If you're just getting into video editing, you might not know where to begin. Here are the important tips you need to know!

Editing of video is typically the last process that happens just before a video gets to you for final viewing. If you've had to create a video yourself, you'll also know it can be a time-consuming process.

If you're just getting into the editing process, you may be confused as to what to do with the many millions of clips you have—well, we're here to help. Here are many more things worth remembering to help enhance your editing skills.

1. Make a Project Folder

When editing a big video project for the first time ever, it's easy to just keep everything onto your desktop and hope for the best. Well, to say it in easy way, please don't do that. Each and every single time you start an editing project, you need to create a project Folder.
Create a project folder, and within that folder, have a few more folders with names like Raw Footage, Audio, Music, Picture, Graphics, and so on. Put all of the materials in these folders according to their type. It's also a good idea to name each individual file with a brief description of its contents.
The project file itself can be placed in the directory as-is—no special folders needed.
Organizing the project this way will place things easily accessible and result in a faster workflow. 

2. The Magic of Two 


Memory cards and hard drives and can fail you when you least expect it, so it's safer to put a copy of your project folder in a separate location. Cloud storage will suffice, but you might be limited by the upload speed and storage space. It's always best practice to keep the copy on your computer and on an external hard drive.
If you wish to keep an archive of everything once the project has finished, transfer the files onto a second external drive and remove them from your computer. In this way, you'll free up storage on your computer while still possessing two copies of the project. 

3. Select Your Weapon Wisely 


When selecting a video editor, it's everything about control. Do you need something simple that only allows you to put a few footage together and then add some titles? Windows Movie Maker, iMovie, or the YouTube video editor will be just fine.
But, if you want something more complex that allows you to layer videos like Photoshop and utilize keyboard shortcuts, then Adobe Premiere Pro is a good choice.
Keep in mind that there's a learning curve to the more advanced editors. Sometimes it's better to get started with an introductory prosumer editor, like Adobe Premiere Elements, Final Cut Pro X, or Vegas Pro. 

4. Cut the Fat 


Trimming is the most important editing tool you'll use—and you'll use it a lot of times.
Once you've cut your footage into different clips, trim their beginnings and endings. This will place the footage free from unwanted frames where nothing of importance seems to happen, and will focus the important events that you wish to present.

5. Stay away from Jumpcuts


While filming interviews where the interviewee says "um" and "uh" every other breath is a hassle. If you simply trim off the "ums" and "uhs," the flow of the video will look choppy.

The good news is that you can layer extra video clips of shots  to the content (called b-roll or cutaways) over these awkward moments. If you do this carefully, it will look like they spoke without a hitch, and the flow will make it easier for viewers to follow along.
Keep in mind that you'll need a latest, non-linear, editing system for this such as Adobe Premiere or Final Cut. Prosumer editors allow for video layering, but iMovie will not.

 

6. Differ Your Shots


You need to place your content visually interesting. Instead of just using the same shot for the whole video, try changing things up with more interesting angles. This can be something as easy as recording your interview with two cameras and changing between them .
Utilize these cuts sparingly, however. Don't do it often. A good rule is to make cuts based on the beat of the audio or at pauses when people speak.

 

7. Begin With High-Quality Film

Nothing shouts unprofessional like low-quality film. If you want a high-quality result, you need to begin with high-quality film in editing.
Capture the scenes in the highest quality your camera allows and transfer the file footage directly to your personal computer.While editing, you're undoubtedly to lose some quality, and there isn't much you can do to avoid it. To minimize the quality lost, try to change as little as realistically possible in the editing process, and avoid splitting and merging a clip more than once. This is why getting the ideal shot while filming is mandatory, so there isn't much that needs fixing.
Remember that some editing software will require you to edit at a low resolution and frame rate to avoid lag during playback. So keep in mind to set the resolution and frame rate settings as high as the editor allows when you export the project. 

8. Remember Coloring

Coloring consists of two parts: color correction and color-grading. They're significant editing steps that you don't want to skip, regardless of how high-quality or well-edited your footage is otherwise.
Color correction is the process of adjusting the standard editing tools such as contrast, brightness, and saturation, to achieve the same coloring across all the footage. And then using those tools again to make sure everything has a natural coloring—as the human eye would perceive it. This editing step is really important for visual consistency.

9. Use Another Source for Sound|

You're always going to get clearer sound with something other than the onboard camera microphone. If possible, record your sound with a superior microphone and separate recording system.
If you able to access to a live sound engineer, ask them to record things separately and sync the sound in post-production. You can do this by visually matching the waveforms, or using software like PluralEyes, which does it for you. Adobe Premiere CC offers a similar synchronization function, so it's already built-in.
Unfortunately, low-end editors can't do this. In that case, try to get your hands on a microphone that can plug directly into the camera, like a lavalier. To up your sound game, view the best shotgun mics.

10. Be a Storyteller

Always tell a story when you're editing and remember the basics of storytelling: beginning, middle, end.
Editors, as a profession, are some of the best storytellers out there. Without them, you would have a collection of random shots with nothing to attach them together. They provide the structure for the finished video, and the best ones are some of the highest-paid workers in the film industry.