With video as dominant as it is, video editing has become a necessary skill these days.
Luckily, you don’t need to be an expert to make a polished video. With strides in technology and user experience, video editing has become accessible to those with little to no experience.
If you’re just starting your journey into the world of video editing, fear not! Here’s a short guide with tips and tricks to help beginners master the basics of video editing.
Why is video editing important?
Video editing allows you to take raw video footage and make a cohesive narrative and put your branding on it. In contract, unedited video can look unprofessional and low quality. With 3.7 million videos uploaded to YouTube daily, it makes it all the more important to stand out from the crowd with a well-edited and polished video.
Without further ado, here are 9 video editing tips for beginners:
1. Start with the Right Software
Choosing the right video editing software is crucial for beginners. Opt for user-friendly options like Digital Joy Studio or iMovie (for Mac users). These tools offer a range of features without overwhelming newcomers.
2. Organize Your Footage
Before diving into the editing process, organize your footage. Create folders for different scenes or takes to streamline your workflow and make it easier to locate specific clips or images.
3. Master the Basics
Familiarize yourself with fundamental editing techniques such as cutting, trimming, and splitting clips. Learn how to arrange clips on your timeline and experiment with transitions to smoothen the flow of your video.
4. Pay Attention to Audio
Clear and crisp audio is essential for a professional-looking video. Use background music to enhance the mood but ensure it doesn’t overpower the dialogue. Consider investing in a good microphone for better audio quality during recording, and record in separate tracks for each person talking.
5. Experiment with Filters and Effects
Most video editing software comes with a variety of filters and effects. Experiment with these to add style and flair to your videos. However, exercise caution and avoid overusing effects, as subtlety often produces the best results.
6. Focus on Pacing
Pace refers to the speed of your video including transitions, and a common challenge is balancing pace. While it’s common for a video to be faster in some places and slower in others, giving your viewers whiplash with changing pace makes your video more difficult to watch.
7. Add Captions
Add captions to make your videos more accessible and engaging, especially for viewers who may be watching without sound. Captions can also help clarify speech in your video if the speakers have strong accents or are in noisy locations. Furthermore, captions can help boost your rankings in search results.
8. Make Social Media-Ready Teasers and Highlight Videos
Short form video is huge right now – just look at the dominance of TikTok and Instagram Reels. It’s good practice to edit a short “highlight video” of any longer video you make, optimized for each social media platform.
Note: Digital Joy Studio “Highlight” tool will do this for you!
9. Learn from Online Tutorials
Take advantage of the wealth of online tutorials available. Platforms like YouTube offer countless tutorials covering specific editing techniques, software functionalities, and creative tips.
In conclusion, mastering video editing as a beginner is a gradual process that involves learning and experimenting. These tips and tricks provide a solid foundation for anyone venturing into video editing. So, grab your footage, unleash your creativity, and enjoy the exciting journey of video editing!
