How To Edit Videos (COMPLETE Beginner’s Guide to Video Editing!)

Learn how to edit videos for YouTube & other projects in this complete guide to video editing for beginners. Plus we’ll share our top video editing tips to help you edit better & faster!

Important: When available, we use affiliate links and may earn a commission!

Below is an AI-assisted summary of the key points and ideas covered in the video. For more detail, make sure to check out the full time stamped video above!

How To Edit Videos For YouTube & Other Projects

Learn video editing with our step-by-step guide for beginners. This comprehensive tutorial focuses on editing videos for YouTube and other projects. We’ll be running through this tutorial using CapCut, a free video editing software available for both Mac and Windows, but you can follow along to this process using any video editing software. 

You can also download our free video editing guide, the Primal Video Method, that goes through these steps in more details.

Step 1: Set Up Project

  • Create a new project.
  • Configure project settings such as aspect ratio, resolution, and frame rate.

Step 2: Import Footage

  • Import primary camera footage and other media into the media library.
  • Drag and drop clips into the timeline.

Step 3: Remove Bad Takes & Mistakes

  • Trim and split clips to remove unnecessary sections.
  • Use the blade tool to cut and delete unwanted sections.
  • Edit backward to quickly identify and remove mistakes.

Step 4: Add B-Roll

  • Import and add overlay footage or B-roll.
  • Place B-roll clips above primary footage in the timeline.

Step 5: Add Text and Titles

  • Add text and titles using the text tool.
  • Customize font, size, and animation for a professional look.

Step 6: Add Transitions

  • Add transitions between clips for smoother flow.
  • Use zoom-in effects to simulate a multi-camera setup.

Step 7: Add Effects

  • Apply effects like stabilization and speed adjustments.
  • Explore CapCut’s effects library for additional enhancements.

Step 8: Add Music & Sound Effects

  • Import music tracks and sound effects.
  • Adjust volume levels to ensure the main audio is clear.

Step 9: Color Grading

  • Adjust brightness, contrast, white balance, and saturation.
  • Apply these settings to all clips for consistent visuals.

Step 10: Export the Video

  • Choose export location and file name.
  • Adjust quality settings if necessary.
  • Export the video for final use.

Conclusion

Master video editing with this detailed guide using CapCut or any other video editing software. By following these step-by-step instructions, you’ll learn to create professional-quality videos efficiently and effectively. It’s the ultimate process to help you streamline your video editing workflow and minimize wasted time!

Don’t forget that you can also follow along with our free PDF guide The Primal Video Method that covers the exact steps we shared here. 

Related Tools and Resources

Related Articles

Share this...

Save this post for later?

Hit the button below and we'll send you this post for later, plus subscribe you to our awesome (free!) Primal Video Insider updates!

Table of Contents
Save this post for later?

Hit the button and we'll send you this post for later, plus subscribe you to our awesome (free!) Primal Video Insider updates!

Hit the button below and we’ll send you this post for later, plus subscribe you to our awesome (free!) Primal Video Insider updates!

More from Primal Video...

How To Make Facebook Reels (+ Reels Settings You Need To Know in 2025!)

How to make Facebook Reels that get views! Here’s everything you need to know including the Facebook Reels video upload ...
View →
Insta360 Nano vs Samsung Gear 360 (Comparison!): Best 360 Camera? - Samsung Gear 360

Insta360 Nano vs Samsung Gear 360 (Comparison!): Best 360 Camera?

Review and comparison of the Insta360 Nano vs Samsung Gear 360 degree cameras. Which is the best 360 camera for ...
View →
Amazon Affiliate Marketing For Beginners (Amazon Associates Program Tutorial!)

Amazon Affiliate Marketing For Beginners – Join The Amazon Associates Program Quickly & Easily!

This is a complete Amazon Affiliate Marketing Tutorial for beginners! When it comes to affiliate marketing, the Amazon Affiliate program ...
View →
Why I use a $15 microphone

Best Budget Microphone in 2023? Complete Boya By-M1 Review!

This is the best budget microphone on the market right now! It’s a clip on microphone with awesome audio quality ...
View →
Best AI Voice Generator in 2024 - Top 2 Tools!

Best AI Voice Generator in 2024 – Top 2 Tools! 

Here’s the best AI voice generators in 2024! We’ve narrowed it down to the top 2 tools with built-in text ...
View →
How To Create A YouTube Channel! (2024 Beginner's Guide)

How To Create A YouTube Channel! (2024 Beginner’s Guide)

How to create a YouTube channel in 2024! This is our updated beginner’s guide, including everything from how to create ...
View →

The ULTIMATE Action Cam? Insta360 X3 Review!

Is the Insta360 X3 the best action camera right now? Find out in our complete Insta360 X3 review where we ...
View →
How to Remove Copyright Claims on YouTube Videos in 2024

How to Remove Copyright Claims on YouTube Videos in 2024 (Quickly & Easily!)

Here’s how to remove copyright claims on YouTube videos. If you’ve got a YouTube copyright claim, you’ll learn to fix ...
View →
How to Film With iPhone and Android Rear Camera: Use Mac or PC as a Viewfinder! - Public Relations

How to Film With iPhone and Android Rear Camera: Use Mac or PC as a Viewfinder!

Smartphones are awesome for shooting videos on a budget, but the best camera is on the back making it difficult ...
View →
Don't miss a thing!

Become a Primal Video Insider to stay in the loop.

If you get my best Blue Steel impression now, just imagine what's waiting for you on the inside...

Become a Primal Video Insider and unlock:
We hate spam and promise to keep your email address safe.
Check out our Privacy Policy for more info!

If you get my best Blue Steel impression now, just imagine what's waiting for you on the inside...

Become a Primal Video Insider and unlock:
We hate spam and promise to keep your email address safe. Check out our Privacy Policy for more info!