Outsource Video Editing: Why You Should and How To Do It

Key Takeaways

To outsource video editing effectively, establish clear communication, set up proper file sharing, define revision expectations, and thoroughly evaluate potential editors by reviewing their portfolios, communication style, and understanding of your project goals.
Outsourcing video editing delivers professional quality while saving significant time and money, making it ideal for businesses that need high-quality video content but lack specialized in-house expertise or resources.
For companies producing regular video content, hiring a dedicated nearshore video editor offers a compelling alternative, combining the cost benefits of outsourcing with the advantages of having a full-time team member who understands your brand and works during your business hours.

Video has become the heavyweight champion of marketing tools. Most companies now see it as a crucial part of their strategy—and for good reason.

Video can communicate your message effectively, boost audience engagement levels, increase consumer trust, and ultimately, improve sales.

But here's the problem: creating great video content is resource-intensive and requires specialized skills that many companies just don't have in-house.

Even if you're shooting the footage yourself, the editing process demands technical expertise, creative judgment, and software proficiency that takes years to develop.

This is why many businesses turn to outsourcing. But is that always the best solution?

In this article, we'll break down why you might want to outsource your video editing and how to do it efficiently. We'll also explore an alternative approach that could give you the best of both worlds: hiring a dedicated offshore or nearshore video editor.

What Are Outsourced Video Editing Services?

Outsourced video editing services are services provided by professional external firms or independent contractors hired to handle your video creation needs. The services offered can range from simple cutting and trimming of footage or adding music or sound effects to complex tasks like:

Animation
Special effects
Color grading
Motion graphics

With video editing outsourcing, you send your footage, instructions, or a storyboard to these experts, who then craft a professionally edited video that aligns with your vision and objectives.

Why You Should Consider Outsourcing Video Editing

If you are a freelance content creator, small business, or start-up, finding a way to efficiently and effectively produce high-quality content can be quite challenging, especially if you don’t have a dedicated in-house department. Here are three compelling reasons to outsource video editing:

Professional expertise

Professional video editing service providers have experts who specialize in all aspects of video production. They have the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to turn your idea into reality while maintaining high production standards.

Outsourced video editing professionals deliver high-quality finished products like:

Marketing videos
Training videos
Event or corporate videos
Social media content

Professional editors understand how to create visually appealing videos that resonate with your target audience and convey your message effectively. They are also up to date with the latest video editing tools, trends, and techniques, ensuring your materials are fresh and competitive. Platforms like Idomoo offer scalable video personalization, helping businesses deliver tailored onboarding, support, and messaging for each viewer—improving engagement and simplifying communication.

Time-saving

Video editing is time-consuming and requires attention to detail.

The time needed will change depending on the project’s style, complexity, and length, but high-quality videos will inevitably take a significant time investment.

By outsourcing to a professional editor, you can focus on building your audience or filming more content, while letting the pro handle the intricacies of polishing up the final product. This allows your team to remain productive without getting overwhelmed by additional responsibilities.

An alternative some companies have considered in the past is to create videos with AI, however quality is still a major concern for companies.

Cost-effective

Hiring an in-house full-time video editor is expensive—not just because of their salary. You must also consider the cost of purchasing and maintaining high-end video editing software (like Adobe Premiere Pro) and equipment and training your staff to use it.

When you outsource, you only pay for the services you need when you need them. This can drastically reduce overhead costs associated with in-house video production.

How to Outsource Video Editing

Outsourcing video editing can be an easy and smooth process if done methodically. An inefficient workflow can result in confusion, delays, and a product that doesn’t meet your expectations.

Here’s how to make the process smooth and efficient:

1. Find a video editor

We are going to go into more detail on this step below. But in brief, today, there are numerous platforms where you can find skilled freelance video editors for hire from across the globe.

Websites such as Upwork, Fiverr, and PeoplePerHour are all ways to connect directly. They all provide access to a large pool of video editors with various skill levels and specializations.

2. Set up cloud storage

Efficient file sharing is crucial when working with external editors. Cloud storage solutions like Google Drive or Dropbox provide organized ways to share and receive video content, offering:

Version handling: You can easily access older edits to reassess changes or return to a previous version.
Centralization: A cloud service helps to ensure that everyone working on the project has access to the latest version of the video files.
Two-way oversight: Both you and your video editor can view the project’s progress, make changes, and provide real-time feedback.

Cloud storage becomes even more crucial when outsourcing with video editors in different countries, enabling instant access to files anytime, anywhere.

3. Communicate clearly with the editor

Clear communication sets the foundation for successful outsourcing. Before work begins, provide:

Detailed project requirements

Realistic deadlines
Reference videos or examples
Brand guidelines if applicable

Supporting documents like storyboards, scripts, or mood boards can help communicate your vision more effectively.

Don't forget to discuss security and confidentiality, especially when dealing with sensitive content. And always agree on payment terms upfront to avoid misunderstandings later.

4. Define rules for revisions

Editing isn't an exact science—you'll likely want changes after seeing the first cut.

Establish in advance:

How many rounds of revisions are included in the price
Turnaround time for those revisions
What constitutes a "revision" versus a new project
Additional costs for extra revisions beyond the agreed number

This clarity prevents uncomfortable negotiations later and ensures both parties have aligned expectations.

5. Review the final product

Review the final product meticulously once the editor has submitted the finished video. Look for:

Transitions
Text
Animation
Color grading
Sound editing
Visual effects

Make sure it aligns with your initial instructions and goals and is targeted appropriately for your audience. Remember, it’s your video, so don’t hesitate to ask for revisions as needed.

Once you are satisfied with the work, finalize the payment per the agreed terms. By thoroughly reviewing the final product, you ensure your video is ready to publish and achieve its desired impact.

How to Find a Good Outsourced Video Editor

Not every video editor will be the right fit for your project. Even talented, experienced pros might not necessarily align well with your vision. So, how do you find the right outsourced video editor?

Read reviews and view portfolios

Reading reviews from previous clients can help you evaluate the competence and credibility of prospective video editors. Look for testimonials on their website or third-party platforms. It can give you an idea about their professionalism, reliability, communication skills, and quality of work.

Also, make sure you view their portfolio. This will showcase their style and capabilities and help gauge whether they align with your project’s needs.

Communicate with potential editors

Before hiring, have a good conversation or exchange to screen potential editors. Note the speed and quality of their responses, and check if their communication style is in sync with yours. Discuss their expertise, ask questions about how they would approach your project, or talk about any potential challenges they can foresee.

Consider language and cultural compatibility

If you're targeting a specific market, an editor familiar with that culture can be invaluable. The last thing you want is a video that doesn’t resonate with the right people or offends due to cultural insensitivity.

Remember that cultures consume content differently. India, for instance, is by far the most active on YouTube because of its large population, with more than 460 million users of the popular platform.

Hiring a talented editor who understands these regional content consumption habits can be a game-changer. Similarly, humor, symbolism, and even popular color schemes can vary significantly from one culture to another.

Working with a video editing professional who is culturally compatible with your target market will ensure your video content is well received and achieves its intended purpose.

Request samples or a trial project

If possible, ask for samples or offer a small trial project to assess the editor’s skills firsthand. It will give you a real-world understanding of their turnaround times, quality of deliverables, and how well they understand and implement your project brief.

Evaluate pricing and payment terms

Evaluate whether the pricing provided by the video editor is reasonable and within your budget. Also, discuss payment terms in detail, including any upfront fees, installment plans, or late fees. Don’t forget to inquire about the costs associated with revisions as well.

Video editor reviewing his finished project before submitting them

Review contracts and agreements

Finally, make sure you thoroughly review and understand any contract or agreement put forth by the video editing service provider. It should detail:

The scope of work
Timelines
Payment terms
Confidentiality
Ownership terms
Any other critical aspect of the project

If outsourcing from certain countries, additional regulation or legislation may protect or limit the transaction.

Mexico, for instance, is part of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which includes a comprehensive section covering intellectual property protection.

Ensure that both parties understand and adhere to these contracts and agreements to protect your interests and maintain a healthy professional relationship.

An Alternative Approach: Hiring a Dedicated Offshore or Nearshore Video Editor

While outsourcing to freelancers or agencies works well for occasional projects, there's another option worth considering if you need regular video content: hiring a full-time dedicated video editor based outside the US.

When we talk about this approach, you'll often hear two terms:

Nearshore hiring: Hiring talent from countries geographically close to the US, typically in Latin America (Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, etc.)
Offshore hiring: Hiring talent from more distant regions like Asia (India, Philippines) or Eastern Europe (Ukraine, Poland)

Both approaches involve bringing on a dedicated video editor who works exclusively for your company, but the geographic difference can impact factors like working hours and communication.

Why consider this alternative?

The math is compelling. The salary for a full-time video editor in the US might cost you $42,000-$107,000 annually. But you can hire equally talented professionals in Latin America for between $18,000 and $42,000.

So you can work with someone at the top of their game in LatAm for the same salary as someone just starting out in the US.

This approach offers several advantages over traditional outsourcing:

Consistent quality and style

With a dedicated editor, you develop a consistent visual language for your brand. They learn your preferences, audience, and objectives, resulting in videos that feel cohesive rather than having different styles with each freelancer.

Faster turnaround times

Your dedicated editor becomes familiar with your brand guidelines, preferred style, and typical workflows. This eliminates the ramp-up time required when briefing new freelancers for each project.

Better communication and availability

Unlike freelancers juggling multiple clients or agencies managing various projects, your full-time editor is dedicated to your work.

When you need changes or have a new project, you don't have to wait in line for your turn in their schedule—you're always the priority.

Deeper integration with your team

Your dedicated editor can participate in content planning meetings, offer creative input from a post-production perspective, and collaborate more closely with your marketing team than an external freelancer typically would.

Is this approach right for you?

A dedicated offshore or nearshore video editor makes the most sense if:

You need at least 2-4 videos produced monthly
You value consistency in your visual branding
You want someone who truly understands your company and audience
You're looking to build a long-term content strategy
You need flexibility to adjust production schedules as priorities shift

For companies with these needs, hiring a dedicated editor from Latin America offers the perfect balance—professional expertise at a cost similar to outsourcing individual projects, but with all the benefits of having someone fully integrated with your team.

Nearshoring vs. Offshoring: Which is right for your video editing needs?

If you've decided to hire a dedicated video editor rather than outsourcing to freelancers, you have two main options (as we mentioned earlier): nearshoring or offshoring.

Both approaches offer significant cost savings compared to US-based hires, but they come with different trade-offs.

Benefits of nearshoring (Latin America)

Nearshore hiring in Latin America gives you the best of both worlds:

Real-time collaboration: Latin American countries fall in the same or adjacent time zones to most US locations, making collaboration virtually indistinguishable from working with someone in another US state.
When you're working, your editor is too. Need to hop on a quick call about a last-minute change? They're available right then—no late nights or early mornings required. The workflow feels exactly like having an editor down the hall, not across the world.
Cultural alignment: Latin American professionals often have strong familiarity with US culture and media, helping them understand nuances in your content that might be lost with editors from more distant regions.
Strong English proficiency: Many video editing professionals in countries like Argentina, Mexico, and Brazil have excellent English skills, minimizing communication barriers.
Cost savings: While not quite as inexpensive as South and Southeast Asian countries, Latin American video editors typically have salary expectations 30–70% less than their US peers.

Benefits of offshoring (Asia/Eastern Europe)

Offshoring to regions like India, the Philippines, or Eastern Europe offers its own advantages:

Maximum cost savings: Depending on the country, you might save up to 80% compared to US rates, making it the most economical option if budget is your primary concern.
24-hour workflows: The significant time difference (9-12 hours) means your editor might be working while you're sleeping. This can be advantageous for quick turnarounds—you send feedback at the end of your day, and edited videos are ready when you start work the next morning.
Specialized talent pools: Some regions have developed very specific expertise. For example, India has a thriving animation industry.

The trade-off for offshoring is primarily in real-time collaboration. With minimal or no overlap in working hours, communication becomes more asynchronous, which can slow down projects requiring frequent feedback or discussions.

For video editing specifically, nearshoring to Latin America often provides the optimal balance. The creative nature of video editing benefits from real-time communication and cultural alignment, while still offering substantial cost savings compared to US-based talent.

Final Thoughts

Video content has become essential for engaging modern audiences, but producing high-quality videos requires significant expertise and resources.

Both approaches we've discussed—outsourcing to freelancers and hiring dedicated offshore/nearshore editors—can solve this challenge. The best choice depends on your specific needs:

Outsourcing works well for occasional projects, specialized techniques, or when you're just getting started with video.
Hiring a dedicated offshore or nearshore editor makes more sense for consistent content needs, when you value brand cohesion, and when you want deeper integration with your team.

Many companies actually start with outsourcing and then transition to a dedicated editor as their content needs grow more consistent. This gradual approach lets you test the waters before making a bigger commitment.

Whichever path you choose, investing in professional video editing will significantly elevate your content quality, helping you stand out in an increasingly video-dominated world.

At Near, we connect US companies with top video editing talent from Latin America. Our pre-vetted candidates offer professional expertise with substantial cost savings compared to US-based hires.

To explore the calibre of talent you could hire, fill out this simple form to get a list of pre-vetted video editors who can transform your content. Interview for free and only pay once you make a hire.