Video editing tips from our production team

An unedited video is like a book without a cover – it’s missing an essential finishing touch that brings everything together. If you don’t edit your videos, your content can give off the impression of being less professional, lower quality, and more amateur.

Video editing allows you to fix, change and put your creative stamp on your work.

If you want to give your viewers the best watching experience, it’s crucial to edit your videos. It helps you tell a story with your work and can make a massive difference in the quality of your content.

If you are a beginner or would like to polish up your skills, we have gathered a few video editing tips, courtesy of our production team, to help you create the best video.

So let’s get into it

Use a variety of shots

The first and most important tip when shooting and editing your videos is to use a variety of shots. Varying your shots is a great way to keep your viewer on their toes. Switching angles, such as from a close-up to a wide shot, is visually engaging. When you record your video, aim to shoot a scene from at least two angles. When you edit, this will give you lots of scope to switch between shots.

However, you should be careful with this tip. Switching shots too many times creates an uncomfortable, dizzying effect. To keep your video slick and exciting, use varied shots sparingly.

Have a look at the various angles we made use of in our most recent Tik Tok video, shot and edited by our content producer, Susann Emvula.

Trim your clips

Once you have shot all your clips, it is time to trim. This is a tip that our production team is very adamant on! Clips that are too long can have the unfortunate effect of losing your viewer’s attention. A scene that drags on, or periods of extended silence between people talking, creates a dead space in your video.

You don’t want to give your viewers reasons to click away from your content. To keep them engaged, trim your clips. This means paying attention to the beginning and end of a scene, conversation, or atmospheric shot.

Is there anything there that isn’t needed? Ideally, you only want to keep footage that’s essential to your video's pace, story, or atmosphere. Anything else you should cut out.

Pace the video

Pace refers to the speed and consistency of your video. Our junior content producer, Eliud Andima, stated that a common problem video makers face is balancing their video’s pace. While it’s natural for a video to be faster in some places and slower in others, a constantly changing pace is uncomfortable to watch.

When you’re editing, consider the rhythm and atmosphere of your video. You should aim to move viewers smoothly from one scene to the next.

Take this video we edited for reference. The beginning of the video is sped up, as that is not the main focus of the video, but it gradually slows down to a normal pace when we reach the main focus of the video.

Balance audio levels

Audio is just as important as visuals when it comes to video editing. Distorted or unbalanced audio can make a video hard to watch, so don’t forget this tip when you’re editing!

Try your best to capture high-quality audio when recording. It will then be easier to balance your audio in post-production.

Balanced audio simply means that the audio levels in your recording don’t suddenly spike or dip too sharply, which can cause discomfort for your listener.

Colour grading

The final step of editing your videos is colour grading. Colour grading is the process of adjusting the colours and tones of your video to create a specific look or mood. By using colour grading techniques, you can make the videos with a more immersive viewing experience. 

With adjustments in the colours and tones of your footage, you can create a specific atmosphere that will enhance the story you're trying to tell.

Besides enhancing the mood of your video, colour grading can help create a more consistent and polished look for your videos. This is especially important if you're using footage from various sources or shooting in different lighting conditions.

With so many videos being created and shared online daily, eye appealing and memorable content is essential.

If you have a look at @nomadwellnesshomestead on Instagram, you will notice that all their videos have the same aesthetic. This is all thanks to the art of colour grading.

Video editing is essential to creating high-quality and engaging videos. Using these video editing tips for beginners and professionals, you can make your videos more polished and professional.

Remember to keep your editing style consistent with your brand. Also, feel free to experiment with different techniques to find your unique style. You can create videos that leave a lasting impression with practice and patience.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your camera, and start editing!