Understand
How young 'clippers' are making thousands from viral social media videos
Overview
Professional 'clippers', typically aged between 16 and 25, are earning significant incomes by editing longer videos into 30 to 60-second vertical clips for brands, record labels, and influencers to drive social media views. Londoner Eknoor Singh earns over £120,000 a year creating viral clips of figures like Sabrina Carpenter and Dua Lipa. While platforms and intermediaries connect brands with hundreds of thousands of clippers, industry experts caution that the work requires massive time investments and that the vast majority of participants make little to no money.
Key points
- Eknoor Singh, a 22-year-old Londoner, earns at least £10,000 a month working as a professional clipper.
- Clippers are paid by clients such as clothing brands, record labels, and podcasters based on how many views their short, vertical videos generate.
- Earnings can reach up to $3 (£2.30) per 1,000 views across platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
- Intermediary websites like Clipping Culture, Vyro, Whop, and Kick connect brands with hundreds of thousands of global clippers.
- Experts warn that success requires watching hours of content, and the vast majority of clippers make little or nothing.
- Companies view hiring young clippers as a cheaper and often more effective alternative to traditional social media advertising.