Selling AI Video Services as a Freelancer: Complete Business Guide

AI video skills are in demand. Here's your complete guide to building a profitable freelance business offering AI video services.

Setting Up Your Freelance Business

Define Your Niche

Broad options:

• Social media content creator
• Ad creative specialist
• Product video producer
• Brand content creator

Niche options (higher rates):

• E-commerce product videos
• Real estate video tours
• Restaurant/food content
• Fitness industry content
• SaaS/tech promotional videos

Choose Your Business Model

Project-based:

• One-off projects
• Clear scope and pricing
• Good for starting out

Package-based:

• Bundles of videos
• Monthly deliverables
• Predictable for both parties

Retainer-based:

• Ongoing monthly relationship
• Set deliverables or hours
• Best for income stability

Pricing Your Services

Pricing Factors

• Your experience level
• Niche/industry
• Project complexity
• Usage rights
• Turnaround time

Starter Pricing (First 3 months)

Per video:

• Basic social videos: $15-30
• Product showcases: $30-50
• Ad creatives: $40-75

Packages:

• 5 videos: $100-150
• 10 videos: $175-250
• 20 videos: $300-400

Established Pricing (3+ months experience)

Per video:

• Basic social videos: $30-75
• Product showcases: $75-150
• Ad creatives: $100-250
• Complex projects: $250-500+

Monthly retainers:

• Basic (10 videos): $400-700
• Standard (20 videos): $700-1,200
• Premium (30+ videos): $1,200-2,000+

Premium Pricing (Expert level)

Per video:

• Standard: $100-200
• Premium: $200-500
• Enterprise: $500-2,000+

Retainers:

• $2,000-5,000+/month

Finding Clients

Freelance Platforms

Upwork:

• Create optimized profile
• Start with lower rates to build reviews
• Gradually increase as reputation grows

Fiverr:

• Create service "gigs
• Optimize for search
• Deliver exceptional service for reviews

Other platforms:

• Toptal (premium)
• 99designs (design-focused)
• PeoplePerHour
• Freelancer.com

Direct Outreach

LinkedIn:

1. 1Identify target businesses
2. 2Connect with decision makers
3. 3Provide value first (free tip, sample)
4. 4Pitch services naturally

Email outreach:

1. 1Research company and pain points
2. 2Personalized email with portfolio
3. 3Clear value proposition
4. 4Follow up sequence

Social media DMs:

1. 1Engage with content first
2. 2Build relationship
3. 3Offer help/value
4. 4Mention services naturally

Referrals

Ask happy clients:

• Do you know anyone else who needs video content?
• Offer referral incentive
• Make it easy to share your info

Partner with complementary services:

• Social media managers
• Marketing agencies
• Web designers
• Copywriters

Your Service Offerings

Package Example 1: Social Media Starter

$299/month

• 10 social media videos
• 2 revisions per video
• Multiple platform formats
• 5 business day delivery

Package Example 2: Content Creator Pro

$599/month

• 20 social media videos
• 5 ad creative variations
• Unlimited revisions
• Priority support
• 3 business day delivery

Package Example 3: Brand Video Suite

$1,299/month

• 30 custom videos
• Full brand consistency
• Ad creative + organic content
• Monthly strategy call
• 48-hour delivery available

A La Carte Options

• Rush delivery: +50%
• Extended usage rights: +25%
• Custom aspect ratios: +$10/video
• Strategy consultation: $100/hour

Client Management

Onboarding Process

Step 1: Discovery Call

• Understand their needs
• Assess fit
• Explain your process
• Provide quote

Step 2: Proposal/Contract

• Clear scope of work
• Pricing and payment terms
• Timeline
• Revision policy
• Usage rights

Step 3: Creative Brief

• Brand guidelines
• Content preferences
• Examples they like
• Goals and KPIs

Step 4: Kick-off

• Confirm understanding
• Set communication expectations
• Begin work

Delivery Process

1. 1Create based on brief
2. 2Internal quality check
3. 3Deliver first drafts
4. 4Collect feedback
5. 5Revise as needed
6. 6Final delivery
7. 7Request feedback/testimonial

Communication Best Practices

• Set clear response time expectations
• Use project management tools (Notion, Asana)
• Regular updates, even when not asked
• Over-communicate rather than under
• Always meet deadlines

Building Your Portfolio

What to Include

• Best work samples (10-15 pieces)
• Variety of styles
• Industry-specific work
• Before/after results if available

Creating Samples

• Use AI video to create sample work
• Demonstrate range and quality
• Update regularly

Portfolio Platforms

• Personal website
• Behance
• Dribbble
• LinkedIn featured section
• Platform-specific portfolios

Scaling Your Business

Level 1: Solo Freelancer

• You do everything
• 5-10 clients max
• Income ceiling: ~$5,000-8,000/month

Level 2: Freelancer + Contractors

• You: sales, strategy, QC
• Contractors: production
• 15-25 clients possible
• Income: $8,000-15,000/month

Level 3: Micro-Agency

• Team of 2-5
• Systems and processes
• 30+ clients
• Income: $15,000-50,000+/month

Hiring Contractors

• Start with overflow work
• Create clear guidelines
• Quality control process
• Pay fairly, build loyalty

Common Freelancer Mistakes

1. Underpricing

Fix: Research market rates, value your time, raise prices as you grow

2. Scope Creep

Fix: Clear contracts, change order process for additions

3. Poor Client Selection

Fix: Red flag detection, don't take every client, fire bad fits

4. No Systems

Fix: Document processes, use templates, automate where possible

5. Feast or Famine

Fix: Always be marketing, even when busy, retainers over projects

Launch Checklist

Week 1:

Week 2:

Week 3-4:

Your AI video freelance business starts now. Take action.