So, you just shot perfect TikTok and Reels videos that you know your audience will love, right?
Now you need to edit it.
Sure, you could just post an unedited clip to your social media feeds, and your audience might watch it. But, if you want more engagement, more shares, and the chance to reach a wider audience, you need to edit your videos for maximum potential.
Consider this your easy-to-follow guide on how to edit perfect TikTok and Reels videos. Let’s go! 🚀
Dive deeper into today's topic:
--> Why Should You Edit Your Videos?
--> Exclusive: 18 Tips to Edit TikTok Videos (Interviews with Creators)
--> Step #1: Film Your Video
--> Step #2: Use Editing Features That Perform Well
--> Step #3: Choose Your Favorite Video Editor
--> Step #4: Publish Your Video
Why Should You Edit Your Videos?
There are a million and one reasons why you should edit your videos before posting them online. Aside from cutting out any bloopers or unnecessary “ums” in your dialogue (I am guilty of adding in filler words. Oops.), editing your videos elevates your it from mediocre content to high-quality entertainment.
Here are four more reasons why you should edit your videos.
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1- Send a Message:
Whether you realized it or not, how you edit your video sends a message to your audience and sets the tone of your video.
Think about it for a second. How many times have you watched a true crime video and the font used for subtitles or captioning looks like it’s dripping off the screen? Using a font like that definitely gives the video a spooky vibe.
Sound effects also play a role in your messaging, too. Sound effects can draw audible attention to highlight a specific part of your video. Or depending on your content, the kinds of sounds you use, and where you put them in your video, you can use sound effects to give your video a more humorous, lighthearted feel.
2- Add Emotion:
No one likes watching boring videos. You can bet boring videos fall flat and do not get as much engagement with an audience. So, how can you add some spice to your videos so they better resonate with your audience?
By editing your videos to add an emotional element to your content.
In advertising, ads with emotional content perform twice as well as ads with rational content. And companies that use emotional marketing have a 31% higher revenue.
So, if you’re using video for content marketing, it makes sense to edit your video content to appeal to the emotions of your audience. And if you’re just making videos for fun, still take the time to consider those stats and steal the tips from the content marketers: if you want your videos to perform well and go viral, you’ll want to play on the emotions of your audience.
Adding music to your video is just one way to bring emotion to your videos. For example, if you’ve recorded yourself mountain biking, the right tune can make your content feel inspirational to those watching. Or, if your video is on the sadder side, a slow song can help drive the point home.
Find out this free Youtube Name generator tool.
3- Increases Video Quality:
As previously mentioned, editing your video can dramatically improve your video quality.
In the editing process, you can:
- Add sound effects or music to a dramatic effect
- Add captions to increase viewership and reach a wider audience
- Add images or gifs to capture your audience’s attention
- Play with the audio settings to mute the original audio or cut out the silent parts of your video
- Insert transitions to enhance the flow of your video
All of these elements can elevate your content to better resonate with your audience. 😉
4- Improve Retention Rates:
Did you know that for videos under 60 minutes long, the average retention rate is 62%?
That’s a pretty good retention rate! However, editing your content can keep your audience on your video longer.
In fact, according to the Nielsen Norman Group, when a video features an overlay, 80% of viewers will look at it. And the Nielsen Norman Group also found that when a video visuals are changed often throughout the video, like when you use transitions, change angles, or insert photos and gits, your video is more likely to hold the attention of your audience.
So, when you’ve got the audience’s attention, you’re golden. 😎
Now that we’ve covered why you should edit your videos, let’s talk about the platforms you can use to post your video content.
Why TikTok Differs from YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels
If you’re a content creator, you already know Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are the best platforms to post your video content. The chances are pretty good that your target audience hangs out on one of these three platforms.
But, depending on your audience, you might prefer to post your content to just one of them.
Here’s why.
TL;DR (Too Long Didn't Read)
1. Instagram Reels: Ideal for younger audiences (18-34 age range) and content up to 90 seconds long. It benefits from a vast user base and shares content to both Instagram and Facebook, potentially reaching a wide audience.
2. YouTube Shorts: Appeals more to an older crowd (35 and older) and is part of the larger YouTube platform known for long-form content. Videos can be up to one minute long, with most Shorts being over 15 seconds. YouTube Shorts are only 60 seconds long, distinguishing them from other platforms.
3. TikTok: Popular with the younger demographic, with nearly half of its users under the age of 30. Videos on TikTok can range from 15 seconds to 3 minutes long, offering more flexibility in content length. It's known for its laid-back atmosphere and influencer-driven content, with features like social shopping for brands and creators.
Instagram Reels:
Instagram Reels is Meta’s answer to competing with TikTok as a short-form video platform. Instagram now allows users to post videos and short-form content.
When a user posts a Reel to Instagram, the video is shared to Facebook, too. So, while Instagram has 2 billion monthly active users (which is an enormous amount!), Reels have the potential also to reach Facebook’s nearly 3.1 billion monthly users.
Instagram is popular with users aged 18 to 34. So, if your audience falls within this age range, you might want to consider posting your video content to this platform.
It’s important to point out, too, that Instagram Reels can be up to 90 seconds long.
YouTube Shorts:
In 2020, YouTube introduced YouTube Shorts. YouTube is the most popular video-sharing platform and the place people go if they need to find a long-form video.
The idea behind YouTube Shorts, however, is to keep the platform competitive in the short-form video competition. This is great because YouTube Shorts seems to resonate more with the older crowd (35 and older) than any other platform.
Currently, YouTube sees over 122 million users a day. A single YouTube Video has the potential to reach 50 million views in just one day.
Video editors can record content for YouTube Shorts up to one minute long. And it might surprise you to know that most YouTube Shorts are over 15 seconds long. In fact, over 70% of YouTube Shorts are over 15 seconds.
YouTube Shorts are only 60 seconds long, making this a significant difference between the platforms
TikTok:
TikTok is known for being a laid-back video platform. But it might surprise you that it currently ranks 5th in the list of “Most Popular Social Media Platforms” (right behind Instagram).
TikTok’s user base grows every day, and it’s projected to have nearly 1 billion active worldwide users by 2025.
TikTok is popular with the younger crowd. Nearly 48% of its users are under the age of 30. According to Business Insider, kids aged 11 to 17 spend an average of two hours on TikTok a day!
Remember how I mentioned that Instagram Reels can be up to 90 seconds long? Well, TikTok videos can be anywhere from 15 seconds to 3 minutes long. And, if you record a video outside of the app, your content can be up to 10 minutes long!
One of the main differences between TikTok and its competitors are that many of its content creators are influencers, meaning they regularly create and share branded content. Plus, TikTok launched a social shopping experience, making it easy for influencers and brands to sell directly to their audience.
Whether you’re a brand ready to sell to your audience or a content creator looking to entertain, TikTok is a platform full of potential. 🔥
Let’s go over how to film TikTok videos, so you can start connecting with your audience right away.
Exclusive: 12 Tips to Edit TikTok Videos (Interviews with Creators)
What is a good video editing ultimate guide without real-life stories and best practices from famous content creators?
That's why asked 3 full-time content creators some interesting questions to avoid making mistakes that could harm your growth. 🔥
Special thanks to Victor from AISavvy, Johanne from SheDoesAI, and Chris Cordero!!
12 Best Tips to Learn From These Interviews
1. Be passionate about your content and find the balance between personal interest and audience engagement. - (Victor C - AISavvy)
2. Pay attention to the first few seconds of your video to engage viewers quickly. - (SheDoesAI)
3. Cut out silent parts and irrelevant content to ensure clarity. - (SheDoesAI)
4. Utilize transitions and sound effects to maintain viewer engagement, especially during hooks. - (SheDoesAI)
5. Incorporate elements like captions, gifs, and emojis to support your video's concept. - (SheDoesAI)
6. Emphasize visual elements like split screens and transitions to enhance the message. - (Victor C - AISavvy)
7. Use subtitles to enhance viewer experience and increase watch time. - (Chris Cordero)
8. Watch out for poor framing, audio quality, and lack of confidence, as these can detract from your message and engagement. - (Chris Cordero)
9. Find a balance between no edits and too many edits to keep your content natural. - (SheDoesAI)
10. Avoid being unauthentic or copying others without understanding the reasons behind their techniques. - (Victor C - AISavvy)
11. Edit and create content frequently to improve skills and efficiency over time. - (Chris Cordero)
12. Edit your videos to make them more engaging and dynamic, rather than just talking in front of the camera. - (Victor C - AISavvy)
Johanne from "SheDoesAI" (Interview #1)
SheDoesAI - 30k on TikTok1- What are your favorite editing techniques that you consistently use to enhance your TikTok and Reels videos?
"My initial focus is on the first 3 seconds of the video. I make sure to have a visual hook (text or gif), 1-2 quick transitions, and some great zoom or sound effects to keep the viewers watching. When the viewer watches more than 3 seconds, the video gets pushed out even more by the algorithm.
My second focus is editing the video so that it's clear for the viewer exactly what the video is about. I do this by adding captivating captions, gifs, and emojis that support the concept of the video.
My third focus is adding B-rolls, either as a split screen or as a full screen; again, this is to keep people watching!"
2- What are some common mistakes you see beginner TikTok creators making when it comes to editing their videos?
"The most common mistake I see is people who forget to cut out silent parts. Even just half a second of silence can make people scroll away from your video. Also, people tend to ramble instead of constantly providing value and sticking to the point.
When you shoot your video, remember always to cut out silent parts and any parts that aren't 100% relevant to what you're talking about. You don't need to give people a lot of context. Leave room for questions. In fact, this can be a great content creator tip, only to give people 90% of the answer. This will increase engagement as people will naturally want more and ask you questions in the comments!"
3- What is the number 1 editing advice you could give to content creators?
"Don't over-edit! You really want to find that sweet spot between no edits and too many edits. Keep it natural-looking; people want to connect with the person behind the video!"
Chris Cordero (Interview #2)
Chris Cordero - 40k on Instagram1- What are your favorite editing techniques that you consistently use to enhance your TikTok and Reels videos?
"I like reading text on screen, I even watch Netflix with subtitles. Plus it's an added benefit for the viewer and according to research, it helps increase watch time."
- Transition and sound effectssome text
"A simple but effective change in scenery that can go a long way."
"This is a bit more advanced. I don't believe it's all that necessary but sometimes I like to use this effect, especially during my hooks to get people to stop scrolling. I usually add some visual effects or graphics to go along with my verbal hook."
2- What are some common mistakes you see beginner TikTok & Instagram creators making when it comes to editing their videos?
My content is mostly educational so my responses are from an educator's perspective.
This may be a pet peeve of mine. As a creator, I look out for these types of things but in reality, I know most people probably will not notice a poorly framed shot. I feel it can be distracting and take away from the message someone is sharing. As a talking head, you should not be positioned too high or too low on the screen.
Poor-sounding audio is enough to make me swipe away. You can have the most powerful message ever, but poor-sounding audio can hurt your video. Maybe if you’re an established creator, you can get away with bad audio from time to time.
This one in particular is the biggest for me because it can give off the impression that you’re not knowledgeable in the information you’re sharing. My content is education base and people naturally listen to those who look and sound confident. Even if you’re a 5 out of 10 in your niche, there are 1-4’s that will look up to you.
3- What is the number 1 editing advice you could give to content creators?
"Create and edit content often. The more you do it, the better you will get and the easier it will get. This way you can spend even less time editing videos while maintaining high quality."
AISavvy (Interview #3)
AISavvy - 60k on TikTok1- What are your favorite editing techniques that you consistently use to enhance your TikTok and Reels videos? (Video Transcription)
"My number one is to be visual... I'm doing split screen... When you say something, you have to show it. It emphasizes your message with a simple picture or a video going on screen."
"Pace my videos, make them dynamic and cut the fluff... every single word. Make it dynamic and also add in between some transitions."
2- What are some common mistakes you see beginner TikTok & Instagram creators making when it comes to editing their videos? (Video Transcription)
"My biggest mistake was probably being unauthentic... I was just reading my script line by line, just looking straight into the camera with no emotion."
"Copying other influencers in your niche without understanding why and what... It's not working just to do raw content... you won't engage people as much."
3- What is the number 1 editing advice you could give to content creators? ( Video Transcription)
"Be authentic, first of all, and find something that you're passionate about... You have to be passionate about what you want to create and find the balance between what's interesting for you, what you want to create and what the viewer wants from you."
"Edit your videos... everyone can just talk in front of the camera... you have to adjust and put bits and pieces to make your video more engaging."
Step #1: Film Your Video
With the previously mentioned tips from the pros of content creation in mind, follow these steps to edit perfect TikTok and Reels videos.
TikTok’s video-sharing platform allows users to create and share videos that are 10 seconds to 10 minutes long. The best-performing videos, though, are between 21 and 34 seconds long.
This means you don’t need to film a ton of content to create a viral TikTok video!
(Pro tip: bookmark this guide in your browser for easy access and future reference!)
It sounds silly, but the first thing you need to do is film your video. There are a few different ways to film your content. Let’s look at them now.
How to Film a Video?
To film a video and save it to your photo gallery, you’ll need to record a video from your phone or a camera.
Follow these steps:
- Plan your video: Ask yourself these questions: Do you need a script? What about the lighting? Are there multiple scenes? Think about the kind of content you want to create, and then gather up your equipment, including microphones, lights, and cameras.
- Set up for your video: Once you’re ready to shoot your content, look for the best lighting and use a tripod to keep your recording steady. Take a few minutes to test out your camera and microphone, just to make sure everything looks and sounds good before recording.
- Record your content: Now, hit the “record” button and film your content! Remember, have fun with it!
- Save your video to your device: Be sure to save your video to your phone or an easily accessible location on your computer. This will make editing your video easier later
How to Film a Video on TikTok?
You don’t necessarily need extra equipment or software to record a video for TikTok. You can record directly in the app. Here’s how:
- Open the app: Find the app on your device and open it.
- Tap the “+” sign: Locate the “+” sign at the bottom of the screen. This will open the recording platform.
- Set up for your video: Take a few minutes to set up your video before recording. If you’re recording a selfie, be mindful of the background. You don’t want anything embarrassing to show in the video! Check the lighting, too, and add any extra video effects that you want.
- Choose your video length: Remember how I mentioned you can record up to 10 minutes of video on TikTok? Before you hit the recording button, choose the length of your video. You can select 10 minutes, 60 seconds, or 15 seconds.
- Record your video: Now, it’s time to record your video!
How to Film a video on Instagram?
Like TikTok, you can record your content directly in the Instagram app. Here’s how:
- Open the app: Find the app on your phone and open it.
- Tap the “+” sign: At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see a box with a + sign. Tap the box to begin recording your video.
- Select “Reel”: Slide the toggle at the bottom of the screen to “Reel”
- Tap “Camera”: At the top of your screen, tap the camera. This opens your camera and allows you to record a video clip.
- Set up your video: Before you record, set up your video. Do you want a filter on your video? Now’s the time to add it. Remember to check the lighting and your background before you record.
- Record your video: Ready? Hit the recording button to film a clip.
Step #2: Use Editing Features That Perform Well
Once you’ve recorded your video, it’s time to edit it. Depending on the app that you use, there are hundreds of editing options you can apply to your video content.
Let’s examine the editing of two viral videos. (Another pro tip: copy the editing styles for your own videos because these videos are viral! Clearly, these editing features perform well.)
Subtitles:
If you want to stay on trend and reach a larger audience, you’ll want to add subtitles to your videos. Aside from the fact that nearly 80% of Gen Z watch videos with subtitles, subtitles are a great way to give a voice to a non-speaking subject, like this raccoon.
Clearly, animals can’t talk. But giving your pets a voice is a big trend on social media. You can use subtitles and voiceover to engage your audience.
Trending Music
Trending music is another video edit that performs extremely well. 81% of content marketers say music increases a video’s engagement rate.
As of writing this post, Beyonce’s This Ain’t Texas is one of the, if not THE, highest trending songs for short-form video.
This video is a good example of how to use trending music to make content. The Walters Family video shows them dancing to the song. But trending music isn’t the only thing that makes this a well-edited video. They also use zooms and transitions.
Zooms and Transitions
Zooms and transitions are a great way to help the flow of the video. In the Walters Family Video, the audience can clearly tell the video is composed of several similar clips, but the flow of the video is smooth. If the video editor did not use transitions, the final cut of the video would be choppy.
And, clearly the dad did not want to participate in the video, so zooming in on his face provides the audience with a good laugh. #Relatable
Stock Footage
Stock footage, or video clips and images that you did not record yourself, is a great way to keep your audience engaged. Sometimes, stock footage is necessary to explain the point of your video better. Other times, it’s used as an element of surprise.
Look at how the Calm app uses stock footage to explain bilateral stimulation.
Before you post your video to the TikTok platform, consider editing it to increase audience engagement and satisfaction. After all, 81% of marketers say music helps increase video engagement—and you want your audiences to engage with your content!
Here’s how to edit your TikTok videos for maximum success. 😎
Step #3: Choose Your Favorite Video Editor
Now that you have a solid understanding of the best editing features, it’s time to choose your favorite video editor. In our opinion, the #1 video editing app is SubMagic, so let’s start there.
1- SubMagic: Best Video Editor Overall
SubMagic is an AI video editing software that makes editing your TikTok and Instagram Reels videos a breeze.
Backed by the power of AI, you can edit your video from start to finish in just minutes. And that includes adding captions and creating a Tiktok transcription. Seriously. I’m not lying!
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With SubMagic, you can:
The nice thing about using the SubMagic editor over others, like the TikTok In-App editor or Instagram’s In-App editor, is that your video is ready for any platform. Just download a copy of the file and post it to your favorite social media platform!
2- CapCut
CapCut is another great video editing tool for creating high-quality TikTok content. Users can access the CapCut editor online or by downloading the app from the App Store or Google Play.
CapCut allows users to:
- Trim a video’s length
- Splice video clips together
- Add music to their content
- Insert sticks to their videos
CapCut offers free editing features, like adding music and sound effects. With a free account, users can collaborate with their editing team to work on the same video project. They also offer a subscription plan for those who wish to use the advanced editing features, like removing the watermark and enhanced audio editing.
CapCut is owned by Bytedance, which coincidentally owns TikTok. So, by using CapCut to edit your videos, you can share them to the video-sharing platform directly from the CapCut editor.
3- TikTok’s Built-in Editor
If you’d rather edit your video in the TikTok platform, TikTok’s built-in editor offers many editing options.
Using the built-in editor, TikTok users can add stickers, incorporate sound effects and music, add filters to their videos, use a green screen, and more.
When you use the TikTok editing feature, you can rest easy knowing the edits you make to your video are suitable for the TikTok big (well, small!) screen.
4- Instagram Reel’s Editor
Like TikTok, Instagram also offers an assortment of editing options in their built-in editor. Using the platform’s editing tools, users can:
- Scale, crop, or rotate your video
- Add trending sounds and music
- Add filters to your content
Whichever editor you choose for your video projects, take some time to consider what your audience wants to see. Always remember that your audience is the most important people. Create with them in mind.
Step #4: Publish Your Video
Great! Now that you have a fully edited video that’s ready to share with your audience, it’s time to publish it.
If you use Instagram or TikTok to edit your video, you can just hit the publish button to share it directly with your followers. Don’t forget to add a caption so your audience knows what your video is about.
If you use SubMagic to edit your video, head on over to the platform you want to share your content to. Then, skip through the editing steps (since your content is ready to go), write a caption, add some hashtags (including #SubMagic 🧡), and hit post!
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions on How to Edit TikTok Videos
If you still have questions about how to edit TikTok videos, no worries. Check out these frequently asked questions.
How Do I Start Editing a Video for TikTok?
There are two ways you can edit your video for TikTok. The first way is to upload your video clip (or record a video in the TikTok app) to the TikTok editor. Once you’ve done that, you can edit your clip in the app. You can add music, trim the video, apply a filter, and more.
Alternatively, you can use video editing software to edit your video before uploading it to TikTok. Video editing software, like SubMagic, gives users a little more control and creative freedom to edit their videos in a way that resonates with their audience. Plus, AI-powered video editing software can help you quickly produce well-edited videos in minutes.
Can I Add Music to my TikTok Video?
Yes, you can add music to your TikTok Video. You can add music to your content directly on the TikTok platform using the built-in editor. Using the built-in editor lets you quickly and easily see which music is trending on the platform. Remember, trending music is catchy and can help increase your video’s engagement!
You can also use editing software, like SubMagic, to add music to your video. With SubMagic, you can control the volume of your song and add special sound effects to make your video pop.
Can I Add Special Effects to My TikTok Video?
Yes, you can add special effects to your TikTok video. You can create a more engaging video for your audience with special effects, like video transitions and gifs or images.
There are two ways to add special effects to your TikTok video. You can use the TikTok editor to add stickers and other special effects to your video or consider using video editing software. Editing software, like SubMagic, allows users to add B-roll footage, auto-cut the silent parts of the video, add transition effects, and more.
How Do I Add Text to My TikTok Video?
You can add text to your TikTok videos by tapping the “Text” option in the TikTok built-in editor. This feature allows users to write text on their videos in the style of a Snapchat caption.
If you want to add subtitles to your video, consider using SubMagic to edit your content. SubMagic automatically generates subtitles on the initial upload of your video, making it easy to add text to your videos.
Why is video quality important on Instagram?
High-quality videos are great for engagement. The more engagement a video has with its audience, the more likely the Instagram algorithm will continue showing the video to newer audiences.
To create a high-quality video, you’ll need to record content and spend some time editing it. The time spent editing will be well worth it!
How long should Instagram Reels be?
Instagram Reels can be anywhere up to 90 seconds. The ideal reel is between 7 and 15 seconds.
How Can I Improve the Quality of My TikTok Videos?
The quality of your video content can make or break your audience’s viewing experience. If you’re looking to improve your video’s quality, consider checking the lighting, ensuring that you’re steady when filming your content, and ensuring that the audio is clear and audible.
Additionally, you can improve your video’s quality by editing your content. You can use the built-in TikTok editor to edit your work. For advanced editing features, consider using video editing software like SubMagic. Give SubMagic a try today! 🧡
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