Video marketing is where it’s at right now. You do, of course, need to continue creating all sorts of valuable content, but leaving video out of the equation is like leaving money on the table. Creating visual content is incredibly easy. There is really no reason to not be incorporating it in some way.
12 Video Editing Tools
Even if you aren’t comfortable with video editing tools, there are tons of ways you can use to make your life ridiculously easy. These tools provide an excellent “entry-level” introduction to the entire concept of making videos without overwhelming the user.
Of course, you can also reach out to us here at Sachs for help, too. We’re always happy to lend a hand with video design and marketing! In the meantime, here are the tools.
1. Animoto
One of the reasons we like Animoto is because you can work not only with true video, but with photos you’d like to turn into a slideshow, too. This tool has two separate sections — one is geared more towards the casual family user, while the other serves business needs. Templates in each section are a bit different, but both feature music and tons of easy-to-use editing features. There is a free version of Animoto, but you can opt to upgrade if desired.
2. Wave
The Wave video app is incredibly easy to use. One of our favorite features is the ability to choose the network you’d like to post your video to. This makes it easy to choose the proper video size ratios for optimal viewing on each platform. Wave also includes a ton of royalty-free music options and a huge library of stock video clips to make your life easier, too.
3. Headliner
One of the most forgettable social media video facts is that videos often show in the news feed without sound. A viewer will only hear sound if they stop and turn it on. So how do you get a fan to stop? Add closed captions to grab their attention, of course. Headliner specializes in helping users create video with closed captions for guidance. It will transcribe your video, but you can upload text on your own if it’s more appropriate for you. As a bonus, this also makes your content more accessible too, especially for people who are Deaf!
4. FilmoraGo
Constantly on the go? FilmoraGo is perfect for those who do a lot of work right from their phones. The tool has been designed to be as easy and functional as a desktop editing program. Designed for both Android and iOS, it lets you create voice overs, reverse your video, crop, and do just about everything else you would expect from a full editing platform.
5. Animaker
Feeling a little camera shy? Animaker is a really fun tool you can use to create avatars to tell your story for you. There are plenty of icons and clips for you to play around with in the free version, but you may want to upgrade if you find yourself a huge fan of the platform. The free version limits you to five videos per month.
6. Horizon
A lot of live video functions ask you to record in portrait mode, which is fine for the content that is actually being recorded in real-time. Otherwise, content you are recording to edit and publish later should be recorded in horizontal mode for ease of editing and an overall better look. Horizon is a fun app for recording horizontal mode videos, regardless of how you hold your phone. Problem solved!
7. Adobe Spark Video
Adobe has some great products, and Spark is no exception. It boasts excellent storyboard and video layout features, giving you everything you need to design and edit amazing content. The one caveat? It’s a free app, so your videos will have a small watermark in the bottom corner. If you’re already paying for Adobe Creative Cloud, you can have it removed.
8. Stupeflix
Stupeflix isn’t crazy-advanced, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s perfect for people who want to take a basic video and freshen it up a bit before publication, especially if you don’t necessarily want or need all the bells and whistles. Choose a theme, incorporate your own video clips, and publish.
9. Pinnacle Studio
Created by Avid, Pinnacle operates like most standard video editing tools, but has amped-up features. Use it to import your videos and images, crop, and edit like normal. Or, peruse through more than 1,500 incredible video effects to enhance your finished product. It’s fun to explore and test! The added bonus of a split-screen video feature lets you incorporate more than one video stream on the screen at the same time.
10. Lightworks
An oldie but goodie, Lightworks has been a constant in the video editing sphere for quite some time. That doesn’t mean it’s outdated, though. It’s constantly updated with new, cutting-edge features and has a simplistic interface anyone would find easy to use. This 100-percent-free tool features special effects; plus, they offer access to a huge library of royalty-free enhancements.
11. Ripl
Want something super short and super sweet? Try Ripl. This app excels at adding just enough animation to still images to turn them into video. Choose a style, drop in some text, and add a little music to create a finished product in mere minutes. You can even share right from the app to your social media platform of choice.
12. Biteable
Biteable is deceptively simple. It packs a lot of punch, giving you the tools you need to create animations, slideshows, infographic videos, and oh so much more. You can even use it to put together formal presentations. It’s super for people who lack video skill, but it does have one drawback. If you want to get rid of the watermark, you need to pay a monthly fee. This also unlocks new publishing features.
Creating awesome video content doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. Start small and find a tool that feels easy for you to use. You can always move into more formal or complicated tools as your skills improve and your needs change. Until then, these tools are a great place to start and will ensure you’re keeping up with today’s evolving demand for more visual content.
