If you’re creating a podcast and need to edit video, you might be wondering what software to use. There are many options available, but not all of them are suitable for podcasting. In this article, we’ll help you choose the best video editing software for your podcast, based on your budget, skill level, and needs.
You might think that podcasts are only about audio, but video can add a lot of value to your show. Video can help you reach a wider audience, increase engagement, and showcase your personality. You can use video to record your podcast sessions, create teasers and trailers, or add visuals and animations to your audio. Video can also help you monetize your podcast, by attracting sponsors, advertisers, or subscribers.
One very important tip for you, is choose a software that you're comfortable with not one that is named top on a website or such. Assess Your Skill Level, choose a software that matches your current editing skills - simpler for beginners, more advanced for experienced users. For new software, always try before you buy. Utilize free trials to test the software before making a purchase decision.
For editing video content for your podcast, consider using video editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or DaVinci Resolve, which offer robust features for professional-level editing and post-production. These tools allow you to enhance your podcast with visual elements, transitions, overlays, and effects, creating engaging video content to complement your audio recordings.
There are auto-cut features in many video editing softwares which will help to cut multiple footages for hours long videos. You can try: Davinci Resolve Premier pro
For video editing in podcasting, use versatile tools like Adobe Premiere Rush or iMovie, ensuring seamless integration with your audio content.
Why edit video for a podcast? Some people might find it natural and more engaging to see speakers while they talk. Especially if a podcast has two hosts, there are gestures and facial expressions shown on video that get lost when a podcast is audio-only. These gestures and facial expressions contribute to the content, allowing people to feel more immersed in the content.
When selecting video editing software for your podcast, you should consider cost, features, ease of use, and compatibility. Are you willing to invest in a subscription or one-time purchase? What kind of editing capabilities do you need? Is the software user-friendly and compatible with your device? Do you have previous experience or knowledge of video editing? Do you want to use keyboard shortcuts, drag-and-drop, or menus? Additionally, consider if the software can export in different formats, resolutions, or qualities and if it can import and export files from various sources.
What to look for in video editing software? 1. Ease of use and intuitive UI -- good software should be "learnable as you go", in other words, it should not have such a high skill cliff in the beginning where you need to read a manual or watch hours of tutorials before getting hands-on with the software. 2. The software should have a helpful and accessible knowledge base/community. This is important for quickly looking up how to do things if you are on deadlines for a project. 3. The software should fit with your workflow. If you already have a workflow that would be very costly and time-consuming to drastically change, look for software that would cause the least amount of disruptions.
When it comes to video editing software for podcasting, there are many options available. Audacity is a free and open-source audio editing software that can also handle video files. It has basic features like cutting, copying, pasting, and mixing tracks, as well as more advanced features such as noise reduction, compression, equalization, and normalization. It is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux, and supports various file formats. iMovie is a free video editing software for Mac and iOS devices that has a user-friendly interface for creating and editing videos. Adobe Premiere Pro is a professional video editing software that requires a monthly or yearly subscription and has comprehensive editing tools. Final Cut Pro is another professional video editing software for Mac that requires a one-time purchase and has features such as magnetic timeline, multicam editing, 360-degree video editing, and motion graphics.
The most popular video editing software options are: - Adobe Premiere Pro: A professional-grade tool widely used in the industry, offering a comprehensive range of features. - Final Cut Pro X: A powerful option, known for its interface and advanced features. - DaVinci Resolve: Notable for its advanced color correction and audio post-production capabilities. - Adobe after effects for more animated related videos. - Adobe Premiere Elements: A more beginner-friendly alternative from Adobe, offering guided edits.
Once you have chosen your video editing software, you can start editing your video for your podcast. To begin, import your video files from your camera, microphone, or online sources and arrange them on the timeline. Then, you can add transitions, effects, filters, titles, or other elements to enhance the video. You can also adjust the color, brightness, contrast, and audio levels of your video with the software’s tools and sliders or apply presets or filters. Finally, export your video to a preferred format such as MP4 or MOV with a resolution of 720p, 1080p, or 4K. Lastly, upload your video to a podcast platform like YouTube or Vimeo, a website or blog of your own creation, or social media.
To make your video editing process easier and more effective, plan your video before you start editing. Have a clear idea of what you want to achieve, what message you want to convey, and what style you want to use. Additionally, organize your files and folders by labeling and sorting them by name, date, or category. Utilize keyboard shortcuts and custom settings to speed up your workflow. Preview and review your video as you edit, making adjustments as needed. Also, preview your video in different devices and platforms to check the quality and compatibility. Finally, save your files regularly and backup them to an external drive or cloud service in order to avoid any potential loss of work.
Plan Your Edit: Outline your project with a storyboard or script to organize your footage and maintain focus on your objectives. Keep It Simple: Avoid overusing transitions and effects. A clean and straightforward edit often has more impact. Learn Keyboard Shortcuts. Good audio is crucial. Balance audio levels and use background music or sound effects appropriately. Enhance the visual appeal of your footage with basic color correction and grading. Use B-roll shots to add depth to your story and cover jump cuts. Edit out unnecessary parts to keep the video engaging and to the point. Always save and backup your work (you'll thank me later). Get opinions from others to gain new perspectives. Experiment and Learn.
A tip for editing video for a podcast: start a stopwatch as soon as you start the podcast/webinar. Press "Lap" when there is something interesting said or when there is a new section. These "timestamps" will help you to create markers in your video editing software to better organize your footage for editing.
As someone who hosted several speakers in podcast episodes with millions of followers, and has been a guest in multiple ones, I really advice you to use AI to edit your podcast episodes! Tools such as CastMagic, and there are many others but this is one I'm currently using, make it easy to transcribe episodes, and make the most out of them. You get captions, AI generated content such as social media posts, and even viral reels/clip suggestions by timing! So you can go ahead to any simple video editing software such as Wondershare filmora, and do the cuts! How convenient! :) You can also turn an episode or a series into a long form content using GPT, and many other cool features.