If you’re looking to dive into video editing as a beginner in 2021, the best software options are those that balance powerful features with an intuitive, user-friendly interface. While there are many choices, for a smooth start, consider Corel VideoStudio Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Shotcut. Corel VideoStudio Pro, in particular, offers a fantastic blend of ease-of-use and robust tools, making it an excellent starting point for new editors, and you can get a head start with a limited-time offer: 👉 VideoStudio Pro 15% OFF Coupon Limited Time FREE TRIAL Included. Other excellent choices include Adobe Premiere Elements for its guided edits, and OpenShot for a completely free and open-source option. The key is to pick software that doesn’t overwhelm you with complexity right out of the gate but still allows for creative growth as your skills develop.

Table of Contents

Choosing Your First Video Editor: Key Considerations for Beginners

Starting your video editing journey can feel like stepping into a new world, especially with the sheer volume of software options available.

For a beginner, the most important aspect isn’t necessarily having every advanced feature under the sun, but rather finding a tool that makes the learning curve gentle and enjoyable. Think of it like learning to drive. you don’t start in a Formula 1 car.

You need something reliable, easy to handle, and forgiving of mistakes.

User Interface and Workflow Intuition

The first thing you’ll notice in any video editing software is its interface.

For beginners, a clean, well-organized interface is crucial.

You want to be able to find basic tools like cut, trim, and add podcast without hunting through layers of menus.

An intuitive workflow means that the logical steps of editing—importing footage, arranging clips, adding effects, and exporting—flow naturally.

Drag-and-drop functionality: This is a hallmark of beginner-friendly software. You can easily drag video clips, audio files, and images directly onto your timeline.
Clear labeling: Buttons and menus should be clearly labeled and their functions easily understood.
Customizable layouts: While not essential for absolute beginners, having the option to adjust workspace layouts can be beneficial as you grow. Some software, like DaVinci Resolve, offers dedicated pages for different editing tasks Edit, Cut, Color, Fusion, Fairlight, Deliver, which can be very helpful for organizing your workflow.

Essential Features for Beginner Editors

While you might not need every professional-grade feature, certain functionalities are non-negotiable for anyone looking to create decent videos.

Basic Trimming and Cutting: The ability to precisely cut and trim clips is the foundation of video editing. You’ll spend a lot of time doing this.
Audio Editing: Even simple projects benefit from good audio. Look for features like volume control, noise reduction, and the ability to add background podcast. Data shows that poor audio quality is a major reason viewers abandon videos within the first 10-15 seconds.
Transitions and Effects: Simple transitions fades, wipes and basic effects color correction, text overlays can significantly enhance your video’s visual appeal.
Text and Titles: Adding titles, lower thirds, and captions is vital for conveying information and branding.
Export Options: Your software should allow you to export your finished video in common formats e.g., MP4, MOV suitable for platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, or social media. Most beginner software offers presets for popular platforms.
Green Screen/Chroma Key: While slightly more advanced, many beginner-friendly editors now include this, allowing you to easily replace solid-colored backgrounds.

Performance and System Requirements

Video editing can be demanding on your computer’s resources.

Even as a beginner, you want software that runs smoothly without constant crashes or lag. The pdf file

RAM: Most modern video editors recommend at least 8GB of RAM, with 16GB or more being ideal for smoother performance, especially with 4K footage.
Processor: A multi-core processor Intel Core i5/i7 or AMD Ryzen 5/7 is highly recommended.
Graphics Card: A dedicated graphics card NVIDIA or AMD with at least 2GB of VRAM can significantly speed up rendering and playback.
Storage: Fast storage, like an SSD Solid State Drive, is crucial for quick project loading and smooth playback of large video files. A 2020 Puget Systems benchmark study showed that an NVMe SSD can be up to 5 times faster than a SATA SSD for video editing tasks.

Understanding Basic Video Editing Terminology for Beginners

Before you dive into the software, familiarizing yourself with some common video editing terms will significantly accelerate your learning process. This isn’t just jargon. it’s the language of storytelling through video.

The Timeline: Your Editing Canvas

The timeline is where you arrange and manipulate your video clips, audio tracks, and other media elements. It’s the central hub of your editing project.

Tracks: Think of tracks as layers. Video tracks hold your visual elements, while audio tracks hold your sound. Most editors allow multiple video and audio tracks, enabling you to layer effects, background podcast, voiceovers, and more.
Clips: Individual pieces of video or audio footage. When you import a video file, it becomes a clip.
Playhead: A vertical line that indicates your current position on the timeline. As you scrub drag the playhead, you’ll see the corresponding frame in your preview window.
Keyframe: A marker that defines the start or end point of a change in a parameter, such as volume, opacity, or position. Keyframes allow for smooth, animated changes over time. For example, to fade out podcast, you’d set a keyframe for full volume and another for zero volume.

Editing Actions and Tools

These are the fundamental operations you’ll perform repeatedly to shape your video.

Cut/Trim:
- Cut: Splitting a clip into two or more separate clips at a specific point.
- Trim: Shortening a clip by removing footage from its beginning or end. This is one of the most common editing tasks, removing unnecessary pauses or unwanted action.
Ripple Delete: When you delete a clip, ripple delete automatically closes the gap created on the timeline, shifting all subsequent clips forward. This prevents empty black spaces in your video.
Transitions: Visual effects that connect one clip to another, such as fades, dissolves, or wipes. They help in smooth scene changes. The average video uses a transition every 15-20 seconds to maintain viewer engagement.
Effects: Visual enhancements applied to clips, like color correction, filters e.g., black and white, vintage look, stabilization, or green screen chroma key.
Titles/Text Overlays: Graphic elements containing text, used for introductions, captions, lower thirds text at the bottom of the screen identifying a speaker, or credits.
Export/Render:
- Render: The process of generating new video frames often in the background for complex effects, transitions, or high-resolution footage to ensure smooth playback during editing.
- Export: The final process of compiling your edited video into a single playable file e.g., MP4, MOV that can be shared or uploaded.

Audio Fundamentals

Good audio is often more important than perfect video.

Viewers are more forgiving of slightly shaky video than they are of muffled or distorted sound.

Voiceover: Adding a narration track over your video.
Background Podcast: Podcast played underneath your main audio dialogue, sound effects to set the mood or enhance the viewing experience. Ensure you use royalty-free podcast or podcast you have the rights to.
Sound Effects SFX: Short audio clips e.g., door opening, car horn, whoosh used to enhance realism or add emphasis.
Audio Mixing: Adjusting the volume levels of different audio tracks dialogue, podcast, SFX to ensure they blend harmoniously and nothing is too loud or too quiet. Industry standards suggest dialogue should be the loudest element, with podcast around -18 dB to -24 dB.

Advanced Techniques to Explore as You Grow

While you’re starting with the basics, it’s good to know what lies ahead.

As your skills develop, you’ll naturally want to experiment with more advanced techniques to elevate your storytelling.

Color Correction and Grading

This is the process of adjusting the colors in your footage to make them look more natural correction or to create a specific mood or style grading.

White Balance: Ensuring that whites in your footage appear truly white, not tinted blue or orange.
Exposure: Adjusting the brightness and darkness of your image.
Color Wheels/Curves: More precise tools for manipulating specific color ranges or overall color balance.
Look-Up Tables LUTs: Presets that apply a specific color grade or stylistic look to your footage with one click. Many professional editors use LUTs as a starting point. Studies show that well-graded footage can increase viewer retention by up to 25%.

Green Screen Chroma Key

This technique allows you to remove a solid-colored background typically green or blue from your footage and replace it with another video or image.

Shooting: Proper lighting and a smooth, evenly lit green or blue background are crucial for a clean key.
Keying: Using the software’s chroma key effect to “punch out” the green and make it transparent.
Compositing: Layering your keyed footage over a new background to create the illusion that the subject is in a different environment. This technique is widely used in news, weather forecasts, and Hollywood films.

Multi-Camera Editing

If you’ve shot an event or interview with multiple cameras, multi-camera editing allows you to synchronize the footage and switch between camera angles seamlessly. Acrylic brush set

Synchronization: Aligning the clips from different cameras based on their audio waveforms or timecode.
Switching Angles: During playback, you can “cut” between the different camera angles in real-time or manually select the best shots.
Workflow Efficiency: This dramatically speeds up the editing process for multi-cam shoots, often reducing post-production time by 30-50% compared to manual cutting.

Audio Enhancement and Mixing

Beyond basic volume control, dedicated audio tools allow for significant improvements in sound quality.

Noise Reduction: Removing unwanted background noise hiss, hum, fan noise from your audio.
Equalization EQ: Adjusting the balance of frequencies in your audio to make voices clearer or podcast fuller.
Compression: Reducing the dynamic range of audio to make loud parts quieter and quiet parts louder, resulting in a more consistent volume.
Reverb/Echo: Adding spatial effects to make audio sound like it’s in a larger room or specific environment. Professional video often dedicates 40% of its post-production budget to sound.

Motion Graphics and Visual Effects

As you become more comfortable, you might want to add dynamic text, animated logos, or even simple visual effects.

Lower Thirds: Animated text graphics that appear at the bottom of the screen to identify speakers or provide context.
Animated Logos: Bringing your brand logo to life with motion.
Basic Compositing: Combining multiple visual elements into a single scene, beyond just green screen. Many beginner editors offer templates for these.

The Importance of Storytelling in Video Editing

While the technical aspects of video editing are crucial, remember that they are merely tools to serve a greater purpose: storytelling.

Even with the best software, if your video doesn’t tell a compelling story, it won’t resonate with your audience.

Crafting a Narrative Arc

Every good video, whether it’s a short vlog or a documentary, benefits from a narrative arc.

Beginning Introduction: Hook your audience. What’s the video about? Why should they care?
Middle Development: Present your information, build your argument, or show the progression of your story. This is where the bulk of your content goes.
End Conclusion/Call to Action: Summarize, provide a resolution, or tell your viewers what to do next e.g., “subscribe,” “visit my website”.
Pacing: The speed at which your story unfolds. Fast cuts create energy, while slow cuts can build tension or convey tranquility. Studies show that videos with a clear story structure lead to 30% higher viewer retention rates.

Effective Use of B-Roll and Cutaways

B-roll is supplementary footage used to support your main story or dialogue.

Cutaways are specific shots that break away from the main subject.

Enhance Visuals: Instead of staring at a talking head, B-roll provides visual interest and illustrates points.
Mask Edits: If you need to remove a jump cut an abrupt transition in a dialogue, you can cut away to relevant B-roll footage.
Add Context: Show what you’re talking about. If you’re discussing a product, show close-ups of it. If you’re talking about a location, show establishing shots. Videos using B-roll strategically often see engagement rates increase by 15-20%.

Sound Design and Podcast Choice

Audio is half the experience, and often more.

Thoughtful sound design can elevate your video from good to great.

Background Podcast: Choose podcast that complements the mood and pace of your video. Avoid podcast that distracts from dialogue. Ensure you use royalty-free podcast or podcast you have the appropriate licenses for. For Islamic content, focus on nasheeds or instrumental pieces without haram elements, and always ensure they enhance, rather than detract from, the message.
Sound Effects: Use SFX sparingly but effectively to emphasize actions, create realism, or add humor.
Voiceover Quality: Ensure your voiceover is clear, well-recorded, and free of background noise. Invest in a decent microphone.
Audio Mixing: Balance all audio elements so that dialogue is clear, podcast is supportive, and sound effects are impactful without being overwhelming.

The Power of Text and Graphics

Text and graphics aren’t just for information. they’re powerful storytelling tools. Different file formats

Titles and Introductions: Grab attention and set the stage.
Lower Thirds: Identify speakers or provide quick facts without interrupting the flow.
Callouts: Highlight specific points or objects on screen.
Infographics: Visually represent data or complex information in an easy-to-understand way. Videos incorporating clear, concise text overlays and infographics often achieve 25% higher comprehension rates.

Practical Tips for Beginner Video Editors

Beyond the software and the theories, there are practical habits that will make your video editing journey smoother and more enjoyable.

Think of these as the “hacks” to get you up to speed faster.

Start Simple and Build Up

Don’t try to create a Hollywood blockbuster on your first attempt.

Small Projects: Begin with short, simple projects—a 30-second highlight reel of a family outing, a quick tutorial on a hobby, or a simple unboxing video.
Master the Basics: Focus on getting really good at cutting, trimming, adding text, and basic audio adjustments. These are the building blocks.
Learn One Feature at a Time: Instead of trying to learn every button in your software, pick one new feature each week e.g., “this week, I’ll master transitions,” or “next week, I’ll learn basic color correction”. This phased approach is far less overwhelming.

Organize Your Media Files

This is a critical step that many beginners overlook, leading to frustration down the line.

Dedicated Project Folders: Create a master folder for each video project. Inside, have subfolders for:
- _Footage raw video clips
- _Audio podcast, sound effects, voiceovers
- _Images photos, graphics
- _Project Files your software’s project file
- _Exports finished videos
Consistent Naming Conventions: Rename your raw footage if necessary to make it descriptive e.g., Scene1_Shot_Wide_001.mov.
Backup: Regularly back up your project files and raw footage to an external hard drive or cloud storage. Losing a project can be devastating. According to a 2019 survey of content creators, 40% experienced data loss due to inadequate backup strategies.

Watch Tutorials and Practice Regularly

Learning by doing is the best way to master video editing.

YouTube is Your Friend: The internet is overflowing with free tutorials for almost every video editing software. Search for specific tasks “how to add text in Corel VideoStudio Pro” or “DaVinci Resolve cut page tutorial”.
Software Documentation: Many software companies provide excellent official tutorials and documentation.
Daily Practice: Even 15-30 minutes of daily practice can make a huge difference. Re-edit old footage, try out a new effect, or just play around with the tools. Consistency is key.
Analyze Other Videos: Watch your favorite videos and try to dissect how they were edited. Pay attention to cuts, transitions, sound design, and pacing.

Get Feedback and Iterate

Don’t be afraid to show your work and ask for constructive criticism.

Share with Trusted Friends/Family: Ask them what they liked, what was confusing, or what they would change.
Online Communities: Platforms like Reddit have communities dedicated to video editing where you can share your work e.g., r/VideoEditing, r/editors and get feedback.
Be Open to Criticism: Not all feedback will be useful, but some will be invaluable. Use it to improve your next project. Professional editors often go through 3-5 rounds of revisions based on client feedback.

Invest in Basic Gear Optional but Recommended

While software is the start, some basic gear can significantly improve your video quality.

Good Lighting: Poor lighting can make even a high-quality camera look bad. A simple ring light or softbox kit can drastically improve your visuals.
External Microphone: The built-in microphone on your phone or camera is rarely good enough. A lavalier lapel mic or a simple USB desktop mic can make your audio sound professional. The difference in audio quality is often the most noticeable upgrade for viewers. A 2020 study found that viewers are 3 times more likely to abandon a video due to poor audio than poor video.
Tripod: For stable, professional-looking shots. Even a small, inexpensive tabletop tripod is better than handheld shakiness.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

Even with the best intentions, beginners often fall into common traps.

Being aware of these can save you time, frustration, and help you produce better videos from the outset.

Overuse of Effects and Transitions

It’s tempting to use every cool effect you find, but less is often more. Buy canvas online

The “Spinning Cube” Trap: Don’t use a spinning cube transition just because it’s there. Does it serve the story? Does it enhance the message? If not, a simple cut or fade is usually better.
Consistency: Stick to a few consistent transitions and effects throughout your video to maintain a cohesive look.
Purpose-Driven: Every effect should have a purpose. Is it to emphasize a point, create a mood, or smooth a jarring cut? If not, reconsider. Overuse of effects is cited as a major turn-off by 60% of professional video reviewers.

Poor Audio Quality

As mentioned before, bad audio is a video killer.

Background Noise: Pay attention to ambient noise during recording. A noisy room, air conditioner hum, or street traffic can ruin otherwise good audio.
Clipping: When audio is recorded too loud, it “clips” or distorts, resulting in a harsh, crackling sound that’s almost impossible to fix in post-production. Always monitor your audio levels during recording.
Echo/Reverb: Recording in a room with hard, reflective surfaces can lead to excessive echo. Add soft furnishings, blankets, or acoustic panels if possible.
Microphone Placement: Get your microphone close to the sound source the speaker. This significantly improves clarity and reduces background noise.

Inconsistent Pacing

The rhythm and flow of your video are crucial for keeping viewers engaged.

Too Slow: Long, drawn-out shots, unnecessary pauses, and repetitive footage can bore your audience.
Too Fast: Rapid-fire cuts with no breathing room can be disorienting and make it hard for viewers to process information.
Varying Shot Lengths: Mix long, steady shots with shorter, punchy ones.
Podcast Pacing: Match your edits to the rhythm of your background podcast. Research indicates that videos with optimal pacing have 40% higher completion rates.

Neglecting Story and Message

Don’t just assemble clips. tell a story.

No Clear Beginning, Middle, End: Even a short video needs a sense of progression.
Lack of Purpose: Why are you making this video? What do you want your audience to feel, learn, or do?
Audience Consideration: Who is your video for? Tailor your content and editing style to your target audience.
Pre-Planning: Before you even open your software, think about your message. A simple outline or script can save hours in editing.

Ignoring Copyright and Licensing

This is a critical legal and ethical issue.

Podcast: Never use copyrighted podcast without proper licensing. This can lead to your video being demonetized, taken down, or even legal action. Stick to royalty-free podcast libraries or podcast you’ve composed yourself.
Footage/Images: Do not use copyrighted video clips or images without permission or proper licensing. This includes famous movie scenes, TV show clips, or stock footage that isn’t explicitly free to use.
Creative Commons: Be aware of different Creative Commons licenses if using content from such sources. Some allow commercial use, others require attribution, and some prohibit modifications. Violations of copyright laws can result in fines ranging from $750 to $30,000 per infringement.

By keeping these common pitfalls in mind, you can approach your editing with a proactive mindset, helping you create more professional and impactful videos right from the start.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the absolute best video editing software for beginners in 2021?

For absolute beginners in 2021, Corel VideoStudio Pro is arguably the best overall due to its balance of intuitive interface, guided projects, and comprehensive features. However, DaVinci Resolve free version offers unmatched professional tools if you’re willing to invest a little more time learning, and Shotcut or OpenShot are excellent free options for simpler needs.

Is free video editing software good enough for beginners?

Yes, absolutely.

Free video editing software like DaVinci Resolve free version, Shotcut, and OpenShot are more than capable of handling most beginner projects.

DaVinci Resolve, in particular, offers professional-grade features without any cost, allowing beginners to create high-quality videos without upfront investment.

How much RAM do I need for beginner video editing?

For beginner video editing, a minimum of 8GB of RAM is recommended. However, 16GB of RAM will provide a much smoother experience, especially when working with HD footage or adding multiple effects and tracks. Pdf learning

Can I edit 4K video with beginner software?

Yes, many beginner-friendly software options, including Corel VideoStudio Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and even some free tools, support 4K video editing.

However, editing 4K footage is very resource-intensive, and you will need a powerful computer with a strong processor, at least 16GB of RAM, and preferably a dedicated graphics card for a smooth experience.

What’s the easiest video editing software to learn?

OpenShot and Adobe Premiere Elements are generally considered among the easiest to learn due to their extremely simple interfaces and, in Elements’ case, guided edits. Corel VideoStudio Pro also has a very gentle learning curve with its template-based approach.

Do I need a powerful computer for video editing?

While basic editing on smaller files can be done on a modest computer, for a good experience with modern video editing software and HD or 4K footage, you will benefit significantly from a powerful computer.

Key components include a multi-core processor Intel i5/i7 or AMD Ryzen 5/7 equivalent or better, at least 16GB of RAM, and an SSD hard drive.

A dedicated graphics card is also highly recommended.

What is the difference between free and paid video editing software?

Paid video editing software often offers more advanced features, professional support, regular updates, more polished interfaces, and often better performance optimization.

Free software like DaVinci Resolve still provides powerful tools, but others might have feature limitations, fewer professional templates, or less dedicated support.

Is Adobe Premiere Pro good for beginners?

Adobe Premiere Pro is a professional-grade software and can be overwhelming for absolute beginners due to its vast array of features and complex interface. While powerful, it has a steep learning curve.

Adobe Premiere Elements is a much more beginner-friendly alternative from Adobe. All modern arts

What is B-roll footage and why is it important?

B-roll footage is supplementary video footage inserted into the main narrative A-roll, typically dialogue or primary action to add visual interest, provide context, or cover edits.

It’s important because it enhances storytelling, makes videos more engaging, and allows editors to smoothly transition between scenes or cover jump cuts.

How do I add podcast to my video?

To add podcast, you typically drag and drop your audio file from your media library onto an audio track on your timeline.

You can then trim it, adjust its volume, and fade it in or out using the software’s audio editing tools.

Ensure you use royalty-free podcast or podcast you have the proper licenses for.

What is a “timeline” in video editing?

The timeline is the central workspace in video editing software where you arrange and organize your video clips, audio tracks, images, and graphics in chronological order.

It’s where you perform most of your editing actions like cutting, trimming, and adding effects.

What are transitions and how should I use them?

Transitions are visual effects used to connect one video clip to another, creating a smooth change between scenes. Examples include fades, dissolves, and wipes.

For beginners, it’s best to use transitions sparingly and consistently, opting for simple cuts or fades unless a specific effect serves a clear storytelling purpose.

Overusing complex transitions can make a video look unprofessional. Artificial intelligence make picture

How important is audio quality in video editing?

Audio quality is extremely important, arguably as important as if not more important than video quality.

Poor audio e.g., muffled, noisy, distorted can quickly drive viewers away, even if the video visuals are excellent.

Clear, well-recorded, and balanced audio is crucial for a professional-sounding video.

Should I use my phone or a dedicated camera for video?

For beginners, a modern smartphone can produce surprisingly high-quality video, especially for casual use or vlogging.

However, dedicated cameras DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, camcorders generally offer better low-light performance, more control over settings, interchangeable lenses, and superior audio input options, leading to higher overall video quality.

Start with what you have, and upgrade if your needs grow.

What is rendering and exporting?

Rendering is the process where your video editing software generates new video frames for complex effects, transitions, or high-resolution footage, ensuring smooth playback during editing. Exporting or rendering to file is the final step where the software compiles your entire edited project into a single, playable video file e.g., MP4, MOV that can be shared or uploaded.

What resolution should I export my video in?

For most online platforms YouTube, Vimeo, social media, exporting in 1080p Full HD is standard and widely supported. If your raw footage is 4K and your platform supports it, you can export in 4K, but this will result in much larger file sizes and longer export times. Always check the recommended export settings for your target platform.

How can I make my videos look more professional as a beginner?

To make your videos look more professional, focus on:

Good Audio: Use an external microphone.
Stable Footage: Use a tripod or built-in stabilization.
Good Lighting: Ensure your subject is well-lit.
Clear Storytelling: Have a beginning, middle, and end.
Less is More with Effects: Avoid overuse of fancy transitions and filters.
Color Correction: Make sure colors look natural.

What’s the typical workflow for a beginner video editor?

A typical beginner workflow involves: Create pic

Importing Media: Bringing your video clips, audio, and images into the software.
Organizing: Arranging your files and project within the software.
Rough Cut: Arranging clips on the timeline in a basic sequence and removing unwanted footage.
Fine Cut: Trimming clips precisely, adding transitions, and adjusting pacing.
Audio Editing: Adjusting volumes, adding podcast/SFX, and cleaning up sound.
Color Correction/Grading: Adjusting colors and brightness.
Adding Titles/Graphics: Creating text overlays.
Review and Export: Watching the final video and exporting it to the desired format.

How long does it take to learn video editing as a beginner?

The basics of video editing cutting, trimming, adding text/podcast can be learned in a few hours or days with dedicated practice.

Becoming proficient and comfortable with more advanced features and developing a good workflow can take several weeks to a few months of consistent practice. Mastery is an ongoing journey.

Can I edit videos on my smartphone or tablet?

Yes, many powerful video editing apps are available for smartphones and tablets e.g., KineMaster, LumaFusion, CapCut, Adobe Premiere Rush. These are excellent for on-the-go editing, social media content, and quick projects.

While they offer robust features for mobile, they typically don’t match the full capability and precision of desktop software.

Best video editing software for beginners 2021