Short-form video editing
TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts with strong hooks, captions and trending formats, often cut from long-form recordings.
Roles · Design & Creative
Video editors for YouTube, short-form social and paid ads
Raw footage in, finished videos out: cut for pacing, captioned, color corrected and exported for each platform. Your editor learns your style and keeps the content calendar full.
Hours of footage, ready to publish
Recording is the easy part. The hours go into cutting, captions, B-roll, sound, thumbnails and a version for every platform. A video editor takes that off your plate. They hold viewers in the first three seconds, keep the pacing tight, and build templates so every video looks like it came from the same channel.
What they do for you
- Edit long-form YouTube videos, podcasts and webinars from raw footage
- Cut short clips for TikTok, Reels and Shorts with captions and hooks
- Produce ad variations with different openings, lengths and calls to action
- Add motion graphics, titles, lower thirds and simple animation
- Clean up audio, balance levels and add music and sound effects
- Color correct footage so every clip matches
- Design thumbnails and export the right formats for each platform
- Organize project files and footage so nothing gets lost
What to look for in a video editor's reel
Tools they work in
Adobe Premiere ProFrame.ioAfter EffectsDaVinci ResolveFinal Cut ProCapCutDescriptAuditionPhotoshopBlenderCinema 4DGoogle DriveDropboxMany more
A good fit if:
- You record more video than anyone has time to edit
- You want to turn long videos into a steady stream of short clips
- Your ad team needs fresh video variations every week
- Your videos look different every time someone new edits them
Not the right fit if:
- You need static graphics and brand design; see Graphic Designer
- You need someone to plan, post and reply on social channels; see Social Media Manager
- You need scripts and campaign messaging written; see Content Marketer
Interview questions
01
"Here's 20 minutes of raw footage (sample). How would you turn it into three short clips?"
Strong answer: find moments that stand on their own, open with the strongest line, add captions and a clear ending, and explain each choice.
02
"How do you handle a video that's losing viewers at the two-minute mark?"
Strong answer: check retention data, tighten the section, cut tangents, add visual change, and test the next video's structure.
03
"What's your process from raw footage to final export?"
Strong answer: organize and label footage, rough cut, review, fine cut, sound, color, graphics, captions, then platform-specific exports.
04
"How do you keep a consistent look across a channel?"
Strong answer: templates for titles, captions and lower thirds, saved color presets, and a short style guide.
Signs of a strong video editor:
- Thinks about the viewer's attention, cut by cut
- Watches the analytics and adjusts the next edit
- Keeps files organized so revisions are quick
Signs of a weak video editor:
- Adds effects to every cut whether they help or not
- Exports one version for every platform
- Can't explain why a clip runs long
YouTube video editing
Long-form edits with pacing, B-roll, graphics and thumbnails built around retention, plus podcast and webinar edits.
Video ads
Paid social and YouTube ads with several hooks, lengths and calls to action, delivered ready for testing.
Motion graphics
Animated titles, explainer sequences, logo animations and kinetic text in After Effects.
Basic 3D and animation
Simple 3D product shots, animated scenes and object animation in Blender or Cinema 4D.
How we find your video editor
- 1
Talk it through
We agree the work, the tools, the hours you share and who they report to. For this role: the platforms you publish on, two or three videos whose style you like, your editing software, and how much footage you record each week.
- 2
Meet a shortlist and choose
We screen a wide pool for every role and introduce only the few who fit your brief. We source, screen and test candidates against your brief, and run background and reference checks. You interview and decide.
- 3
Start with support in place
They start on the work in the brief, and we stay in contact once they've begun.
Editors for YouTube and short-form content are usually found quickly. Motion graphics and 3D skills narrow the pool, so add a little time if you need them. Our editor searches start in South Africa and extend to other countries when needed.
How pricing works
You can hire a video editor through any option listed. The decision is yours, and we're glad to explain how each one works. Compare the arrangements on ways to hire.
Who does what
Swipe to see more →
| Task | You | JiveTalent |
|---|---|---|
| Content plan, messaging and final approval | Own | – |
| Edits, exports, thumbnails and project files | Review | Done by your editor; we keep an eye on turnaround and revision rounds |
Video editor hiring FAQs
How do we share footage?
Through Google Drive, Dropbox, Frame.io or whatever you already use. Your editor can set up a folder structure so uploads are easy to find.
Will they work during our business hours?
The brief sets the hours and the overlap with your team before the search starts, so every candidate is hired for them.
Do we own the edits and project files?
Yes. Finished videos, project files and templates are yours and stay in your storage.
Can they write scripts or film?
Some editors help shape scripts or plan shots, but filming happens on your side. Say what you need and we look for it.
What if it isn't working out?
Talk to your account lead. We go through it with you and agree a way forward.
Who handles music licensing?
Your editor uses licensed libraries you subscribe to, such as Artlist or Epidemic Sound, or tracks you supply.
How do we see what our video editor is working on?
Their hours are tracked in the client app and reported there for you to see.
Turn your footage into a full content calendar
Book a call. We'll agree the brief for your video editor and talk you through the ways to hire.