In an era where social media has become the primary source of entertainment, videos have become very powerful instruments for connecting with friends and presenting new products to a worldwide audience.
If pictures paint a thousand words, imagine the impact of videos.
In research conducted by digital marketing giants, Sprout Social, the most valuable type of content dominating social media comes in the form of videos. A similar consumer insights study in 2020 shows that the most effective type of media that has converted most viewers into buyers are… you guessed it, videos.
The best time to enter the video editing industry was yesterday, but if you are eager to catch up, get started by arming yourself with the right video editing software.
How to Choose a Video Editor for Beginner?
If you are trying your hand at video editing for the first time, here are some things to consider before purchasing new software:
- Ease of use
A good video editor should have a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. You don’t want to spend hours trying to figure out how to do basic things like trimming a clip or adding text. - Advanced features
Even though it is aimed at beginners, a video editor should still have some advanced features that more experienced users will appreciate. These can include things like transitions, special effects, music, and more. Try different options and choose the one that best suits your editing style. - Compatibility
The video editor should be compatible with different types of media files, including the most popular audio and video formats, so you can export the final product without any issues. - Customer support
In case you run into any problems while using the video editor, it is important to have customer support that can help you troubleshoot the issue like a knowledge base, FAQs, or even live chat support. - Pricing
There are many options available, both free and paid, so you need to decide what features are most essential to you and pick a video editor that fits your budget.
“So, what editing software should I use?”
You’re probably wondering by now if there’s a product out there that comes with a vast array of features, transitions, effects, fair price tag, and great customer support.
The answer is yes. Here are four suggestions that are ideal for first-time users: Movavi Video Editor, Cyberlink PowerDirector, Final Cut Pro, and iMovie.
Movavi Video Editor
Like most software, Movavi Video Editor can be used on both macOS and Windows. You can use it to add animations and filters, make great transitions, insert titles, and more.
You can purchase Movavi Video Editor Plus for lifetime use at an affordable, flat fee of $59.95. If you seek more features and capabilities, you can access Movavi Unlimited and other amazing equally-powerful products from the Movavi suite with an affordable subscription. You can also try out the software for free for 7 days.
Cyberlink PowerDirector
Cyberlink PowerDirector features lighting adjustments and comes with a vast selection of transitions and different video effects. Get more features when you subscribe to Cyberlink PowerDirector 365, which is also bundled with PhotoDirector 365.
Final Cut Pro
Final Cut Pro is popular among video editing veterans and beginners alike due to its intuitive interface, drag-and-drop timeline, and wide range of features to trim, split, and crop videos, add music and sound effects, and more. The software is designed exclusively for macOS. You can get access to Final Cut Pro plus its future updates for a one-time purchase of $299.99. If you’re not sure if this software is for you, you can try it free for 90 days.
iMovie
Unlike other video editors in this list, iMovie is preinstalled on Apple devices, which means it’s free for all Mac users. How does a free editor fare on a list populated by paid software? Pretty well, actually. iMovie is an easy-to-use tool that allows you to add transitions, background music, text, and effects to any media, such as video clips or images. You can turn albums into a slideshow by manually adding text and transitions where you see fit, or let iMovie work its magic by using the Movie Magic feature, which adds effects to videos with a click of a button.
Video Editing Tips for Beginners
If you want to succeed as a video editor, here are some video editing tips you should use:
- Use appropriate hardware
Unlike other hobbies that require little to no equipment, video editing demands that you use hardware that can handle video rendering. Assess your current device and see if you can run the latest version of any video editor you’d like to learn. If you’re not happy with your current setup, consider a custom PC build suited for your video editing needs. - Practice
The more you edit, the better you’ll become at it. Make sure to set aside time each week to edit videos. Don’t be afraid to experiment: try out new editing techniques and see what works best for you. - Be patient
Editing can be a frustrating process at times, but it’s important to be patient and not get discouraged if you don’t get the desired results. Ask other people for their opinion on your work. Getting constructive feedback can help you improve as an editor.
- Master your workflow
Video editing can be a time-consuming endeavor. Matt Pierce of Visual Lounge has a simple workflow you can use to keep your projects well within their delivery schedule. It consists of 4 essential steps you need to perform to help you turn your hobby into a career.
Wrap Up
Video editing can be a rewarding hobby or profession, but it can be costly to get into. To get the most bang for your buck, weigh your software options well and take advantage of free trial periods to get a good feel for the software before making a purchase. With that, good luck on your video editing journey!