Video Editing for Beginners (And When It’s Time to Call in a Professional!)

Do you have a skill you’re just dying to share with the world online? It could be video game streaming, making movies, traveling, makeup…something you are doing needs to be seen, and the best way to do that is by recording yourself! While you may have the talent and the filming part of this down, what happens when the time comes to put it all together to go online? Video editing is not exactly the easiest thing in the world to just hop on and do, and it’s about more than just cutting together clips, so we’re here to give you some tips on video editing for beginners. From software to techniques, let’s learn!

  • Choose the right software for your needs. There are plenty of options out there, but it may take a bit of trial and error to find the one that works best for you. You need to work which software that makes sense to you, and that has all the necessary tools you’ll need.

  • Use a good quality computer. We’re not talking Mac vs PC; we’re purely talking speed and capability. You will need a computer that can work with lots of material very quickly. Look for a computer that has plenty of storage, a minimum of 8GB of RAM is ideal, and one that can process quickly. You should also look into getting multiple monitors if you will be working with a huge amount of footage.

Video Editing for Beginners on Voiceover Index
Or use a super-wide monitor so you can clearly see everything for easier editing

  • Know when to take editing breaks. This can be very important when you’ve been working on an edit for a while, you can become a bit desensitized to it. Taking a break even just for an hour or so to focus on something else will allow you to come back with fresh eyes and put better attention to detail into your project.

  • Watch tutorials! The online world is full of helpful how-to videos, and that includes ones for video editing. If you need help on a certain part of the process, you can absolutely find the answer in a tutorial video somewhere.

  • Save. Everything. Make copies of your projects, save them in various places, and have backups of your backups. Follow the 3-2-1 rule: three copies (minimum), in two places, with one of those places being physically separate from the others.

  • Know when to ask for help and where to turn. It’s ok to know your limits. In fact, it’s encouraged. If you reach the end of your own capabilities and need to ask for help, there are plenty of video editors out there who will be happy to help. For example, you can check out Voiceover Index’s website to get access to professionals who can help you perfect your footage and match your vision.

While we could continue to go on with tips for beginner video editors, these are definitely the top ones to start with! Whether you want to take on the task of video editing yourself or have one of the pros from Voiceover Index help you out, you can go forward with confidence that you can make your dream a reality with your video content.