How to find clients for video editing?

As a video editor who built my business from scratch, here are the strategies that actually work:1. Portfolio Development- Create spec work - edit footage for fictional brands or re-edit existing content- Offer free/discounted work initially to build portfolio (be selective)- Show range - different styles, lengths, and genres2. Networking Strategies- Local filmmaker groups - meet directors and producers- Business networking events - companies need corporate videos- YouTube creator meetups - growing creators need editors- Film school connections - recent grads will need editors as they grow3. Online Platforms- Upwork/Fiverr - start with lower rates, build reviews- Behance/Dribbble - showcase your best work- LinkedIn - connect with marketing managers and content creators- Instagram/TikTok - share editing tips and behind-the-scenes4. Specialization- Corporate training videos- YouTube content for specific niches (gaming, education, etc.)- Wedding videos (high volume business)- Social media ads (high demand from businesses)5. Direct Outreach- Cold email to local businesses with poor video presence- Offer free video audit - analyze their current content and suggest improvements- Partner with marketing agencies who outsource editing6. Referral System- Ask happy clients for referrals- Offer referral incentives- Maintain relationships with past clients for repeat businessPro Tips:- Niche down - become the "go-to" editor for a specific industry- Show your process - clients love seeing before/after and workflow- Communicate clearly - many clients don't understand video terminology- Under-promise, over-deliver on timelines and qualityThe first clients are the hardest, but each project leads to more opportunities through word-of-mouth and portfolio growth.

I started video editing as a side hustle two years ago and now it's my full-time gig. Here's what worked for me as a beginner:My beginner-friendly approach:1. Start with People You Know- Edited my friend's wedding video for cheap- Helped my cousin with his YouTube gaming channel- Did music videos for local bands I knew- Created highlight reels for my nephew's sports team2. Social Media Hustle- Joined Facebook groups for creators in my niche- Offered free edits in exchange for testimonials- Shared editing tips on TikTok that showcased my skills- Used relevant hashtags like #videoeditorforhire3. Low-Barrier Platforms- Fiverr - started with $25 basic edits, now charge $150+- Reddit forums like r/forhire and r/creatorservices- Discord servers for specific content creator communities4. What I Learned the Hard Way- Don't undervalue yourself - cheap clients are often the most demanding- Get deposits upfront - 50% before starting work- Use contracts even for small projects- Set clear revision limits (I offer 2 rounds, then charge hourly)- Specialize early - I focused on YouTube vloggers and it worked great5. My Pricing Evolution- Month 1-3: $15-25/hour or flat project rates of $50-100- Month 4-12: $35-50/hour, projects $200-500- Year 2: $75+/hour, projects $800-2000+The game-changer for me: Creating template packages - I now offer "YouTube Starter Pack," "Social Media Ad Pack," etc. This makes it easier for clients to understand what they're buying and for me to deliver consistently.It's definitely a grind at first, but once you get a few happy clients and build your portfolio, the referrals start coming in naturally!