"The more views a clip gets, the more money I make."
A 22-year-old Londoner says he earns more than £120,000 a year using just a mobile phone and an internet connection.
Eknoor Singh is a professional “clipper” and is paid by clients to make short, vertical videos for social media.
Professional clippers are paid to turn longer videos into short, vertical clips designed to attract attention and generate views on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
Their earnings often depend on how many people watch their content.
Singh told BBC: “The more views a clip gets, the more money I make.”
The process starts with a client, who could be anyone from a clothing brand to a podcaster or influencer, sending a longer video.
Clippers watch the footage before selecting what they consider the most entertaining or engaging moments.
They then edit these into videos lasting between 30 and 60 seconds, hoping to reach large audiences and generate substantial views.
The work particularly appeals to people aged between 16 and 25, who may have a better understanding of the content that resonates with their peers.
With clippers able to earn up to $3 (£2.30) per 1,000 views across platforms, the work can be very lucrative if a clip goes viral.
Singh says he discovered clipping in 2025 after earning $300 from posting a short video of popstar Dua Lipa on Instagram. The experience convinced him that the work could become a significant source of income.
He said: “I was like, ‘OK, this is a lot of money for simply posting a video.’ I instantly knew how lucrative it could be.”
Now, Singh says he earns “at least £10,000 a month”, selecting moments that are funny, engaging and quick to watch.
One example was a video he made in May 2025 showing Sabrina Carpenter’s reaction after the tails of her dress were stepped on at the Met Gala in New York.
Despite the potential earnings, social media consultant Lia Haberman warns that financial success is far from guaranteed.
She says the experience of clippers reflects the wider creator economy, where a small proportion of people make substantial amounts of money.
She stated: “It mirrors the creator economy more broadly. The vast majority make little to nothing.”
For aspiring clippers, several intermediary websites connect creators with businesses looking for short-form content.
Opportunities can be found on general online forums, including Reddit and Discord, as well as dedicated clipping platforms such as Clipping Culture, Vyro, Whop and Kick.
These specialist websites charge companies fees for connecting them with people who can produce the videos. Clipping Culture, for example, lists clients including Capital Records, Universal Music Group and HBO Max.
Clipping offers a way for businesses to promote their products and reach audiences without relying entirely on traditional social media advertising.
Paying independent creators to distribute short videos can be considerably cheaper than conventional advertising campaigns, while potentially generating substantial engagement.
Boxabl, a Las Vegas-based company that makes modular homes, has seen significant reach through this approach.
Its founder, Galiano Tiramani, who appears in many of the company’s videos, says the business has accumulated billions of views through clips.
He said:
“I think we’ve done probably a billion views [of clips] so far.”
For Singh, the appeal lies in being able to work from almost anywhere, without needing a traditional office or extensive equipment. However, maintaining his income requires him to keep producing content and looking for opportunities to attract viewers.
His commitment to the work is constant, with the flexibility to continue earning even while travelling.
Singh added: “I could be anywhere. I could go on holiday and make money.”
