Did you know there will be over 205 million smartphone video viewers in the US by 2022?
This proves that more public is turning to a video format over text content. Businesses need to start catering to what their audiences want.
To do this, you must learn how to optimize your videos to keep your audience engaged. While creating videos can be easy, you have to perfect your skills and not make any mistakes.
Read up and learn why you shouldn’t make these common video editing mistakes and how to avoid them.
1. Not Knowing Your Equipment
This can lead to several problems, from not being able to properly edit your video to not being able to output it in the correct format. To avoid this, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with your video editing software and hardware.
This includes understanding how to properly connect and configure your equipment. Additionally, be sure to keep your software and firmware up to date to ensure compatibility and avoid any potential issues.
2. Not Planning Your Edit
Before you start cutting your footage, take some time to plan out your edit. Decide what story you want to tell and what shots you need to tell that story.
Otherwise, you’ll end up with a disorganized mess, especially if you are working with others on your editing. You can try this Online Collaborative Video Editing software for a better tool that helps speed up the video workflow.
3. Not Organizing Your Footage
Once you’ve planned your edit, it’s time to organize your footage. Create a system for labeling and storing your footage so you can easily find the clips you need. Keep your project files well organized and color code them if required. This will save you a lot of time in the long run.
4. Not Using Proper Transitions
Another mistake is not using proper transitions and cutting the videos too much. When you’re editing, it’s easy to get carried away and cut too much. But resist the temptation to cut for the sake of cutting; every shot should serve a purpose.
This can make your edits look choppy and unfinished. Take your time to find the right transition for your project.
5. Using the Wrong Aspect Ratio
The most common error when editing videos is using the wrong aspect ratio. This can make your video look stretched out or squished. This can often happen when trying to edit videos from different sources, such as a phone or a GoPro. To avoid this mistake, make sure to check the aspect ratio of your source video before editing.
For example, most phone videos are shot in a 16:9 aspect ratio, while GoPro videos are usually in a 4:3 aspect ratio. If you try to edit a phone video in a 4:3 aspect ratio, it will look stretched and distorted.
6. Not Reviewing Your Work
After you’ve finished your edit, take some time to review your work. Watch the video all the way through and make sure everything flows smoothly. If not, make the necessary changes.
Make sure to proofread your work before exporting. This will ensure that there are no mistakes in your final product.
7. Not Backing Up Your Project File
Backing up your project file is essential to avoid losing your work and having to start from scratch. There are a few common mistakes people make when it comes to backing up their project files.
First, it is not backing up their project file at all. This is a recipe for disaster and will almost certainly result in lost work. The second is backing up their project file to the same drive that their operating system is installed on. If something happens to that drive, you will lose both your project file and your operating system.
The third mistake is not keeping multiple copies of your project file. If you only have one copy and it gets corrupted, you will have to start from scratch. The fourth mistake is not keeping your project file in a safe place. If you keep it on your computer, it is vulnerable to hackers and viruses. Always make sure to back up your project before making any changes.
8. Not Matching the Audio and Video Playback Speeds
This can often lead to choppy, distorted audio sound or stuttery playback, as well as out-of-sync audio and video. To avoid this in editing video audio, be sure to check the audio and video playback speeds before you begin editing. You can do this by opening the Properties window for each clip and checking the framerate.
Alternatively, you can use a tool like FFmpeg to check the playback speeds. Once you know the playback speeds, be sure to set your video editing tools and software to match them. This will ensure smooth and accurate playback.
9. Not Checking Any Dark or Bright Spots in the Video
Finally, make sure to check your video for any dark or bright spots. These can be distracting and take away from the overall quality of your video, and this can result in an uneven video that is difficult to watch. To avoid this, be sure to use a light meter or other tool to check the video’s brightness before editing it.
Avoid Common Video Editing Mistakes
There are a few common video editing mistakes that people make. To avoid these mistakes, be sure to use proper video editing software, be mindful of your cuts and transitions in videos, and be careful not to overdo the effects.
With a little bit of practice, you can avoid these mistakes and create professional-looking videos.
Did you find these tips for common video editing mistakes useful? If so, be sure to check out some of our other posts for more insights.
