When creators start thinking about scaling their content, the first question is usually: "Should I hire an editor?" It seems like the obvious move. More polished videos, less time spent, more professional output.
The math often does not work out — especially early on.
The real cost of a video editor
A good freelance video editor charges $50-150 per video. At 5 videos per week, that is $250-750 per week — $1,000-3,000 per month. A part-time editor on Upwork runs $500-1,500/month. And that is before factoring in briefing time, revision rounds, and the fact that you still have to record all the footage yourself.
Editors do not solve the camera problem. They solve the editing problem. You are still showing up in front of a lens every day.
What an AI avatar actually costs
On Fayce, the Creator plan is $39/month. That includes 70 tokens — enough for dozens of videos, scripts, and hooks per month. You do not need a camera. You do not need to record anything. The AI generates the script, renders the video with your avatar, and can schedule posting.
Where a human editor still wins
An editor is worth the investment when:
- You have complex raw footage — vlogs, tutorials with screen recording, multi-camera shoots
- Your brand requires custom motion graphics or animated intros
- You are doing long-form YouTube where production quality directly drives retention
For short-form content — Reels, TikToks, Shorts — AI video matches or exceeds what most editors produce, faster and cheaper.
The hybrid approach
The smartest creators use AI avatars for their daily short-form cadence and reserve human editors for monthly "hero" content. Consistent volume from AI, high-production flagship pieces from humans. You get both — at a fraction of the cost of a full-time editor.
Start with AI. Add human editing when revenue justifies it.