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Did you spend hours editing a video for your business, and you still have loads of editing to go? Looking at your final video, do you perhaps feel in the pit of your stomach that something is missing?
However, you can't keep dedicating all your working hours to just video editing while you already have a lot on your plate.
Indeed, that's a tough spot to be in. So, if you're hoping to streamline your video editing and dodge all the excessive burnout, you have arrived at the right place.
Today, I will try to help make your video editing process a lot easier and more productive by presenting a few video editing tips. Ready? Let's roll!
Tips to improve video editing skills
You've shot your video, and now it's time for the other half of the battle, which by the way, is equally important, and sometimes even more: the post-processing stage. Just like video shooting, this step, too, requires a perfect blend of both creativity and technical expertise.
Are you a newbie hoping to up your video editing game? Well, use these tried and tested video editing tips to make your videos better.
Choose the right software
The first step towards improving your video editing process is choosing the right software for you and your work. Most video editing software usually offer everything you require to make standard video edits. However, you may prefer one over others based on their ease of use, digital interface, and features.
Don't just blindly rush to get your hands on the latest, most advanced video editing software or video editing apps out there. In fact, the key here is to determine what works for you and your video editing technique.
Use a fast computer
While having an incredible computer won't necessarily make you a great video editor, a faster computer will, however, empower you to focus more of your time on the story you're trying to narrate. Everyone has their own perceptions about what computers are most suitable for editing; however, it all depends on your personal preferences.
Of course, I won't pit PCs against MACs here. You can pick whatever computer brand or model you require, as long as it's fast enough for you to store large files and enables you to focus more on your video editing work without having to be bothered about slow rendering.
Here’s what you need to keep in mind while getting a computer:
- Get an SSD
- Higher RAM
- Graphic cards
- Fast processor
Use keyboard shortcuts
Probably the quickest way to differentiate between an expert and inexperienced video manager is to notice how often they use the keyboard. Video editors who have been in the industry for quite some time will agree how crucial those few seconds could be over time.
So if you're actually serious about saving some time while working on video editing projects, you should figure out how to use those keyboard shortcuts. Fortunately for us, there is a great deal of keyboard shortcut resources out there.
Speaking of keyboard buttons, keep in mind that most video editing software allow you to use keyboard shortcuts to perform a series of in-app editing functions.
Color correct your clips
Color is a significant design element that can be manipulated to highlight specific subjects, bring out particular emotions, or perhaps set the mood of your scene. Fortunately, today's video editing software offer a lot of color editing options.
Most editors primarily do two things: color correction to ensure that the colors of your footage are uniform in each scene, and color grading, to give your video a different touch. Both are fundamental when you need your scenes to look as realistic as possible or when you need to separate specific scenes from others.
Don’t overuse effects
With a plethora of options available for adding exciting video effects or transitions, it can be tempting to put loads of them into your video. However, too much of anything may do more harm than good.
Besides, it can distract the viewers, and using too many of them might make your video look tacky or overwhelming. So, you must use effects only when they will add a meaningful touch to your video.
As far as transitions are concerned, it's often better if they aren't excessively flashy. Moving from one clip onto the next should go smoothly, and overusing transition effects might take the focus away from what you're trying to get across. Just follow the golden rule that when it comes to effects, less is more.
Edit for a story
Remember that you are not just an editor but a storyteller as well! Editing is not just about trimming video footage; rather, it’s an opportunity to take your audience on a fantastic journey. Whether you’re editing a complex narrative film or simply putting together a corporate video, there is a deeper story being told.
So, grab this opportunity to make your video aesthetically pleasing and dramatically compelling to evoke just the right emotions and, of course, deliver the intended message.
You can follow the storyboard used during the video production; however, you may often have the liberty to call the shots to decide the scene transitions, effects, or other editing elements to improve the story.
Select good music
Don't only focus on the visuals, as the music plays an equally important role in how your video turns out. For instance, if you're creating a drama movie, you might want to use the right music track to trigger certain emotions from your audience.
However, before you consider using just any music, remember that perhaps the safest option is to get music from a royalty-free music provider. You may find free music; however, the best audio quality often comes at a price.
Although it can be challenging if you're doing all this on your own, taking help from an expert will help take the guesswork out of it. And, if you are working on a professional video editing project, music is often included in the production budget.
Remove distractions
Eliminating distractions helps you stay focused on editing and is what any experienced video editor would recommend as a way to edit more quickly and efficiently.
This makes perfect sense, given the piles of distractions we’re susceptible to these days, especially since the majority of us work from home due to the pandemic. Besides, the tools and browsers on the same screen as your video editing software can pull you away from the task at hand.
Therefore, clear out your space and time, remove any possible distractions, and focus entirely on your video editing.
Wrapping Up
You don’t really have to be a video editing superstar to deliver professional-quality videos for your business.
In fact, you don’t even require professional-quality, high-end equipment to get it done. Honestly, you can even shoot high-quality videos using just your smartphone. How? Well, everything is possible with just the right editing. All you need to do is follow the video editing tips for beginners and get ready to amaze people with your beautiful creations.
Of course, these tips on video editing don’t specifically instruct you how to make edits to your videos; they do, in fact, can help cut your video editing time in half and help you deliver better quality videos in the end.
Are you looking for a video editing company? Well, get in touch with us now and get a personalized quotation!
Editor: Richa Sharma
