Over the 15 years I’ve worked in video production and video marketing, finding great video editors has been one of the biggest challenges. Chances are, you feel the same.
More times than I can count, I’ve come across a video editor with an amazing demo reel. They look perfect. I hire them for the first project… and I’m left disappointed when the project is done.
And it’s not because the video turned out bad. The video usually looks great.
I’m disappointed because of everything else that comes with hiring a video editor: managing them, communication, deadlines, revisions, speed, reliability, etc. There’s a long list of things I prioritize when hiring editors for my agency.
That’s why it feels so hard to find a great video editor nowadays. There’s so much more than just the final product an editor delivers. The great editors are all booked, and the cheap editors seem too good to be true. And trust me, never go with the cheap editors.
The good news? You can find a great editor and hire them before they get booked.
You just need to look for these five qualities.
1. The Ability to Understand the Goal of Your Video
I’m putting this at number one because it’s the most important thing when it comes to marketing videos.
Your video might be at the very top of your funnel, so it should feel informational, not salesy. You might be explaining a complicated topic, which means pacing really matters. Or maybe it’s a simple video that doesn’t need flashy effects at all.
The editor has to understand the story and the message.
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Way too often, editors add flashy effects, transitions, and unnecessary elements that actually hurt the goal of the video. It distracts from the message instead of reinforcing it.
When you interview an editor, ask how they go about understanding the goal of a video. Great editors will always ask about the objective first, and then suggest how the story and structure can support that goal.
2. Self-Driven & Excellent Communicator
You hire a video editor to save time and money. The last thing you want is to manage them step by step.
Great video editors communicate quickly, provide regular status updates, and most importantly are proactive. They’re self-directed and don’t require hand-holding.
They anticipate problems ahead of time and handle the small details so you can focus on your job. They don’t bug you with constant small questions. Instead, they get those questions answered upfront during kickoff. That way, when you see the first draft, you’re excited instead of frustrated.
3. Technical Skills
A strong demo reel or portfolio still matters. It shows the technical skills required to be a great video editor.
That said, today’s editors need to be more than just “cutters.” Every editor we hire has a baseline understanding of motion graphics, sound design, and color grading. While these used to be specialized roles, most marketing videos today include at least some of these elements.
An editor should be able to handle these on top of actually editing the footage.
For high-end projects, specialists still make sense. But for day-to-day marketing videos, look for an editor with a broad skill set, not just someone who can trim clips together.
4. Hitting Deadlines
This should be a given, but it needs to be said.
Most projects have two deadlines, one for the initial review and one for final delivery. One of the most important questions to ask an editor is what to expect for that first review.
Too often, when hiring freelance editors, the initial review comes back way less finished than expected. Usually it’s followed by a long explanation of why it’s not ready. The problem is, it’s hard to give useful feedback when a video is that far from finished, which leads to even more delays.
In my agency, the first version you see is ready to post if you approve it. If you want changes, no problem, they’re included. Speed matters in today’s content marketing world. Which leads me to the final point.
5. Speed Over Perfectionism
I used to obsess over every detail. Every frame had to be perfect.
Here’s the truth. Most of that stuff isn’t even noticed by the viewer. In fact, many videos perform better when they’re less polished. A great editor prioritizes speed over perfection, unless perfection is truly the goal.
Over time, creating more videos faster actually improves quality. Your editor gets better, your process gets tighter, and you quickly learn what content drives the best results.
Where to Hire Great Video Editors
The biggest question is always: where are these editors hiding?
Here’s where we recommend looking:
- Ask Your Network – Word of mouth is how the best editors get work. Ask people you trust who are already doing video.
- Search on Google or ChatGPT – Editors who understand marketing, see point #1, usually have websites and make themselves discoverable through SEO.
- Message Small YouTube or Instagram Pages – Big pages are often selling courses or optimizing for algorithms. Smaller pages usually just want to show off their work. If you like what you see, reach out.
- Ask Us – We handle all your video editing for a flat rate. 48 Hour turnaround. Everything included. No hassle. More info here.
We generally recommend avoiding platforms like Upwork and Fiverr. Indeed or LinkedIn job posts can work, but be prepared to sift through hundreds of applicants, most of them under qualified.
Hopefully this article helps you find your next great video editor!
