Become a paid video editor in just 90 days! This step-by-step plan covers exactly what to learn, practice, and do daily to land clients by Day 91.

📌 Key Results by Day 90:

✅ Master 1 editing software (Premiere Pro/DaVinci Resolve)
✅ Build a portfolio with 10+ sample videos
✅ Gain real client experience (volunteer/paid)
✅ Create a personal brand on social media

📅 Phase 1: Days 1-30 (Foundations)

🎯 Goal: Learn fundamentals + create basic projects

1. Pick Your Learning Source (Structured Path)

• Free Option:

  • YouTube: GFX Mentor (Adobe Premiere), Casey Faris (DaVinci Resolve)

  • Practice along with 1 full tutorial daily

• Paid Option:

  • Udemy: "Video Editing in Adobe Premiere Pro for Beginners" (Complete in 30 days)

  • Skillshare: "Mastering DaVinci Resolve 18"

2. Daily Routine (4 Hours Total)

⏳ 2 Hours Learning:

• Follow tutorials without skipping exercises

• Take notes in a Google Doc (shortcuts, tips, etc.)

⏳ 2 Hours Practice:

• Edit 1 mini-project daily (e.g., cut a 1-minute vlog)

• Use stock footage (Pexels/Mixkit) if needed

3. Weekly Milestones:

• Week 1: Master cuts, transitions, basic audio

• Week 2: Add text, color correction, exports

• Week 3: Edit a 2-minute story (beginning-middle-end)

• Week 4: Complete a client-style video (e.g., promo for a friend’s business)

4. Social Media Growth:

• Post before/after edits on Instagram/TikTok

• Use hashtags: #VideoEditing #LearnEditing #EditorsOfInstagram

📅 Phase 2: Days 31-60 (Real-World Projects)

🎯 Goal: Build portfolio + volunteer experience

1. Daily Routine (4 Hours)

⏳ 1 Hour: Advanced tutorials (e.g., masking, VFX)
⏳ 3 Hours: Edit real projects for:

• Friends/family (e.g., wedding clips, business ads)

• Local nonprofits (offer free 30-second promo videos)

2. Portfolio Building:

• Create 5-7 diverse samples:

  • 1 Social Media Ad (e.g., for a café)

  • 1 Wedding Highlight (use stock footage)

  • 1 YouTube Intro (animated text)

  • 1 Corporate Testimonial (mock interview)

3. Networking:

• Join Facebook Groups: Video Editors for Hire

• Comment on YouTube channels needing editors

📅 Phase 3: Days 61-90 (Get Paid Clients)

🎯 Goal: Land first paid gigs + optimize online presence

1. Daily Routine (4 Hours)

⏳ 1 Hour: Polish portfolio website (Wix/Canva)
⏳ 3 Hours: Pitch clients (see below)

2. Where to Find Clients:

• Fiverr/Upwork: Start with $5-$50 gigs (e.g., "I’ll edit 1-minute videos")

• Local Businesses: Email 5/day:

  "Hi [Name], I noticed [business] doesn’t have video content. I’d love to edit a free 30-second clip to show what I can do!"

3. Price Your Work:

• Beginner (Day 61-75): $5-$20/video

• Intermediate (Day 76-90): $50-$150/video

4. Optimize Your Profiles:

• Fiverr Gig Title:
  "I’ll edit engaging YouTube videos in 24 hours – $20"

• Instagram Bio:
  "Video Editor | Helping brands stand out | DM for edits!"

📈 Pro Tips for Faster Results

🔥 Specialize Early: Focus on 1 niche (e.g., TikTok ads, wedding films).
🔥 Use AI Tools: Try CapCut AI for auto-edits to save time.
🔥 Track Progress: Keep a spreadsheet of projects/clients.

🎯 Final Challenge (Day 85-90):

1. Land 1 paid client (even for $5).

2. Post a success story on LinkedIn:
   "90 days ago I knew nothing about editing. Today I got my first paid gig! 🎥"

How Can You Kickstart a Video Editing Career in 2025