Upwork: Where Video Editors Are Worth Less Than A Burger
If you need a good laugh, let me take you on a wild ride through the world of Upwork video editing job postings.
You know Upwork, right? The place where dreams go to die? Well, buckle up, because we're about to expose the underbelly of the freelance video editing world, and it ain't pretty.
Exhibit A: The "Free Sample" Scam
"Looking for a video editor who can join our team... blah, blah... soccer knowledge... blah, blah. Oh, and before we even consider you, edit this sample clip of Tyrone kicking a ball. Then tell us exactly how you'd edit it."
Hold up. You want me to work for FREE? And then micromanage my editing? For the whopping price of... $5 AN HOUR?!
You gotta be kidding me. Why does Upwork allow job postings like this?
Exhibit B: The "We Want a Full-Time Slave" Scam
"Seeking FOUR professional video editors for our awesome agency! Work eight hours a day, five days a week... for a life-changing salary of $300 A MONTH."
Are you serious? You want a full-time team of editors for the price of a used bicycle? This is the digital equivalent of offering someone a handful of peanuts and expecting them to build you a mansion.
Exhibit C: The "YouTube Automation Monkey"
"Need an experienced video editor for several simple 8-10 minute YouTube videos...must know about automation and have subscriptions to stock sites..."
Translation: we want to churn out low-quality YouTube garbage and pay you next to nothing. Oh, and you'll be footing the bill for stock footage too! For your trouble, how about $12 A VIDEO?
You could make more panhandling on the side of the road.
Exhibit D: The "We're Travel Vloggers and We're Broke"
"We're a fun-loving travel vlogging couple! Help us edit our unique experiences and hidden gems!" (Cue 500 hours of shaky handheld footage that nobody wants to watch).
Look, I get it, vlogging is expensive. But here's the kicker: they're offering $5 AN HOUR to sift through their endless, unedited vacation videos.
Newsflash: Video editors aren't a charity.
Exhibit E: The "We Do Everything (And Pay You Nothing)" Scam
"Wanted: scriptwriter, voice actor, video editor, thumbnail designer... basically, someone to run our entire YouTube channel while we kick back and collect the ad revenue. Budget? How's $25 a video sound?"
This is the pinnacle of Upwork delusion. They want you to be a one-person production company for the price of a pizza. Do yourself a favor and RUN.
The Grand Finale: $5 an Hour (Again!)
Is this some kind of sick joke? I've lost count of how many posts I've seen offering $5 an hour. It's like Upwork has a secret company motto: "Devalue your skills! Embrace poverty!"
My Advice? Ditch Upwork.
I know finding freelance work can be tough. But Upwork is a breeding ground for lowball clients and disrespectful job postings. Don't waste your time and talent on a platform that thinks your hard work is worth less than a fast food burger.
So, there you have it, folks – the hilarious (and depressing) reality of Upwork video editing gigs. Got any horror stories of your own? Share them in the comments! Let's expose this nonsense together.
