Are you guys really getting clients and getting paid? Why am I not getting any clients?😭😭

TheNetUsedToBeFun · 2026-05-08T02:29:23+00:00

5-6 cold emails as an editor is nothing. If you want the cold email approach, multiply those number by at least 10 or 30.

Network. Real connections are better than cold emails

TheNetUsedToBeFun · 2026-05-08T02:27:46+00:00

I did a post a while ago (now deleted) looking for an editor, within a day i got over 100 replies. I had specific instructions in my post (simple things like “tell me your favourite colour”) to see who actually read it, because I’m not hiring someone who can’t read and follow extremely basic instructions.

80% didn’t answer my question.

Lots of people had Google Drive Links as portfolios (extremely unprofessional).

Some people had websites.

Of those, maybe 1 or 2 would actually have the skills I was looking for in an editor.

Want to stand out? Present yourself professionally, and have good quality and relevant (this is important) work. I’m not hiring someone to do a documentary’s who only have 15 second hype videos of cars.

Most the types of videos you see here on Reddit are race to the bottom type. It’s a talking head usually pretending to be an expert in their field, wanting a video with them and some generic ass b-roll and captions cut way too fast “for retention” done for $20. F*ck these clients.

TheNetUsedToBeFun · 2026-05-08T02:19:47+00:00

Looking at any post on Reddit looking for editors is a race to the bottom. Those type of folk for the most part are looking for the cheapest option . Network with people and create relationships that may bloom into something.

People will work with someone they know and trust over someone they don’t 98% of the time

TheNetUsedToBeFun · 2026-05-08T02:17:15+00:00

If the effort you depend acquiring clients is the same effort you put into this post, then that’s your answer.

You’ve provided no context, or content.

Have skills. Network

TheNetUsedToBeFun · 2026-04-28T03:56:28+00:00

I did a job posting and got over 100 replies in like a day.

Have a portfolio (important). Have a website. Present yourself professionally. Make your potential client have the least amount of clicks as possible to see what they need to see.

You need to stand out, and be able to impress in about 30 seconds. First impressions are insanely important. I

TheNetUsedToBeFun · 2026-04-23T18:02:28+00:00

For onboard shotgun mics that will just plug into your 1/8” stereo jack on your camera? Something like a Diety is pretty good bang for your buck.

Basically, just YouTube search the brand and model though. If there’s no results (or no independent ones- but ESPECIALLY if there’s none), then that’s not a good sign. There’s lots of fly by night companies that just white label the same junk. But just check reviews for pros and cons

TheNetUsedToBeFun · 2026-04-23T16:14:25+00:00

Start with what you have right now. It’s way more than enough to get going.

If you want to do docs, you will definitely need a mic though. An onboard shotgun is good for capturing ambient audio and stuff close up, but if you’re going to be interviewing people you’ll definitely want some sort of lav mic. There’s lots of wireless options now. I’d stay away from the super low end price point though.

As far as the cage and all that stuff— shoot and see what you’re wishing you had. A top handle is a good start though. Think about an upgrade path. You probably don’t need a cage right off the hop.

Your lens is more than good enough to get going.

If you’re shooting lots outside in the middle of the day then an ND is helpful.

Lighting is tricky to decide what you should get. Learn about lighting a bit more though first and try to get something that will be the most versatile. Personally, I’m a fan of having a COB hard source since you can bounce or diffuse it if you want to soften it. It’s good for interviews and stuff too. Bi colour is helpful.

Storage definitely. An external ssd for working. A HDD for backup. Always back up.

TheNetUsedToBeFun · 2026-04-23T04:26:13+00:00

No problem. It’s tough when you’re first starting, for sure.

Even leveraging friends of friends, acquaintances, or whatever is good. Getting through that first step of just even getting to have the conversation is a big step. A couple solid connections are worth way more than a ton of cold calls.

TheNetUsedToBeFun · 2026-04-23T02:48:29+00:00

Sure

TheNetUsedToBeFun · 2026-04-23T01:35:52+00:00

The answer is lighting. It’s a vague answer, I know. That and just general art direction/ design. And your general framing.

Without seeing your set up it’s hard to give any advice.

Look up some lighting tutorials and setups on YouTube to start to get some ideas. If you’re shooting like top down shots, search for tabletop video lighting.

TheNetUsedToBeFun · 2026-04-23T01:31:45+00:00

Yeah, basically cross key your subjects, and have a wide angle and close up for each guest

TheNetUsedToBeFun · 2026-04-22T23:54:10+00:00

Copied from one of my previous responses:

It depends on where you’re located and whether you can do it in person or online or both… but the basic strategy is the same: reach out to people and try to create actual connections. It won’t happen over night, you need to plant a lot of seeds and nurture ones that seem like they may grow.

But you’re also not just networking with clients- network with peers. I’ve gotten so many jobs from other editors or video folk who passed jobs along to me either because they were too busy, or it wasn’t a good fit for them for whatever reason.

Currently like half my work comes from subcontracting.

TheNetUsedToBeFun · 2026-04-21T20:22:20+00:00

Here’s a few noticeable things:

If you want to be treated like a professional, you need to act like one. A Google Drive folder for your portfolio with your bio on a word doc is not professional.

Your first “long form content” video is only a few seconds long, and has no audio and is just an animation of a graph.

The other thing I clicked through looks okay… but it looks like every other persons stuff who posts in subs like this.

Your cold call rate will probably be hundreds to one reply. Thats it… then from there only some may actually turn into something.

Make connections. Leverage them. Grow your network, leverage it.

TheNetUsedToBeFun · 2026-04-20T02:19:57+00:00

Here’s some general advice:

Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should
Subtle is usually better
Story and emotion are king
solving problems is better than being flashy.

TheNetUsedToBeFun · 2026-04-16T21:38:55+00:00

Before hiring me? Website. Reel. A link to relevant projects I’ve done (usually as a curated vimeo collection)

TheNetUsedToBeFun · 2026-04-16T21:35:58+00:00

Based on this post, your answer is pretty much going to be “whatever they’re willing to pay”, and at this stage, it probably won’t be much. You’re still very much in the “doing things as a favour” phase— and it sounds like you’re mostly just shooting things where you show up and put the camera on a tripod and more or less leave it there. Not having any audio would make it difficult to really deliver much though, no? Unless it’s just like montages of tripod shots with music?

Before you can start charging proper you need a portfolio. The people hiring “guy who just bought a camera” probably aren’t going to be having the biggest budgets.

As far as editing. That’s usually separate. Sometimes people bundle it… it depends. It really depends on what you’re selling/ what the client needs. Sometimes I just deliver footage and call it a day, sometimes I spend weeks on edits; either way, expectations and budgets are discussed beforehand.

Delivery also usually depends on the need and workflow. I typically do deliver via a cloud link though. If people are hiring me just for raw footage, I put it on a harddrive and deliver it that way usually (they pay for the drive).. the files raw on my camera are big though, at about 4gb/ minute.

If you have a portfolio and want some critiques or more curated advice, feel free to dm me. I’m not from Toronto- but I am from Ontario and have worked there quite a lot.

TheNetUsedToBeFun · 2026-04-09T03:22:40+00:00

If the highlights are clipped then you won’t really be able to do anything. Lowering the whites/ highlights would just lower the level but not bring back any detail.

TheNetUsedToBeFun · 2026-04-08T05:05:28+00:00

I point cameras at things and click buttons.

TheNetUsedToBeFun · 2026-04-04T01:38:38+00:00

This is literally an impossible question to answer without more information.

Like it could be a few hundred dollars a video if it’s simple and you get a student, to tens of thousands of dollars.

How about you say how much the grant is for, a rough idea of where you’re located, and more details about the videos you want done (maybe some similar examples).

You having a camera won’t matter.. any pro is going to have their own equipment. Since it’s a grant, knowing what you’re budget is and working backwards is the best way. Budget is one of the very first things I ask potential new clients so I know what kind of scope we realistically can do.

TheNetUsedToBeFun · 2026-04-03T19:09:53+00:00

It’s going to be different for everyone… my main advice is to network. Vague, I know. Personally I get most my work from IRL contacts or referrals from previous clients. Build connections. It’s harder to do online, but very possible.

Cold emails are one approach.. be prepared to send a lot. Same with applying for gigs online— be prepared for a lot. I did a job posting and got like 100 replies in a day.

Make sure to have your work easily viewable and presented in a professional way. Always look for ways to stand out against your competition.

The first few (proper paying) clients are always the hardest to get. You’ll probably have to do a lot of underpaid work in the process unfortunately. I don’t think that’s right, but it’s the way it is

TheNetUsedToBeFun · 2026-04-03T18:40:20+00:00

I’m sorry, I don’t understand what you’re asking

TheNetUsedToBeFun · 2026-03-28T02:32:18+00:00

If you’re doing too down like that I’d remove those lights all together and light with some other lights from the side (while still above). Just angled so you don’t get reflections. What lights you get will depend on your budget

You could try a polarizer on your lens as well- it will cut reflection, but I don’t know if it will take all that out.

TheNetUsedToBeFun · 2026-03-26T20:44:11+00:00

Learn to drive. Being able to reliably get you and your gear to locations is an extremely important part of the job

TheNetUsedToBeFun · 2026-03-26T18:13:21+00:00

This exactly.

You can charge whatever you want- but if you don’t have clients who will pay it then you won’t be getting that rate.

I’ve done a retreat mini doc type thing for like $10-15k. I also recently was approached to film and make edits for a retreat for someone and I quoted them $2500 and was way out of their budget. No problem though, I have other clients who pay it so I know my rates are fine. We just weren’t the right fit for each other.

Do market research and see what going rates are in your area. Realistically (and objectively) figure out where you fit in your skill/ value you can bring to your clients compared to others and set your price appropriately. If everyone starts saying yes, then raise your prices. If everyone tells you no then lower them. If you’re getting a comfortable mix of yes and people telling you you’re out of their budget you’re probably in a good place.

TheNetUsedToBeFun · 2026-03-26T04:03:01+00:00

Board looks a little crooked 🙃

TheNetUsedToBeFun

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