How to Learn Video Editing and Why This Skill Matters

Key takeaways

To learn video editing, consider exploring software like Lightworks or Adobe, and determining which best helps you tell your story.

• Types of video editing you may learn include linear, non-linear, simple cutting, and live editing.

• After learning video editing, you may pursue a career as a video content creator or an animator.

• You can learn video editing by trying different software, outlining the story you want to tell, and continuing to practice putting new skills to use.

Learn how the digital world utilizes video editing and how to acquire this skill set. Afterward, consider enrolling in The Art of Visual Storytelling Specialization. You’ll have the opportunity to learn how to edit footage with matching action, seamless cuts, and properly mixed audio. Upon completion, in as little as two months, you can add this shareable credential to your resume or LinkedIn profile.

Tips on how to learn video editing

Video editors weave footage, sound, and graphics to reach and engage audiences through film, TV shows, commercials, news programs, and online content. Learning how to edit video has become accessible with consumer-ready software available to you. If you're motivated to learn video editing, consider these tips to start:

Familiarize yourself with the software.

Video editing requires software, but before you pick an editing software, ensure your computer has the capacity and storage to handle it. Essentially, the more random-access memory (RAM) your computer has, the faster your video editing software can load, open, and edit your footage. Once you’ve determined this, you can choose the appropriate video editing software. Consider some of the popular options available.

Lightworks

A beginner-friendly platform with a library of detailed tutorial videos, Lightworks has many features and a library of stock footage. It offers a host of trimming and collaboration tools.

VideoPad

VideoPad is an effective choice for editors on a budget. This free software offers editing tools, alongside overlays, special effects, and transitions. While the software does not offer many advanced features, it does provide light effects and color correction.

Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro is frequently used in the professional landscape. With a user-friendly interface, dozens of editing tools, and customizations that enable editors to hone their skills and deploy batch editing, it is considered an industry standard.

Organize your footage

Organization is critical in video editing. Post-production involves a lot of files, from video clips you shoot in the field and transitions to music tracks and color grading. Creating folders for your files is important before you start cutting video together.

Start by creating a naming system for your folders. You might categorize footage by file type or date shot. Remove discarded footage so it doesn't clutter your workspace.

Outline your story

Take some time to make a plan, asking yourself the goal of the video, regarding what you want it to look like, and what you want it to sound like. You can even create a shot list that details each scene for your completed project. Some editors outline with bullets to keep themselves on track. Others apply the H.I.C.C. method:

Hook: The first 15 seconds of your video hook the viewer and might include strong visuals and attention-grabbing information.

Intro: This portion explains to viewers quickly and succinctly what you plan to cover in your video.

Content: Develop the main content thoughtfully. A how-to video, for example, should include step-by-step instructions.

Call to action: Decide what you want the viewer to do after they watch your video, like subscribe to a platform, comment, or follow the individual on social media. You can also add clickable text to the end of the video.

Read more: How to Develop a Content Strategy: A Step-by-Step Guide

Create your story

With a plan in place, you'll start sequencing video footage into an assembly cut on a timeline. You then develop the first draft, or rough cut, which has video but no sound, music, or graphics in place. From this preliminary version, you can gather feedback, examine pacing, and identify gaps in your story to make improvements. As you revise the video, it moves into the fine cut, focusing on sound, color correction, and transitions, before moving to the final cut, where the editor polishes with finishing touches, like graphics and credits.

Practice as much as possible

As with any skill, practice makes all the difference between a novice and an expert. Practice cutting video and crafting different creations from raw footage, researching various techniques, and engaging in diverse projects. You could also network with other editors and explore internships or workshops catering to your interests and skills.

How long does it take to learn video editing?

The time it takes to learn how to edit videos can take a few weeks to a few years, depending on your prior skills and knowledge, your learning pace, and whether you want to use your skills professionally or casually. With video editing, you typically need to learn how to operate software or a program that specializes in video editing. The length of time also depends on whether you want to learn the basics of video editing or how to use specific tools to enhance your videos.

Types of video editing

During the post-production process, various types of video editing can be used to tell the best story possible. Some of these methods are linear, non-linear, simply cutting, and live editing.

Once a task that mostly entailed splicing film reels, today's video editor relies on software, utilizes platforms like YouTube to share their content, and can tap into AI tools to streamline the process. Because of this evolution, it's important to distinguish between the various types of video editing. 

Linear editing

Typically associated with editing videotape, linear editing involves cutting the footage into a video arranged in chronological order. While it was the standard type of editing when film was shot on a reel, digital technology has given editors more flexibility. 

Non-linear editing

Non-linear editing is the act of cutting video that you do not store in chronological order. Using editing software, you can manipulate footage in inventive ways, no matter how the video was shot. 

Simple cutting

With this type of video editing, editors remove footage they don’t want in the story and then connect the remaining sections. It tends to be straightforward and productive if done properly.

Live editing

Often used in newsrooms and live streaming, live editing allows editors to make real-time cuts to get the video on-air quickly. Typically, editing software streamlines the process. 

Who learns video editing?

If you’re interested in working in this arena, many professions rely on video editing, including video content creators, film editors, and animators.

Each year from 2024 through 2034, about 6,400 job openings will be available for people with this skill, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics [1], in a variety of different fields, such as:

*All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of May 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Video content creator

Median total salary (US): $65,000 [2]

Social media is experiencing a rise in the number of influencers, many of whom rely on video to reach their audience. Influencers often focus on a niche and cultivate an audience based on their expertise and audience interest. They attempt to share authentic videos that resonate with their audience. Brands also work with video content creators to expand their reach and promote products and services.

Film editor

Median total salary (US): $76,000 [3]

Film editors are responsible for editing feature films, TV programs, commercials, or music videos. They review footage, make cuts, manage sound, overlay sound effects, and pace the story. Professionals in this position usually collaborate with the production team to create the most captivating visual story. 

Animator

Median total salary (US): $62,000 [4]

Animators fall into a niche of video editors who specialize in creating objects that look as if they’re actually moving. Animators balance creativity with technical skills. Some specialize even further in areas like hand-drawing, 3D characters, or computer-generated images (CGI). Given these skills, you can work on everything from commercials to video games.

No-fluff help for when you’re stuck

Get insights into in-demand skills and career trends by subscribing to our LinkedIn newsletter, Career Chat! Then, explore free, digital resources to optimize your professional growth:

• Watch on YouTube: 8 In-Demand Skills from Adobe's Content Creator Certificate

• Take a quiz: Career Test: What Career is Right for Me Quiz?

• Learn from experts: AI Creativity Unleashed: Expert Insights from Vanderbilt’s Dr. Jules White

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