You sit on your phone watching your favorite YouTuber and you think, “How do YouTubers edit their videos?” Their video clips are cut together seamlessly and the music, graphics, and effects work together to create an engaging video. So how do YouTubers edit their videos so effectively and how can you achieve the same effect? In this article, you will learn about the best editing software, both paid and free, as well as editing techniques you can use to create viral videos like your favorite YouTubers.
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Best Video Editing Software
How do YouTubers edit their videos that bring in so many subscribers? They use editing software. First, you should learn about the editing software options and choose the best video editing software for you and your project. The one you choose will depend on what you need for your videos, your budget, and how much skill you have. It is important to remember that skills can be developed, so you should also consider how much time you have to learn and if the learning curve is worth the improved visuals.
YouTube Video Editor Options
There are a lot of YouTube video editor options. Some are free and some are a big investment. Compiled below are some of the best video editing software for YouTube video editing.
Final Cut Pro
Final Cut Pro is extremely popular with YouTubers. Not only do YouTubers like this software, but filmmakers as well. It offers some of the most advanced capabilities. It has a library of effects and samples that can be combined to create your desired outcome. At $299, this editing software is an investment. You will also have to have a computer with enough processing power and disk space to run the software. Final Cut Pro offers a thirty-day free trial.
Adobe Premiere Pro
Adobe Premiere Pro is the preferred YouTube video editor for most YouTubers. It has an array of video editing capabilities not found in other editing software. Adobe Premiere Pro can be paired with Adobe After Effects to create stunning visual elements that are not possible in other video editing software. This software costs $20.99 per month and has a bit of a learning curve due to its complexity. Try the seven-day free trial before committing to the software.
Premiere Elements
After trying the Adobe Premiere Pro seven-day free trial, you might find that you do not need all of its elements. Premiere elements is the reduced version of Adobe Premiere Pro. It still offers color correction, video resizing, audio editing, and other features that can also be found in Adobe Premiere Pro. It has fewer advanced capabilities, but with fewer capabilities, it is also easier to understand. It is also less expensive at $100 in total.
Premiere Rush
Premiere Rush is another Adobe product designed for social media videos created by young, online creators. Unlike the other Adobe software, it allows for mobile editing and cloud sharing. This is a free app available on macOS, Windows, IOS, and Android.
iMovie
How do YouTubers edit their videos for free? Most of the time, they use iMovie. iMovie is by no means the most extensive software option, but unlike the other options, it comes free on all Apple devices. This also means that it is not available on other operating systems. If you use Windows, you will either have to use a different YouTube video editor or buy an Apple product.
iMovie is easy to understand. For the beginner YouTube video editor, it is an easy way to edit a video without getting bogged down by complicated tools. It offers multiple transition options, the ability to slow down or speed up videos, a library of music and basic sound effects, and text options. More complicated editing features like special effects are difficult to implement in this program, so if you need those features iMovie will not be for you. With it being so available and user-friendly, iMovie can work just fine for some YouTubers editing their videos.
ShotCut
ShotCut is a free YouTube video editor that works on Windows, OS X, and Linux. The interface may seem a bit strange as the program was originally created for Linux users. It has a wide selection of filters and editing options for a free program. If you are looking for free video editing software that will work on your current computer, ShotCut is a good option.
LightWorks
LightWorks is another free YouTube video editor option. Unlike other free options like iMovie, LightWorks can support 3D video editing and processing. For a free program, LightWorks is a solid option that works on Windows, Linux, and macOS.
YouTube Video Editing Tips
With the right editing, you can turn even mundane footage into something exhilarating.
Stay Consistent
If you plan to make more than one video, you are going to want to keep your editing style consistent throughout the video and even for videos in the same series. If you change it up in the middle, it can be jarring for the viewer. Unless you have a good reason to switch up your editing style halfway through a video, it is best to keep it the same.
Cut Out Dead Air
No one wants to watch ten seconds of silence. These lulls in content can bore your viewer and make them close out of your video before getting to the end. It is natural for people to take longer pauses or make mistakes when filming a video. Cutting out dead air is the simplest and most important editing task. All the other fancy effects can bring your video up a level, but if your video is full of silence, it will be difficult for viewers to get through it. Make sure that you cut these out for a seamless flow that keeps your viewers engaged the entire time.
B-Roll
B-roll is considered any footage that is not a part of the main video. Usually, it is the footage that plays over someone talking. A video of a single person talking can get boring. B-roll helps to keep things novel which will help keep your audience interested. B-roll can also hide mistakes in the footage if the audio is still good. All you have to do is play the audio over B-roll instead of the original footage to hide the mistakes.
Use Graphics
Graphics are a great way to emphasize important information or to add entertainment value. Graphics can be text or images that enhance your footage’s message. Graphics are a great way to keep your audience engaged with dynamic visuals.
Use Multiple Angles
While filming, try to capture the action from multiple angles. When you go back in to edit, you should piece these contrasting shots together to create dynamic videos. If you forgot to change angles while filming, some software allows you to simulate angle changes by zooming in and out on the subject.
Use Music
Music is an easy way to elevate your YouTube video. Music can make even the driest topic more engaging. When using music, it is important to remember to keep it quiet. If the music is too loud, viewers won’t be able to hear the actual video. Music should enhance your video, not overtake it.
When selecting music, choose a song that compliments the energy of your video. Use soft, melodic songs for relaxing videos and hard beats for exciting action shots. Generally, upbeat music compliments most videos, but you are going to want to make that decision after figuring out the mood of your video.
Another important factor to consider when choosing music is copyright. Unless you have permission to use copyrighted music, you will get your video claimed and lose any revenue you could have earned from it or even get the video taken down. Choose music that is in the public domain to avoid your hard work going to waste.
Get Feedback
How do YouTubers edit their videos in such beautiful ways? That level of skill might seem unattainable, but it will come with practice. The best way to get better at something is to ask for constructive feedback. It is impossible to get better if you do not know what you are doing wrong, so ask other editors what they think. They can give you tips on how to improve your video. You can also ask friends and family to watch your video before you upload it. They might not understand the technicalities of editing, but they should give you a good idea about what is working and what is not. Once you receive the feedback, revise your video before uploading it to YouTube.
Improve Your Video Editing Skills
Learning to edit videos is a valuable skill. While the free video YouTube video editors might not be objectively the best, they are great for beginners creating their first YouTube videos. As you get better and your needs increase, investing in one of the best video editing software will be a great idea. It’s important to remember that professional YouTubers take their time to create creative and visually appealing videos on their preferred editing software. It requires a lot of trial and error, but once you get the hang of it you will be editing like your favorite YouTubers in no time.
FAQ:
- What are some free video editing software options?
- How do I improve my YouTube video editing skills?
- What type of music should I use in my YouTube video?
- What editing software do most YouTubers use?
- What editing software can I use on a Windows computer?
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