So, you want to be a video editor? Maybe you’ve chopped together some clips for social media or helped a mate edit a vlog, and now you’re wondering if you could make a career out of it.

The short answer is yes. But getting started can feel overwhelming. There’s a lot of noise online, and everyone seems to have a different opinion. This post cuts through the fluff and gives you straight-up advice based on real experience. If you’re a beginner, this is for you.

1. Start with Tools You Can Actually Use

You don’t need to buy expensive software to get started. In fact, some of the best editing tools are free.

Try one of these:

  • DaVinci Resolve – professional-grade, and the free version is brilliant

  • CapCut or iMovie – great for quick edits on your phone

  • Adobe Premiere Pro – if you already have access through school or work

Pick one, stick with it for a while, and start editing whatever you can. Your early edits might be rough, and that’s fine. You’re learning to make decisions, not just move clips around.

Further reading: DaVinci Resolve free download

2. Learn From Other People’s Mistakes (By Working With Them)

One of the best bits of advice I can give is this: if you get the chance to work for free or cheap on someone else’s project, take it. Especially at the beginning.

Why? Because you’ll see what goes wrong. You’ll learn what not to do. Watching someone else deal with a nightmare client, a dodgy camera setup or a missed deadline teaches you lessons you won’t forget. Later, when you’re in charge of your own projects, you won’t make those same expensive mistakes.

3. Build a Showreel, Not Just a CV

If you’re applying for jobs or trying to get freelance work, a showreel will speak louder than any qualification.

Even if you’ve only done small projects, piece together a 30 to 60-second reel that shows off your eye for pacing, story and music. You don’t need loads of big brands or flashy visuals. Just show that you know how to put a story together.

As you get more work, keep updating your reel. It’s your calling card.

4. Be in the Right Conversations

This one’s a bit of a truth bomb.

In the corporate world, if your name doesn’t get mentioned in the first 30 seconds of a meeting, you’re unlikely to be found. That might sound harsh, but it’s real.

That’s why visibility matters. You don’t need to be loud or pushy. Just make sure people know you exist and know what you can do. That might mean sending a follow-up email after a job, posting your reel on LinkedIn or even just being the one who replies quickly and delivers on time.

Tip: Being easy to work with is a skill. Never underestimate it.

5. The Clients Who Pay the Least Often Want the Most

Here’s something I wish someone had told me early on.

The clients who pay the least are usually the ones who demand the most. They want revisions, fast turnarounds, and constant updates, all for the lowest price. You’ll bend over backwards for a hundred quid and still get grief.

It takes time and practice, but you will learn how to politely walk away from these situations. Saying no, or even firing a client, is part of growing. It feels scary at first, but it’s necessary if you want to stay sane and build a sustainable career.

Want to learn more about spotting red flag clients? Try reading this freelancer’s guide to difficult clients.

Final Thoughts: Be Curious, Not Perfect

There’s no one way into video editing. Some people come from film school, others from YouTube, and many – like me – learn by doing, messing up, and figuring it out as we go.

If you stay curious, keep learning, and stay open to feedback (even when it stings), you’ll get there. It won’t happen overnight, but you’ll build a career that’s your own.

And remember – it’s better to learn hard lessons early, when the stakes are low, than to mess up on a big job later.

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