4 Must-Know Video Editing Tips for Beginners

Planning to shoot a video? Good creators know how to tell a good story. So do a few bad ones. Combine both of these and you may end up with a video that’s subpar. Nothing short of boring. That’s why it’s important to know a few video editing tips. They help bring life to your videos and make them a treat to watch. Check out this guide for some video editing tips for beginners!

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1. Plan and Organize Your Footage



Before you make edits, it is important to know what footage you have, and what type of editing you plan to do. Start by reviewing your footage and organizing it into logical scenes. Label these scenes and create a rough timeline of how you want them to be placed.

You should also group your clips into additional categories based on visuals, audio, themes, and story points, so you can easily locate them as you edit. Knowing the exact footage you have and how to best utilize it can save time and help you create a smoother and more organized video.

2. Start with a Clear Story or Message

Without a message or story to follow, your video might lack structure and appear disjointed. It will be difficult to make sense of your video if it doesn’t come together with a natural progression of ideas.

Your video should also have an emotional throughline that the viewer can connect to. By developing a story or message in your video, you can keep you target audience invested in the content for the entirety of the video. 

3. Use Jump Cuts and Transitions Wisely

They can help make video footage look more professional. Jump cuts serve to speed up scenes and make them easier to follow, while transitions, like dissolves and fades, can make the video smoother and more cohesive. Beginners should be aware of the power of jump cuts and transitions but also know when to use them and when they could make the video too choppy.

Transitions should only be used when necessary, and be sure not to use too many of the same type. Jump cuts can be used to move the story forward and give the video energy, but overuse can be jarring and distracting. 

4. Converting files

Converting video files is a nice way to share your videos with others. For example, GIF is a great way to create eye-catching visuals for social media posts. The process of converting MP4s to GIFs is not too tricky, but familiarity with a video editor program is essential. Begin by importing your MP4 footage into a video editor.

Make sure to trim the video to the length you want to create a loop. Adjust the contrast if needed and select the output format GIF. Also, pay attention to the maximum frame size and image size when you export.

Consider cropping or slicing your video for shorter GIFs. Try and use Adobe Express mp4 to gif converter to make your finished product look professional.

Start Creating Your Video Editing Tips Today

Video Editing tips can be intimidating, especially for beginners. But by following the tips provided in this article, anyone can become a video editing pro! Start by learning the basics, such as storyboarding, organizing footage, and understanding your software.

If you’re looking for more guidance, connect with a local video editing expert for personalized advice. So, what are you waiting for -- start creating amazing videos today!

Do you now have a newfound appreciation? If you do, remember to take a look at some of our other blog posts for more helpful guides and tips.