Consistently publishing high-quality content is key to growing your YouTube channel.
Professional video editing is a key part of that.
But how do YouTubers get the perfect edits that help their content go viral?
Do they edit their footage themselves? Or outsource their edits?
The answer: Yes, most professional YouTubers do hire professional video editors.
Should you? Here’s everything you need to know.
Key Takeaways
- Many beginner YouTubers edit their own footage.
- Most video creators hire professional editors when they start scaling up their channel.
- The vast majority of professional content creators have a team of video editors, thumbnail artists, and YouTube SEO specialists.
- Outsourcing video editing saves YouTubers dozens of hours per week and allows them to consistently produce high-quality content
Keep reading for the full scoop!
Do All YouTubers Have Video Editors?
Not all YouTubers have video editors, but the vast majority of professional YouTubers do.
Most rookie YouTubers start off by editing their own footage, especially if they launch their channel on a shoestring budget. As their channel grows and they start monetizing through various income streams, though, most outsource their editing.
The vast majority of professional YouTubers have an editor or a team of editors at their back. Over time, most also hire graphic designers to craft their thumbnails and YouTube SEO experts to handle analytics, research, and video packaging elements like descriptions, chapters, cards and end screens.
In contrast, businesses launching YouTube channels often hire editors from the get-go, factoring the cost into their marketing budget.
Why Do YouTubers Hire Video Editors?
The reason professional YouTubers hire video editors is twofold: time and quality.
First, it saves them massive amounts of time – often dozens of hours a week. Depending on the complexity of edits and the number of revisions, one minute of the final video can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes to edit.
Second, it gives them access to the finely honed skills of a professional editor who’s spent years perfecting their craft. And who keeps up with the latest tools and trends.
As a result, they can scale up their content quantity and quality, producing more videos with consistently high quality of edits.
The upshot? Instead of fiddling with transitions and advanced VFX, YouTubers can focus on what they do best – creating more amazing content. That’s why delegating video edits and other time-consuming workflows is also a key strategy to preventing creator burnout. It lets YouTubers reclaim their time and headspace.
What Editors Do YouTubers Use?
Some YouTubers work with freelance editors, but most rely on video editing services. The big reason for that is reliability.
A freelance editor, no matter how brilliant they are at their job, is only a single person. They may get overwhelmed by work, face a personal emergency, or simply fall sick. As a result, their clients’ projects get delayed.
As a professional YouTuber, however, consistency is critical. You have to maintain a constant content production rhythm and deviating from it can cost you engagement, algorithmic visibility, and traction. Sponsors often also insist on a particular timing to fit into their own marketing push plans.
The big advantage of working with a video editing company is that they have an entire team of editors on staff, so there will always be someone to finish your project on time. Many will nonetheless assign you a personal editor, so you’ll usually work with the same person (or a small team). Plus, all the editors are already pre-vetted during the hiring process, and most video editing services have internal quality control and low average turnaround times.
Ready to get started? Tasty Edits offers all-round video editing services and YouTube channel management for professional creators. Check out our portfolio or start your first edit today!
FAQs
Do YouTubers have video editors?
Yes. Most professional YouTubers delegate their video edits to professionals, to reclaim their time and headspace and scale up their content production.
Do YouTubers edit their videos?
Most professional YouTubers do not edit their own videos. Instead, they outsource this workflow to professional video editing companies. This frees up their time and helps them scale up their content production with consistent, high-quality edits.
How to hire a YouTube video editor?
Most professional YouTubers hire their editors through a video editing company. The editors these agencies have on staff are already pre-vetted. Plus, most video editing services have guaranteed turnaround times, internal quality control, and a team of editors to step in if one of themis ever out sick or on vacation.
