When it comes to editing a video clip, I usually face two options: do it at my proper rate or do it for free. (Truthfully, there’s a third — not doing it at all.)
Recently, I studied how a sharp couple runs a small but efficient agency in the UK. She manages social media strategy, while her husband handles filming and editing in DaVinci Resolve. Their pricing model offers valuable perspective. Their most popular package includes half a day of filming plus 10 reels, priced at £100 for the half-day shoot and £60 per reel.
At first glance, that reel price might seem high. For a single reel (editing only), they charge £150, which typically requires 2–3 hours of work. I
In their package deals, the editor limits time per clip to around one hour maximum, as anything more isn’t sustainable for their business.
My initial reaction was the same as yours probably is: How is that even possible?
Then I did the math.
£60 per reel in their model doesn’t just cover editing. It also includes publishing across multiple platforms, weekly strategy reviews, client research, and collaborative scriptwriting.
When you factor in negotiation time, cold outreach, and other overhead, the numbers start to make sense — especially when split between two people.
Now, let’s look at my own Half Day Content Boost package here at JKD Studio (£490 for 4 hours filming + 10 fully edited reels).
At approximately £49 per reel, this might appear lower than the UK agency’s rate. However, several important factors explain why this is not a high price — and why it represents strong value while remaining fair for a solo operator.
What My Package Actually Includes (and What It Doesn’t)
- 4 hours of on-location filming
- Full professional editing, colour grading, captions, royalty-free music, and SFX10 fully edited reels
What it does NOT include (unlike the UK couple’s offer):
- Ongoing social media strategy [ yes ca can do that but I prefer to focus on video editing for clients and do SM strategy just for my Social Media Content ]
- Publishing the content for the client
The Real Costs Behind Every Project
Even without strategy or publishing, the true investment per project is substantial:
- Pre-production time: Studying the client’s website, social media profiles, brand voice, and goals to write effective scripts.
- Communication: Time spent on discovery calls, emails, phone calls, and project coordination.
- Proposal & administration: Creating custom proposals and handling contracts.
- Travel: I am not driving but I cannot use public transport with my bags of cameras, tripods, etc. I have to pay for a taxi — attention: that cost is not included in the package!
- Business overheads: As a self-employed professional, I cover monthly fixed costs including rent, high-speed internet, phone bills, software subscriptions (thankfully I bought DaVinci Resolve Studio, but I pay for Canva), insurance, marketing, and equipment maintenance.
When all these elements are accounted for, the £490 package price reflects a realistic and sustainable rate for high-quality, results-driven video content.
This comparison reinforced a key lesson: professional pricing must support a viable business, not just cover the visible editing time.
The UK couple isn’t overcharging — they’re protecting their time and expertise.
The same principle applies to my packages at JKD Studio. My prices for video editing are not high — they are actually very competitive. They are intentionally set this way because I focus on supporting local businesses in Walsall and the surrounding Birmingham area with affordable, high-quality video content that delivers real results.What about you? Have you ever undervalued your own time? Sometimes the smartest decision is to price your services with confidence — or choose not to take on projects that don’t respect your worth.