How to Edit TikTok Videos

updated September 1, 2023
Reading time7 minutes
Jaqueline Corradi
Jaqueline Corradi
Content Manager

Do you know how to edit TikTok videos? With more than 1 billion active users, this social media platform has become one of the most popular around the world. Brands from multiple sectors and digital creators are enjoying TikTok to reach a new audience and increase their profits. 

Short videos recorded on the vertical is the content type published on TikTok, where comic, dance, and lipsync videos are a huge success. Many of them may seem recorded spontaneously, but don't mistake yourself.  A lot of content on TikTok is carefully edited to deliver the best entertainment to the users. 

Knowing how to cut, add voiceover, sound effects, and songs, make transitions, insert filters, and put together multiple takes is very important to create high-quality short videos. This way you can drive your target audience's attention, and conquer more visibility and followers. Check out the article to know more about it. 

Plan the TikTok Videos

Before even beginning to record the  TikTok video, create a script to film it, and try to answer the following questions:

  • What is the video going to be about?
  • What is the purpose of the video? 
  • What do you want to show in the video?
  • Who will participate in the video?
  • What will be the scenery?
  • What is going to be the lines of each participant?

Writing a script doesn't mean the video is going to be too structured and not seem casual or spontaneous. You can still leave room to improvise and change the lines as the video is recorded. However, the script works as a guideline and helps to avoid forgetting to film something important, for example.

Besides, it will help to edit the TikTok video too. When editing you or the person who will edit the content for you already knows the main idea of the content and will be able to use the proper tools to deliver the best result. 

How to Film the TikTok Video

When it comes to filming a TikTok, you have some options: record the video directly from the TikTok app, use the smartphone camera or another type of camera and send the videos to your smartphone after. 

Regardless of your choice, always remember to film the videos vertically. You can record multiple takes and put them together when editing the video, or make just one take, which facilitates the edition process. 

When recording, remember to check if the place you choose has good lighting and if the audio is good as well. You also have the alternative to record the audio separately and put it together when editing the video. 

How to Edit TikTok Videos

Regarding how to edit TikTok videos, you can enjoy the edition tools the app itself offers to the users or choose a video edition app, edit the video on it and upload the final version to TikTok. Choose the way that allows you to get the best result, and provides you with the features you need to make the content you envisioned. 

Use the TikTok App to Edit the Videos

1. Upload or Record the Video

If you have already recorded the video for TikTok, upload it to the platform. Otherwise, you can record it using the TikTok app. If you choose the second option, you can set the timer to define if you want to record 15 seconds, 60 seconds, or 3 minutes. This way, you don't have to keep the record button pressed, and you can use your hands freely. 

When using the TikTok app to record, you can add some features even before the editions. It allows you to adjust the video speed, add a filter, and insert a question to answer. Just press the red button to start, if you need to stop the recording, press the same button again. The take will be saved and you can restart from where you have stopped. 

TikTok recording page

If you already have recorded the video, but didn't edit anything, click on the upload button on the right side of the screen. Click on "Select multiple" to choose more than one take or image, and upload them all. 

The image shows the videos to choose to upload to TikTok

2. Adjust the Clips

After recording, it's time to edit your TikTok. To define the video duration, choose the best takes, insert images, and insert images and transition effects between them, and click on the adjust clip icon. 

TikTok video edit page, adjust clip icon highlighted

You can trim the video, split them into parts to edit each one separately, and include more takes or images by clicking on the "plus" button. You also have the option to insert clips from the TikTok video library. 

TikTok adjust clip page

3. Add Sounds

If you don't want to use the audio from the video or you wish to mix it with songs and sound effects, click on the "Sound" button. Choose if you want to add sound, which can be an audio record you made, or select a sound effect or song available on TikTok.

TikTok video edition page, the sound icon is highlighted.

TikTok video edition page, the icons add sound and sound effect are highlighted.

Then, you will need to adjust where to put the selected sounds and songs on video. For example, if it's a sound effect that you will use to open the video, continue with your narration, then end with the piece of a song. 

4. Add Filter

TikTok enables you to use image filters as well, you can choose from hundreds of them. There are filters to make the colors more vibrant, turn the video into black and white, add makeup to your face, or special effects such as sparkles, and snow. 

Click on the filter icon, select the part of the video to include it, then click on the filter you wish to insert and keep it pressed. The color of the video parts where the effect is added will be shown differently so you can detect them when editing. 

The image shows the TikTok filter icons

5. Add Stickers

Another feature TikTok offers is stickers. It's very simple to add them, click on the sticker icon, and choose the ones you wish to use. You can put time, location, and hashtag stickers, for example. Resize and position them the way you prefer. 

The image shows TikTok stickers

The image shows a video with time, stamp, passport and camera stickers.

6. Add Text

To add text using TikTok edition tools, click on the text icon on the right side of the screen. After it, you can write what you want, and choose the font type and the color. Click upon the text to place and resize it. 

The image shows TikTok edit page, the text icon is highlighted.

In the image it's written "How to edit TIkTok videos"

7. Rewatch the Video

After you have finished editing the  TikTok video, play it again to check every detail, and make sure you didn't forget anything. Then, click on "Next", write the caption for the video, tag people, and insert the location if you wish. To publish it, press "Post". If you want to publish the video later, just click on "drafts and it will be saved in the platform for you to select the best time to post on TikTok

Use a Video Editor

Another option when it comes to how to edit TikTok videos is using video editing software. In this case, the whole process of creating the video will be made outside the social media platform. Choose the software you are acquainted with, upload the images and clips you will use, and enjoy its features to edit the video.

Remember to follow TikTok format, the video should be vertical and the length can't be up to 10 minutes. After editing the video, rewatch it, transfer it to your smartphone, in case you have used your computer to make the edition, and upload it on TikTok. Then, follow the standard process to publish the video. 

Deliver High-Quality Content to Your Audience

Regardless of the option you choose on how to edit TikTok videos, one thing is fundamental: having a final result that provides incredible content to your followers and your whole target audience. When editing the videos, keep them in mind, consider the type of content they like to watch, and how you can drive their attention.

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