Are You Wondering How People Earn Money Online?
Do you also scroll through YouTube and Instagram at night wondering, “Friends, how are all these people earning money online?” You watch tutorials, read success stories, but when it comes to doing it yourself, everything seems so difficult and confusing. Where to start? Who to learn from? And the biggest question: where will I find clients?
If all this is going on in your mind, you have come to the right place. Now there is no need to get confused by looking at old information on the Internet. My name is Ahmad Shakeel, and I have been traveling in the world of blogging and digital earning for the last 5 years. This journey was not easy, but it has taught me a lot. Today I will tell you my personal story—no theoretical things, only what I have experienced myself.
My Journey: From a Confused Hobbyist to a Professional
Turning Frustration into Motivation
Three years ago, I was just like you. I had a hobby of video editing but had no idea how to turn this hobby into a profession. I used to watch videos of social media creators for hours and thought if only I could do such editing. Blogging was my passion and video editing was my obsession. I thought, why not combine both of them?
I decided that I will learn video editing and not only learn but also earn from it. First of all, I started reading old articles but soon I realized that all that information was outdated. The title of every article was of 2024, but the things inside were about 2020. This frustration became my motivation. I thought, when I figure this out, I will definitely show people a new and true path.
Top 5+ Job Websites in Pakistan: Where to Find a Job in Pakistan?
Learning the Skill: My YouTube “Master”
So my journey began. I did not take admission in any expensive institute; I did not have that much money. I made YouTube my master. I learned the basics of video editing from the channel of Pakistan’s best mentor, Imran Ali Dina (GFX Mentor). His style of teaching is so simple and powerful that anyone can learn it. I worked day and night to learn the software, understood the techniques, and started practicing. But acquiring a skill is one thing, and getting a job with that skill is another. This was the most difficult part.
The Game-Changing Strategy: How I Landed My First Major Client
Step 1: Building a “Proof of Work” Portfolio
What did I do in the beginning? I started making my portfolio. Portfolio means a sample of your work, your “proof of work”. I did not have any client, so whose work would I edit? I started editing small videos of Islamic content for my social media. I would edit them in a great way, with good music and effects, and upload them on my personal profiles. This had two benefits: one, I was practicing, and secondly, people started noticing my work.
Step 2: The Cold DM That Changed Everything
Then I did that thing which changed everything. I used to follow a very big Instagram creator, hs.xsheikhx, who now has more than 2 million followers. I was a fan of his content. I downloaded one of his videos and tried to edit it in my style, even better than the original. I spent the whole night on it, making every second perfect.
When that video was ready, I mustered up the courage and DMed him on Instagram. I did not write, “Sir, I want a job.” I wrote, “Assalam o Alaikum, I am a big fan of your work and inspired by your content, I have edited one of your videos in my own style. This is just a gift for you. I hope you will like it.” I sent the video along with it.
I did not ask for anything from him, just showed him my work. For a few days, there was no response and I felt a little disappointed. But then one day, I got his reply. He liked my work so much that he offered me to edit videos for his team. That was the day and today I am editing videos for them.
Your Actionable Blueprint to Start Your Freelance Journey
So what can you learn from this journey? How can you start your freelance journey?
- Master the Skill: First of all, learn the skill well. Learn for free from channels like GFX Mentor. Don’t just learn tools, learn storytelling. Video editing is not just about making cuts; it is the fun of telling a story.
- Build Your Portfolio: When you feel that you can do good editing, create your own portfolio. If you don’t have clients, “re-edit” the videos of your favorite creators. Create a small portfolio of 5-6 best videos and save them on Instagram, Behance, or a simple Google Drive folder.
- Reach Out Strategically: Start approaching creators. But don’t beg. Value them. Make a list of 10 creators you want to work for. Study their content. See what they are doing. Then edit a small video of theirs and send it to them as a free sample. Maybe 9 out of 10 people may not reply, but that 1 person can change your life, just like me.
- Stay Active and Network: Stay active on social media. Join video editors groups on Facebook where people post work. Apply with your portfolio. Also, create profiles on platforms like Upwork and Fiverr, but don’t depend only on them. The real game is direct outreach.
A Crucial Reminder: This Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint
Remember, patience is very important in this work. It may take time to get the first client. It may take you a month, or maybe three months. But don’t lose courage. You have to learn from every ‘no’ and keep improving your work. This is not a “get rich quick” scheme. This is a proper skill which is in great demand in the market. Every YouTuber, every Instagrammer, every business needs a good video editor.
You Are Not Alone: Your Journey Starts Today
I shared all this because I know how difficult it is to walk this path alone. But I want to tell you that you are not alone. I did this without any support, just on the strength of my passion and a laptop. If I can do it, you can definitely do it too.
Just have faith in yourself, work hard, and adopt the right strategy. Instead of getting confused, take your first step today. Watch a tutorial, download a software, or edit your first practice video.
