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Not your imagination. Friday is here. 

So, let’s slip into the weekend with today’s Main Thing. It covers the hot trend of hiring video clippers to spread your video content further than you could on your own. 

I’ll drop in insights on it and several techniques that can make even bite-sized videos stand out and pull people into your funnel.

Appetizer: AI bubble compared to airlines by a Yahoo Finance dude.

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The Main Thing

Should You Carpet-bomb the Web with Your Short Video Clips?

Video clippers take your long-form videos, cut them up, then post them all over the internet for you. Often, they have a team that posts the videos to multiply the carpet-bombing effect. 

A recent WSJ article makes video clipping seem like a lucrative service. 

These video editors are mostly young folks. They know what kind of short-form videos stop the scroll and get high viewership. Makes sense because they grew up on short videos. 

There are several marketplaces where you can hire them to get your brand’s video content seen by more people. Three of the marketplaces are coming up.

One clipper from the WSJ article makes the bold claim that if you’re not chopping up your video and scattering it all over every platform, you’ve got no chance of your full-length video getting substantial views. 

Why Not Use AI as a Video Clipper?

Sure, you can get AI tools to cut up your long videos for you. But does a precious little robot understand what will get humans to stop and watch? 

I’d put my money on a Gen Z human for that task.

Plus, someone has to upload the short-form videos once they’re clipped and edited (editing techniques coming up too).

AI CEOs and hypemasters will tell you their robots can post all your video content for you in one click🙄. While you sleep, even.

I’ll believe it when I see it. Or when I trust the robot won’t delete my entire YouTube channel like this bot erased a company’s entire database. I fail to see how we could ever trust bots that much.

3 Places You Can Hire Video Clippers

#1 Fiverr: One of the largest freelance marketplaces that offers thousands of short-form video editors (“clippers”) for TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.

Rates starting at around $5–$30 per short clip depending on experience, turnaround time, and included extras (such as captions or thumbnails).

#2 Shortformvideo.co: Specialized service focused on transforming long-form videos into viral shorts for platforms like TikTok, Reels, and YouTube Shorts.

$30 per clip for monthly packages of 5 clips, or $27 per clip for 10+ clips/month. Includes editing, captions, catchy graphics, and strategic posting.

#3 YTJobs.co: Niche job site recommended for hiring editors who specialize in YouTube and socials “clipping.” You can post gigs, review portfolios, and set your rates.

Hiring a pro clipper not only gets more eyeballs on your videos… it also boosts the odds of the videos being shared. 

Video gets shared more than articles. And I imagine short-form videos are shared more than long-form videos. Why?

Because we all realize how little time our friends, fam, or colleagues have to watch stuff we share.

Now, let’s look at five things that make these clipped videos more effective.

5 Best Practices for Clipped Videos

1. Emotional reactions make for good interview clips.

2. Quick cuts are eye-catching.

3. Even 15-second clips can be branded with a logo, consistent colors, or filter.

4. Connect your message to short-form trends when possible.

5. Make captions uncluttered and easy to read.

Depending on your video type (product demo, tutorial, podcast interview, curated content, skits, etc.), you may be worried all your clips will look the same. 

And you’re right, especially with two people at a table just talking to each other in an interview. So, a good video clipper will have ways to make any type of video look unique. How?

Ways a Skilled Video Clipper Can Make Each Clip Unique

Vary Camera Crops and Zooms: Even with a single camera angle, digitally zooming in/out or cropping to focus on the host, guest, or both adds variety. Alternate wide shots, close-ups, and split-screens to create visual differentiation from the same footage.

Switch Up On-Screen Text: Change where captions, pull quotes, or highlights appear (top, bottom, left, right). Use different colors for emphasis or to match the subject’s mood.

Use Different Color Grades or Filters: Apply quick, pre-made color presets, or filters for each clip. Example→ make one slightly warmer, another cooler, or apply a black-and-white effect for serious topics.

Add Branded Overlays: Incorporate your logo, subtle watermarks, or episode numbers in different corners. This reinforces your brand and breaks visual monotony.

Change Backgrounds: If the video includes a green screen or virtual background, swap in different backgrounds for select clips.

Use Motion for Emphasis: Edit pacing by including quick jump cuts, punch-ins when someone reacts, or GIF-like motion effects on laughter or shock moments.

Slick End Screens: Design a few different end cards or call-to-action banners and rotate them between clips.

If you’ve got editing skills, go for it. If not, remember, these young editors have editing skills AND know what’s likely to get noticed and shared. 

Onward to the Wrap-Up…

Please share Inbox Hacking with a fellow marketing maniac or business owner. I appreciate you reading. So do my two pups since it keeps them supplied with brand-name treats.

Shane McLendon - Copy Kingpin.

“Don’t tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results.” ~Phil Knight (shoe salesman)

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