Your editor is one of the most important hires you will make. The right one runs your channel without you having to micromanage. The wrong one costs you time, money, and momentum. Here is how to find the right one.

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Where to Look

Discord Editing Communities: The best place to find editors fast. Search for YouTube, short form, or faceless content editing servers and DM people directly whose work you like. You can see their edits in the server, get a feel for their style before reaching out, and skip the whole application process. Most editors in these communities are actively looking for work.

X (Twitter): Post that you are looking for a short form video editor with your budget and requirements. Editors on X are usually more experienced and have public portfolios you can check before reaching out. You can also search for editors posting their work and DM them directly.

Your Own Audience: Post on your community tab or Instagram stories. Some of your own viewers may want to edit for you and they already understand your style and niche.

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What to Look For

Before hiring anyone, ask for:

• A portfolio of previous edits, specifically short form content, not just long form

• A test edit, give them a raw clip and see what they produce before committing

• Communication style, how fast do they reply, how clear are they, do they ask good questions

Do not skip the test edit. It tells you everything. Someone can have a great portfolio but edit completely differently to your style. Pay them for the test edit, it is fair and it shows you respect their time.

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How Much Should You Pay

Pay per video is the cleanest structure, especially when starting out. We recommend hiring from Southeast Asia or India where the rates are affordable without sacrificing quality. Here is a general range:

• Beginner editor: $3 to $5 per video

• Mid level editor: $5 to $10 per video

• Experienced editor: $10 to $20+ per video

Do not overpay before you have seen their work. Start on the lower end, agree on a trial batch of 5 to 10 videos, and increase their rate as they prove themselves and your channel grows.

You can also add a performance bonus to keep them motivated. $10-20 per every 1 million engaged views a video generates. This gives your editor a reason to care about the quality of their work beyond just getting paid per edit. When they have skin in the game they put in more effort.

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How to Post a Job

Keep your job post short and specific. Include:

• What type of content you make: podcast style, AI commentary etc

• How many videos per week you need

• Your budget per video

• What software they need to know: Premiere Pro, After Effects

• How to apply: ask them to send a portfolio and a short message about their experience
  
  

A specific job post filters out lazy applicants. If someone cannot follow basic application instructions they will not follow your style guide either.

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Red Flags to Watch For

• No portfolio or only long form work

• Slow to reply during the hiring process, it only gets worse once they start

• Asks for full payment upfront before delivering any work

• Cannot take feedback without getting defensive

• Disappears mid conversation

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Onboarding Your Editor

Once you find the right person, explain how everything works before they touch a single video.

Set expectations upfront: turnaround time, revision policy, communication channel, and payment schedule. The more clarity you give them from day one the less back and forth you deal with later.

Everything about managing and communicating with your editor is covered in the next few lessons.