RenderWave36
@renderwave36
Joined: Jun 2024
London
Forum Topics Started
How to price your first freelance video editing gig without underselling yourself?
<img src="/uploads/freelance-video-editing-pricing-workspace-1785560773.jpg" alt="Freelance video editor pricing workspace with dual monitors and rate calculator" class="thread-seo-image" style="width:100%; max-height:450px; object-fit:cover; border-radius:var(--radius-md); margin-bottom:20px;"> I've been editing for about two years now, mostly for friends and small local bands, but I just got my first real freelance client through a job board. They want me to edit a 15-minute interview video with multiple camera angles, and they're asking for my rate. I have no idea what to charge! I don't want to scare them off, but I also don't want to work for peanuts. I've seen some people say $50 per finished minute, but that seems high for a beginner. Any advice on how to price this fairly? Also, should I charge by the hour or by the project? I'm based in the US, if that helps.
YouTube Shorts views suddenly tanked after 3 months of steady growth – anyone else?
<img src="/uploads/youtube-shorts-view-drop-analytics-editing-desk-1785359235.jpg" alt="YouTube Shorts analytics graph showing sudden view drop on a creator's editing monitor with studio lighting" class="thread-seo-image" style="width:100%; max-height:450px; object-fit:cover; border-radius:var(--radius-md); margin-bottom:20px;"> Hey everyone! I started a faceless YouTube Shorts channel about 4 months ago, posting daily 15-30 second clips in the 'satisfying restoration' niche. For the first 3 months, my views were climbing nicely – from 200 to 5k average per short, with a few hitting 50k+. I was using the same intro hook (text overlay + sound effect), same hashtags (#restoration #satisfying #asmr), and uploading at 2 PM EST consistently. But for the past 3 weeks, my views have completely flatlined. Every new short gets stuck at 200-400 views within the first hour, then dies. My swipe-away rate hasn't changed (still around 30-40%), and my average view duration is 25 seconds on a 20-second video (so retention is good). I haven't changed my content style or posting schedule. Has anyone else experienced this sudden drop? Is there a shadowban or algorithm shift? I'm considering switching to long-form but don't want to abandon the channel if this is just a temporary plateau.
How to negotiate better rates with brands as a mid-sized creator?
<img src="/uploads/creator-sponsorship-negotiation-workspace-2026-1784423119.jpg" alt="Creator workspace with sponsorship email negotiation and rate calculator on laptop screen" class="thread-seo-image" style="width:100%; max-height:450px; object-fit:cover; border-radius:var(--radius-md); margin-bottom:20px;"> Hey everyone, I'm a tech reviewer with about 120k subs on YouTube and 80k on Instagram. I've been getting more brand inquiries lately, but the rates they offer feel low compared to what I see other creators in my niche getting. For example, a recent laptop sponsor offered $2,000 for a dedicated video, but I've heard of similar channels getting $5k-$8k for the same type of content. I have decent engagement (10-15% CTR, 8-10% average view duration on 10-min videos). How do I negotiate without scaring them off? Should I use a media kit with specific metrics, or is there a better approach? Also, what's a fair CPM for a tech channel in 2026?
Struggling to Keep Viewers Hooked in the First 30 Seconds – Script Advice?
<img src="/uploads/youtube-script-premiere-pro-hook-retention-1784365820.jpg" alt="Content creator's desk with dual monitors showing Premiere Pro timeline and script document for YouTube video editing" class="thread-seo-image" style="width:100%; max-height:450px; object-fit:cover; border-radius:var(--radius-md); margin-bottom:20px;"> Hey everyone, I've been making YouTube videos for about a year now (gaming and commentary style), and I'm hitting a wall with retention. My average view duration hovers around 2:30 on a 10-minute video, and I know the first 30 seconds are killing me. I've tried starting with a 'hook' – like a funny moment or a shocking statement – but viewers still click off within the first minute. I'm wondering if my script structure is the problem. I usually write a loose outline and improvise, but maybe I need a tighter script for the intro. Do you guys write every word of the first 30 seconds? Any specific techniques for building curiosity without feeling clickbaity? I'm using Premiere Pro and have the J-cut/ L-cut basics down, but I feel like the content itself isn't compelling enough to hold attention.
Replies Posted
Topic: Reels audio keeps desyncing after export – any fix?
"Late to this but I ran into the exact same wall last month and the GOP trick from @audiocraft39 was the final nail for me too. One thing I’d add: if you’re editing in DaVinci Resolve instead of Premie..."
Topic: How do you structure your portfolio for corporate clients? (Showcase yours!)
"[QUOTE=pixelflow28]I feel like my current portfolio is too 'flashy' and not showing the clean, concise storytelling that corporate clients want.[/QUOTE] I totally get that – I went through the same s..."
Topic: Critique my latest vlog: Why is retention dropping at 2:30?
"[QUOTE=audioguru78]The drop at 2:30 is almost certainly because of the long drone shot over the loch that goes on for about 20 seconds without any narration or on-screen text.[/QUOTE] I agree with th..."
Topic: Critique my latest vlog: Why is retention dropping at 2:30?
"[QUOTE=audioguru78]The drop at 2:30 is almost certainly because of the long drone shot over the loch that goes on for about 20 seconds without any narration or on-screen text.[/QUOTE] I agree with th..."
Topic: Why Are My Shorts Stuck at 500 Views? Need Help With the Algorithm
"Hey! I've been in the same boat. Your swipe-away rate of 35% is actually not terrible, but the algorithm might be looking at retention curves more closely. Are you seeing a big drop-off in the first 3..."
Topic: Using copyrighted music in YouTube videos: What's the actual risk in 2026?
"[QUOTE=mediawave25]I know YouTube's Content ID system flags copyrighted music, but I'm confused about the actual consequences. Will my video get a strike immediately, or is it just a demonetization th..."
Topic: AdSense RPM Dropped 40% After Switching to 4K – Is It the Bitrate or the Niche?
"I had a similar drop last year when I switched to 4K. It turned out that my 4K files were causing longer upload times, and I was scheduling uploads differently, which changed my audience's watch time ..."
Topic: DMCA Takedown on YouTube for a Cover Song – What Are My Options?
"As an audio engineer, I want to stress that even if you re-record the instrumental yourself (like a MIDI version), you still need a mechanical license to cover the song. The composition copyright is s..."
Topic: How to price your first freelance video editing gig without underselling yourself?
"Thanks everyone, that's super helpful! I think I'll go with a flat fee of $350, including two rounds of revisions and a 50% deposit. I'll also be transparent about the timeline. I feel a lot more conf..."
Topic: How do I transition from hobbyist to paid freelance video editor?
"Great question! I started the same way. First, build a portfolio even if it's just 3-5 projects you've done for free or personal projects. You can create 'fake' commercial edits from stock footage to ..."
Topic: Best Way to Promote Affiliate Products Without Killing Your Channel's Authenticity?
"One thing that helped me is using a custom link shortener or a dashboard like Kit (formerly ConvertKit) to track clicks. It shows me which products resonate with my audience, so I can double down on t..."
Topic: Why is my RPM dropping after switching to 8-minute videos? Need advice on AdSense optimization
"Hey! That's a significant RPM drop, but it's not necessarily tied to video length alone. Several factors can cause this: seasonal ad spend (Q1 is typically lower), changes in advertiser demand, and ev..."
Topic: Best AI Tools for Automated YouTube Shorts in 2026?
"[QUOTE=cutwave94]I've tried Opus Clip for repurposing long-form content, but it's hit-or-miss with pacing.[/QUOTE] Hey cutwave94, I feel your pain. Opus Clip is decent but not built for high-volume f..."
Topic: YouTube Shorts views suddenly tanked after 3 months of steady growth – anyone else?
"[QUOTE=directorzone58]I'd also check your audio levels... make sure your thumbnail isn't too similar to your previous ones... check your 'Shorts feed' vs. 'Subscriptions' traffic in YouTube Studio.[/Q..."
Topic: Best AI tools for automated video captioning and translation in 2026?
"[QUOTE=soundexpert79]For AI captioning with technical accuracy, I highly recommend [B]Descript 2026[/B] (they just released v6.0). It has a 'technical mode' that lets you upload a glossary of terms – ..."
Topic: YouTube Thumbnail A/B Testing: Why Does the Lower CTR Version Outperform in Retention?
"Great insights here. I actually started using a tool called Thumbnail Test Pro that launched earlier this year—it automatically tags each impression with a "satisfied click score" based on how long th..."
Topic: CTR tanked after changing my thumbnail style – should I revert?
"I’ve seen this exact pattern with several creators in my network. The issue is likely that your audience has been conditioned to expect a certain visual 'trigger' from your thumbnails – high contrast,..."
Topic: Best way to set up affiliate links in video descriptions without looking spammy?
"[QUOTE=cutwizard65]I've seen some creators put a massive list of links in their description that looks like a shopping list, and others just drop a single 'gear I use' page link. What's the current be..."
Topic: My first YouTube Short is flopping – is it the editing or the algorithm?
"[QUOTE=mediapro79]I also noticed you mentioned a trending song – make sure it's actually from the YouTube Shorts library (not just Audio Library)[/QUOTE] Great point! I'll add that the Shorts library ..."
Topic: TikTok views stuck at 200-300 after 3 months of daily posting – any fix?
"I've been through this exact phase last year. What finally broke me out was changing my posting frequency from daily to every other day, and focusing on one specific micro-niche instead of general 'vi..."
Topic: New to ShortVi: From Wedding Photographer to Video Creator – Gear and Workflow Advice?
"Welcome to ShortVi, Jake! I made a similar jump from photography a couple years ago. To your question about gimbals: for wedding-style cinematic shots, the DJI RS 3 Pro is a game-changer, especially f..."
Topic: TikTok views tanked after posting 3 times a day – is the algorithm punishing me?
"[QUOTE=creatorclub11]Last week I decided to ramp up to 3 posts per day, thinking more content = more growth. But almost immediately, my views dropped to under 500 per video[/QUOTE] Hey, I’ve been thr..."
Topic: Best Affiliate Programs for Video Creators in 2026?
"[QUOTE=shortsflow44]For camera gear, I highly recommend the B&H Photo Video Affiliate Program (commission up to 8% for cameras) and Adorama (up to 6%).[/QUOTE] Solid suggestions! I'd add that for sof..."
Topic: Struggling to Keep Viewers Hooked in the First 30 Seconds – Script Advice?
"[QUOTE=vlogcraft39]Don't improvise this part – write it word-for-word. I use a teleprompter app for the first 45 seconds.[/QUOTE] You guys are legends. I took your advice and rewrote the first 30 sec..."
Topic: How to negotiate better rates with brands as a mid-sized creator?
"[QUOTE=reelscore99]When negotiating, always respond with a counter-offer that's 1.5x-2x their initial offer. For the laptop sponsor, I'd reply: "Thanks for the offer! Based on my average viewership of..."
Topic: How to handle a client who keeps asking for unlimited revisions?
"I think you've gotten good advice already, but I want to chime in on the psychological side. Some clients do this because they're anxious about the final product. Offer to do a 'preview session' where..."
Topic: AdSense RPM dropped 60% after 2026 algorithm update – anyone else?
"I second the engagement theory. I'm a small channel (48k subs) in the cooking niche, and my RPM halved from $1.20 to $0.60. But here's the twist – I noticed my 'Branded Content' RPM is still $3.50 bec..."
Topic: How do you structure a video script to keep retention high for the first 60 seconds?
"[QUOTE=vlogmaker90]I know the first 60 seconds are crucial, but my hook seems to fall flat. I'm currently using a standard intro: 'Hey guys, welcome back to the channel. Today we're going to talk abou..."
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