How to Make 6 Figures As A Video Editor? (11 Best Ways in 2024)

Updated: October 10th, 2024

So you want to make six figures as a Video Editor? Good for you! Being a Video Editor is a highly respectable and well-paid profession, and there's no reason why you can't earn a high income if you put your mind to it.

In this blog post, we'll look at some of the best ways to make more money as a Video Editor - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!

1. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)

Starting a YouTube channel could be a powerful way to supplement your income as a Video Editor and even make six figures. You could leverage your editing skills to create high-quality content that attracts viewers and grows a dedicated audience. With YouTube's established monetization system, once you reach a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours within a year, you could start earning revenue from ads.

By creating content such as tutorials, behind-the-scenes footage, or showcasing your portfolio, you could position yourself as an expert in the field and attract paid collaborations, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing opportunities. Additionally, sharing tips and tricks on video editing could establish you as an authority in the niche, leading to further business prospects and client inquiries outside of YouTube.

How much you can make: $800 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)

How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

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2. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)

Becoming a social media influencer offers a promising avenue to make six figures as a Video Editor. Social media has become integral to daily routines, making platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok prime areas for brand engagement. By leveraging your video editing skills and establishing your credibility in a specific niche, you could attract a vast audience and collaborate with brands, paving the way for lucrative sponsorships and partnerships.

As an entrepreneurial-minded video editor, you could create high-quality, engaging content that resonates with your target audience, solidifying your brand and expanding your reach. Brands are in constant search of influential voices to recommend their products, and your video editing expertise could set you apart. Whether you decide to supplement your income or pivot entirely to being an influencer, this strategy could significantly elevate your financial prospects.

How much you can make: $2,500 — $166,666/month

How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)

How long does it take to build: 155 days (?)

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3. Create an online course ($82.8K/month)

Starting an online course could help you make six figures as a Video Editor by leveraging your expertise to fill educational gaps in the industry. By creating and selling digital classes, you have the opportunity to teach specialized skills to a broad audience, generating ongoing revenue with relatively small startup costs.

As an entrepreneurial-minded founder, you could develop engaging video lessons and supplementary materials that cater to lifelong learners. The flexibility of online courses, whether self-paced or cohort-based, means you could build a loyal student base and enjoy passive income potential, making this a lucrative option to augment your income or even transition to a new business venture.

How much you can make: $275 — $1,000,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 88 days (?)

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4. Start a social media marketing agency ($386K/month)

Starting a social media marketing agency could substantially boost your income as a Video Editor by leveraging your existing skills in video production and content creation. With the demand for engaging social media content continuously rising, you could create lucrative opportunities for yourself by helping businesses improve their online presence and attract more customers. This side business or even full-fledged venture could potentially bring in significant additional revenue, enabling you to clear your utility bills, finance a college education, or save for a vacation.

The flexibility of using social media marketing tools allows you to automate various tasks, minimizing the time commitment required and enabling you to manage multiple clients efficiently. By developing a solid social media marketing strategy and creating an impressive agency portfolio, you could showcase your unique skills and market your services to a wide array of potential clients. This entrepreneurial venture could pave the way for earning a six-figure income while utilizing your talents as a Video Editor in a complementary industry.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $4,166,667/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 30 hours/week

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5. Start a freelance writing business ($62.6K/month)

Starting a freelance writing business could help diversify your income as a Video Editor, giving you greater financial stability and flexibility. By leveraging your existing skills in storytelling and communication, you could easily transition into writing niche content, such as blog posts, scripts, or promotional materials. This dual role could enable you to tap into a different client base, broadening your earning potential.

Moreover, working as a freelance writer allows you to define your own work schedule and work from home, offering you the flexibility to juggle both careers seamlessly. With strong writing skills, the ability to meet deadlines, and being a self-starter, you could produce high-quality content for various clients, thereby gradually building a lucrative side income. Being up-to-date with the latest writing tools and trends could further enhance your marketability, setting you on the path to earning six figures.

How much you can make: $700 — $500,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 56 days (?)

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6. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)

Starting an eCommerce store could provide a lucrative way to supplement your income as a Video Editor. You could create and sell digital products such as video editing presets, LUTs (Look-Up Tables), and stock footage that cater to your fellow video editors, filmmakers, and content creators. This allows you to monetize your expertise and creativity beyond client projects, offering a scalable income source with minimal overhead costs.

Additionally, you could use your video editing skills to create compelling product videos or tutorials that could differentiate your store in the crowded online market. This not only leverages your existing skill set but also enhances the overall customer experience, potentially leading to higher sales and customer loyalty. By tapping into the booming eCommerce market, you could build a profitable side business that, with dedication, might help you reach that coveted six-figure income bracket.

How much you can make: $350 — $13,500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

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7. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)

Starting a career coaching business could significantly boost your income as a Video Editor by leveraging your industry expertise to guide others in their professional journey. You could offer personalized sessions focused on resume building, interview prep, and workplace advancement, all tailored to the unique challenges and opportunities within the creative and media sectors.

With the flexibility for in-person or virtual meetings, you could build a diverse client base seeking specialized advice and accountability. This entrepreneurial venture allows you to monetize your motivational skills and industry knowledge, all while setting your own schedule and potentially achieving a six-figure income.

How much you can make: $1,000 — $235,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

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8. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)

Starting a podcast could help you supplement your income and potentially make six figures as a Video Editor by leveraging your existing skills in content creation and storytelling. By choosing a niche or topic that you’re passionate about and has an audience, you could create engaging and valuable audio content that attracts a loyal listener base.

With basic recording equipment and a free or affordable hosting platform, you could keep your initial costs low and maximize profitability. Promoting your podcast through social media and online communities could not only build your audience but also attract sponsors or advertisers, adding a lucrative revenue stream to your existing video editing business.

How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week

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9. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)

Adding affiliate marketing to your career as a video editor could be a game-changer, helping you supplement your income and potentially make six figures. As an affiliate marketer, you could promote products and services related to video production, such as editing software, cameras, and other equipment, earning a commission for every sale made through your referral. This venture requires minimal upfront investment and leverages your marketing skills to drive traffic and sales to the products of other businesses.

By signing up for affiliate programs in your specific niche, you'll receive unique tracking links that help companies identify sales generated through your efforts. This allows you to earn commissions for successful referrals, turning your video editing audience into a revenue source. Given the low cost and accessibility of starting as an affiliate marketer, it's an excellent side business or even a main business for entrepreneurial-minded video editors looking to boost their income.

How much you can make: $18,000 — $83,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)

How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)

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10. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)

Starting a blog could significantly supplement your income as a Video Editor, leveraging your unique skills and insights in the field. By sharing tutorials, industry news, and showcasing your work, you could attract a substantial following. With 77% of internet users reading blogs and approximately 409 million people viewing more than 20 billion pages each month, the potential audience is vast.

As your blog grows, it could become a profitable venture through avenues such as advertising, sponsored posts, and affiliate marketing. By providing valuable content and establishing yourself as an authority in video editing, your blog could not only enhance your reputation but also open up additional revenue streams, helping you reach the six-figure income mark.

How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month

How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)

Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week

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11. Digital products ($242K/month)

Creating digital products could significantly boost your income as a video editor, offering an exciting avenue to potentially reach a six-figure earning. By leveraging your expertise, you could develop and sell online courses, eBooks, or even software tools designed to help aspiring video editors refine their skills. Additionally, creating subscription-based membership sites or exclusive content communities could generate a steady stream of passive income.

Digital products are relatively easy to create and distribute, allowing you to transform your industry knowledge into valuable resources without the hassle of managing physical inventory. The scalability of digital products means that once you create them, they can be sold repeatedly with minimal ongoing effort, thus maximizing your revenue potential. Exploring digital products could diversify your income streams and establish a more robust, sustainable career trajectory in video editing.

How much you can make: $10,417 — $1,766,666/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

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meet the author
Pat Walls