Creating a YouTube video is not a challenging task. Making it good, though, is a different story. Nowadays, with the abundance of social media content, ensuring your videos are unique requires not only good footage and equipment. You also need some video editing skills.
Learning how to do that is the first step you should take to start your online video making career. Fortunately, it’s not black magic. You can become a successful video editor in no time. All you need is a desire to learn and a couple of free evenings.
In the article below, you’ll find some essential steps and useful tips on YouTube video editing. Knowing them will ensure your content is going to be high-quality and unique.
Picking the Right Software
The first thing you need is adequate video editing software. Without one, you won’t be able to create anything. How to pick a reliable one? More on that below.
First of all, you need to consider your needs. Ask yourself a few questions, like how often, why, and what kind of videos you intend to post. The case may be that you won’t have to spend enormous amounts of money on professional software.
Secondly, you should keep in mind that more professional programs, such as Apple’s Final Cut Pro, can be expensive and difficult to use.
Cheaper software like MiniTool (also one of the top free backup software in 2020) will provide you with similar results. What’s more, their user-friendliness makes them the best option for the new people in the world of video editing.
Sometimes, a good idea may be to try a few programs before choosing the one that suits you best. Once you do that, you can get to the next step, which is the editing process.
The Editing Process
As soon as you start trying out different programs, you’re going to notice that all of them are quite similar. They offer timeline views that allow you to drop separate shots upon them. Each one of them is a separate file that you add to your master video.
Reliable software should provide you with almost unlimited editing possibilities, allowing you to trim, shorten, and move around your shots. To make sure your video looks more professional, it’s always good to add smooth transitions between individual shots.
Also, don’t be afraid to experiment with special effects. Lines of text, graphics, and other enhancements will make your video look more professional and help you maintain your viewer’s attention. All you need to remember is not going too far with this, as tempting as it may be.
Keep in mind that the main point of all your edits is to make your YouTube video high-quality. Still, you need to know when to stop. Too many special effects or transitions can make your content look chaotic.
Choosing the Proper File Format
After your final cut, all that’s left is to post your video and observe the increasing number of views and likes with a smile. The good news is that YouTube accepts almost all major file formats. When it comes to software, every video editor may support different formats, so make sure you pick the right one.
When it comes to editing your video, it’s best to use .MP4, .AVI, or .WMA format. You should also always use 16:9 ratio widescreen and render the content you make in 720p or 1080i high-definition.
Doing that ensures that even the viewers who watch videos on a lower-resolution format will get the highest definition they can. Moreover, don’t forget that many people watch YouTube on their TVs, so the lower-resolution version may make your video unwatchable and hard to follow.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, making your video content look top-quality is not very challenging. Sure it requires some skill, but you don’t have to be a professional movie editor to piece your video together.
All you need is reliable video editing software and a clear vision of what your content should look like. Make a plan and stick to it. Many people get carried away with special effects and transitions, making their videos hard to follow and unwatchable.
Edit your content to make it help you not only catch but also keep your viewers attention. Smooth transitions, some basic effects, and high resolution should do the trick.
Oh, and don’t forget that it’s the practice that makes perfect. It may take some time until you make your first flawless YouTube video, but don’t give up! You will master it in no time!