The Only TikTok Editing Tips You'll Ever Need

Many TikTok novices are put off uploading content because they're new to editing. And while editing certainly is a skill that takes time to refine, it's easier than you might think! With our top editing tips, you can become a professional TikTok star no matter how much or little experience you have. Let's get into it.

When you watch TikTok videos, you'll notice that a video isn't typically a one-take shot (although talking videos can be). When it comes to vlogs or Get Ready With Me videos, you'll often see a selection of clips, rather than one continuous take. Likewise, many videos contain a filter or slight adjustments to the colour or style of the video, which makes it more visually appealing. These changes come about as a result of editing. Non-edited videos can often appear as visually bland or too long - cutting out any dull or excess content is a key part of the editing process.

Being able to properly edit your content makes you look more professional, too, which is especially important if you're hoping to grow your platform and work with big-name brands. And given that trends are the lifeblood of TikTok, following editing trends can give you a better chance of going viral. Plus, if you develop a signature editing style, you can use your skills to make your content stand out from the rest.

So now we've covered the why, let's get into the how, with our ultimate guide to edits.

There are two editing options when it comes to TikTok - filming and editing the content in the app or editing the content in an external app. Editing within the TikTok app can be easier for beginners, but if you're familiar with an external app, you might benefit from the extra features available.

TikTok is one of the easiest video content platforms to upload to for novices because it has its own in-built editor, with tons of helpful tools. Boasting templates, filters, and effects like Green Screen, you can create professional-looking content at the tap of a button with TikTok's editing tools.

Keep an eye out for how to apply these effects - some can only be applied if you're recording the content directly in the app rather than using a video that was created externally.

Transitions are fun, slick, and engaging, and can take video content to the next level. Transitions flawlessly stitch two clips together so they merge and look continuous. For example, you might start the video before getting ready, put your hand up to the camera, then when you remove your head, your hair and makeup look is complete. With good editing, you can make it seamless enough that the hand up to the camera looks like one clip instead of two.

Just like transitions, looping videos are a type of editing 'magic trick' that makes your videos look effortlessly cool. In a looping video, you edit the end of the video to blend seamlessly into the beginning, to the point where most users won't even realise your video has started again. Not only can this trending trick help you go viral for engaging content, but it also starts your video automatically from the beginning, giving you extra views without viewers even realising.

Adding subtitles to your text is a must for accessibility. Plus, with many users watching TikTok on silent mode, it's a good way to ensure your content can be watched even when the sound's off. But while TikTok does auto-create some captions, they're often incorrect and unreliable, so it's a good idea to add captions and text to your video manually to make it as easy as possible to understand.

One aspect of editing is choosing the cover shot which will appear on your profile as the picture for your video. Remember this is what will entice users to click on a video when scrolling, so use a surprising or eye-catching part of the video to be the focal point.

One of the main goals of editing is to keep your content concise. Unlike YouTube, which is made for long-form content, TikTok lends itself to short videos and snippets, so users will switch off quickly if your video contains any fluff or waffle. Trim moments of silence or bloopers to keep viewers engaged.

TikTok's external editing app, CapCut, has a great selection of editing tools, so it should be your go-to when your skills get more advanced and you want to branch out from the in-app editor.

Green Screen allows you to become a floating talking head (it looks better than it sounds!) with an image in the background, and it's a common editing techniques that's perfect when you want to explain something with visual aids. If you're looking to enhance the storytelling in your content, look no further than this effect.

As well as editing the order or length of the clips, use editing tools to adjust the vibe of the video. If you filmed in a slightly dark space, for example, (although this should be avoided if you can help it), you can brighten your video using editing tools. Likewise, you can increase the saturation to make your content brighter and more appealing.

Whether you're a beginner or expert, you can benefit from editing tips to spruce up your style. With plenty of practice and experimentation, you can develop a signature style of editing that separates your content from other creators and gives your videos a polished, professional look.