Should You Edit Your Own Videos? Three Editing Myths, Busted
Jul 20, 2023
Edit your own videos only if you are editing often enough to stay fast at it. Otherwise, hand it over. The three arguments for doing it yourself, creative control, saving money and working at your own pace, all thin out under a close look, because editing is a skill and the hours come out of your business.
Does editing it yourself really give you more creative control?
The freedom is real. The catch is that freedom without craft just gives you more ways to get it wrong. Editing is a skill, and a skill runs on repetition, not on owning the software.
"It requires expertise and it requires experience." - Chris Schwager
Handing it over does not hand over your ideas. A good editor works to your brief and brings a second set of eyes to it, which is usually where a video gets sharper rather than blander. If you want the longer version of where editing earns its keep and where it does not, know when editing is worth it.
Do you actually save money by editing your own videos?
Only if your time is worth nothing. Editing is slow, and it is slowest for the person who does it occasionally, because the skill fades between videos and every session starts with relearning the tool.
"If you're not doing it every day, what the hell are you trying to do it for?" - Chris Schwager
The hours have to come from somewhere, and they come out of the work only you can do. That is the trade nobody prices in.
"You gotta think about the amount of time, and I won't say saved, I'll say wasted." - Chris Schwager
Worth running the numbers properly rather than assuming. Compare DIY video and agency ROI.
Will doing it yourself get the video out faster?
Sometimes. You have the footage on your own drive and nobody else's calendar to wait on, which is a genuine advantage. It disappears the moment the edit is beyond you, or the brief you gave someone else was vague, because then you get delays anyway plus a video that does not match the last one.
"...if you get the brief right, they can have the expertise to effectively handle your editing needs." - Chris Schwager
Speed is a function of the system around the video, not who owns the timeline. Weigh up in-house video versus hiring an agency.
So when is handing editing over the better call?
The episode lands on three reasons, and they are worth keeping in that order. It gives you your time back so you can get on with running the business. It keeps the video at a standard that reflects your brand rather than your software skills. And because editing is a competitive market, it saves money without dropping the quality.
None of that means you stop making videos yourself. Recording and editing are two different jobs, and the useful split is usually that you own the recording and somebody else owns the finish. See why our studio is both done-for-you and do-it-yourself.
Frequently asked questions
How do I brief a video editor so the result matches what I had in mind?
Give them the point of the video before you give them the footage: who it is for, the one thing it has to land, and where it will be published. Then flag the takes you want kept and the ones to bin. The episode is blunt about this. A weak brief is what turns outsourcing into a round of revisions.
Is paying for editing every month too expensive for a small business?
Price it against the hours, not against zero. Editing you do yourself is not free, it is paid for in the time you would otherwise spend running the business, and it is slow while the skill is still building. Compare the quoted cost with what those hours are actually worth to you before deciding.
Does editing my own videos make them look more authentic?
Authentic comes from what you say and how you say it on camera, not from rough cuts. An unpolished edit reads as unfinished rather than honest, and it distracts from the message. A good editor keeps your delivery intact and removes the parts that were never meant to be seen.
What if my videos only need a trim at the top and tail?
Then do it yourself. A quick top and tail is genuinely fast and there is no case for sending it out. The calculation changes the moment you need multiple takes joined, captions, graphics, music or a consistent look across a series, because that is where the hours quietly disappear.
Transcript
Read the full transcript
Chris Schwager
Should you handle video editing yourself or leave it to professionals? Let's debunk some misconceptions and find out.
[00:00:12] I'm your host Chris Schwager and this is the Video Made Simple Podcast. There's a common belief out there that editing your own videos is the best way to go. But hold on just a moment.
[00:00:24] In this episode we're going to debunk some of the most common misconceptions surrounding self editing. We'll uncover the hidden pitfalls and highlight the reasons why relying on professional video editors can be a transformative decision for your videos. So let's dive into those misconceptions and uncover the truth.
[00:00:46] The misconception one, editing your own videos gives you complete freedom to shape your vision and brief your unique creative ideas to life. However, The reality is that video editing is a skill. Okay, so it's true, it's true, you'll be able to shape the freedom and do all of that and get creativity. It requires expertise and it requires experience. Collaborating with professional video editors can bring fresh perspectives and elevate your videos to new heights while still incorporating your creative input.
[00:01:22] The misconception two, editing your own videos helps you save money by avoiding the expense of professional editing services. Well, this one, yes, I'm very interested in this one. And if you're hearing a plane go by, it's because I haven't fully closed the windows today, this is what it's like when I've got windows open in my studio and it's late. So you might even hear some kitties in the background as they get bath time and have their bath time. Righto, let's crap on, I mean crack on.
[00:01:52] However, so what are we talking about? Okay, uh, editing your own videos helps you save money. Yeah, this is funny, right? Helps you save money, does it? Yes, well, yeah, maybe. Also, uh... can take a hell of a lot of time. This overlooks the fact that editing is a time consuming process. If you're not doing it every day, what the hell are you trying to do it for? Because accruing that skills, those skills really does require you to be doing it very regularly. It takes you away from focusing on your core business activities. If you're trying to edit in between the times and some people can say, Oh, yes, but it's good. I get a bit of a buzz from it and, you know, it takes me away from my core business.
[00:02:32] So it is kind of refreshing and different for a while, but investing in professional editing services can actually be a cost effective decision in the long run. It allows you to maximize the time and ensure high quality videos that align with your brand. You know, again, these are all grandiose kind of things, but ultimately I agree. You gotta think about the amount of time, and I won't say saved, I'll say wasted. Right, it is a time swallowing, pride swallowing activity.
[00:03:04] Misconception 3. Editing your own videos provides the freedom to work at your own pace and schedule, eliminating the need to rely on someone else's availability. Well, that's true, but while it's true, the... Self editing offers immediate access to footage, it can also lead to delays and the inconsistencies if you don't have the necessary skills and you're dealing with somebody that doesn't have the same experience or you don't brief them correctly. Outsourcing to professional video editors can provide a whole bunch of headaches but a whole bunch of convenience and flexibility you desire because if you get the brief right, they can have the expertise to effectively handle your editing needs.
[00:03:51] To sum it up, here's three reasons why leaving video editing to the pros can be the best decision for your business. One, Saves time and you get back to doing what you're doing best, running your business. Two, the video, your video maintains quality that reflects your brand. And three, it's a competitive process that saves money without compromising quality.
[00:04:16] So remember, while it is tempting to edit your own videos, it's essential to assess the impact it may have on your time, quality, and overall productivity.
[00:04:29] If you find yourself overwhelmed by everything I've just said and the editing process, our team of experts provide editing and publishing services to handle your video editing needs. Contact us to learn how to support your video marketing journey and don't forget to subscribe to our channel for valuable tips and insights on creating impactful videos. That's all for this episode. Thanks again for listening and see you next week.
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