PricingWhat are you paying someone to decide?
There is a difference between knowing exactly what you want and hoping an editor will find the story. If you already have six product shots, a clear opening, and a line to end on, the job is mostly assembly. If you have three hours of interviews and no angle, you need someone to make a much larger editorial decision.
That distinction matters more than whether the editor is freelance, in-house, or software. Write down the part you cannot do yourself. “Get these clips into a clean product demo” is a different brief from “make our company interesting.”
Four sensible routes
A freelancer gives you a person to discuss the story with. An editing subscription may suit repeat work, provided its queue, revision policy, and turnaround match your deadlines. A DIY editor makes sense when you enjoy the work or need precise control. A brief-driven tool such as Shorty fits supplied footage with a clear direction.
Shorty assembles your clips into an MP4 from a written brief or optional reference. You still choose the material, review the result, and ask for corrections. For a sensitive interview, a complicated documentary, or a film whose meaning depends on a tiny pause, a skilled human editor can be worth keeping.
| Route | Useful when | Check before committing |
|---|---|---|
| Freelancer | You need a person to shape the story and discuss choices. | Scope, revisions, handoff files, and delivery date. |
| Editing subscription | You have a predictable queue of recurring work. | Queue rules, turnaround, and what counts as a new request. |
| DIY editing | You want direct control and can spend time on the cut. | Learning time and the controls needed for the job. |
| Brief-driven assembly | You have usable footage and can describe the result. | Review effort and how revisions work with your material. |
Compare one finished job
Imagine a shop with footage of a bag: the zip, the pockets, someone packing it, and the bag on a shoulder. Give each option the same task: make a short demonstration that shows what fits inside. Include the time you spend preparing files, explaining changes, and checking the export.
Compare the approved video and the work it took to get there. A cheap first cut that needs an evening of repairs is not a cheap finished edit. Start with one ordinary job before moving your entire content schedule.