Test Edit for Long-Term Marketing Editor - Auto Shop Facebook Ads

# Auto Shop Media — Video Editor Hiring ## ROUND 1: Short-Form Facebook & Instagram Ad ### WHO WE ARE Auto Shop Media is a marketing agency specializing in helping independent automotive repair shops across the United States grow their businesses through digital advertising, video content, and social media marketing. A major part of what we do is creating **short-form video advertisements for Facebook and Instagram** that grab attention, communicate a clear message, and turn viewers into customers. We are currently looking for a talented **Marketing Video Editor** to join our team for a **long-term position**. This is not a one-time editing project. Several of our editors have worked with Auto Shop Media for **5+ years**, and we are looking for another editor who wants the opportunity to build the same type of long-term relationship with our team. WE WANT YOUR IDEAS — NOT JUST YOUR EDITING SKILLS We are not looking for an editor who simply follows the same editing formula on every video. Yes, we have an established process and standards at Auto Shop Media. You need to be able to follow direction, understand our clients, and consistently deliver quality work. But we also want you to bring something new to the table. We want an editor who brings their own: Creative style Editing knowledge Ideas Trends Techniques Suggestions Marketing instincts Experience We want someone who is willing to say: “I have an idea. What if we tried this?” Auto Shop Media wants to continue growing and evolving, especially in the area of short-form video advertising. The person we hire should want to help us do that. --- # OUR HIRING PROCESS We will be selecting our new editor through a **3-round process**. ### ROUND 1 — Creative Short-Form Ad ($10 for Test Edit Create a 20–30 second Facebook/Instagram ad from the footage provided. ### ROUND 2 — Advanced Editing Test Selected editors will receive additional footage and more specific editing instructions. This round will include: * A shop introduction video * A second ad edit based on specific ASM instructions * Additional creative requirements * A meeting with our team if selected to move forward ### ROUND 3 — Final Selection Finalists will be evaluated for the long-term position with Auto Shop Media. Compensation and monthly workload/pay will be discussed with candidates who successfully progress through the hiring process. --- # ROUND 1 ASSIGNMENT For Round 1, we want to see **what YOU can do.** You will receive raw video footage from one of our automotive repair shop clients. The shop is promoting its **Oil Change Service**. Your assignment is to create a: **20–30 SECOND VERTICAL VIDEO AD** Primary Platform: **Facebook & Instagram** Format: **9:16 Vertical** Objective: Create an advertisement that is **eye-catching, upbeat, easy to understand, and capable of grabbing someone's attention within the first 4–5 seconds.** For this first round, we are intentionally **not giving you detailed editing instructions.** We want to see your instincts as an editor. Show us: * How you would structure the ad * How you would create the opening hook * How you handle pacing * How you use captions * How you use text graphics * How you incorporate B-roll * How you use music * How you use sound design * How you use punch-ins, zooms, transitions, or other effects * How you present the offer * How you create a strong CTA You have creative freedom. **Show us what you've got.** --- # WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR Our ads are not meant to feel like traditional TV commercials. They should feel **native to Facebook and Instagram.** Think: **Fast. Clean. Human. Mobile-first. Visually active. Easy to understand.** The shop owner or employee should still feel like a real person speaking directly to a potential customer. Your editing should **enhance the message—not bury it under effects.** Our basic philosophy is: ## HOOK → SOLUTION → CTA ### HOOK Stop the scroll and make the problem or offer immediately interesting. ### SOLUTION Quickly explain what the shop is offering and why the viewer should care. ### CTA Give the viewer one clear next step. --- # EDITING EXPECTATIONS While Round 1 gives you creative freedom, there are several things we pay close attention to. ### Strong Opening Do not waste the first few seconds. We want something visually or verbally interesting happening immediately. **Do not begin with a long logo animation or generic shop introduction.** The customer and the hook come first. ### Tight Pacing Remove anything that slows down the message: * Dead air * Long pauses * Repeated words * Awkward breaths * Unnecessary setup * Extra time before or after dialogue Fast does not mean chaotic. The video should still feel natural. ### Burned-In Captions Assume the viewer may initially watch the video **without sound**. Captions should be: * Easy to read on a phone * Accurate * Visually engaging * Properly timed * Inside safe areas * Positioned so they do not cover faces or important visuals ### Strategic Text Graphics Do not simply repeat everything the speaker says. Use text to reinforce things such as: * The offer * Customer problem * Benefits * Urgency * Trust * Social proof * CTA ### B-Roll Use B-roll when it helps strengthen or explain the message. Examples could include: * Technician working * Vehicle being serviced * Oil being changed * Shop activity * Vehicle components * Customer interaction B-roll should have a reason for being there. ### Music & Sound Design Music should support the pace and personality of the ad without competing with the dialogue. Sound effects can be used for: * Transitions * Text animations * Reveals * Impact moments * Visual gags * Punchlines Use them intentionally. **More effects do not automatically equal a better edit.** --- # THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE ## BUILD THE MESSAGE FIRST. ENHANCE IT SECOND. Every second of the video should accomplish at least one of three things: **STOP THE SCROLL** ↓ **EXPLAIN THE SOLUTION** ↓ **MOVE THE VIEWER TOWARD ACTION** If something does none of those things, ask yourself whether it belongs in the edit. --- # FOOTAGE & USAGE RIGHTS **IMPORTANT:** All footage provided for this editing test is owned or licensed by **Auto Shop Media** and is being provided exclusively for the purpose of completing this hiring assessment. By accepting the project, you agree that the footage and completed sample edit: * May only be used for this Auto Shop Media hiring assessment * May not be posted publicly * May not be uploaded to social media * May not be added to your portfolio, website, demo reel, or Upwork portfolio * May not be shared with another person or company * May not be sold, licensed, redistributed, or reused * May not be used to train, promote, or demonstrate another service The footage remains the property of Auto Shop Media and/or its clients. --- # IMPORTANT — COMMUNICATION THROUGH UPWORK ONLY **DO NOT contact Auto Shop Media, our employees, or our clients outside of Upwork regarding this position.** This includes: * Email * Phone calls * Text messages * Facebook * Instagram * LinkedIn * Our company website * Contacting the automotive shop featured in the footage * Any other platform outside of Upwork ### ALL COMMUNICATION DURING THE HIRING PROCESS MUST REMAIN THROUGH UPWORK. If you contact Auto Shop Media, one of our employees, or one of our clients outside of Upwork regarding this position, **you will automatically be disqualified from consideration.** We are making this requirement very clear. --- # WHAT HAPPENS AFTER ROUND 1? We will review submissions based on: * First 4–5 seconds * Overall creativity * Storytelling * Pacing * Caption design * Graphic design * B-roll usage * Audio quality * Music and sound design * Understanding of short-form advertising * CTA execution * Overall polish Editors selected for **Round 2** will receive a more structured assignment where we will see how well you can follow the Auto Shop Media editing process and specific client instructions. Candidates who continue through the process will also meet with our team. --- # LONG-TERM OPPORTUNITY We want to emphasize this: **We are not looking for someone to edit one video.** We are looking for someone who can become part of the Auto Shop Media team. We have editors who have worked with us for **more than five years**, and our goal is to find another editor who can build a long-term relationship with our company, take ownership of their work, and earn great money doing it. Specific workload, expectations, and **monthly compensation will be discussed after Round 2** with candidates we are seriously considering. For Round 1, we simply want to see what you can do. ## Make us stop scrolling. REQUIRED: To be considered, please reply with your Sample Edit and with the first sentence in your reply being "I would like to be considered for round 2" **Good luck.** Footage Link - File 1 - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NLzPP4KsNlLXVV-OPEtyD2QcElNPYVwf/view?usp=sharing B-Roll - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-93ze7zC9BscmDCbR3DrU6aLNL1heleK/view?usp=sharing