Video Editing Tips and Techniques: A Guide for Beginners

Are you inspired by popular YouTubers and thinking about creating your own channel? Do you want to make snappy TikTok edits and have your videos go viral? Or are you a marketer that’s decided to try out the power of video marketing?

No matter what your goal is, video editing is a useful skill that you shouldn’t overlook. But where do you begin? And what things should you keep in mind if you want to know how to learn video editing?

Choosing Beginner-Friendly Tools

One of the most important things when starting your editing journey is, perhaps, choosing beginner-friendly tools. If you’re not yet familiar with the process and lack experience, advanced features might confuse and overwhelm you instead of helping you.

That’s why choosing the right tools can significantly influence your learning and allow you to focus on mastering the editing basics.Look for software with intuitive interfaces, drag-and-drop functionality, built-in tutorials, and ready-to-use presets and templates that will help you get started. Then, after some time, you might move to more advanced tools that will allow you to introduce more style and creativity into your projects.

Moreover, starting out doesn’t have to be expensive. Beginners are often cautious about spending money on pricey tools and equipment since they don’t always know what they might need exactly. That’s why using your smartphone camera and free video editing software is a good idea for editing newbies.

However, we’d recommend investing in a good external microphone and at least some basic lighting equipment, since natural light and a smartphone microphone don’t always give the best results.

Video Editing Tips and Techniques for Beginners

Once you’ve chosen all the tools, it’s time to start making videos. And we’ve got a few tips that will simplify video editing for beginners.

Understand the Basics

Before jumping into advanced features, take time to learn the interface of your editing software. Learn how the timeline and the preview tools work, try cutting and trimming your clips, and add some simple transitions and effects.

Another good idea is to make a test project that you won’t share publicly. Use it to understand how your software works.

Keep It Simple

Avoid overloading your video with excessive effects or transitions. Focus on clean cuts and smooth flow between scenes. Don’t worry, you’ll have time to try out modern motion graphics and 3D animations in the future.  

Use Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts are a game-changer in video editing. There are some basic ones that work in practically any software (for example, using "Ctrl + Z" to undo and "Ctrl + S" to save), and there are also some specific shortcuts for particular video editors. 

Focus on Audio

Visuals aren’t everything; your video should sound good, too.

Pay attention to background music, voiceovers, and sound effects. Remember that all audio levels should be balanced and speech should be clear. Most editors have built-in features that allow you to adjust audio levels, remove background noise, or synchronize audio to video.

Pace Your Edits

Pacing is everything, especially now, when attention spans are getting shorter every day. If your video feels drawn out or, on the contrary, too fast, the audience will quickly lose interest. 

Try to experiment with pacing to find the right rhythm for your project. For example, fast cuts work well for action-packed content, while slower transitions suit emotional or instructional videos.

Learn from Others

There’s nothing wrong with getting inspired by others. Just don’t copy every little detail; remember that your video must stand out to succeed.

Watch tutorials and seek inspiration from popular creators. Observing what others do can give you ideas for transitions, effects, and different video editing techniques. You’ll pick up tricks and improve your editing as you go.

Create a Thumbnail

Thumbnail is also something you shouldn’t overlook. This is the first thing viewers will see in your video; it helps them decide whether they want to click on your content or not. 

A good thumbnail should be intriguing and visually appealing and give users an idea of what the video is about.

Always Rewatch Before Posting

After you’ve made all the adjustments, don’t forget to watch the full video again. Editing is an iterative process, and revisiting your project with fresh eyes helps you make better edits.

Common Video Editing Mistakes

Everyone makes mistakes; it’s natural, and you shouldn’t be afraid of that. But there are some common ones that can easily be avoided. 

Overusing Effects

Beginners often get carried away with flashy transitions and filters. While these can add flair, excessive use distracts from your content. Stick to effects that complement your video and don’t overwhelm viewers.

Ignoring Audio

Bad audio is a common mistake. Failing to balance sound levels or neglecting background noise can ruin an otherwise great video. Thankfully, modern video editors provide plenty of tools to solve these issues.

Using Low-Quality Footage

Editing won’t magically fix poorly shot footage. Always strive for high-quality recordings, even if it’s just with a smartphone. And if you’re downloading scenes instead of filming them by yourself, choose those that are at least in 1080p.

Rushing the Process

Editing takes time and patience. Rushing through your edits often leads to mistakes and missed opportunities for improvement. Take breaks and revisit your project so that it meets your vision.

Bottom Line

The wish to learn video editing opens up endless creative possibilities. You become a famous YouTuber, use your knowledge for video marketing, or just make warm home videos for your family and friends.

Start with beginner-friendly tools and master basic editing skills. Try to keep it simple and avoid going overboard with various effects and transitions. Pay attention to quality, add audio and text, and don’t forget to make your projects entertaining.

By doing all of that, you’ll create stunning videos that the audience will love, and you will be proud of. So, launch your software, start editing, and discover the art of telling stories through video.