I’ve been working from dwelling as a contract editor for years—manner earlier than COVID made it the cool factor to do. Over that point I’ve labored exhausting and made the nice connections that transfer my profession alongside.
If I’m being sincere, a lot of my work has little to do with what’s taking place contained in the NLE. You’ve probably heard that as a freelancer, you must deal with your self like a enterprise. However whereas managing your books and paying your taxes is actually essential, it’s simply as vital to spend time on the people-side of the enterprise.
So let’s check out actionable issues you are able to do proper now that can assist make you profitable when working with businesses and studios all around the map.
The same old caveats apply right here—this text doesn’t represent monetary recommendation, I’m not a monetary advisor, and I like to recommend utilizing native professionals when making choices that may have an effect on your revenue.
Earlier than beginning any outreach, take the time you must get the executive aspect of your artistic profession so as. For me, admin for a contract enterprise consists of setting charges, managing money circulate, paying taxes, establishing simple methods to (finally) be paid, and creating a web site.
“That is by no means a one-size-fits-all state of affairs.”
When you’ve bought these so as, you’ll be able to determine the very best method to land your subsequent gig. That is by no means a one-size-fits-all state of affairs. So type an assault plan of mutual introductions, chilly calls and emails, and maybe even somewhat paid promoting to get your identify on the market.
Set up your self
Charges are a scary factor. To me, there are few issues extra nerve-wracking than having to position a literal greenback worth on the companies you supply. How are you aware in case you’re too excessive or too low? Is the speed per week or per day? Do you invoice for an 8- or 10-hour day? Clearly, there are a lot of unknowns.
Charges change based mostly on companies, expertise, location, consumer, and (my favourite) the pain-in-the-ass issue.
Teams just like the Blue Collar Put up Collective are doing their finest to democratize charges due to a yearly rate survey, and philosophies abound on easy methods to set a very good charge for your self. We’ll not be happening that rabbit gap, right here. The takeaway right here is that you simply want a set charge earlier than you begin prospecting. That stated, for extra job alternatives, always be open to negotiation.
Receives a commission
Time for cash speak. That you must have money circulate and a primary understanding of taxes previous to selecting up shoppers. In any other case, you’ll be scrambling to offer them the invoices and different info they might have to get you paid. It’s not a very good look.
I’m not right here to suggest a particular finance bundle, however Quickbooks, Freshbooks, Wave, and real-live accountants are nice sources for the person freelancer. (There’s additionally an fascinating new service within the southern hemisphere referred to as Hnry, which boldly claims to take the tax headache out of the freelance equation.)
In that very same realm, it’s smart to have a number of methods set as much as settle for and document funds from shoppers, like checks, ACH, Zelle, PayPal, and Venmo—a few of which may be built-in into the invoicing part of your chosen accounts resolution.
Put your finest foot ahead
Your web site can typically be the primary level of contact between you and a brand new consumer, so it must shine and a Vimeo web page gained’t lower it. Thankfully, websites like Wix and Squarespace make it simple for anybody to create a good looking website that may show a portfolio, present information about your self, and supply easy methods to contact you.
To take this additional, it is best to take a look at your web site as if it’s already fixing an issue for a possible consumer. Do every part you’ll be able to to indicate a consumer that you simply’re the answer they want.
That is as simple as having a well-written “About Me” web page that chronicles your expertise fixing the issues that your splendid consumer continually faces, with a curated “Portfolio” web page to again it up. Examples of solved issues may be issues like navigating revisions, managing deliverable lists, and balancing the wants of venture stakeholders, simply to call a number of.
Additionally, think about an electronic mail tackle that matches your website’s URL so as to add that closing layer {of professional} polish.
Develop your community
The phrase “chilly calling” could also be outdated (to some), however the idea stays the identical. Sending chilly emails to potential shoppers is likely one of the best methods to introduce your self to new folks. Simply keep in mind that the identical folks you’re serious about connecting with (administrators, producers, house owners), are being concurrently pinged by a swarm of voices aside from yours.
So put some effort into making that electronic mail shine. (Nobody explains this higher than Zack Arnold (ACE) from Optimize Yourself.)
“Do your homework on who you’re contacting so you’ll be able to add a private contact.”
On essentially the most primary stage, it is best to keep away from copy/paste templates and craft a top quality topic line that gives worth (extra on worth in a second). Do your homework on who you’re contacting so you’ll be able to add a private contact.
Preserve it quick and skimmable, and craft your message in order that it’s simple to answer. (Perhaps think about together with a bias to action.) Make sure that it gives some worth to the reader. This may be so simple as giving a particular praise to work of theirs you admire—which provides a private contact and worth in the identical message.
Use your community
Even the very best electronic mail can’t compete with an introduction by a mutual acquaintance. LinkedIn was primarily constructed on this networking mannequin. A referral electronic mail from a connection that your prospect already is aware of and trusts offers you fast credibility. This tremendously will increase the probabilities of beginning a dialog that will finally result in significant work.
After being launched, don’t sit again and wait in your prospect to start out the dialog. As quickly as you’ll be able to, briefly thank your pal for the connection after which craft an preliminary greeting to your prospect that gives worth to them and is straightforward to answer.
Forged a wider internet
However each electronic mail and introductions require a direct connection to your potential consumer. If that’s not an obtainable choice, then paid promoting may be helpful in rising your community.
Forged a large internet and also you’ll get extra fish. Some will probably be keepers and others you’ll must toss again, however maybe the best profit is that promoting passively works for you when you’re actively doing all your day job.
Google Adverts and websites like ProductionHUB are good choices for promoting the video companies you present as a result of the advertisements are solely proven to folks already in search of the work you do.
The draw back, after all, is that paid promoting comes with a monetary price. But when it lands you only one or two new good shoppers, then it’ll pay for itself in a brief time period. And in the long run, you’ll have discovered a relationship that can final for years.
Now that your freelance engine is buzzing alongside and also you’ve landed your self within the distant modifying chair, it’s time to consider the presumptions your shoppers could have of you. Under are 5 issues to think about, however finally the record boils all the way down to this: as a distant freelancer, you’re right here to unravel issues, not create them.
Get tooled up
You’re liable for your individual pc(s), software program, and different tools wanted to do the job. If your property modifying suite consists of a dated laptop computer, janky earbuds, and sluggish web, then don’t pitch your self for modifying a model movie shot on 8K RED recordsdata. It’ll be a depressing expertise for you and can probably result in a whole lot of consumer frustration.
“The extra NLEs you’re snug with, the extra hireable you’re.”
Talking of the consumer, it helps to know which NLE every of your shoppers is modifying in. The extra NLEs you’re snug with, the extra hireable you’re, however you must preserve these licenses present. DaVinci Resolve Studio and Ultimate Minimize Professional X are nonetheless provided for an (astonishing) one-time charge, whereas Adobe Premiere Professional and Avid Media Composer each have month-to-month membership choices for when it doesn’t make sense to license a whole yr.
Spend money on your self
Keep in mind that you’re a enterprise and companies have working bills. Budgets will range from individual to individual, however investing in good {hardware}, software program, and coaching that can make you extra environment friendly and dependable are mandatory working bills.
Current hardware is a must, however doesn’t essentially imply the most recent and most costly. It’s as much as you to take inventory of how effectively your machine handles the work that’s being thrown at it. In case your workstation begins to intrude with deliveries or causes consumer relationships to undergo, it’s previous time for an improve—if not the whole machine, then a minimum of a brand new part that can deliver you the pace you want, like high speed dedicated storage.
Higher but, put your self on a cycle in order that your machine is upgraded each two to a few years, or each time makes essentially the most sense to your pockets. It’s positively value speaking to a monetary skilled about this, as there could also be tax issues connected to sure purchases the place you use.
Past buying or licensing NLE software program, don’t be afraid to hunt out extra assist from third-party plugins. Plugins are developed by end-users that want a quicker or simpler manner of doing one thing and plenty of are invaluable to an environment friendly workflow. I personally can’t work with out the sorcery that Knights of the Editing Table have cooked up, however the very best plugins really rely upon a person editor’s preferences.
Different nice locations to start out wanting are Red Giant, Boris FX, and Tool Farm. That stated, watch out to not fall into the lure of making an attempt to repair every part with a plugin. Ultimately, you continue to should be good at your craft.
Coaching is usually a divisive matter. I’m not suggesting that you simply signal as much as each zero-to-hero course that pops up in your social media feed, however it is best to spend money on quality training that helps elevate your profession.
Perhaps that’s writing or directing programs to assist your storytelling skills. Perhaps it’s a coloration correction or movement graphics course with the intention to enhance the companies you supply. It’s as much as you. The purpose is to by no means get too snug with the place you’re at as a result of the industry is constantly evolving. Stay on top of the latest tech and techniques to maintain your self in demand.
Set up a workflow
Getting a grasp on workflows is one thing that’s exhausting to come back by within the distant world. I encourage younger editors to take jobs inside businesses and studios in order that they get a real style of how an expert workflow operates earlier than turning freelance. As soon as a freelancer although, it’s nonetheless vital to apply a constant workflow of your own. This consistency is likely one of the many little issues that assist an editor lower proficiently.
Familiarizing your self with quite a lot of workflows can be helpful as a result of as a freelancer, you want to have the ability to adapt to the workflow of the company or studio that you simply’re working with.
Some might depend on Body.io whereas others might choose remotely-directed edits. Relying on a venture’s funds you because the editor may very well be on the hook for the ultimate coloration and audio combine or may very well be sending it to skilled colorists and mixers. So understanding easy methods to correctly prep a project for color, audio, and VFX are simply a number of the number of workflows you ought to be snug with.
Set your availability
Probably the most vital qualities a director or producer seems to be for of their distant editor is availability and responsiveness. While you’re on the job, you must be as simply accessible, as a lot as doable.
No person likes working with an individual that they’ll by no means pay money for. Be taught to juggle emails, Slack messages, texts, cellphone calls, and Zoom conferences as a result of a combination of all of these strategies will probably be what each store goes to make use of.
Set expectations early, particularly with new shoppers. Discover out what their communication preferences are, and the way they like to speak with their freelancers. This additionally gives a very good alternative to set some boundaries, in case you really feel like they’re wanted.
Being one hundred pc obtainable all the time clearly sounds splendid for shoppers, nevertheless it’s vital to think about your property and household life. Should you’re not prepared to be obtainable earlier than or after a sure time of day as a result of household obligations or time zone variations, then have that dialogue on the venture’s kickoff, not when issues are hitting the fan two days earlier than closing supply.
Open traces of communication
We editors have a tendency to love our darkish windowless areas with vibrant glowing screens. As a freelancer although, it’s finest to not disappear right into a darkish gap. Producers and administrators typically respect an editor’s have to camp out and work by means of an edit, however they don’t like being unnoticed of the loop.
A easy tip I like for longer tasks, the place there could also be a number of days earlier than a lower is dropped into Body.io for evaluation, is to ship temporary standing updates to the producer. Very first thing within the morning, I ship an easy-to-skim electronic mail that claims what I achieved the day earlier than and what my plans are for that day. This quick message helps to maintain everybody on the identical web page and keep away from potential artistic interruptions all through the day.
“It’s been my expertise although that extra communication is appreciated, as long as it isn’t bothersome.”
In the identical vein as availability, set up how a lot communication your venture lead needs from you. It’s been my expertise although that extra communication is appreciated, as long as it isn’t bothersome.
For instance, a director would possibly need to know the way an edit is coming alongside, however what they don’t need is an replace each time you hit a snag. Positive, issues come up when modifying, however the EP doesn’t should be notified each single time a growth may be seen within the shot.
Remember that, once more, you have been contracted to be an issue solver. Remedy the dilemmas you’ll be able to and, for points you must deliver to the producer, have doable options lined up.
On the private aspect, life occurs, and hopefully your consumer will respect that. Docs, dentists, youngsters, worldwide pandemics—all of those have the potential to derail a productive day of labor. Name them out as early as you’ll be able to so your consumer has time to organize to your absence, if mandatory, and be upfront about how you propose to make up any missed time.
Rounding out what is going to make you an all-star freelance editor is the folks issue. How do you understand the shoppers you’re working with and the way do they understand you? The nuggets of recommendation beneath ought to assist take you from simply one other editor to a consumer’s go-to editor.
Handle your relationships
Working with numerous businesses and studios will expose you to a large number of personalities. The best way you’re employed with a director is not going to be the identical as how you’re employed with a producer, and I can all however assure it’s not the way you’ll work with the tip consumer.
What’s vital to know is precisely who you’re working for. A producer will usually be targeted on the funds, whereas the director will need to push the artistic envelope so far as it will possibly go. The tip consumer is at all times a wild card. Some flow, some comply with the director’s lead, some comply with the cash, and nonetheless others march to the beat of their very own out-of-sync drum. It’s your job to make all of them blissful. Simple, proper?
Make your consumer’s life simple
That is as shut as I get to spouting sage recommendation, so soak it up. Regardless of how eccentric your consumer might turn into, you ought to be doing every part you’ll be able to to make their life simple. The much less they’ve to fret about since you’re dealing with it, the higher.
“Regardless of how eccentric your consumer might turn into, you ought to be doing every part you’ll be able to to make their life simple.”
On prime of that, in case you make them look good to their consumer, boss, buyers, and many others, you’ll be setting your self up for repeat work.
Don’t be a jerk
I’ll shut with some extent that shouldn’t should be made, however alas, right here we’re. Nobody likes working with somebody with an perspective, whether or not it’s unhealthy or simply immodest. As creator Jon Acuff places it, “Fake you reside in a small city.”
Chances are you’ll be the quickest, most artistic, divinely-gifted editor to position their fingers on a keyboard, however in case you’re too stuffed with your self to respect the folks you’re working with, your probabilities of being employed shrink dramatically.
You because the distant freelancer are coming into one other group’s area and it’s as much as you to determine the group dynamics. Finally although, keep on with the golden rule and also you’ll be effective. Be good to others and so they’ll usually be good to you.
Leave a Reply