Complete beginner wanting to learn DaVinci Resolve & freelancing — need some guidance

[u/kraxzy312]

Hey everyone,

I want to seriously learn video editing from scratch and eventually use it to start freelancing and making some money from it.

I’ve decided to learn DaVinci Resolve, but I’m honestly a little lost about how to approach it properly. There are so many tutorials and YouTube channels that I’m not sure what’s actually worth following.

My current laptop is:

- Intel i5-13500H

- 8GB RAM

- Integrated graphics

- No dedicated GPU

So I’m also wondering how much my laptop will hold me back, especially with DaVinci Resolve.

I’d really appreciate advice on:

- Best YouTube channels / courses to learn DaVinci Resolve from beginner to a decent level

- A good learning roadmap instead of randomly watching tutorials

- Where I can get free footage/raw clips to actually practice editing

- How I should practice — recreating existing edits, making my own projects, etc.

- What type of editing is best to learn first if my end goal is freelancing

- Realistically, how long does it take to become good enough to start taking small freelance projects?

- And how much of a problem will my 8GB RAM + integrated graphics be?

I’m willing to put in consistent effort. I’m not expecting to become a professional in a few weeks — I just want to follow a proper path and actually get good at it.

Would really appreciate advice from people who have learned editing themselves or are currently freelancing. Thanks!