Great professional video editing is a great asset that allows you to organize and ultimately manage various files, clips, footage, and shots in one place. The video editing process doesn’t start when you sit in front of your computer. Instead, post-production editing starts the moment the video is captured or recorded. With the advent of new technologies, editing also moves at a very fast pace. The tactile sense of editing videos has transformed hugely and today, editing your business marketing videos is a task that can be accomplished in a matter of seconds.
How to Edit a Video Quickly
Here are a few tips and techniques to help you with the video editing procedure in the quickest possible way:
Tip 1 – Follow the three basic stages of editing.
- Stage 1 – Organizing and maintaining files: A good editor takes notes when reviewing all the footage and assets needed for a project.
- Stage 2 – Crop and Trim: Don’t be afraid to trim unwanted stuff. The less complicated the editing, the better the results.
- Stage 3 – Clearly label all recordings, files, and folders and keep many backups!
Tip 2 – Choose a professional editing tool or software.
You need to choose the perfect video editor that works best for you. Some video editing programs are more popular than others, but what matters is finding the one that works best for your particular knowledge and needs. Some factors and options to consider are:
Features – You can choose from editing complex motion graphics or simple but key features.
- Simple file upload and import
- Simple shortcut commands for trimming and cutting
- Useful audio options
- Basic transitions, graphics, fonts, and effects
- Visual effects and subtitles
- Video posting and sharing
Depending on the features discussed above, you can either use a user-friendly software (often free) or a more advanced program (usually a purchase or subscription required).
Tip 3 – Set realistic expectations.
Before you start filming, think about the tools you can use and the result you want to achieve in the end. Choose the device that suits your ambitions, weigh the hardware and software strengths, and make specific requirements for the final product. If you are planning to create quality videos for Instagram with a link sticker in stories for your Instagram account then these tips will help you to use links on Instagram stories.
Tip 4 – Stay organized.
Manage all the files, especially if you’re stitching videos from many small clips. Searching for a single clip in a folder full of randomly named files will only push the walls up. Before thinking about the editing process, explore the footage, label and shoot all the files according to your scene, and put them in separate theme folders to organize them so you can quickly find them the moment you need them.
Another useful tip is to create folders for sounds, music, and images and place your project files in the root of the main folder, which contains everything. It may be against the instincts of many creative minds, but it’s a good idea not to throw anything in the trash.
Not to mention: save projects frequently. Losing files or clips is potentially much more devastating. Backup experts swear by the 321 rule (three copies in at least two different locations, one external), but make sure that the raw materials are in at least two physical drives and the project is regularly in the backup location.
Online services like Google Drive can be a good destination for online backups, but given the size of most videos, you may have to spend a little more than average to secure that.
Tip 5 – Don’t be afraid to give it a whirl.
Contemporary editing isn’t like the old days of stitching together and cutting movies. These days, it’s non-destructive. Even if you’re concerned about how to edit a video, you can rest assured that the original material remains completely intact. You can import your files into your editing software and customize the trimmed video without losing anything.
- If the transition between strokes doesn’t feel right, play it until it fits and fix it.
- If you feel the clip is too wide, pull it tight until the video paces up.
- There’s a reason why good editors are so highly appreciated. They’re artists, and there’s no simple formula to define a good video.
Tip 6 – Think about the colours when editing your video.
The editor’s job is not only about fixing order and speed but also about retaining the right colours. Correct the colour of each clip for consistency, then fix the final footage colour to give the video a more refined look. It makes all the difference to the final product and turns a simple cut into a much more professional one.
Tip 7 – Simplicity is the rule to live by.
Effects and transitions are exciting. Before swiping all the stars, think about what type of video you want to show your viewers. When jumping between clips, you usually don’t need any transitions if a simple cut is sufficient. But, as mentioned above, this doesn’t prevent you from trying out software tools. This is an integral part of learning to edit. Keep the effects for those moments when they make sense. Wiping means overtime or changing location, but fading to black (or white) is a great way to end a scene unless you overuse it.If you want to set up an Instagram shopping then these tips will surely help you to set up Instagram shopping.
Tip 8 – Use B-roll clips.
Depending on what you’re trying to put together, you may need B-roll footage. In a camera interview, you may have noticed the moment when the subject-focused camera suddenly switched to the interviewer’s camera and nodded to a clear jump in the footage. Following the over-the-top formula of cutting every 2 seconds, which many modern cutters use, isn’t recommended, but switching to a second camera can temporarily overshadow bad footage. You can change it to a perfect shot.
Tip 9 – Shorten the video.
When you start editing a video for the first time, you need to learn the basics of cutting, cropping, and joining clips. There are a lot of transitions to try out, such as dissolves, wipes, and other creative animations.
Tip 10 – Don’t be afraid to trim footage.
Another tip for new video editors is not to be afraid to trim things. The best edits are those that move seamlessly and quickly, without anyone noticing the cut. When working on a user-friendly platform, trimming clips becomes a very intuitive and easy process, and eventually, the work is done in a faster and more fun manner.
Conclusion
Once the editing process is through, all you need to do is to save, export, and share. Like any other creative role, there are rules to follow and break, and there are no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ ways to edit a visual masterpiece, but these are some important and practical tips to get you started.