Editing TikTok videos is like stepping through a wardrobe into a completely different world that is full of possibilities. What starts as a simple 15-second video can transform into a world of creativity if only you crack the code to perfect TikTok video editing.
Sure, most content on TikTok is far from professional, but what we mean is that by the end of this article, you’ll know how to edit TikTok videos perfect especially for the audience of this platform.
So, let’s jump right into it without any delays.
Table of Contents
– How to Edit TikTok Videos
– How to Edit TikTok Videos with Podcastle
– Best TikTok Video Editing Tips
How to Edit TikTok Videos
With the right approach to editing TikTok videos, you can capture your audience’s attention and keep them coming back for more. By the end of this guide, you’ll know everything from basic edits to more advanced techniques, helping you master TikTok video editing.
1) Open Your TikTok App
Open the TikTok app on your phone and tap the "+" button at the bottom of the screen to start creating your TikTok video.
2) Record or Upload Your Video
Hold the red record button to shoot your video, or tap "Upload" to select videos/photos from your gallery. You can add more photos or videos from your camera, or even record new ones at any point in your editing process.
3) Trim and Split Your Clips
After recording/uploading, tap “Edit” (the scissors icon) to cut and delete the unwanted parts, split your video and change their positions, adjust the speed of each clip, rotate, and crop.
In case of unwanted results, you have the undo and redo buttons to cancel the actions at any time.
4) Add Effects and Filters
Tap "Effects" at the bottom to add trending or new effects to your videos. With the “Filters,” you can add tones or a video style to your shots. Meanwhile, using the “Magic” tool, you can add transitions, visual and motion effects, and much more.
5) Insert Text
To add your text to the video, tap "Text" and start typing it in. You can customize it by changing the font, color, and background to make it more aesthetic and suitable for your content. You can also set when the text appears during the video too, by dragging it to where you want it, and adding motion if needed.
6) Add Captions
If there is a voiceover in your video, and you want to have it displayed on the screen as you speak, use the “Captions” icon, and wait for your captions to be automatically generated. In case of any mistakes in the text, you can edit your TikTok video captions at once, as well as change its color, size, and placement.
7) Add Music and/or Voiceover
Next, tap "Sounds" to choose a trending song, or search for a specific one to match your video. You can also add sound effects or record a voiceover on the spot. With the “Volume” button, you can balance the sound between your original audio, voiceover, audio effect, and the added music.
8) Final Touches
As you make the final touches in your video, you can use the "Stickers" to add emojis, GIFs, and polls, or “Overlays” to add videos or photos over your original footage.
9) Preview and Save as Draft (Optional)
Once your video is ready, use the arrow in the top left corner of your screen to watch the preview carefully. If everything looks good, tap “Next.”
Here you can save the video in your "Drafts" to edit or post it later, or add the descriptions, TikTok hashtags, mentions, a link, adjust your privacy settings, and “Post” it right away.
Voilà! Now you have mastered the art of editing TikTok videos right in the editor the platform offers. But wait! Could there possibly be another video editor for TikTok that could do the same job without reducing the quality of your footage?
How to Edit TikTok Videos with Podcastle
Using Podcastle as your video editor for TikTok helps speed up the editing process, offering tools that make creating standout content easy, without its quality suffering as a result.
Armed with powerful editing tools for all creators, Podcastle helps you take your TikTok videos to a higher level.
So what does it really offer?
- 1000+ AI voices with different accents and tones to make your voiceovers sound life-like
- High-quality video and audio recording and editing
- Stock media to improve your video and make it more professional
- High-quality video exporting
- Advanced AI tools you won’t find on TikTok, such as eye contact correction.
- Quick loading that will save your time and much, much more!
And if you still think it might take a while to edit the perfect TikTok video on Podcastle, check out this step-by-step guide to see how quick and effortless it actually is.
1) Upload Your Videos
Sign in to your Podcastle account, click “Create” and then “Video Project”. Upload the videos you want to edit for TikTok, regardless of what size they are.
From the list of offered sizes, choose the 9:16 aspect ratio for TikTok videos, which is also perfect for YouTube shorts and Instagram Reels.
In case you don’t have a specific shot you want to add to your TikTok video, there is a huge library of stock visuals you can choose from.
2) Trim and Split Clip
Use the split tool (the scissors icon) to cut the clips where needed. Delete any parts you don’t want by selecting and hitting delete.
3) Add Text and Captions
Click "Text" to add titles, descriptions, or call-outs to your video. There are different styles and forms you can choose from, and even those can be customized.
Podcastle also offers accurate AI-powered captioning, just click "Captions" and auto-generate it instantly.
4) Insert Music or Voiceovers
Upload your own music, or use Podcastle’s royalty-free sound effects and music library. You can drag audio tracks onto the timeline and adjust their volume to fit.
If you want to narrate over your TikTok video, click “Voiceover” and record directly inside Podcastle. Or better yet, simply type in the text you want to record and choose one of the 1000+ natural AI voices to create a realistic voiceover.
You can also clone your voice within seconds and later use it in all your TikTok videos without having to record yourself for every project.
5) Edit Your TikTok Video with AI Tools
Besides the basic video editing tools, Podcastle offers a set of AI-powered ones that make any video shine, such as eye contact corrector, cinematic blur, and more.
6) Export and Upload Your Video on TikTok
Check the edited video, with the timing, text, audio, and effects. Once you’re happy with the result, click "Export." Choose high-quality export settings for TikTok (MP4 format, 1080x1920 resolution) and that’s it! Your TikTok video is ready for the whole world to see!
Ready to create your first TikTok video with Podcastle? Check out our free online Video Editor and start your painless and magical experience with us right away.
Best TikTok Video Editing Tips
On TikTok, every second counts, and smart editing can turn a good video into a viral one. With these TikTok video editing tips, you’ll learn how to optimize your videos for maximum engagement: after all, it’s one of the most important things to help you appear on endless For You pages.
- Keep It Short and Snappy: Capture attention in the first 2-3 seconds with a catchy opening sentence or footage.
- Edit for Vertical (9:16) Format: Always create content optimized for vertical viewing.
- Use Trending Sounds and Music: Pick audio that's trending to boost your reach.
- Add Captions or On-Screen Text: Many users watch without sound, so captions keep them engaged.
- Use Jump Cuts: Fast, sharp cuts keep the energy high and prevent boredom.
- Sync Clips to the Beat: Match your edits to the music rhythm for a professional feel.
- Don’t Overuse Effects and Filters: Enhance your video, but keep it clean and easy to follow.
- Use Smooth Transitions Between Clips: Simple transitions like zooms or fades can keep your video flowing in some cases.
- Record in Good Lighting: Good lighting improves video quality without heavy editing.
- Focus on Storytelling: Even short videos should have a clear start, middle, and end.
- Edit with Purpose: Every cut, text, or sound should add something important.
- Preview Before Posting: Watch several times to catch small mistakes.
- Use a Cover Thumbnail: Pick a good frame or upload a thumbnail to make your profile look clean and professional.
- Be Consistent with Your Posting: Aim to post several times a week to build momentum.
- “Done” is better than “Perfect”: On TikTok, fast content often wins over overly polished videos. It's better to post consistently than to obsess over tiny details.
- How to save a TikTok draft to your camera roll? As of writing this, you can’t… unless you publish it. If you don’t want to share it yet, but still want to have it on your device, you can change your privacy setting to “Only You”, publish it to save it, and then unpublish it to move it back to your “Drafts.”
Summing Up
TikTok video editing is more than just a technical skill, it’s an opportunity to create engaging, shareable content that resonates with your audience. The key is to embrace your creativity and experiment with different editing techniques to find what works best for you, regardless of whether you’re editing TikTok videos on the app or platforms like Podcastle.
By mastering the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to editing TikTok videos that capture attention, spark engagement, and keep viewers coming back for more. So, unleash your imagination and let your TikTok shine in 2025!)
