5 Golden Rules of Video Editing for Social Media

Attention is the new currency. With billions of videos flooding social media, capturing the attention of people has never been tougher.

And just posting a video is not enough: one has to grab the attention of the social media audience from the first few seconds. The question is, how? The answer to this lies in…

Expert video editing.

Because the secret to standing out on social media platforms is not just in what you film. It is in how you edit.

Here are the five golden rules of video editing for social media you need to use to get your video in front of more eyeballs. These rules will help you learn how to plan out and edit videos to a level where they cannot be ignored.

Rule 1: Short Is Strong

Social media loves brevity. People scroll fast and slow down only to look at something that catches their attention. So, if your video is too long, you will lose them even before you get to the point.

That’s why when you edit your videos, keep your intro short, engaging, and get straight to the point.

Here’s how to nail it:

Cut the fluff. Every second of your video must serve a purpose.
Show the highlights.
If you upload on TikTok or Instagram, keep your video under 60 seconds.
Feel free to add the best parts from the middle or end of your video in your intro.

A Pro Tip: Social media is not the place for long-form content. Bite-sized video dominates social media, getting the attention of 66% of consumers. They are 2.5 times more engaging than long videos. So, get to the point quickly. Cut any part of your video that doesn’t serve your message. Brevity keeps viewers engaged and hungry for more.

Rule 2: Optimize for Different Platforms

All social media platforms have different technical requirements. That is why you need to optimize the video for every platform using editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro. This includes editing the video length, aspect ratio, and overall style.

Here are some tips on how to do it:

Use vertical formats (9:16) or square formats (1:1). These formats work best on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
Make sure every video element works and pops on a smartphone screen.
Do not just think about desktop editing. More than 90% of social media users watch videos on their smartphones. This means that your content needs to be optimized for a mobile view if you want to keep people engaged on smaller screens.
Use a resolution of 1080×1920 for a great mobile view (for vertical videos).

Rule 3: Hook the Viewer in 3 Seconds

65% of viewers will continue watching a video after seeing the first three seconds of it. In other words, you have three seconds to hook the audience or lose them.

What should you focus on?

Start with a bold, eye-catching, or provocative shot.
Use bold or vibrant colors in your video to grab attention.
Apply sharp cuts or transitions to change between frames.
Use dynamic visuals and animation. If possible, partner with a video editing company to get top-notch visual effects (VFX), motion graphics, and color grading to make your video visually appealing.

Rule 4: Refine Audio Quality

Great video isn’t just about visuals. Good audio plays a huge role in the overall viewing experience, and poor-quality sound can turn off viewers in a split second.

Here is how to refine your audio quality:

Always use clear and crisp audio.
Use sound editing tools to remove any background noise or static.
Choose the right choice of dialogue, background music, or sound effects to improve your social media video tenfold.
Sync your music and sound effects with the visuals.

One factor to keep in mind: many users watch videos without sound. In fact, 85% of social media videos are watched on mute. So, focus on clear and concise captions. This is essential for conveying your message even with the sound off.

Rule 5: Edit with a Goal

Before you film your video, take some time to think about what type of video you want to shoot. Decide on a clear visual concept or goal. This will attract the right audience who will be more keen on watching your video.

Plus, before you even start editing, ask yourself: What am I trying to achieve with this video? Is it to entertain? Or is it to inform or inspire action?

Once you have your answer, make sure your edits reflect that.

Pro Tips:

Stick to the color scheme and tone of your brand across all the social media platforms to maintain consistency.
Add your logo subtly to reinforce brand recognition without overwhelming the viewer.
Have a clear call-to-action (CTA) at the end of your video. That CTA can direct the audience to visit your website or ask them to share or comment.
Watch videos shared by people in the same genre and see how they edit their videos and sound. This will give you a roadmap to work from when you are ready to edit.

Make Better Social Media Videos

By keeping it short, optimizing for each platform, hooking the audience in three seconds, focusing on audio quality, and using VFX, you can make better social media videos. Just follow these five golden rules and get the engagement you want.

If you ever need help creating scroll-stopping social media videos, get in touch with us. Our team at Motion Edits is here to help you with expert video editing and post-production services. Learn more about how we can elevate your video content by visiting here.