In the realm of the creator economy, content creators are increasingly seeking the assistance of skilled professionals to handle various tasks such as shooting, production, and post-production. As an exemplar, MrBeast, the most subscribed YouTuber worldwide with over 111 million followers, has established a significant operation in his hometown of Greenville, NC, regularly offering employment opportunities on his website.
Within the YouTube landscape, a wide array of job roles are available, ranging from “YouTube producer” to “thumbnail designer” and “video editor.” Among these roles, video editors play a crucial role in selecting, cutting, and arranging footage to create captivating videos. While some YouTube creators, like MrBeast, maintain dedicated in-house editing teams, other editors work as freelancers, managing their own businesses.
For aspiring YouTube video editors, establishing oneself in the industry often hinges on building the right connections. Taylor King, who has edited videos for popular YouTuber Alisha Marie, charted her path into the profession through networking and offering her services for free to creators, using these opportunities to acquire valuable editing skills. It’s possible to showcase dedication and ambition while making the right connections solely online, without having the chance to meet creators in person. King, for instance, predominantly utilized Instagram to foster connections.
“I’m constantly DMing people, and I don’t think there is anything wrong with admitting that you are a fan of someone,” she previously told Insider. David Stack, a freelancer working with various creators, spent a year editing for MrBeast after reaching out to the creator’s lead video editor via Twitter DMs. Ayden Naenna had a similar experience when he noticed a tweet from a creator seeking an editor for a video. Naenna seized the opportunity, swiftly earning a considerable income at the young age of 15.
Leonardo Orantes-Paz successfully connected with the lead editor of esports organization NRG through Twitter, which led to him editing for one of NRG’s YouTube channels and eventually being promoted to a producer role. Andrew Siwicki, now serving as a producer, cameraman, and editor for creator Garrett Watts, kickstarted his editing career by sending a direct message to a creator on YouTube (a feature that no longer exists). It might be advantageous to commence work as an editor for short-form videos to cultivate essential skills before transitioning to collaborating with long-form creators.
Determining the earnings of YouTube editors involves a combination of skill, consistency, and self-confidence. Stack constantly seeks to enhance his techniques and stay abreast of developments within the editing community. “I love watching online art and creativity courses from universities like Harvard,” Stack previously shared with Insider. “Editors from Disney or Pixar often hold lectures there.” Recognizing the right time to increase rates and not undervaluing oneself are vital factors in transforming video editing into a full-time profession.
A proficient video editor understands that editing for YouTube necessitates a different approach compared to editing other forms of video entertainment. “I think many associate YouTube videos with movies, which is a mistake,” Rhyze remarked. “YouTube users have way less tolerance for slow pacing.” Joe Vulpis, who has collaborated with renowned creators like Liza Koshy and David Dobrik, was taken aback by how little of his filmmaking school education applied to YouTube editing. Naenna, on the other hand, aspires to leverage his video editing skills to launch a career in filmmaking.
Apart from video editing, numerous other career paths exist in the YouTube realm. For instance, the role of thumbnail designer offers an opportunity to work “behind the scenes” of a YouTube video. Thumbnails, the small preview images that entice viewers to click on a video, play a pivotal role in its success. Creating a compelling thumbnail requires attention to factors such as color, emotion, and structure. However, transforming thumbnail design into a profession can be challenging.
Nineteen-year-old Dill Toma, who freelances for creators like Anthony Padilla (6.8 million YouTube subscribers) and Airrack (10.5 million subscribers), has made thumbnail designing his full-time occupation by mastering appropriate pricing strategies and rates.
As the creator economy continues to thrive, the demand for skilled professionals in various roles within the YouTube space will continue to grow. By leveraging networking opportunities, honing their skills, and understanding the unique dynamics of YouTube content, aspiring video editors and thumbnail designers can pave th
