10 Video Editing Ideas for Beginners to Create Professionally

10 Video Editing Ideas for Beginners to Create Professionally

Looking for video editing ideas for beginners? Check out these 10 easy-to-implement tips for creating professional-looking videos! Boost your skills now.

Last Updated: May 7, 2024
13 min
Reviewed by Ortal Hadad

It can be challenging for a beginner to think of fresh and exciting video editing ideas.

If you’ve watched well-edited videos and wished you could do the same, don’t worry. Every great editor was once a beginner. With a few video editing ideas, you can be on your way to creating inspiring and original content.

Video editing is essential to make your content engaging and increase your followers. It helps make your videos more polished, professional, creative, and powerful. That’s why we’ve created this blog post full of unique editing ideas. Read on to find inspiration for your content.

The basics: What should you consider when editing video?

Considering all the different aspects of editing a video can feel overwhelming. It’s not unusual that, as a beginner, you might not know how to start developing your video editing skills. To make things simple, we’ve listed the essential things to think about when it comes to video editing:

Length

If a video is too short, it may not get your message across. Too long, and a viewer may lose interest and click away. So, what’s the sweet spot? It depends on the platform you will upload to and your intended audience.

As a general rule, the average YouTube video is just over 11 minutes, while most video podcasts are between 30-45 minutes. If your video is far longer than these guidelines, focusing on reducing its length by cutting or speed ramping it is a good priority in post-production.

If you’re making content for specific social media platforms, you must pay special attention to video length. TikTok and Instagram videos now cap at 10 minutes long, so be careful of the limit!

Pacing

When editing a video, your focus should be on its pacing. The way your video flows plays a massive part in whether it is enjoyable to watch. You can alter the pacing of a video through edits such as jump cuts. Every editing decision you make must be in line with the pacing you want to achieve. This will enhance your storytelling and help you create the best viewing experience.

Audio

You can’t have a great video without great audio. The sound of people speaking in your video should be crisp and clear to avoid confusion. Issues such as loud background noise, audio delay, or distortion can prevent a viewer from being immersed in your video. You should also take the time to choose the right music for your video. This can create a mood and consistency in your content.

If you're new to this world, we definitely recommend checking out the Riverside video editing glossary as well.

10 Video editing ideas to inspire your creativity

Editing ideas can be hard to come by, but they make all the difference to your process. With creative video ideas, you’ll be more inspired to edit, and you’ll have more fun along the way. We have compiled a list of video editing ideas ideal for beginners wanting to step up their game:

1. Use a dramatic cut

Making cuts is one of the first things beginners learn when it comes to editing. Simply put, cuts are a type of transition that happens when one clip ends and another begins. Cuts are part of the foundation of good editing. But they don’t have to be boring! Cuts can be highly creative.

A dramatic cut consists of two very different clips that are put side-by-side. For example, a clip of a busy street vendor selling food could cut to a wide shot of a vast mountain. This type of cut adds drama to your video and can enhance its storytelling.

2. Use a template

Video templates are a great option for beginners as they can help you create entertaining structures for your videos. Preset templates are available with certain video editing software, such as Riverside. They include features like title cards, transitions, intros, and outros.

Most preset templates are customizable, allowing you to put your own creative vision onto a premade structure.

3. Use creative transitions

Transitions are an essential aspect of most videos. You can transition using a visual technique to move from one scene to the next. You can get creative with transitions to surprise and engage your viewers.

Try a fade transition to introduce the next scene gradually or a wipe transition for a more stark and dramatic change. You could also try a cinematic cross-fade, where one scene partially overlaps with the next.

4. Change the video speed

An easy editing idea is to vary the speed of your video. The tone of your video is an important factor in determining its speed. For example, a vlog-style video is less likely to suit varied speeds.

However, plenty of videos work well when sped up, such as cleaning, dancing, or crafts. You can alternate a video’s speed to create a better sense of pacing and keep the viewer’s interest.

5. Add background music

Background music can have a significant effect on your video. It’s essential to consider the tone of a scene when choosing the right music for it.

Finding a good fit can amplify the atmosphere of your video. Many beginners feel they need help finding background music due to copyright laws. Seek out royalty-free music to enhance your video.

6. Include a voiceover

Voiceovers are a way to provide information or continue dialogue while showing different clips. A voiceover can be extremely helpful if you're a how-to or educational video creator.

7. Add captions

Captions are beneficial in many ways. They make your video more accessible to those with hearing difficulties and can clarify what is being said by a speaker with a strong accent.

8. Create a montage

A montage is often used to tell a story within a limited amount of time. Various scenes are spliced together to build towards an end result.

9. Use an L-cut or J-cut

Varying the type of cuts you use helps your viewer stay focused on your video. Give a J-cut or an L-cut a go to switch up your techniques during dialogue scenes.

10. Repurpose content

You can edit your full-length video to use sections of it for other platforms. Repurposing refers to taking your full-length video and making clips to post on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

What do you need to start editing videos?

Editing videos doesn’t require a whole lot of equipment. As a beginner, it’s often a good idea to work with the equipment you already have. Here are some essentials you might consider:

Video editing software recommendations

Video editing software can be your hub for streamlining your workflow and developing your editing style. Most editors use software for the tools it offers. As a beginner, consider checking out some of the best editing software available and see what catches your interest.

Inspiring Video Editing Examples

1. The Best Smartphone Camera 2022! - Marques Brownlee

Watch example videos for professional inspiration, focusing on editing techniques such as clear focus, direction, and a variety of media integration.

2. Tricks With Monuments - Zach King

A mesmerizing example utilizing seamless transitions and creative storytelling through editing.

3. My Secret Warehouse Tour - Mark Rober

Showcases excellent pacing, storytelling, and various editing techniques.