Video Editing Tutorials 101: Learn From the Best Tutorials 

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In today’s content-driven world, video editing is no longer a skill reserved for professionals. Whether you are planning to start your own YouTube channel or want to enhance your brand’s video content, learning video editing tutorials can empower you to produce visually engaging stories that capture your audience’s attention.

In this Design Journal guide, we will walk you through the best video editing tutorials for beginners, explaining each in detail, providing practical insights on how you can use them effectively, and recommending downloadable resources for you to start editing confidently.

10 video editing tutorials

Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, these tutorials cover everything from basics to advanced techniques. Dive in and start creating stunning videos that captivate your audience!

1. Video Editing for Complete Beginners: Ben Claremont

Ben Claremont’s “Video Editing for COMPLETE Beginners” is one of the most practical video editing tutorials available online today.

Perfect for video editing for beginners, it explains how to get started with editing software, set up your workspace efficiently, and use basic tools.

Ben’s easy-to-follow style makes it ideal as a YouTube video editing tutorial for aspiring creators.

In this tutorial, Ben walks through real-life editing projects, showing how to cut clips, adjust audio, and add simple transitions.

His approach ensures that beginners not only learn technical steps but also understand how editing shapes storytelling. This makes it an excellent reference for those looking to build confidence in editing their own content.

If you’re serious about mastering video editing tutorials for YouTube or personal projects, this is a great starting point. 

2. The Ultimate Beginners Guide to Video Editing: MotionVFX

MotionVFX’s “Ultimate Beginners Guide to Video Editing” is one of the best video editing tutorials for newcomers who want structure and depth.

This tutorial introduces you to editing concepts, timeline management, basic effects, and even color grading. For anyone searching for a reliable YouTube video editing tutorial, this guide covers both technical and creative aspects.

What sets this apart is the emphasis on real editing techniques professionals use every day.

You’ll learn how to plan your edits, manage multiple clips, and produce smooth transitions. Plus, it provides insights into exporting your final video in the best format for YouTube.

Whether you want to edit travel vlogs, reviews, or short films, this tutorial is an essential resource for video editing for beginners. 

3. Adobe Premiere Pro Tutorial for Beginners: Justin Odisho

Justin Odisho’s “Adobe Premiere Pro Tutorial for Beginners” is a standout among video editing tutorials.

Focused entirely on Adobe Premiere Pro, it teaches you the basics like organizing footage, creating sequences, trimming, and adding text overlays.

If you’re specifically after a YouTube video editing tutorial, Justin’s clear breakdown will help you produce polished content quickly.

His style is perfect for video editing for beginners because he explains not just the how, but the why behind each step. You’ll also pick up workflow tips, keyboard shortcuts, and small hacks that save you hours while editing.

Many beginners feel intimidated by Premiere Pro, but this tutorial demystifies it completely. 

4. Video Editing Basics: How to Edit Videos (Think Media)

Think Media’s “Video Editing Basics” video is ideal for creators looking for practical, easy-to-apply video editing tutorials.

Designed with YouTube beginners in mind, it covers planning your content, organizing clips, and adding simple motion graphics and music.

This tutorial highlights the importance of keeping your edits tight and engaging, so your viewers stay hooked from start to finish. You’ll also learn how to choose the right editing software and how to avoid common mistakes that slow beginners down.

If you want a clear YouTube video editing tutorial that focuses on real-world editing scenarios, Think Media’s video is a smart choice. 

5. Complete Beginner’s Guide Adobe Help Center: Premiere Pro

Adobe’s own “Video Editing Basics” is the ultimate official guide for video editing for beginners using Premiere Pro.

This comprehensive tutorial breaks down each tool and function step-by-step. You’ll learn how to import footage, arrange clips, make cuts, add simple effects, and export for YouTube.

The Adobe Help Center explains complex features in plain language, making it an excellent YouTube video editing tutorial reference. It’s perfect for people who prefer to learn at their own pace with a trusted source.

Whether you’re editing short clips or long-form videos, this resource helps you build a strong foundation. 

6. Video Editing Fundamentals: LinkedIn Learning

The “Video Editing Fundamentals” course on LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda) is one of the best video editing tutorials for structured learners who appreciate a systematic approach.

This tutorial walks you through the basics of video editing for beginners, including understanding frame rates, aspect ratios, and the editing workflow.

It also helps you get comfortable with general editing terminology and concepts that apply across all editing software, giving you a strong foundation before diving into advanced tools.

What makes this course valuable for YouTube video editing tutorial seekers is its focus on practical application. It guides you on how to organise footage, work with multiple clips, and manage audio effectively. The instructors often share real-world scenarios, enabling you to relate the lessons to your YouTube or brand content.

By the end of this tutorial, you will feel confident to move on to software-specific editing without confusion. 

7. Getting Started with Shotcut Video Editor: Shotcut Official Tutorials

For those seeking a free and open-source approach to video editing for beginners, the Shotcut Official Tutorials are an excellent entry point.

Shotcut offers a clean, intuitive user interface while providing advanced capabilities for those who wish to expand later. This tutorial covers the basics of installing Shotcut, importing media, and organising your files effectively.

The tutorial goes step-by-step through trimming clips, adding simple transitions, and layering audio tracks, which is perfect for creators looking for video editing tutorials that are lightweight yet powerful.

You will also learn how to export your videos in various formats suitable for YouTube, Instagram, and other platforms.

If you want to start editing without investing in paid software, this tutorial will help you become proficient in your workflow. 

8. Video Editing for Beginners: Filmora

Filmora offers one of the easiest yet feature-rich platforms for video editing for beginners, and this tutorial will guide you through its capabilities seamlessly.

This video editing tutorial covers getting started with Filmora’s interface, importing your media, and understanding the timeline. Filmora’s drag-and-drop functionality simplifies adding transitions, text, and effects.

The tutorial also explains how to use built-in libraries of music and animations to enhance your video content, making it perfect for creators working on YouTube video editing tutorials.

You will learn how to balance audio, color correct your footage slightly, and use filters to add a professional look.

Whether you’re creating vlogs, social media content, or educational videos, this tutorial makes editing approachable and fun. 

9. Edit Videos with CapCut: CapCut Learning Resources

CapCut has become a favourite among mobile editors, and this video editing tutorial makes it easy for beginners to jump right in.

Using CapCut Learning Resources, you will learn how to import your clips, trim and split footage, and adjust playback speed for dynamic cuts, all within your smartphone.

The tutorial also covers adding trending music, text overlays, transitions, and filters, helping you create content optimised for Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts. This is especially valuable for creators looking for YouTube video editing tutorials that allow on-the-go workflows.

By the end of this tutorial, you will be able to produce polished, engaging videos using just your phone, enabling you to keep up with content demands without heavy equipment. 

10. Introduction to Final Cut Pro: Apple Official Support

For Mac users, Apple’s Official “Introduction to Final Cut Pro” is a trusted video editing tutorial designed to help beginners quickly adapt to professional editing.

The tutorial covers how to navigate the Final Cut Pro interface, organise media with libraries and keywords, and utilise the magnetic timeline effectively.

You will learn basic edits, including trimming, splitting clips, and adding transitions, followed by adding titles, music, and basic color correction.

This video editing for beginners tutorial also provides best practices for exporting videos optimised for YouTube, ensuring your content looks crisp and professional.

Whether you’re editing long-form YouTube content or short brand videos, this tutorial simplifies Final Cut Pro’s learning curve while empowering you to produce high-quality videos.

Bonus channels: YouTube video editing tutorial for beginners

Dive into the essential skills needed to create captivating videos with our easy-to-follow YouTube video editing tutorial. Perfect for beginners, this guide will help you transform your raw footage into polished masterpieces!

Filmora Video Editor (YouTube Channel)

The Filmora Video Editor YouTube channel is an excellent resource for video editing tutorials, particularly for those using Filmora or seeking a clear, beginner-friendly video editing tool.

Their videos cover everything from basic clip trimming, timeline navigation, and transitions to more advanced tutorials like creative text effects, green screen editing, and cinematic color grading—all presented in an easy-to-follow style that suits video editing for beginners.

What makes this channel ideal for YouTube video editing tutorial seekers is its library of workflow hacks and practical editing ideas that align with content trends. It often includes real-life editing challenges to help beginners apply what they learn immediately, improving retention and confidence.

If you want to learn how to create engaging YouTube content using straightforward editing workflows, this channel is your perfect starting point. 

Cinecom.net

Cinecom.net is a goldmine for video editing tutorials, focusing on both creative techniques and the fundamentals of editing software like Premiere Pro, After Effects, and DaVinci Resolve.

Their tutorials include quick tips, creative hacks, and cinematic editing techniques, making complex concepts digestible for video editing for beginners.

The channel often shares side-by-side comparisons and real project breakdowns, helping you understand how professionals edit YouTube videos, trailers, or branded content efficiently.

They also explain transitions, LUTs, and sound design, enhancing your editing workflow.

For creators seeking YouTube video editing tutorials that are practical, engaging, and taught in a fun style, Cinecom.net is a must-follow. 

Peter McKinnon

Peter McKinnon’s YouTube channel is a powerful resource for aspiring creators who want to learn the art of storytelling alongside technical editing.

While Peter is known for photography and filmmaking, his video editing tutorials often dive into how to create engaging cuts, add cinematic transitions, and refine color grading for YouTube.

His teaching style is inspiring yet practical, making it easy for video editing for beginners to follow and apply techniques in their own projects. He often shares his workflow, gear recommendations, and editing philosophy, empowering you to develop your own editing style.

If you are serious about elevating your YouTube content while learning to tell stories visually, Peter McKinnon’s channel is invaluable. 

This Guy Edits

This Guy Edits (Sven Pape) offers one of the best channels for YouTube video editing tutorial content, focusing deeply on the craft of editing for narrative and storytelling.

Sven, a professional editor, breaks down scenes from films and YouTube projects to teach rhythm, pacing, and emotion in editing—skills often overlooked in beginner tutorials.

His tutorials not only cover technical edits but also explain why certain cuts work, how to create tension, and how to maintain target audience engagement. This approach helps those learning video editing for beginners to think like editors, not just software operators.

If you want to level up your storytelling while mastering editing, following This Guy Edits will transform how you approach your video projects.

Conclusion

Learning video editing tutorials is one of the best investments you can make for your creative or professional journey.

Whether you’re launching a YouTube channel, crafting engaging social media content, or building a personal brand, mastering video editing for beginners allows you to tell compelling stories that resonate with your audience.

Start small with free resources, structured courses, and YouTube video editing tutorials while practising consistently.

Over time, your workflow will become faster, your edits cleaner, and your storytelling sharper. Remember, every great editor once started with their first cut—your commitment today will turn your ideas into impactful videos tomorrow.

Pick one tutorial from this guide, download the practice files, and edit your first project now. Your journey to becoming a confident video editor begins with taking action.

Frequently asked questions

How do I teach myself video editing?

You can teach yourself video editing by starting with video editing tutorials on YouTube or platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Skillshare, or the official software tutorials.

Begin with free or beginner-friendly tools like iMovie, CapCut, or Shotcut, and gradually move to advanced editors like Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve.

Practice regularly by editing small projects such as vlogs or short clips, and analyse your favourite creators’ videos to learn pacing and storytelling.

Consistency, experimentation, and following structured YouTube video editing tutorials will build your skills effectively.

What are the 321 rules of video editing?

The 321 rule in video editing means you should maintain three copies of your project in at least two different formats, with one stored off-site, to prevent data loss.

For example, you can keep your project on your computer, an external hard drive, and cloud storage.

This rule is essential when working on long-term projects or client edits, ensuring that even if a device fails, your footage and project files remain safe. It is a best practice for all editors, from video editing for beginners to advanced professionals.

What are the 12 basic steps of editing?

The 12 basic steps of video editing typically include:

1. Importing footage
2. Organising clips
3. Creating a project timeline
4. Rough cutting (placing clips in sequence)
5. Fine-tuning edits (trimming and refining cuts)
6. Adding transitions
7. Sound editing (music, effects, and dialogue)
8. Color correction
9. Adding text and graphics
10. Special effects (if needed)
11. Reviewing and making final adjustments
12. Exporting in the correct format for your platform