Every new editor makes the same mistake: they try to charge $100/video before they have a single testimonial.

Here's what actually works:

Give away your first 3 edits. Find small creators (under 10k followers) who post raw footage. DM them, offer a free edit, ask for nothing but a testimonial if they like it. Most say yes because it costs them nothing.

Then charge immediately after. Once you have 2-3 testimonials, start charging $20-50/video. That's not underselling yourself — that's building proof so your next 10 clients don't have to take a leap of faith on you.

Raise your rate every 5-10 clients. Editors who stay stuck at $30/video for a year usually never asked for more. The market will pay more once you have volume + proof.

Most editors quit in month one because they're chasing $100/video before they've built any trust. Fix the sequencing and the money follows.

— Building this out at Editor's Edge if anyone wants the full 30-day roadmap.