The digital video space is a highly competitive world today. Making a video is an integral part of the marketing strategies of most brands. With the demand comes supply and there are innumerable video editing tools in the market today. Everyone wants to use the best video editing software and perfect their videos online.
However, you need to understand that there is no one-fit solution to video editing. An amateur preparing a video for their spouses’ birthday party will expect different things from an editing tool as compared to a professional. A professional who is putting together a marketing video for a retail brand will need advanced features and high-end editing power.
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Thus, the journey of selecting an editing tool is personal, and you need to consider several factors before settling for one. An option that works for others may not be feasible for you. Here are five factors that will help you identify a suitable video editing tool.
Identify the Intended Use
The first thing to consider while picking a video editing tool is the purpose for which you are using the tool. For example, if you are a beginner who intends to create a video without advanced features, then InVideo is a perfect choice for you. The tool has over 5000 templates for you to choose from, and you can create a studio-quality video in a few minutes. Also, this tool lets you access a huge media library and come up with high-quality content for free.
However, seasoned video editors will have different needs, and advanced features offered by tools like Adobe Premiere Pro will be useful. However, such tools pull the strings on your wallet and may turn out to be overkill for many people. Knowing what you want of your video will help you figure out the type of tool that you need.
Decide on the Features that You Need
Once you choose a tool, we recommend that you stick to it for multiple video editing projects. The longer you spend on a tool, the better you will be at using it. However, to do that you must first name the features that you need and list them in order of priority.
For example, if you intend to shoot most of your videos on a smartphone, you will need a video editing tool with built-in image stabilization. Others who intend to create animated promotional videos will need a tool that offers a library of stickers, GIFs, and stock images.
When you are clear on your needs, list down the features of the different tools that you are considering. Compare the lists to narrow down the choice of programs, and you will find the perfect tool.
Identify Device Compatibility
Understand that video editing is tough on your device, and some tools need high-end processors to function properly. For example, the Adobe Premiere Pro needs 16 GB of RAM. 4GB of GPU as well as high-speed SSD storage. It does not work on Mac devices. You need to have a Microsoft Windows 10 1809 or higher version. At the personal level, very few people have a desktop that satisfies all the above criteria.
However, this does not mean that all video editing software demands the latest hardware. Spend time to evaluate the memory, process, storage, and operating system of the device where you intend to do the editing. Have a look at the recommended specifications of the shortlisted tools to identify the most suitable one.
Input Format Choice
There are multiple video formats, and not all editing tools accept all of those. You need to consider the format of your raw files before choosing a tool. Understand that while the high-end editing tools accept 8k and HD formats, not all free tools will give you the luxury.
In fact, with high-end tools, you can even import your raw file and convert it to other formats. Most free tools allow users to edit the videos in 4k or lesser resolutions. Some of them have a confined range of supported video formats. You need to check the format of your available raw footage and pick a tool that supports it.
Budget and Monetary Considerations
Irrespective of the other specifications, you cannot afford to ignore the monetary aspects of editing software. There may be situations where you want to create a casual video for your friends and family. Here, your audience will not mind if the edited video has a watermark.
Spending a fortune on high-end editing tools is not a sensible option here. Hitfilm Express, Blender, InVideo, and Lightworks are some of the online editors that you can consider here. If you are using an Apple device, iMovie is another feasible option. Animoto is another cloud-based video editing tool that you can consider while creating animations on a tight budget.
However, if you are creating marketing videos, you will want nothing but the best. In such cases, you can afford to spend and go for professional tools such as the Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, etc. The advantage of having a range of video editing tools is that there is something in store for people of all marketing budgets.
By now you realize that you cannot afford to simply follow the crowd while picking an editing tool. Having a clear picture of what you want from your video will help you chalk out the features that you need in your video editing tool. With hundreds of tools available, knowing the exact features will help you arrive at your expected tool.
As you shop on your budget, you will also keep an eye on your device specifications to ensure that it can handle the load you are offering. As you ensure that the required file formats are supported you tick one more parameter off the list you take yourself closer to the best-fit tool. By outlining the important factors to consider while choosing your tool, we hope that we have been a worthy contributor to your video editing journey.