The Missing Link: How to Scale Your Wedding Videography Business with an Assistant Editor
Why Wedding Videographers Struggle to Outsource Editing
Wedding videographers are master storytellers, capturing the essence of a couple's most important day. But when it comes to post-production, the sheer workload often becomes overwhelming. Outsourcing is the logical solution, yet most videographers resist it because of logistical barriers.
Common Pain Points
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1. Logistics
- Struggling to transfer large files efficiently
- Lack of a streamlined revision process
- Uncertainty about how to pay assistants securely and fairly
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2. Expectations vs. Reality
- Believing assistant editors should take a project from 0% to 100%
- Difficulty defining their style in a way that's actionable for editors
- Frustration when assistants miss key details or fail to deliver on vision
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3. Time Management
- Spending hours on tedious tasks like sifting through B-roll or syncing footage
- Losing precious time that could be spent growing the business or refining creative vision
The Solution:
Rethinking the Role of Assistant Editors
The key to successfully working with an assistant editor is understanding their role: assistants are not lead editors.
Their job is to handle the lower-level, time-consuming tasks so you can focus on the high-level creative work only you can do.
Two Primary Models for Assistant Editors:
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1. Entry-Level Assistants
Handle foundational tasks like organizing footage, syncing audio, and selecting usable B-roll
Cost-effective but require clear guidance and structure to deliver value
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2. Experienced Assistants
Capable of advanced tasks like creating rough cuts, establishing continuity, and structuring story arcs
Higher cost but can save significant time by producing near-complete drafts for you to refine
The Framework: Systems That Simplify Outsourcing
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1. File Transfer Made Easy
Tools: Google Drive & Dropbox are good, but what about Lucidlink or Jump? Could those be better for you?
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2. Streamlined Revision Workflow
Frame.io and vimeo review links are good, but what about markers in the timeline? Or recorded videos talking them through what you would do?
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3. Cost-Effective Hiring
Platforms like Upwork or Fiverr are good, but are they the most cost effective? What about finding someone on Reddit or Tiktok?
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4. Teaching Your Style
Using visual references to explain pacing, music preferences, and emotional tone is good, but what about a style guide that they can fall back on whenever they don’t know what to do?
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5. Financial Logistics
Venmo or paypal are good, but what if the assistant editor isn’t located in the US and doesn’t have access to a bank account?
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6. US Assistant Editor or Abroad?
Having a US based editor is good, but is it more cost effective to just spend extra time teaching someone out of country?
Why You Need an Assistant Editor
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Assistant editors are there to assist
They're not lead editors who take your project from 0% to 100%. Instead, they handle the tedious 0% to 50% tasks, freeing you to focus on the parts you love
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Outsourcing saves you time
Instead of spending hours syncing footage or cutting down B-roll, you can book more clients, focus on storytelling, or simply take a break
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It's cost-effective.
Entry-level assistants handle repetitive work for low costs, while experienced assistants add creative value. Either way, the investment pays off in time saved and clients gained
How to Get Started:
The Wedding Videographer's Guide to Outsourcing: Everything You Need to Know About Working with an Assistant Editor
Get our FREE E-book!
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Cost-benefit analysis tools
to decide what level of editor you need
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File-sharing recommendations
to streamline the process
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Revision workflows
to eliminate confusion
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Teaching tools
to help you communicate your style effectively
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Our Premium Plugin "Speed Selects" for FREE
to help you sift through b-roll as fast as possible