hiring based on price or availability alone, look for a professional video editor whose editing style aligns with your brand. Checking out their portfolio, asking for testimonials from their past clients, or starting with a small trial project are all great ways to make sure an editor is the right fit for you.
- Communicate clearly and be consistent with your feedback: Any new creative partnership will always come with a learning curve, so more clearly you communicate your expectations and the more consistent you are with your feedback, the quicker your video editor will be able to learn what you do (and don’t) like. Be upfront about timelines, tone, goals, and revision processes. Also, use examples and be specific to ensure that you and your editor are on the same page creatively.
- Treat your editor as your creative partner: Most people think of video editors as someone who adds transitions and helps cut their video footage. However, the most value comes when you don’t just treat video editors as service providers, but as creative partners and collaborators. Include them in your content planning process, ask for their input, and invite them to contribute ideas to ensure you are getting the most benefit from their creative eye and technical expertise.
Whether you’re trying to grow your business or simply stay consistent with content, working with a skilled professional video editor might just be one of the smartest decisions you will ever make as a brand or business – particularly when you build a long-term partnership with an editor who truly understands your business and your brand.
Ready to find your long-term video editing partner?
Video marketing is no longer a nice-to-have for businesses – it’s essential. Building a long-term partnership with a professional video editor and videographer in Brisbane like Tempus Media is by far the best way to maximise reach and engagement with your audience.
Need help getting started? Reach out to our team of experts to find out how we can help you bring your vision to life!
