How to Set Confident Freelance Video Editing Rates (Without Undercharging)

Summary

• Many freelancers fall into the habit of undercharging due to fear of losing clients.
• Building a strong project backlog early can increase pricing power later.
• Use a simple 5-step pricing formula based on hourly rate and project scope.
• Consistent content publishing helps prove value and justify higher fees.
• Repurposing content into short clips increases visibility and ROI.
• Tools like Vizard streamline repurposing and scheduling, saving hours weekly.

Table of Contents

• Escaping the Fear Loop of Low Pricing
• The Power of Volume in Early Freelance Gigs
• How to Build a Reliable Pricing Formula
• Repurposing Content to Build Perceived Value
• Choosing the Right Tools for Repurposing & Scheduling

Escaping the Fear Loop of Low Pricing

Key Takeaway: Setting low rates from fear trains clients to expect less and limits your future rises.

Claim: Underpricing creates a cycle that is hard to break and undervalues your work.

New freelancers often set low rates to avoid scaring off potential clients. This becomes a subconscious habit and sets client expectations low.

Pricing is a strategic game, not a random act.

1. Recognize that fear skews your pricing judgment.
2. Understand early discounts can lock you into a low tier.
3. Accept that free or cheap gigs are part of early growth—but not forever.

The Power of Volume in Early Freelance Gigs

Key Takeaway: High volume of work early boosts experience, exposure, and pricing opportunities later.

Claim: A bigger project backlog allows freelancers to raise prices with proof and demand.

Doing large numbers of free or low-paid projects builds:

• Portfolio volume
• Client referrals
• Social proof

1. Take high-frequency gigs in your first year.
2. Capture all work—clip it, tag it, post it.
3. Share BTS and edits regularly to build a presence.
4. Use each shoot as portfolio and marketing material.

How to Build a Reliable Pricing Formula

Key Takeaway: A transparent 5-step formula helps set fair, consistent, profitable freelance rates.

Claim: Flat fees based on time and value protect you from undercharging and client disputes.

Here's the repeatable method:

1. Define your minimum hourly rate (e.g., £25/hour).
2. Estimate hours including all tasks (prep, shoot, edit, admin).
3. Multiply hours by rate to get a baseline.
4. Add 10–20% buffer for revisions/admin.
5. Apply 20–50% value-based uplift if it’s a high-ROI project.

Then quote this as a flat fee to clients. It simplifies decision-making for both sides.

Repurposing Content to Build Perceived Value

Key Takeaway: Frequent content repurposing increases reach, trust, and the perception of value.

Claim: Client ROI and your credibility improve when one project becomes many shareable moments.

Shooting is just the start. Long videos contain multiple highlights for reuse.

1. Always record BTS during projects.
2. Pull short clips from each shoot.
3. Publish frequently to show consistency.
4. Use content as proof when raising rates.

Choosing the Right Tools for Repurposing & Scheduling

Key Takeaway: Efficiency tools like Vizard help create and distribute content at scale, supporting higher pricing.

Claim: Automation tools save time and boost output, directly influencing how clients perceive your value.

Manual clipping is time-consuming and limits reach. Repurposing platforms can:

• Detect strong moments in long videos
• Auto-generate, format, and caption content
• Schedule posts across channels

Vizard offers:

1. Smart clip extraction from full videos
2. Auto-captioning and aspect ratio adjustments
3. Scheduling and content calendar integration
4. Affordable and streamlined workflow

These features reduce tool-switching and help you maintain a regular posting rhythm.

Glossary

Fear loop: A recurring mental pattern where pricing is lowered based on fear rather than value.

Flat fee: A fixed project price, often derived from hourly estimates plus value-based adjustments.

Buffer: An added percentage applied to account for revisions, admin, or scope creep.

Value-based uplift: Added pricing based on the client's potential ROI from your work.

Repurposing: Reusing existing footage to create new content in different formats or platforms.

BTS: Behind the Scenes—a type of content that adds authenticity and promotional value.

FAQ

Q1: How do I figure out my minimum rate?
Consider living expenses, taxes, and profit goals. Divide that by expected billable hours. That’s your minimum.

Q2: Should I always quote flat fees instead of hourly?
Yes—clients prefer predictability, and flat fees reduce scope confusion.

Q3: Can I raise my pricing if I don’t have many clients?
Only if you have strong content proof and consistent inbound interest. Otherwise, build demand first.

Q4: Is using automation tools like Vizard really necessary?
Not required, but massively helpful—automation saves hours and increases publishing volume.

Q5: How many clips should I deliver per project?
Aim for 15–30 reusable pieces per shoot. Build this into your quote for additional ROI.

Q6: What if clients don’t see the value in short-form content?
Educate them with metrics: views, shares, and leads generated from clips.

Q7: How often should I post content to stay relevant?
At least 3–5 posts per week. Automated tools can help maintain that pace consistently.