How to Edit Your Video (Part 2, Great Mobile Video)
Grab a cup of coffee and get ready to edit together a viral video!
We’re back after taking a week off from the blog! Two weeks ago, we shared some filming basics (you can catch up on Part 1 here). Now we’re jumping into the must-know stuff about editing video.
Let’s go ahead and dive in head first!
Edit on a computer
Although there are plenty of video editing apps to choose from, editing on a computer is the key to producing quality professional videos.
iMovie is the perfect starter program for beginners, but its features can be a little limited. It’s a great place to start -- you can use filters, voiceovers, and a small array special effects. But you might be a little limited when it comes to visual effects, audio editing, and graphic integrations. (It’s also the only cheap/free option on this list!)
Need an app for spontaneous videos? Magisto and Adobe Premiere Clip are free and perfect for on-the-go projects:
Adobe Premiere Pro is one of the leading cross-platform video-editing programs on the market. Because it’s used by film makers, journalists, and broadcasters, Premiere Pro is perfect for high quality professional content. Virtually every type of film or file type is compatible and can be exported to any screen and format. Premiere Pro also works seamlessly with other Adobe programs like Illustrator and After Effects – great for integrating custom titles.
Final Cut Pro X is a high quality professional program from Apple. Like Premiere Pro, Final Cut specializes in advanced techniques and 4K video. And, we personally find it to be a little more beginner friendly than Adobe Premiere. You can also purchase title and animation templates directly through Apple Motion rather than editing them in separate Adobe programs.
A final tip? No matter which software you use, make sure to back up your files! Nothings worse than losing all your hard work to a corrupt file or technical hiccup. If you’re really looking to make video a big part of your marketing take the safe route and invest in a cloud plan or external hard drive.
Consider the Viewer
The obvious goal of your video is to be shared. When you’re editing, focus on what you want your audience to see, think, and feel.
The best way to spark your creativity? Go watch other people’s videos and see what’s trending!
Are you trying to spark an emotional response? Sharing a clever hack? How you present your material makes a difference in how it’s received by others. Think of your video as a story, with a clear beginning, middle, and ending. If you’re viewers are confused by what they’re watching, they’ll move on to something else.
Studies show that the average viewer’s attention starts to dwindle after 8.25 seconds. To keep your viewers engaged, trying to break up talk-heavy scenes with visuals or infographics. You can also shake up static scenes by varying your camera angles.
Cut out the fluff
You have a limited amount of time to hold your viewer’s attention and communicate your message. If your video if veering off-topic, cut it down. There’s no point filling your video with irrelevant content.
Make sure to scan your video for mistakes, “ums”, awkward little moments where you may have lost your train of thought (it happens to everyone). Cutting on specific words can help transition to a different topic and make the video flow evenly.
Tailor for social
Your video’s length really depends on which platform you’re uploading to. Keep this little guideline in mind before you start filming. Save intros/outros for YouTube videos. There’s no need to use them for shorter social media videos.
Facebook: 1 minute
Twitter: 45 seconds
YouTube: 2 Minutes
Instagram: 30 seconds
Add Some Music
Want to use some subtle background music? Here’s a list of sites that offer music with a Creative Commons license. Just be sure to double check the terms before you use a song.
Music can add a nice touch and help set the tone of your movie, but make sure to watch the volume! Background music should enhance the scene, not overpower it.
Create a Silent Video
No, not a Charlie Chaplin inspired silent film (although, that may be a fun idea). We mean a soundless video.
Videos on Facebook and Instagram autoplay without the sound, so it’s important to edit with that feature in mind. No one wants a loud video to start playing when they’re standing in line at Starbucks or sneakily browsing Facebook during a boring meeting (don’t do that, BTW).
Using strong visual elements like bright colors, bold fonts, and graphics will help your audience get the gist of what your video’s about when it’s muted.
You can also add captions with iMovie, Premiere Pro, or Facebook Live. Just watch your placement and make sure to use a crisp bold font that’s easy to read at any size.
That’s it for this week’s installment! Check back next week for Part 3 of our mobile video series…we’ll be giving you a run down on how to get more views!
Social Media Marketing in Greensboro and Winston Salem
Struggling to get noticed on social? We can fix that! From social media management to email campaigns, Hue & Tone creative can help boost your engagement and help create a loyal following. We can also help you come up with a plan to creatively incorporate video into your daily social schedule!