Intro
Video editing is one of those skills that can potentially turn into a profitable side hustle or even a full-time business. But knowing how to edit videos is only one part of the equation. You also need to know how to find clients, price your services, and turn one-time projects into recurring income.
In this episode of The Side Hustler’s Society, Elijah sits down with Mark Santos, founder of Mark Studios, to discuss how he built a successful video editing business using platforms like Fiverr while also developing a client base outside of those platforms.
Whether you're just learning how to edit videos or you're already freelancing and looking to grow, Mark shares valuable insights into what it takes to build a sustainable business.
Intro to Mark Santos
Mark Santos is the founder of Mark Studios, a video production and editing business based in Palm Beach County, Florida.
Mark started making videos on YouTube when he was just 10 years old. His channel eventually grew to more than 200,000 subscribers and 10 million views. During the pandemic, he began selling his video editing services on Fiverr, eventually turning that side hustle into a full-fledged business.
Since founding Mark Studios in 2021, Mark has completed more than 8,000 orders for over 4,500 clients. He has also become a top-rated Fiverr seller and even rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange with Fiverr in February 2025.
Episode Overview
In this episode, Mark shares how he went from editing videos as a hobby to building a business that generates substantial monthly revenue through both Fiverr and his own website.
The conversation covers the advantages of starting on freelance platforms, how to eventually attract clients independently, and why offering recurring services can be more profitable than constantly chasing one-time projects.
Elijah and Mark also discuss pricing strategies, lead generation, using AI to improve business operations, and knowing when it's time to build a team.
If you've been considering video editing as a side hustle or want to turn your existing editing skills into a business, this episode is packed with practical advice.
Listen to the Episode
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The Side Hustler's Society Resources
Want to learn how to edit videos yourself? Check out Elijah's iMovie Video Editing Course here.
Need a professional to handle your next editing project? You can hire Elijah directly here.
Quick Takeaways
Freelance platforms can be a great starting point. Fiverr and Upwork can help new editors gain experience, build a reputation, and attract their first clients.
Don't rely on one source of leads. Developing your own website, social media presence, advertising, and business relationships can help you attract clients independently.
Focus on recurring revenue. Monthly editing packages can create more predictable income than constantly searching for one-time projects.
Charge per project instead of per hour. Project-based pricing allows you to benefit from becoming more efficient at your work.
Use AI to improve your business. AI can help with marketing, administrative work, research, and other tasks that consume valuable time.
Build a team when demand exceeds your capacity. When you're consistently turning down work or working excessive hours, it may be time to expand.
Starting Your Video Editing Journey on Fiverr
Mark's journey into professional video editing began during the pandemic. After losing his university IT assistant job when everything shut down, he needed another way to generate income.
Since he had been editing videos for years, he decided to turn that skill into a service. He created his first Fiverr gig and began offering video editing to customers.
Over time, he built an impressive profile with thousands of reviews and completed orders. Today, Fiverr generates approximately $20,000 to $30,000 per month for his business.
One reason Mark continues using Fiverr, even though he has his own website, is that the platform brings him customers who are already interested in purchasing editing services.
Having thousands of reviews also helps establish credibility. Instead of spending time convincing every potential customer that he's qualified, many people who contact him are already familiar with his reputation and ready to buy.
For someone just getting started, this demonstrates how freelance platforms can provide an opportunity to develop skills, build a portfolio, and generate income.
How to Transition From Fiverr to Getting Your Own Clients
Although Fiverr has been a major source of business for Mark, he also operates Mark Studios independently.
His website generates approximately $10,000 to $20,000 per month, giving him another significant source of revenue.
However, attracting customers independently requires a different approach. When someone finds Mark through Fiverr, they already have some trust in his services because of the platform's reviews and reputation system.
When someone discovers his business through his website, Mark has to establish that trust himself.
His recommendation for editors who want to move beyond freelance platforms is to become more visible. This includes:
Building a professional website.
Creating content on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms.
Appearing on podcasts and networking with other business owners.
Sending cold emails and making cold calls.
Running paid advertising campaigns through platforms like Meta, Google, and Bing.
Mark also recommends using AI to help with tasks like building websites and conducting outreach.
The important lesson is that getting clients outside of Fiverr requires becoming responsible for your own marketing and lead generation.
How to Turn One-Time Clients Into Recurring Revenue
One of the biggest challenges new video editors face is constantly having to find new customers.
They complete one project, get paid, and then have to start the entire process over again.
Mark explains that one solution is to develop service packages that make sense for businesses that need content consistently.
For example, instead of simply offering to edit one video, an editor could offer a monthly package that includes video editing, social media management, posting, and thumbnail design.
A business owner might be willing to pay $2,000 to $4,000 per month for someone to handle these responsibilities so they can focus on running their business.
However, the offer alone isn't enough. Mark emphasizes that editors need to provide actual value and help clients achieve results.
He also recommends looking for customers who already have a history of consistently publishing content. Someone who has never posted videos before may not understand the commitment involved, and many people eventually stop creating content.
Finding clients who are already committed to producing content can make it easier to establish long-term working relationships.
How Should Video Editors Price Their Services?
Another important discussion in this episode is how video editors should charge for their work.
There are several common approaches, including hourly pricing, per-project pricing, and monthly retainers.
Mark is not a fan of hourly pricing because it can penalize editors for becoming more efficient. As you gain experience, you naturally become faster at completing projects. Charging by the hour means you could actually earn less for delivering the same quality of work more efficiently.
His recommendation for newer editors is to start with project-based pricing.
One approach is to offer a potential client a test edit. When Mark was first getting started, he frequently offered free test edits to demonstrate his abilities and help close new customers.
Once a client sees the quality of the work, the editor has an opportunity to secure additional projects or transition into a recurring monthly arrangement.
The key is to deliver excellent work, communicate effectively, and demonstrate why the client should continue working with you.
Using AI to Grow Your Video Editing Business
AI was another major topic in this conversation. Mark believes freelancers and business owners should make an effort to stay current with the latest AI technology.
He even created a website called Artificial Watch, which notifies subscribers when new AI models are released.
Mark also discussed how he uses AI to handle tasks that previously required hiring virtual assistants. He explained that he had previously employed four virtual assistants but was able to replace many of those responsibilities with AI.
However, he doesn't believe AI can completely replace human editors.
He points out that video editing involves creative decisions that require human judgment, such as understanding the emotion of music, selecting the right moments, and making sure voiceovers sound natural.
AI can certainly improve productivity, but editors still need to provide the creative value that customers expect.
For new editors, the takeaway is to embrace AI as a tool that can make running a business easier without assuming it can replace the skills that make a good editor valuable.
When Is It Time to Build a Video Editing Team?
Eventually, a successful freelancer may reach a point where there simply isn't enough time to handle every project personally.
Mark believes this is when it's time to consider building a team.
Some signs include consistently turning down new work, working extremely long hours, or having more projects than one person can reasonably complete.
Mark has built a team of editors and still maintains human support for customer communication. He believes that certain aspects of customer service benefit from having a real person involved, especially when a client needs to discuss a project or work through a problem.
For editors who aren't ready to hire employees, Elijah also recommends building relationships with other freelancers and establishing referral arrangements.
That way, when an editor receives more work than they can handle, they can refer projects to other professionals and potentially earn a referral commission.
Mark shared that Mark Studios has an affiliate program that pays 20% of the payments generated by customers referred to the business.
This demonstrates another way video editors can generate income by developing relationships within their industry.
Who This Episode Is For
This episode is especially useful for:
New video editors: Learn how to turn editing skills into a profitable side hustle.
Fiverr and Upwork freelancers: Discover how to build a strong reputation and eventually attract clients outside freelance platforms.
Freelancers looking for recurring income: Learn how to develop monthly service packages and long-term client relationships.
Video editors struggling with lead generation: Explore websites, social media, cold outreach, advertising, and networking as ways to find customers.
Freelancers interested in AI: Understand how AI can help streamline business operations and improve productivity.
Editors ready to scale: Learn when to hire help, build a team, and transition from freelancing into running a production company.
Key Topics Covered
How Mark Santos started editing videos as a child
Turning video editing into a side hustle during the pandemic
How to build a successful Fiverr profile
The advantages of using Fiverr to generate leads
Building a video editing business outside freelance platforms
How to generate recurring revenue through monthly retainers
Hourly pricing versus project-based pricing
Using free test edits to acquire new clients
Lead generation through cold outreach and paid advertising
How AI can help video editors run their businesses
Knowing when to build a video editing team
Creating referral and affiliate programs for additional revenue