I Went Undercover for 24 Hours to Make Money Editing
The Power of Editing
Editing is a skill that can open up a world of opportunities. It allows you to shape stories, create engaging content, and make a living doing something you love. In this blog, I will share my experience of going undercover for 24 hours to try and make as much money as possible just by editing. I created fake profiles on the most popular websites for finding editing jobs, all in an attempt to prove that anyone, no matter who you are, can make money editing.
A New Identity
My journey began by creating a new identity. I logged out of my existing account and started a new one on Discord, a platform known for offering editing jobs. I needed a unique yet trustworthy username, so I settled on "Darren Smith." With my new alias created, I went into Photoshop to give Darren a face. It was important to make him look like a real person, not just a stock image.
The Showreel
Next, I needed to showcase Darren's editing skills. I created a showreel using Premiere Pro and my animation preset pack. The showreel included various animations, transitions, subtitles, and audio designs. It was important to demonstrate that Darren could handle different aspects of editing and build trust with potential clients.
Spreading Myself Around
With the showreel complete, it was time to spread myself around and find editing jobs. I started messaging every person posting jobs on Discord, copying and pasting the same message to each one. However, I soon realized that Discord had restrictions on applying to jobs for accounts less than a day old, slowing down my progress.
Exploring Other Avenues
While waiting for responses on Discord, I set up a Twitter account to search for jobs. Unfortunately, I encountered the same obstacle there. Being too eager to find jobs on the first day seemed to work against me. The key was to be patient and wait for opportunities to come my way.
The First Promising Message
After hours of waiting, I finally received a promising message. Excitement filled me as I read the message, but I had to play it cool. This could be my first job, and I didn't want to mess it up. I quickly asked for work and checked out the channel to see what I would be up against.
The Task at Hand
The job involved editing a 15-20 minute video with various editing elements such as subtitles, zooms, memes, and slide transitions. It seemed like a daunting task with only 20 hours left, so I decided to explore other options before committing.
Negotiating the Deal
I received more messages from the same person, but it seemed like they just wanted to chat. I needed to focus on finding work, so I pushed for a solid answer on how much they would pay. The initial offer was confusing, but I managed to negotiate a better price of $50 for the whole project.
The Editing Marathon
I started the editing process, beginning with adding sound effects and transitions. This was followed by cutting up the raw footage, which was the most time-consuming part of the whole process. I worked non-stop, channeling my inner editing beast, and pushing through exhaustion.
The Countdown
As the hours ticked by, the finish line was in sight. I added subtitles, polished the video, and made final touches to ensure it was ready for delivery. With just half an hour left, I rendered the video and uploaded it to Google Drive to send to the client.
The Challenge Completed
At exactly 2:00, I completed the challenge. The timing couldn't have been more perfect. I received payment of $51 from the client, and it felt like a victory. Despite the challenges and uncertainties, I managed to make money editing within 24 hours.
A Lesson Learned
This challenge taught me the reality of starting out as an editor. It's not always easy to find high-paying jobs, especially when you're just starting. But every opportunity, no matter how small, is a step towards building your reputation and portfolio. Even with a modest payment of $50 for 9 hours of work, I couldn't be unhappy. It's a starting point, and it pays for the essentials.
In Conclusion
My 24-hour journey undercover as an editor proved that anyone can make money editing. It may require patience, perseverance, and sometimes taking on lower-paying jobs at the beginning. But with dedication and the right skills, you can turn your passion for editing into a profitable career.
