youtube video editing – Alan Spicer – YouTube Certified Expert

As a student, balancing your studies and earning extra income can be a challenge.

However, there are numerous side hustles and online opportunities that can help you supplement your income without sacrificing your academic commitments.

In this comprehensive blog post, we’ll explore 10 easy money-making side hustles that are perfect for students in the UK, US, and beyond.

1. Research Assistant

One lucrative side hustle for students is working as a research assistant. This role involves supporting content creators, authors, and other professionals with tasks such as research, writing, and data analysis. The demand for skilled research assistants is high, and the pay can be quite substantial.

Take the example of Drew Bernie, a PhD student who landed a job as Mark Manson’s research assistant. As Drew explains, “I was in my PhD program, and I just decided to pop open my laptop and see what Mark’s been up to. Right there, in big letters, it said ‘I’m hiring,’ and my heart just jumped up into my throat.” Drew was able to secure the position by demonstrating his research and writing skills, and he’s been working with Mark for some time now.

Another success story is that of Billy Oppenheimer, a friend of ours who became Ryan Holiday’s research assistant through a well-crafted cold email. The email showcased Billy’s qualifications and made it easy for Ryan to say yes. Many of our team members, including NZ, Alex, and Mike, also work as research assistants for various content creators and authors.

To become a successful research assistant, you’ll need to possess strong research, writing, and analytical skills. Familiarize yourself with the work of content creators and authors you admire, and don’t be afraid to reach out to them directly with a compelling pitch. Demonstrate your abilities, and you could land a lucrative research assistant gig.

2. Video Editing

The demand for video content has skyrocketed, and the need for skilled video editors is higher than ever. As a student, you can leverage this opportunity and earn a substantial income by offering your video editing services.

At our channel, we’ve worked with numerous video editors, and we’ve found that a decent video editor can charge between $300 and $500 per long-form YouTube video, with a reasonable turnaround time of about one video per week. This means you could potentially earn up to $2,000 per month as a video editor.

To get started, you don’t even need to invest in expensive editing software. There are many free options available, and you can even edit on your phone or during your commute. The key is to hone your skills and build a portfolio of work to showcase your abilities.

One effective strategy is to reach out to creators you admire and offer your services. Craft a message that showcases your skills and your willingness to put in the work upfront. For example, you could say, “Hey [Creator], I took the initiative and edited one of your YouTube videos completely, and I also went ahead and chopped it into three engaging shorts. Feel free to use them and save yourself some time. If you like my work, let’s talk. If not, I’d love to know why so I can improve.” This approach demonstrates your proactivity and commitment, making it more likely for the creator to consider your offer.

Remember, video editing is a futureproof skill that can benefit you even if you decide to become a content creator yourself one day. Additionally, if you want to grow a small editing business, you can leverage your skills to hire and manage other editors.

3. Photography and Videography

As a student, you can capitalize on the demand for photography and videography services on campus. Many student groups and organizations are in need of professional-quality photos and videos for their events, marketing, and social media presence.

When I was a student at UCLA, this was one of the side hustles that helped me make ends meet. Instead of working long hours for minimum wage, I was able to earn $50 to $200 per hour doing photography and videography work. The key is to start building your portfolio and networking with student groups to secure clients.

The great thing about being a student is that you have access to a wide range of potential clients right on campus. Student groups, fraternities, sororities, and even individual students looking for graduation or event photography are all potential sources of income. By offering your services and building a reputation as a skilled photographer or videographer, you can quickly establish a steady stream of clients and earn a substantial income.

While it may take some time to learn the technical skills, there are plenty of free online resources and tutorials to help you get started. Once you have the equipment and a few successful shoots under your belt, you can start promoting your services and building your portfolio. Remember to post your work on Craigslist, Facebook groups, and your own social media channels to attract new clients.

4. Social Media Management

In today’s digital landscape, many small businesses and entrepreneurs struggle to effectively manage their social media presence. As a student, you can offer your services as a social media manager and help these businesses grow their online following and engagement.

The key to success in this side hustle is to leverage your own experience and understanding of social media trends and best practices. As a member of Gen Z or Millennial, you likely have a deep understanding of how social media works, which can be a valuable asset to your clients.

Your responsibilities as a social media manager may include creating and scheduling posts, engaging with followers, monitoring analytics, and developing social media strategies. By staying up-to-date with the latest trends and algorithms, you can provide your clients with the insights and expertise they need to succeed on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

To get started, you can reach out to local businesses or connect with them through online platforms like Fiverr or Upwork. Showcase your skills and experience, and be prepared to demonstrate your ability to drive results for your clients. Remember, the more you can learn about social media marketing and the specific needs of your clients, the more valuable your services will become.

5. AI Animation

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has opened up a world of opportunities for creative side hustles, and AI animation is one of the most exciting. By leveraging tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney, you can create stunning animations and visual content for a wide range of clients.

One of our team members, Mercy, has been able to earn $8,000 to $10,000 per month creating AI-powered animations for multiple clients. The key to his success is his mastery of the core principles of animation, combined with his ability to use AI tools to streamline the creative process.

As AI continues to evolve, it’s important to understand the technology adoption curve. We’re currently in the early majority stage, where more and more businesses are starting to embrace AI but there’s still a significant opportunity for early adopters to stand out. By getting ahead of the curve and developing your AI animation skills now, you can position yourself as a valuable asset to clients who are eager to leverage this cutting-edge technology.

To get started, familiarize yourself with AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney, and start experimenting with creating your own animations. Build a portfolio of your work and reach out to potential clients, showcasing your ability to create high-quality, engaging content. Remember, the key is to combine your technical skills with a deep understanding of animation principles to deliver exceptional results for your clients.

6. Remote Sales Representative

Another lucrative side hustle for students is working as a remote sales representative. Many companies are in need of individuals who can effectively communicate with customers, educate them on products, and close sales over the phone or via video calls.

A great example of this is the story of Wouter Toijis, a 20-year-old student in the Netherlands who landed a remote sales role with Milk Road Daily. After providing some free thumbnail advice to the company’s founder, Shaan Puri, Wouter was offered an internship. In just 60 days, he was able to sell $250,000 worth of ads, all while studying full-time.

The key to success as a remote sales representative is to possess strong communication skills, a genuine interest in the products or services you’re selling, and the ability to effectively educate and guide customers through the sales process. If you enjoy talking to people, building relationships, and closing deals, this could be an excellent side hustle for you.

To get started, research companies that offer remote sales positions and tailor your application to showcase your relevant skills and experience. Be prepared to demonstrate your ability to connect with customers, handle objections, and close sales. With the right approach and dedication, you can earn a substantial income as a remote sales representative.

7. Tutoring

Tutoring is a classic side hustle for students, and for good reason. If you excel in a particular subject, you can leverage your knowledge to help others and earn a decent income in the process.

One effective approach is to niche down and focus on a specific area, such as helping pre-med students prepare for the MCAT. By recording your best tutoring sessions and using the material to build an online course, you can create a more passive income stream while still offering personalized tutoring services.

To get started, consider signing up with online tutoring platforms like Tutor.com, Chegg Tutors, or Varsity Tutors. These platforms can connect you with students in need of your expertise, and you can set your own rates and availability. Additionally, you can reach out to local schools, community centers, or even advertise your services on platforms like Craigslist or Facebook groups.

Remember, the key to success in tutoring is to not only have a strong grasp of the subject matter but also the ability to effectively communicate and teach it to your students. By building a portfolio of successful tutoring sessions and testimonials, you can demonstrate your expertise and command higher rates.

8. Selling Digital Downloads

Selling digital downloads is a popular passive income stream for students, as it allows you to create and sell products without the need for physical inventory or constant customer interaction.

One platform that has worked well for me is Etsy. While it may not be as “passive” as some other options, as you’ll still need to consistently upload new listings, it’s a great way to start generating income from your digital creations.

Compared to the more service-based side hustles we’ve discussed, selling digital downloads can be a bit slower to build momentum, as your products may only sell for $10, $20, or $50 at a time. However, the advantage is that once you’ve created a product, it can continue generating sales with minimal additional effort on your part.

To get started, consider the types of digital products you could create that would be valuable to your target audience. This could include things like printable art, digital planners, educational resources, or even AI-generated content. The key is to identify a need in the market and create high-quality, unique products that people are willing to pay for.

9. Pet Sitting and House Sitting

If you’re a student who spends a lot of time studying, pet sitting and house sitting can be a great way to earn extra income while also providing a comfortable environment for your work.

When people go out of town, they often need someone to take care of their pets and homes. This can involve tasks like feeding animals, changing litter boxes, watering plants, and ensuring the property is secure and well-maintained. As a student, you can easily incorporate these responsibilities into your daily routine while you’re studying or working on other projects.

Platforms like Rover.com and TaskRabbit make it easy to find pet sitting and house sitting gigs in your local area. By building a positive reputation and providing reliable, high-quality service, you can quickly establish a steady stream of clients and earn a decent income.

The beauty of this side hustle is that it can be quite passive, allowing you to earn money while you focus on your studies. Just be sure to communicate clearly with your clients, follow their instructions, and provide the level of care they expect for their beloved pets and homes.

10. Flipping Items for Profit

One of the oldest and most straightforward side hustles is flipping items for profit. This involves finding undervalued items, purchasing them, and then reselling them at a higher price.

As a student, you can scour garage sales, thrift stores, Craigslist, and even dumpsters for items that have the potential to be flipped for a profit. This could include anything from electronics and furniture to collectibles and vintage clothing.

I’ve personally had great success with this side hustle, buying items for a few hundred dollars and then reselling them for double, triple, or even quadruple the original price. One of my most profitable flips was a car I bought for $600 and sold for over $2,000.

The key to success in flipping items is to develop a keen eye for undervalued items and a deep understanding of the market. Research the current prices and demand for the items you’re interested in, and be patient in finding the right deals. With a little bit of effort and some savvy negotiation skills, you can turn a tidy profit through this classic side hustle.

Conclusion

As a student, you have a wealth of opportunities to earn extra income through side hustles. From research assistant roles and video editing to AI animation, remote sales, and flipping items, the possibilities are endless. By leveraging your skills, knowledge, and the resources available to you as a student, you can supplement your income and set yourself up for long-term financial success.

Remember, the key to success in any side hustle is to start small, focus on your strengths, and continuously learn and improve. With dedication and a willingness to try new things, you can turn your side hustle into a lucrative and fulfilling endeavor. Good luck on your journey to financial independence!

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While the depth and breadth of content that can be found on YouTube has grown immensely since the early days of wall to wall vloggers, it seems as though the jump cut will forever be considered synonymous with YouTube.

YouTubers use jump cuts to speed up the pace of the video, to hide mistakes and/or to keep you engaged for longer than just simple talking head videos. If you are moving around the screen it helps the video flow better and gives the viewer something new to focus on, preventing viewer fatigue.

That being said, even today there are plenty of channels that make use of the technique, with perennial favourites like Philip DeFranco—who arguably helped push jump cutting to the forefront of YouTube consciousness—still doing their thing all these years later. But why do they do it? Or, for that matter, what is it?

We’re going to answer both of those questions and more, so settle in, and let’s get started.

What is a Jump Cut?

The proper definition of a jump cut is a sudden transition from one scene to another. That is, no fading in and out, no special effects, just one frame you are looking at one scene, and the next frame you are looking at a different one.

This is the definition of a jump cut as it applies to things like television and cinema, but the YouTube variant is a little different.

In the context of YouTube, a jump cut does not need to cut to a different scene, and often doesn’t. Jump cuts on YouTube are far more often used to cut from one part of a scene to a later part of a scene, essentially snipping out the intervening footage. This is possible because the idea of YouTube jump cuts is established. What would once have been considered messy, unprofessional editing is now a style, and viewers have become used to it and don’t wonder what’s gone wrong with the video when jump cuts happen and the YouTuber snaps from one position to another.

Of course, it is still a jump if it does cut from one scene to another—the established definition still applies when relevant—it is just that, on YouTube, it is more often used in this manner.

Why do YouTubers Jump Cut?

So, now that you know what a jump cut is, why do YouTubers use them? There are a few reasons why this technique is so popular, so we’ve broken them up into the big ones.

Give the Video More “Punch”

You don’t need to be an expert in psychology to understand that the average attention span of a human being, shall we say, not what it used to be. Sure, the subject matter of a video can be enough to draw people in if they are interested enough, but on an online platform like YouTube, dry, slow content will not bring in the new viewers.

Jump cuts allow a YouTube to speed up the flow of their video so that the beats of the content hit closer together, leaving the viewer less time to become disinterested and click away to something else.

Reduce “Dead Air”

On a very similar note to the last one, jump cuts provide a handy method for cutting out some of the more awkward pauses, sniffles, sneezes, and mistakes that might otherwise have required a reshoot of a particular part of the video.

As we mentioned above, the fact that jump cuts are now something viewers are used to makes it possible to use jump cuts to edit out mistakes without having to worry about continuity between the remaining footage. If the YouTuber suddenly cuts from one position to another, that’s just the style of the video.

Keep the View Time Down

If you have a lot to get through, jump cuts can be a great way to keep the overall time of the video down, since excessively long runtimes can be off-putting in certain niches.

Keep the Editing Time Down

Jump cuts are quite possibly the lowest-effort method of cutting a video together, short of paying someone else to do it for you. Almost all YouTubers start out doing everything for themselves, including editing. And, when they are trying to upload multiple videos a week—often around a job or education—anything that saves time on the overall process of making the video will be welcomed. It is said that, on average, you will spend five hours editing for every one hour of footage you recorded, so this is certainly an area to focus on when trying to save time.

Fast Talking is More Persuasive

One way or another, you are trying to persuade your viewers of something. You might have a point you are trying to get across or the persuasion might just be that you want them to keep watching. Well, it turns out fast talkers are more persuasive and, while a jump cutting YouTube might not be a particularly fast talker in day to day life, jump cuts allow them to create the impression of fast speech by cutting out the gaps between sentences.

Comedy

A well-timed jump cut can be pretty funny. That’s all there is to this one.

Monologuing is Hard

Granted, scripting makes things a lot easier, but sitting in front of a camera and talking for three to ten minutes solid is no easy task. And, unless you are planning on hosting a late night show, it’s not a skill that has a great deal of use in mastering. With jump cuts you can dive into your monologues without worrying about getting through the whole thing in one take.

When Not to Use Jump Cuts

As long as that list of reasons why YouTubers use jump cuts is, they are not perfect in all situations, as most things aren’t. Here are a few reasons to steer clear of using jump cuts in your YouTube videos.

You Want the Viewer to Digest What You’re Saying

Jump cuts are fine for getting relatively light information across. The aforementioned Philip DeFranco makes good use of them, but DeFranco covers daily news and entertainment stories. He occasionally dives into big topics, but there’s rarely anything you need to fully engage your brain on.

For something like a VSauce or a PBS Spacetime, a jump cut format would be wholly inappropriate, because the presenters want the information to get across in a methodical, thorough way, and bombarding you with key points on something like the physics of a black hole will likely overwhelm you (unless you happen to be an astrophysicist of course).

You’re a Slow Talker

All the notes about how fast talkers are persuasive and how “dead air” can be a turn off for the viewer aside, some people are just slow talkers, and it’s not always something you can do anything about. This isn’t a death knell in your YouTube dream’s coffin, of course, but you need to play to your strengths. If you can string fast sentences together, jump cutting works. But if you speak slowly, jump cuts will look awkward and stilted.

It Reduces Your Watch Time

Now, let’s be clear, we are not suggesting you stuff your videos with awkward silences and drawn out sentences just to increase the watch time, but if your content sits well without the jump cuts, this could be a reason not to add them.

As most of you probably know, watch time is one of the most important metrics to improve when you are looking at boosting your visibility in the YouTube algorithm, not to mention increasing the revenue you get from the YouTube Partner Programme. The more time people spend watching your content, the more ads YouTube can show and the more likely they are to promote your videos in the future.

Just remember, this only works if people watch your videos. Having a thirty-minute video will do you no good if viewers click away after two minutes because the content is boring.

The Non Sequitur Jump Cut

All the talk so far has assumed the jump cuts being used are done so in a linear fashion, such as would be the case if someone recorded a five-minute monologue and then used jump cuts to edit out all the “uhm”’s and “ah”’s.

A well established convention on YouTube is the non sequitur jump cut, which is almost like a regular jump cut, only instead of cutting from scene to scene, it is cutting from one train of thought to another. This is often used to interject small asides, almost like footnotes in a book, and allows the YouTuber to add more context to a topic, or interject their personal take on something they are talking about in otherwise neutral tones.

Final Thoughts

The jump cut, like many techniques and tools at a YouTubers disposal, is a powerfully useful thing when used correctly. And, like most useful things, it can be overdone. If you cut too often, you can very easily give your video a white noise feel, where the information is coming at the viewer so fast that it is hard to absorb.

Used correctly, however, it can make a video punchier, more entertaining, and better-flowing. And, like all things on YouTube and in life, you can learn how best to utilise jump cuts with practice… but looking at other YouTubers who do it well won’t hurt, either.

Top 5 Tools To Get You Started on YouTube

Very quickly before you go here are 5 amazing tools I have used every day to grow my YouTube channel from 0 to 30K subscribers in the last 12 months that I could not live without.

1. VidIQ helps boost my views and get found in search

I almost exclusively switched to VidIQ from a rival in 2020.

Within 12 months I tripled the size of my channel and very quickly learnt the power of thumbnails, click through rate and proper search optimization. Best of all, they are FREE!

2. Adobe Creative Suite helps me craft amazing looking thumbnails and eye-catching videos

I have been making youtube videos on and off since 2013.

When I first started I threw things together in Window Movie Maker, cringed at how it looked but thought “that’s the best I can do so it’ll have to do”.

Big mistake!

I soon realized the move time you put into your editing and the more engaging your thumbnails are the more views you will get and the more people will trust you enough to subscribe.

That is why I took the plunge and invested in my editing and design process with Adobe Creative Suite. They offer a WIDE range of tools to help make amazing videos, simple to use tools for overlays, graphics, one click tools to fix your audio and the very powerful Photoshop graphics program to make eye-catching thumbnails.

Best of all you can get a free trial for 30 days on their website, a discount if you are a student and if you are a regular human being it starts from as little as £9 per month if you want to commit to a plan.

3. Rev.com helps people read my videos

You can’t always listen to a video.

Maybe you’re on a bus, a train or sat in a living room with a 5 year old singing baby shark on loop… for HOURS. Or, you are trying to make as little noise as possible while your new born is FINALLY sleeping.

This is where Rev can help you or your audience consume your content on the go, in silence or in a language not native to the video.

Rev.com can help you translate your videos, transcribe your videos, add subtitles and even convert those subtitles into other languages – all from just $1.50 per minute.

A GREAT way to find an audience and keep them hooked no matter where they are watching your content.

4. PlaceIT can help you STAND OUT on YouTube

I SUCK at making anything flashy or arty.

I have every intention in the world to make something that looks cool but im about as artistic as a dropped ice-cream cone on the web windy day.

That is why I could not live on YouTube without someone like PlaceIT. They offer custom YouTube Banners, Avatars, YouTube Video Intros and YouTube End Screen Templates that are easy to edit with simple click, upload wizard to help you make amazing professional graphics in minutes.

Best of all, some of their templates are FREE! or you can pay a small fee if you want to go for their slightly more premium designs (pst – I always used the free ones).

5. StoryBlocks helps me add amazing video b-roll cutaways

I mainly make tutorials and talking head videos.

And in this modern world this can be a little boring if you don’t see something funky every once in a while.

I try with overlays, jump cuts and being funny but my secret weapon is b-roll overlay content.

I can talk about skydiving, food, money, kids, cats – ANYTHING I WANT – with a quick search on the StoryBlocks website I can find a great looking clip to overlay on my videos, keeping them entertained and watching for longer.

They have a wide library of videos, graphics, images and even a video maker tool and it wont break the bank with plans starting from as little as £8.25 ($9) per month.