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How to Start a Clip Video Side Job: What You Need, How Pay Works, and What to Watch Out For
For anyone who wants to start a clip video side job: the tools you need, how pay is decided, and points to watch such as copyright and ad disclosure, from the company that runs the clip job site KIRIBUZZ.
“I heard you can earn money with clip videos, but I don’t know where to start.” We hear this more and more these days.
Clip videos take the highlights of long videos, edit them short, and post them on TikTok, YouTube Shorts and similar platforms. You can start with just a smartphone, but there are rules you need to know, such as rights to the footage and ad disclosure. This article walks through what you need to start a clip video side job, how pay works, and what to watch out for.
What is a clip video side job?
A clip video side job means choosing fun or meaningful scenes from long videos such as streams, live shows or programs, editing them short, posting them on social media, and getting paid for it.
There are two main ways to get paid:
- Taking jobs from companies or streamers and being paid by the number of videos or their views
- Earning ad revenue on your own channel
With the second, using other people’s videos without permission raises copyright problems, and YouTube may treat it as “reused content” and exclude it from monetization. If you are just starting, the first way, taking jobs with properly licensed footage, is the safe choice.
What do you need to start?
You don’t need special equipment. These three things are enough to start:
- A smartphone or computer
- A video editing app (such as CapCut, which lets you add subtitles and cut for free)
- Social media accounts to post on (TikTok, Instagram, YouTube)
It’s fine to have few followers. Short videos also appear in the recommendations of people who don’t follow you, so a single video can take off.
How is pay decided?
Clip jobs decide pay in several ways:
- Pay by views: the amount depends on views, for example a set rate per 1,000 views
- Contests: prizes go to the creators with the most views during the period
- Pay per video: you deliver a set number of videos and are paid for each one
For pay by views, always check before joining how many days after posting the view count is locked in, what the cap per video is, and when you will be paid.
Also, pay received by individuals may be subject to income tax withholding. Depending on your annual income you may need to file a tax return, so it is wise to keep a record of what you receive.
What should you watch out for before starting?
Check the rights to the footage
The most important thing is whether you have permission to use the footage. Clipping and posting someone else’s video without permission may infringe copyright. Some streamers publish official clipping guidelines, but the terms differ. Always check what you are allowed to use before you start.
Disclose that it is an ad
Videos made at a company’s request count as advertising. Since October 2023, hiding the fact that something is an ad (stealth marketing) has been banned under Japan’s Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations. Add #PR to your posts and turn on TikTok’s branded content, Instagram’s paid partnership label, or YouTube’s paid promotion setting.
Don’t mislead with how you cut
Cutting out only part of what someone said can convey a meaning they did not intend. Check the context and avoid edits that give a false impression.
If you are unsure which influencer to ask, nicoichii will propose a selection that fits your goals and budget.
Talk to us about casting →The recommended way for beginners to start
If you are just starting, we recommend beginning with a job site where you can use properly licensed official footage.
KIRIBUZZ, run by nicoichii Inc., is a job site where you make clip videos from official footage provided by companies and are paid according to views and other measures. Registration and participation are free, and the pay terms for each job are shown in advance. Footage is given only to approved creators, so you can focus on clipping without worrying about rights.
If you are interested in a clip video side job, start by reading how KIRIBUZZ works and its rules. You can sign up on the KIRIBUZZ top page.
Talk to nicoichii about influencer and talent casting
From TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube influencers to talent and artists, we propose the right people and campaign ideas for your budget and goals. Feel free to reach out even if you are still at the “I don’t know who to ask” stage.