I made $1M from editing by age 30 and learned this

If you’ve ever wondered how editors actually hit six or seven figures, I’ll tell you exactly what I wish I knew sooner. I made over $1M from editing by age 30—but it took me way longer than it should’ve. For years it felt like my income was stuck in a clogged pipe. Once I figured out the five blockages holding me back, everything changed. These are the same steps my students use today to land higher-paying, high-quality work.

1. Emotional storytelling comes first
I started editing at 16, but for years I couldn’t figure out why my work wasn’t landing better jobs. A mentor finally showed me the truth: editing is emotional storytelling, not just technical chops. Now, before every scene, I choose an emotional target and make every decision serve that feeling. It’s simple, but it takes discipline. Master this, and your entire career opens up.

2. Choose a niche that actually pays
Not all editing niches are created equal. Shorts and fast-turnaround videos sit at the bottom; corporate, broadcast, and scripted work sit much higher on the income ladder. If you want to earn more, you need samples in the niche you’re aiming for. That means building relationships, doing discounted work, or training through real high-end projects.

3. Build a showreel that converts
I used to cut montage reels that looked cool but never got me hired. The fix? Pick one niche, use real story-driven clips, host it with a clean link, and send it only to people who need exactly what you offer.

4. Polish your personal brand
Use a professional email, clean portfolio site, strong bio, and solid headshot; it makes a huge difference.

5. Learn sales and reach out consistently
Most editors spend thousands of hours practicing edits…and almost zero learning sales. Pick a weekly outreach number, research the people you contact, mention their work, send a niche-aligned reel, and follow up. Consistency unclogs the final part of the pipe.

Master these five steps—and especially emotional storytelling—and you’ll grow faster than I ever did.