Per-video
You pay for each video. Simple, no commitment, and easy to start with. It suits one-off projects, launches, and people who publish now and then.
The downside: each project gets scoped on its own, and you might not get the same editor every time, so you can spend a lot of energy re-explaining your style.
Retainer
You pay monthly for an agreed amount of work. It suits anyone posting on a schedule, because the team learns your style, keeps capacity free for you, and the edits get closer to what you want over time.
The downside: if your output drops for a month, you're still paying for capacity. Ask how unused work is handled before you sign.
Questions to ask either way
- What counts as one video? Is there a cap on raw footage or final length?
- How many revision rounds are included?
- Will I work with the same editor or team each time?
- Who owns the project files?
- How do I send footage and feedback?
Our take
If you're posting every week, a retainer almost always gets you better work, because consistency compounds. If you're testing the waters, start with a project and see how it feels. Our guide to what video editing costs covers the price side. When you're ready, tell us what you need and we'll suggest a setup.
This guide is part of our How to Brief a Video Editor hub.