Want to edit like a pro? These 5 essential editing ideas will change the way you approach video editing forever.

I’ve been editing videos for more than 10 years now, and if I could go back in time, I would share these 5 simple ideas with my past self. These ideas completely transformed my approach to editing.

1. Editing Is 80% Story, 20% Effects

When I first started editing, I thought that a great video needed a lot of effects. I would spend hours adding different types of effects to my videos, hoping that it would make them look unique.

But the truth is: Nobody remembers your video because of its effects. They remember it because of how it made them feel. And feelings come from storytelling.

We all have a favorite movie, right? Think about why you love that movie. Is it because of the effects used in it, or is it because of the story? It’s the STORY, right?

Now, I’m not saying that effects are useless. They are an essential part of editing, but they should support the story, not replace it.

Here’s a quick trick I use: Before adding any effect to my videos, I ask myself one simple question – Will this effect make my story clearer and easier to understand for the viewers? If the answer is NO, I don’t use that effect.

This simple mindset shift has made my editing much better, and my videos have become far more engaging.

2. The First Cut Should Be Ugly

The first cut of your video is all about structure. If you start adding transitions, effects, color correction, and sound right away, making changes later becomes complicated, and you end up wasting a lot of time.

I used to make this mistake all the time, but I soon realized that the first cut isn’t supposed to be good. In fact, it should be UGLY, MESSY, and UNPOLISHED.

Your only focus in the first cut should be on STRUCTURE – which means getting the right clips in the right order.

Since I started focusing on structure first, my editing speed has improved significantly because now I can see the full picture before worrying about small details, like where to add transitions, which effects to use, when the music should start and stop, etc.

And guess what? Fixing an ugly edit is a million times easier than trying to create a perfect one from the start.

So the next time you sit down to edit a video, remind yourself to get the structure right first. Don’t waste time on things that you might have to remove later.

3. Background Music Matters More Than You Think

I used to think that background music was just background noise. It didn’t really matter.

But this one realization changed everything for me: Music is not just a filler.

It’s one of the most powerful tools you have as an editor. The right music can completely change the mood and feel of your video.

Using the right music in the right place can enhance your video’s impact. But on the flip side, choosing the wrong music can ruin everything.

To avoid this, here are 3 quick tips to help you pick the right background music for your videos:

Tip 1 – Match The music With Your Video’s Mood

Don’t pick random music. If your video is happy and cheerful, use music that gives off the same vibe. If your video is dramatic or sad, choose music that helps your audience feel those emotions.

I personally download all my music from Envato Elements because it has a mood filter that lets me select my video’s mood and find the perfect track easily. You can also subscribe to Envato’s monthly or yearly plan for unlimited high-quality licensed music.

Tip 2 – Let The Music Guide Your Cuts

Your video cuts should be in sync with the music.

Once you pick a track, listen to it carefully and analyze its beat drops, tempo shifts, and rhythm changes. Then, simply cut your video to match these beats and shifts.

This makes your edits seamless and engaging.

Tip 3 – Balance The Background Music With Your Voice

Your background music should enhance the video, not overpower it.

Even if you lower the volume of the music, sometimes it still overlaps with the same frequency range as your voice, making it harder for viewers to understand the dialogue. To fix this, you can create a dip in the music’s frequency where it overlaps with your voice.

4. Less Is More With Transitions

I have to confess – I used to be obsessed with transitions. Like, SUPER OBSESSED. I thought the more transitions I used, the cooler my video would look.

But in reality… it just made my videos look messy and amateurish.

Here’s what I learned: LESS IS MORE.

When you overuse transitions, after a certain point, they start distracting the viewers. Your video starts looking overproduced instead of professional.

Now, just like effects, I’m not saying you shouldn’t use transitions at all. If used correctly, they can be very effective.

Here’s the rule I follow:

  • If a simple cut works, I’ll use a simple cut.
  • If a transition makes the edit feel smooth and seamless, I’ll use it.
  • BUT, if it’s there just because it looks cool, I’ll remove it.

The key is intention. Every transition in your video should serve a purpose. If it doesn’t, then it’s just visual noise.

5. Edit With Your Ears, Not Just Eyes

Here’s something many new editors don’t realize – your ears are just as important as your eyes when editing.

Most people edit by focusing on visuals first. But professional editors? They listen.

Think about it, when was the last time you watched a movie on mute? I bet never because sound is half the experience.

In video editing, audio tells you just as much as video about where to cut. When your cuts follow the natural rhythm of the audio, everything feels smooth and seamless. It just works.

And as I mentioned earlier, the best way to use your ears in editing is cutting to the beats.

  • If your music has strong beats, use them as a guide to cut your video.

Additionally, don’t interrupt natural pauses:

  • If someone in your video is talking and they naturally pause, don’t cut that pause out.
  • Cutting at the wrong time can make the dialogue feel unnatural.

Lastly, use sound effects.

  • Adding a whoosh sound to transitions and effects can make them feel more impactful.

So the next time you’re stuck on an edit… just close your eyes and listen.