How to Edit a Video | A Detailed Guide

Introduction

Learning How to edit a video can be fun. Whether you want to learn how to edit a video on iPhone or Android or edit a video on TikTok, learning to edit a video is pretty exciting as it often enables you to end up with something new creative. Moreover, if you are in any field similar to filmmaking, how to edit a video is a must-to-learn process. After all, an editor of any movie is quite as important as the actors and the movie director.

However, editing a video to achieve the desired outcome need proper training and learning. Although it is not a tough row to hoe, still it requires practice and, obviously, the powerful software programs that can make your task a piece of cake. Some important tips and tricks can help you begin with the editing procedure.

There are numerous options regarding the best video editing tools available for you. So, whether you are a filmmaker or making a commercial, documentary, or any TikTok video, the tips and tools discussed in this article will help you as a beginner.

Let's get started and find out what preparations are required before starting to edit a video.

What Do You Need Before You Start to Edit a Video

Before starting to edit a video, a few preparations are required to be made. This is important in terms of making sure that you experience a smooth video editing process. A few things that should be kept in mind when you are about to edit a video as follows:

1. Organized Media

You can edit your video efficiently if your media is well organized. This way, you won't need to spend time figuring and sorting out every sort and video. You can organize your media by logging your shots while you are shooting them or using effective media systems like the YRMODA system to name your media and footage. To log your shots while filming, you can simply create an excel sheet or simple notes, listing down the name and date of the shot and a short description of it. In contrast, systems like YRMODA allow you to arrange your media in files where each file is named and the date-month-year, hence chronologically managed. This tip is great for providing easy access and saving time before editing a video.

2. Media Back-up

Backing up your media is one of the most important steps and should never be overlooked. Anytime due to any reason, you might lose all your data. And this is why it is extremely important to have a data backup in at least 2-to 3 different locations. You can keep this backup in cloud storage such as Backblaze, iDrive, iCloud and physical hard drives such as Toshiba X300, Seagate BarraCuda, etc.

3. Know what you want

Being aware of the goal and the outcome you want is very important. By knowing what you want, you can easily determine the music, type of graphics, fonts and other things you want to incorporate to create something innovative. So, you should know your goal, whether you want to create a montage video, a compilation, a product video, explaining something, etc.

4. Footage preview and specific shot selection

It is important to select the specific shots you want to use before starting editing. If you pre-select the particular shots, it will save time, and things will be managed well.

5. Decide what music to use.

Creating a video with suitable music not only conveys your information in a better way but is also a great way to connect with the consumers and viewers. But remember, make sure to be aware of the music's copyrights, and the music should be royalty-free.

Now that you know how to prepare yourself before you begin editing let’s find out the best editing tools used to edit videos on different platforms and devices, such as TikTok, youtube, Mac OS, iPhone, and Android. Besides, if you want to learn how to edit videos on PS4, you can read this for details.

How to Edit a Video on Mac - DVDFab Video Converter

How to edit a video on Mac can be very easy. All the credit goes to the increasing number of video editing tools that are extremely easy to use and many of which are also free. One of the best software programs that can be used to edit a video on Mac OS includes DVDFab Video Converter. And not only Mac, but this powerful tool is also compatible with numerous other platforms.

DVDFab Video Converter is a powerful and well-designed video editing software that allows you to crop and trim, make changes to subtitles, manipulate colour properties, add or remove watermarks, etc. This tool is composed of a wide variety of customization options so that you can create your desired content. This software is very easy to use.

Let’s find out how to edit a video on Mac using DVDFab Video Converter.

Step 1:

• Launch the program
• Navigate or drag and drop the video you wish to edit

Step 2:

• Choose a suitable format for the output video by selecting Format>Video

Step 3:

• Click the ‘Video Edit’ button, a new menu with editing options will pop up
• Open advanced settings for more customization options

Step 4:

• Edit the video on your Mac
• You can also use the video presets that are available in the customization options

Step 5:

• Select a default destination for the file once you are done with the editing
• You can send the edited video directly to YouTube or your mobile device

Step 6:

• Finally, click the ‘Start’ button to allow the software to finish processing your file

Editing a video on Mac using a DVDFab Video converter is this easy.

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Contains a wide range of advanced customization options

Cons:

• Not free

How to Edit a TikTok Video - Filmora Video Editor

Undoubtedly, TikTok has become one of the most widely used social platforms where people, including celebrities, make videos and display their skills to a large audience. With the increasing popularity of this platform, the market is getting loaded with video editing tools for creating innovative videos on TikTok. One of the best video editing software many tiktokers can swear by is wonder share filmora video editor.

Wondershare filmora has a wide range of editing options for TikTok users, including options to create comedy videos and the best music videos. You can create or edit every kind of video, whether made using an action camera, DSLR, digital camera, or mobile phone camera.

Let's find out how to edit a video on Tik Tok using Wondershare Filmora editor.

Step 1:

• Launch the program
• Choose the aspect ratio

Step 2:

• Click ‘New Project’ and enter Filmora’s video editor page
• Click the ‘Import’ button and import your TikTok video

Step 3:

• You may import with an instant cutting tool to make trimming 4K
• Filmora media tab will store all imported file
• Organize the material you are going to use for the video

Step 4:

• Now, from a wide range of customization options, start to edit your video
• You can trim or cut any unwanted parts of the video

Step 5:

• Preview your created or edited video by pressing play or hitting the spacebar
• You can add visual effects and templates to your video as well

Step 6:

• Select the default destination of the file

Wondershare filmora is quick and easy to use with various editing options.

Pros:

• Wide range of customization options
• You can trim a video by dragging the start and end of the video clip

Cons:

• The software has a ‘Not-so-Good’ GUI.

How to Edit a Video on Youtube - Movavi Video Editor

Are you confused about how to edit a video on youtube? Well, youtube has got its own Youtube Video Editor. However, who doesn’t want a perfect tool that can bring life to your innovation? Try Movavi Video Editor. This amazing Video editor is the answer to your question about how to edit a video on youtube. This editing software directly imports videos from youtube and also accepts video URLs. Once the youtube video reaches the Movavi editor page, you have got a whole world of editing tools and customization options to get your desired outcome. You can even alter the background using the ‘Apply Chroma’ option.

Pros:

• User-friendly interface
• Very fast file processing

Cons:

• Not for very professional use

How to Edit a Video on iPhone - iMovie

If you want to know how to edit a video on iPhone, the answer is to use a powerful video editor tool designed for iPhone and Mac users. Try iMovie video editor. Apple developed this software specifically for macOS and iPhone iOS users. It is similar to Adobe Premiere Rush, having the most basic editing tools.

The tool is extremely easy to use. All you have to do is launch the software and select the output format. Then import the video to be edited from your iPhone. Apply desired changes and edit as per your wish. You can apply different filters and templates too. You can easily download iMovie from the App Store, and the best thing is that there are no in-app purchases involved.

Pros:

• Great for beginners
• No in-app purchases

Cons:

• Lacks advanced editing options

How to Edit a Video on Android - InShot

Learn how to edit a video on Android using one of the best video editing apps for Android, Namely InShot. You can easily download it front of the Google Play store. This amazing app has a rating of 4.8 stars on the google app store and 100 million downloads. Isn't this enough to prove the efficiency of the app? The software has a user-friendly interface, and it is also lightweight software. All you have to do is download and launch the app, import the video clip from your Android and enter the world of innovation with numerous basic editing tools, transition effects and stickers. The best part is that inShot allows you to export your created content directly to social media. 

Pros:

• User-friendly interface
• Contains 1000 plus stickers and transition effects

Cons:

• Unclear pixels when you Zoom

Conclusion

Learning how to edit a video is fun. You can incorporate your innovation and amazing ideas to edit a simple video and transform it into something creative. IN this era of modern and digital technology, you can earn a fortune by making creative video content and uploading it on popular social media platforms like youtube, Snapchat, etc. The best thing is that video editing is not difficult at all. A bit of practice is required, and then you can go on with editing videos and creating unique content. With a continuous flow of technology and software development, numerous powerful video editors, such as DVDFab Video Converter, can be used without any prior experience or training.