In-house video editors vs. production agencies: which path powers your show?

When you start out on YouTube — you’ll probably be tempted or forced by budget constraints to edit your own content. Especially if it’s just a fun side project or something you enjoy. But if you want to go big or if the show you’re launching has a fat marketing budget — then it’s time to get professional editing help 💪

So your options are to bring someone into your team or find an agency that offers production services.

Which path should you take to power up your content creation game? Here are the first factors to consider:

• What’s the realistic time commitment to the show — is this a 3-episode experiment to see if it has wings or are you committed to making video content a priority for months & years to come?
• Team dynamics — are you a solo creator or remote podcaster working from home or is there a cheerful team that all works in the office side by side?
• Along with dynamics there’s location — is there even anyone to hire locally?

Hiring full- or part-time adds complexity — payroll, taxes, contract negotiations, onboarding, equipment — all these things will take time away from the content!

The power of in-house & agency video editors

Video editors are the unsung heroes behind the scenes. Their expertise lies in transforming raw footage into polished masterpieces, adding that extra sprinkle of magic to elevate the overall visual appeal.

No, that’s an understatement.

They take your rambling 30+ minutes of uhms and ahhs and turn it into a video that’s actually enjoyable, entertaining and value-packed.

From color correction to seamless transitions, video editors possess the technical finesse to make your content shine. Keep in mind that these are skills you’ll also get from a (good) production agency.

*Ideally, the editor(s) you hire onto the team have a passion for not just great editing, but also for the topics your content will cover.

This overlap elevates them from a mere technical hire to a teammate who buys into the vision of your content. Don’t underestimate how important this is.*

Tailoring your content to perfection

One big plus of working with video editors is the level of customization they offer. They help you craft a unique visual identity for your long and short-form video content, incorporating branding elements and maintaining consistency throughout your content.

Create captivating intros, seamless outros, or implement clean transitions, video editors have the skills to tailor your content to perfection. Bringing these skills in-house usually means more direct communication and faster iteration loops to improve & scale up your output over time.

Save time and boost efficiency

By handing off the editing process to a skilled video editor, you free up valuable time to focus on other aspects of content creation. Video editing is a time-consuming task that requires meticulous attention to detail.

With a video editor at the helm, you can ensure a more efficient production process, timely delivery, and consistent output quality.

Let them work their magic while you focus on creating compelling content that resonates with your audience.

Obviously, the same is true about partnering with a subscription agency — in fact you should have more time because you don’t have to deal with employment logistics and direct, day-to-day management of your editor.

Exploring subscription-based production agencies

When it comes to hiring a subscription-based production agency for your vlog or podcast, you're diving into a world of comprehensive content creation. These agencies offer a one-stop-shop for all your production needs, bringing together a team of experts to ensure your content shines.

Here's what you can expect when working with a production agency:

• Holistic approach: Production agencies take a holistic approach to content creation, focusing on every aspect from concept to delivery. They collaborate closely with you to understand your vision and audience, ensuring a cohesive final product that resonates with your viewers.
• Expertise and resources: With a team of professionals at your disposal, production agencies bring a wealth of expertise to the table. From video editors to thumbnail designers, they have the resources to optimize your content creation process and elevate the quality of your vlogs or podcasts.
• Flexibility: When you start a new YouTube channel, you can’t be sure the original plan is going to be the same 3-6 months down the road. A subscription lets you pause for a month if needed or shift the content output quickly up or down as needed. They handle the editor workload so your videos keep coming no matter what.

I’ve already mentioned the creative advantage of having an in-house editor, but an agency can be a creative boost in a different way.

*Anyone in-house long enough can get tunnel vision — they know so much about the company or the show or the host that they lose outsider perspective.

An agency can bring that back. You’ll get a fresh set of eyes looking at your content and keen to give you feedback to meet your goals for the show.*

More factors to consider

These factors can help you determine which option aligns best with your goals and vision for your content creation journey:

Scope of Work

Do you need more than just editing? Sure, there are editors out there who have broader skills — or your team may already include folks to fill those gaps.

But if you’re a solo creator and just want to record the content, hand it off and get everything back ready to post in a few days — an agency is perfect.

Budget Constraints

This is tricky because it depends a lot on who you hire to edit, the pricing of the agency you partner with, and how you value the time you spend managing either one.

Getting started with an agency should definitely be faster, which means your show is up and running before you even get an editor on board. Long-term you can run a more detailed cost analysis and decide which route suits you.

Timeline and Turnaround

Assess the time sensitivity of your content creation process and the turnaround times required for your show. An in-house editor with a well-coordinated workflow could turn around content faster. But if you’re also playing project manager for the whole production process and coordinating with a designer, etc — you could get slowed down.

Productized agencies offer a fairly standardized package to eliminate inefficiencies — 1 long-form episode per week with 3 short clips and the other assets you need to publish. No holidays, no down time, no drama — just keep your show rolling.

Creative Input and Collaboration

Think about the level of creative input and collaboration you need for your channel. Video editors can work closely with you to bring your creative vision to life, offering flexibility and customization options.

Subscription agencies provide expert guidance and collaborative support throughout the production process. Choose the option that aligns best with your creative preferences and working style. Don’t forget that close collaboration often equals more time managing the process.

So if you want to prioritize your creativity solely into the content, ideating your next videos and marketing what you’ve already released — handing everything off to an agency will definitely free up your time.

Carefully considering these factors to make an informed decision.

Just get started

Whichever path you choose, remember that the goal is to elevate your content and engage your audience. But remember, while both options can deliver you high quality videos, you’re responsible for high quality show ideas!

This is generalized advice for people who are starting out — grade A ideas in C+ packaging will win over more viewers than C+ ideas in grade A packaging.

If you’re bringing on video as a new format to a huge audience you already have on a newsletter or social media channel, this equation changes.