Standing out on TikTok in 2024 requires more than just great content. You must master the art of video editing as it is the secret weapon to take your videos from good to phenomenal and captivate the audience.

In this guide, we’ll explain exactly how to edit TikTok videos like a pro. We’ll cover essential editing tools, trending techniques, and proven strategies for creating edits that will have viewers hitting that follow button in no time.

Get ready to transform your TikTok presence and leave your competitors behind.

Essential Editing Tools and Techniques

Before moving to the part on how to edit TikTok videos, let’s equip ourselves with the right TikTok video editor tools.

You have several options to choose from for editing your TikTok videos, depending on your preference and how good you are at editing.

1. TikTok’s Built-in Editor

This is a great starting point, especially for quick edits. It allows you to trim clips and directly add transitions, text overlays, and music within the TikTok app.

2: Use CapCut to Edit

CapCut (available on iPhone and Android) is a free and powerful editing tool specifically designed for TikTok and other social media platforms.

It offers a wide range of features like splitting clips, adjusting speed, adding trendy text effects, and much more.

3. Other Editing Apps

Many other editing apps, such as InShot, KineMaster, and VLLO, are available for iPhone and Android users. These apps offer a variety of features and can be a great option depending on your specific needs.

4. Desktop Editing Software

If you’re comfortable with video editing software, using programs like Adobe Premiere Rush or Final Cut Pro can give you even more creative control. However, these programs typically have a steeper learning curve and may require a subscription fee too.

How to Edit Your TikTok Videos

No matter which tool you choose, the process of editing a TikTok is straightforward, and the basic editing process remains the same:

1. Import your clips: Whether you filmed directly in the TikTok app or used another camera, import your video footage into your editing tool.

2. Trim and cut: Remove any unwanted sections from the beginning or end of your clips using the trimming and cutting features. It keeps your TikTok videos focused and engaging. Adjust the playback speed of the clips using the ‘Speed’ tool.

3. Arrange your clips: Drag and drop your clips in the desired order to create your final video sequence.

4. Add transitions: Now smooth out the flow between clips by using different transition styles like fades or wipes.

5. Text Overlays: Text overlays are a great way to add captions, jokes, or additional information to your video. You can customize fonts, colors, and animations for an aesthetic look and to make your text pop up.

6. Music and Sound Effects: Music and sound effects can set the mood, enhance your storytelling, and add humor to your videos. So, spice up your video’s impact with suitable background music and sound effects. Choose from TikTok’s music library or import your own audio files.

7. Save and Post your Video: Choose any attractive and engaging thumbnail for the video, and it’s done. Now, after finishing the editing, save your TikTok video to your mobile’s gallery. Now, post it on TikTok to share it with the world.

If you don’t want to post it immediately, you can schedule your TikTok videos to get them published at optimal times and get on FYP.

Pro Tip

Once you know the basics and are pro at them, explore advanced features like green screen effects, slow-motion/fast-motion edits, and trendy text animations to make your TikTok videos stand out truly.

Moreover, you can edit your TikTok videos before or after posting them.

• Edit before posting: This allows for more precise edits and lets you perfect your video before sharing it with the world. Most editing apps, including CapCut, can save your edited video to your phone’s camera roll for easy upload to TikTok.
• Edit after posting: While not ideal for complex edits, TikTok’s built-in editor allows you to make basic adjustments like trimming or adding captions or hashtags to an already posted video. Simply tap the three dots (…) and select “Edit.”

By mastering these essential editing tools and techniques, you’ll be well on your way to creating stunning TikTok videos that grab attention and leave viewers wanting more.

Stand-Out Editing Strategies for 2024

Want your TikTok videos to rise above the noise and grab attention in 2024? Here are some editing trends that are hot in 2024 and will help you stand out in viewers’ feeds:

1. Trending Edits to Master

• Text Overlays with Personality: Leave behind boring text. Use unique fonts, animations, and bold colors to grab attention and make your message pop.
• Quick Cuts Keep the Pace: Shorter attention spans are the common problem of today’s social media users. So, keep your edits snappy and fast-paced to hold viewers’ interest. This is a great way to showcase multiple ideas or outfit changes in a short amount of time.
• Trending Sounds and Effects: Stay on top of the game by incorporating trending audio and sound effects into your edits. This is a fantastic way to tap into current trends and increase discoverability on the platform. You can check out TikTok’s trending sounds page for inspiration.

2. Storytelling Through Editing

Editing isn’t just about adding bells and whistles. It’s a powerful tool for showing a narrative that keeps viewers hooked:

• Jump Cuts for Suspense: Use jump cuts to create anticipation and surprise. This is a great way to build tension and keep viewers guessing what’s coming next.
• Pauses for Impact: Don’t be afraid of silence. Strategic pauses can emphasize key moments in your video and add emotional weight.
• Mirroring Emotions with Music & Effects: Elevate your video’s emotional impact by using music and sound effects that match the mood you want to convey in your TikTok video. Upbeat music and fast cuts can create a feeling of excitement, while slower cuts and calming music can evoke a more peaceful mood.

3. Optimizing for Mobile Viewing

29% of TikTok viewers are watching on their phones. So, keep these mobile-first tips in mind:

• Vertical Format is Key: Edit your videos specifically for the vertical format/phone screen. This ensures viewers don’t have to turn their phones to see your entire video. Also, avoid using black bars or zooming in excessively.
• Clear Visuals and Captions: Use clear visuals and concise and short captions to ensure your message is easily understood, even on a small screen.
• Fast-Paced & Engaging: Keep your edits fast-paced and visually interesting to hold viewers’ attention in this short-attention-span world.

By mastering these editing strategies, you can transform your videos from ordinary to extraordinary and make a lasting impression on viewers scrolling through their TikTok feeds.

Engagement Boosting Tips for TikTok Videos

Creating compelling edits is just one piece of the puzzle. Here are some additional strategies to supercharge your video’s engagement:

1. Calls to Action

Use clear calls to action (CTAs) within your edits to encourage viewers to like, comment, or follow you. Text overlays or animated CTAs are effective ways to grab attention.

2. Trending Sounds & Hashtags

Leverage trending hashtags and sounds in your edits. Popular sounds can instantly boost discoverability, while relevant hashtags help people find your content. Browse TikTok Creative Center to discover top trendings sounds and also explore popular hashtags related to your video’s content.

3. Captions & Stickers

Add captions to your videos, especially for viewers watching without sound. Captions also improve accessibility for viewers with hearing impairments. Don’t forget to explore the fun and interactive TikTok stickers. Stickers can add personality, humor, and encourage viewers to tap and learn more.

Remember that the key to engagement on TikTok is creating videos that viewers find valuable or entertaining. High-quality edits combined with these engagement tips will help you build a loyal following on TikTok.

4. Stay Consistent

Regularly upload high-quality, engaging content to keep your audience coming back for more. Moreover, engage with your audience on time and respond to comments and messages to build a community around your content.

5. Learn and Adapt

Keep an eye on what’s working and what’s not. Analyze your video performance and adapt your editing strategies based on audience response.

Wrap Up

As TikTok is a visual platform so if you want to stand out on TikTok, then mastering the art of video editing is essential. We hope that this guide has equipped you with the knowledge and tools of how to edit TikTok videos and transform them from good to great.

Remember, effective editing is more than flashy effects. It’s about enhancing your storytelling, keeping viewers engaged, and optimizing your video for mobile viewing.

So, put your newfound editing skills in action, experiment with different techniques, and watch your followers count grow.

Done, editing your TikTok videos? Now use SocialBu to schedule, track your videos’/account’s performance, monitor hashtags, and automate all your tasks.

FAQs

How Do I Edit My Video on TikTok?

You can edit your video directly within the TikTok app using its built-in editor. With it you can trim clips, add transitions, text overlays, and music. You can also use apps like CapCut, InShot or Canva for more advanced editing features.

How Do I Edit a TikTok Video I Already Posted?

Unfortunately, TikTok doesn’t allow editing videos after they are posted. You can only edit the description of the video. So, it’s recommended to fully edit your video before uploading/posting.

What is the Best Video Editor for TikTok?

The best video editor for your TikToks depends on your needs. For beginners, TikTok’s built-in editor or free mobile apps like CapCut are great options. For advanced editing, consider desktop software.

How Do You Edit TikTok Videos Together?

While directly editing multiple videos together within TikTok isn’t possible, you can film separate videos and combine them with an excellent editing app like CupCut before uploading to TikTok.

What is the Best Aspect Ratio for TikTok Videos?

Since TikTok is a mobile-first platform, the best aspect ratio for your videos is 9:16 (vertical format). This avoids black bars on the sides of your video.