Tips for Editing Your First Video On Premiere Pro
Sometimes your video might come out a little shaky, the audio might not be clear, or the lighting could be too dark. But don’t worry, with good editing software and a bit of practice, you can easily transform your footage into something polished and professional.
Videos are being uploaded to social media and YouTube all the time, so making sure yours stands out is key, and that’s exactly why editing matters. There are plenty of video editing tools out there, but if you’re just starting out, here are some handy tips for editing your first video using Adobe Premiere Pro.
Start with quality footage and audio whenever possible. The better your raw material, the easier it will be to edit. Once you have your clips, you can zoom in, crop, adjust audio levels, and much more. If your audio isn’t quite up to par, check out Adobe’s new free software, Podcast AI as it’s fantastic for boosting audio quality with minimal effort.
Organisation is everything! Planning your video before you start editing can save you tons of time. Consider storyboarding your ideas to visualise the flow. Also, make sure your files are clearly named and neatly organized so you can quickly find what you need while editing. No more scrambling around trying to figure out which clip is which.
Pacing matters. Your video shouldn’t feel rushed unless that’s the style you’re going for. Use pacing to create a natural rhythm that keeps viewers engaged. If you have extra footage, like B-roll, use it to smooth transitions and make your story flow seamlessly.
Don’t forget captions. Many short-form videos now include captions, which help make your content accessible to a wider audience. People watching on the go or without sound will appreciate it. Premiere Pro has built-in tools for captions, but double-check the text for accuracy to avoid mistakes.
Plan your extras. Think about adding music, transitions, text overlays, and where they should appear. Having a plan in place makes adding these elements much easier.
Quick Adobe Premiere Pro Starter Tips:
Stabilize shaky clips: Find the Warp Stabilizer effect in the Effects panel and drag it onto your clip. Sometimes it can warp the footage too much, so try a different clip if needed.
Cutting clips: Use the Razor tool to split clips, or drag the edges of a clip to trim or extend it.
Adding transitions: For simple fades, go to the Effects panel, open the Video Transitions folder, and drag a transition like Cross Dissolve onto the cut between clips. You can also right-click the cut and select “Apply Default Transition.”
Captions directly in Premiere: Go to Window > Text and use the Transcribe Sequence feature for automatic caption generation. You can fine-tune timing and text in the Captions panel and style captions in the Essential Graphics panel before exporting.
Editing gets easier with practice, and your filming skills will improve over time too. Take your time, experiment, and most importantly, have fun creating!
