Don’t just ask for “your portfolio.”
You’ll get a generic folder with everything they’ve ever touched. Wedding videos, corporate presentations, random TikToks. None of it tells you if they can do your work.
Instead, ask for two specific things:
One tight reel that matches your content type.
Two to three full projects, start to finish.
The reel lets you screen quickly. The full projects show you the real skill.
Most editors will send you a catch-all portfolio hoping something sticks. The good ones will tailor what they send to exactly what you asked for.
That difference matters.Here’s what to look for
Key Skills to Look For in a Video Editor
Here’s what separates a great Filipino video editor from someone who will waste your time and money:
Do they understand your specific content format?
YouTube long-form requires different skills than Instagram Reels. Ad editing is completely different from podcast clips. An editor who’s great at one might be terrible at another.
Look for samples that match what you need. Not “close enough.” Exactly what you need.
Can they own the full workflow?
Some editors just cut footage. Others can handle everything from organizing raw files to creating thumbnails to managing version control.
Figure out what level of hand-holding they need before you hire them. It’ll save you hours of back-and-forth later.
Do they show context with their work?
The best portfolios don’t just show pretty videos. They tell you what the project was, what the goal was, what their specific role was, and ideally what results it got.
If someone can’t explain the “why” behind their editing choices, they’re probably just making things look cool without understanding strategy.
Reviewing Video Editing Samples and Full Projects
Start with the reel.
For short-form content editors (Reels, TikToks, YouTube Shorts), you want a 30-60 second reel. For long-form, maybe 90 seconds max. Any longer and they’re padding.
Don’t get distracted by flashy effects. Look for clean cuts, good rhythm, proper audio sync, and motion that serves the content instead of just showing off.
The reel should feel tight. Professional. Organized.
Now go to the full videos.
This is where most people don’t know what to look for. Here’s what matters:
Does it hook you in the first 5-10 seconds?
Especially for YouTube and ads, the opening is everything. If the full video has a slow start, that’s how they’ll edit your content too.
Does the pacing keep you engaged?
Watch for drag. Dead air. Unnecessary filler. Jump cuts that feel frantic instead of purposeful. Good editors know how to maintain momentum without exhausting the viewer.
Is the audio clean and balanced?
Dialogue should be clear. Music shouldn’t overpower speech. Background noise should be managed. Sound design might be subtle, but you’ll notice when it’s missing.
Does it look professional throughout?
Color should be consistent. Captions should be legible and on-brand. Graphics should feel intentional. Effects should be restrained unless the style calls for heavy treatment.
Does it match the platform it’s made for?
YouTube videos need different structure than ads. Reels need different pacing than long-form explainers. An editor who understands these differences is worth significantly more.
Use a Test Project to Evaluate Editing Skills
Don’t hire based on portfolio alone.
Do a paid test. Small. Specific. Relevant to what you actually need.
For long-form content, give them 3-5 minutes of raw footage and a style reference. For short-form or ads, provide a small asset pack and a clear objective.
Tell them what success looks like. Is it watch time? Retention in the first 30 seconds? Clicks? Be specific.
What About Tools and Software?
Most people over-index on this.
“Do they use Premiere? Final Cut? DaVinci Resolve?”
It matters less than you think. Output quality matters. Workflow compatibility matters. The specific software? Usually flexible.
That said, confirm they’re comfortable with your required stack. If you need After Effects for motion graphics or CapCut for quick social cuts, make sure they actually use it regularly.
Also ask about their full workflow capabilities. Do they just edit, or can they also handle:
- Script punch-ups and structure suggestions
- Thumbnail concepts
- Caption templates and on-screen text
- Proxy workflow for large files
- Multicam syncing
- Version control and project archiving
The more they can own, the less you have to manage. But you need to know their limits before you hire them.
Well-Organized Portfolio Reveals Work Quality
How someone presents their work tells you a lot about how they’ll work with you.
Good portfolio structures look like this:
A simple one-page site or Notion page. Top of the page: their best reel. Below that: clearly labeled sections for different work types (YouTube Long-Form, Shorts/Reels, Ads, Corporate).
Direct links to relevant samples. Not a massive Google Drive dump where you have to hunt. Each project should open directly and have permissions set correctly.
Context for each piece. Even just a sentence explaining the project goal and their role makes a huge difference.
You shouldn’t have to work to evaluate someone’s portfolio. If they make it hard, working with them will probably be hard too.
Common platforms you’ll see: Carrd for simple one-pagers, Squarespace or Fabrik for more polished sites, Notion for organized lists, or Vimeo/YouTube channels with playlists.
All fine as long as they’re easy to navigate.
When You Should Keep Looking
Sometimes the portfolio looks fine, but something feels off. Trust that feeling.
You should probably keep looking if:
They can’t explain the “why” behind their editing choices. Just describing what they did isn’t enough.
They don’t have samples relevant to your content type. “I haven’t done exactly that but I’m a fast learner” usually means you’ll be paying them to practice.
Their communication is unclear or slow during the hiring process. It won’t get better once they’re hired.
They’re significantly cheaper than other qualified candidates. In the Philippine market, really low rates often correlate with really high rework. You end up paying more through revisions and missed deadlines.
They oversell or make promises that sound unrealistic. Good editors are confident but honest about timelines and capabilities.
Take Time to Properly Vet Video Editors
One more thing before you start reviewing portfolios.
Hiring the wrong video editor costs you way more than just their rate.
You’ll spend hours explaining what you want. You’ll get back work that misses the mark. You’ll do multiple revision rounds. You’ll eventually have to re-hire and start over.
The opportunity cost is massive. Every week you’re working with the wrong person is a week your content isn’t getting the engagement it should.
That’s why this evaluation process matters. Taking an extra few days to properly vet candidates will save you months of frustration.
The right Filipino video editor will understand your content goals, deliver clean work consistently, and improve your output quality without adding to your workload.
You just have to know what to look for in that portfolio link they send you.
Now you do.
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