There’s more to video editing than putting clips together.
You’re telling a story.
And the good news? You don’t need to be a pro to create slick, engaging content. If you’re new to editing, mastering a few foundational tricks can level up your videos fast.
- The “J-Cut” and “L-Cut”
These two cuts are staples in film and video editing because they help conversations and scene transitions feel smoother. A J-cut happens when the audio from the next scene starts before the current video ends. This preps your viewer’s ears before they see the next visual, easing them into the new scene. Imagine hearing someone say “Hey!” just before cutting to them opening a door—that’s a J-cut in action.
An L-cut is the reverse. Here, the visual changes to the next scene, but the audio from the previous scene lingers. It’s great for keeping emotional continuity or drawing attention to a character’s reaction before the audio cues in. These subtle techniques create a rhythm that feels natural and cinematic. Start experimenting with them, and your edits will instantly feel more professional.
2. Cutting on Action
“Cutting on action” means making your cuts while something is happening on screen, especially physical movement. It might seem like a small detail, but it’s huge for continuity. When someone swings a door open or tosses a ball, cut mid-motion between two angles. Our brains are too focused on the movement to notice the cut, which makes the transition feel invisible.
This technique isn’t limited to action movies—it works in interviews, vlogs, or any scene with movement. It keeps the viewer immersed, maintains energy, and helps prevent the awkward, “I can tell this was edited” feeling. Practice this by filming a basic action from two angles and cutting between them as the movement happens.
3. Keyboard Shortcuts
One of the biggest time-wasters for beginners is constantly switching between mouse tools. Learning just a handful of keyboard shortcuts can drastically speed up your workflow. Most video editing software—like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or DaVinci Resolve—lets you use or even customize shortcut keys for essential actions like cutting, copying, trimming, and ripple deleting.
Start with the basics: blade tool (cut), select, undo, redo, and zoom. Once you’re comfortable, add more as needed. Over time, this muscle memory will make editing second nature. It’s one of the fastest ways to go from clunky to confident.
4. Don’t Overdo Transitions
It’s tempting to throw in flashy wipes, spins, or zooms when you’re starting out. But unless you’re going for a specific, stylized look (like a YouTube gaming montage), less is usually more. Overusing transitions can make your video feel amateurish or distracting.
Stick with clean cuts or simple fades unless the transition adds meaning or style. Think of editing like writing: punctuation should support the sentence, not overwhelm it. A subtle crossfade can suggest a passage of time. A clean cut might emphasize a sudden change. Let your content dictate the transition—not the other way around.
5. Work With Proxy Files
If you’re editing high-resolution video (like 4K) on a less-than-powerful machine, editing can feel like swimming through molasses. Proxy files are your best friend. They’re lightweight versions of your original footage, created just for editing. Once you’re done, the software replaces them with the full-quality files automatically.
Using proxies speeds up your editing process and helps prevent lag, especially when working with multiple layers, effects, or color grading. Most major editing programs make it easy to generate proxies with a click. It might seem technical at first, but once you’ve tried it, you’ll wonder how you ever edited without them.
6. Use B-Roll to Cover Cuts
B-roll is secondary footage that supports your main shots—like close-ups of hands typing during a talking head segment. It’s not just decorative; it’s a powerful editing tool. Use it to cover jump cuts, hide awkward transitions, or add context and visual interest.
For example, if someone says “I love hiking,” cut to a scenic mountain shot or their boots on a trail. It keeps the viewer engaged and prevents monotony. In interviews, B-roll can keep the visuals flowing even if you have to slice up the audio. The best editors are constantly thinking about what other shots can enhance the story visually.
7. Match Your Music to the Mood
Music can make or break a video. It sets the emotional tone and affects how viewers respond to your content. Use upbeat tracks for lively, energetic videos, or slower, ambient tracks for serious or reflective moments. Always pick music that fits your message, not just something catchy.
Also, be mindful of copyright. Platforms like YouTube and Instagram can mute or take down videos with unlicensed tracks. Use royalty-free music from libraries like YouTube Audio Library, Artlist, or Epidemic Sound. And remember to match your cuts to the music’s rhythm—this makes your edits feel more polished and intentional.
8. Master the Zoom and Pan
Even with still shots, you can create motion using the Ken Burns effect—slow zooms and pans added in post-production. This technique draws attention to important parts of a shot or just adds subtle movement to keep things from feeling static.
In most editors, you can keyframe position and scale to create this movement. Want to emphasize a subject’s face in a wide shot? Slowly zoom in. Want to reveal something in the corner of the frame? Pan toward it. These small moves keep your video visually dynamic, especially when your footage is locked off or minimal.
9. Use Color Correction Before Grading
Before you apply a fancy color grade, always start with correction. This means fixing things like white balance, exposure, contrast, and saturation so your footage looks clean and consistent. Grading (styling your colors) comes after, adding mood or aesthetic flair.
If you skip correction, your grade won’t work properly. One clip might look overly blue, while another might be too dark—making the grade inconsistent. Correct first, then stylize. Even simple tweaks can bring footage to life and give your edit a professional finish.
10. Keep It Tight
One of the easiest ways to lose viewers is with dead air or bloated scenes. Trim your videos to the essentials. Remove awkward pauses, filler words like “um” and “like,” and anything that doesn’t move the story forward. Every second should have a purpose.
This is especially important for content on social media or YouTube, where attention spans are short. A tighter edit keeps the pace moving and the audience engaged. Watch your edit multiple times and keep asking: “Can I cut this?” If the answer is yes, do it.
You don’t need a $5,000 camera or Hollywood-level software to make great content. You just need smart editing. These ten tricks will help you build solid habits, sharpen your eye, and start creating videos people want to watch. Practice often, watch other editors’ work for inspiration, and most importantly—have fun with it.