How to Use YouTube's Video Editing Tools

Accessing YouTube's Video Editor

Sign in to YouTube:

• Open a web browser, go to YouTube, and sign in to your account.

Go to YouTube Studio:

• Click on your profile picture in the top right corner and select "YouTube Studio" from the dropdown menu.

Navigate to Videos:

• In the left-hand menu, click on "Videos" to see a list of all your uploaded videos.

Select a Video to Edit:

• Find the video you want to edit and click on its title to open its details.

Open Video Editor:

• On the video details page, click on "Editor" in the left-hand menu. This will open YouTube's video editor interface.

Using YouTube's Video Editing Tools

Trimming Your Video:

• Click on "Trim" in the left-hand menu.
• Drag the handles on the timeline to select the portion of the video you want to keep.
• Click "Preview" to see how the trimmed video will look.
• Once satisfied, click "Save" to apply the trim.

Adding End Screens and Cards:

• Click on "End Screens & Annotations" in the left-hand menu.
• Here, you can add end screens to promote other videos or channels, as well as interactive cards to encourage viewers to visit external links or other content.

Adding Audio and Music:

• Click on "Audio" in the left-hand menu.
• Choose from YouTube's library of free music tracks or upload your own audio file.
• Adjust the volume and duration of the audio track.

Adding Text and Captions:

• Click on "Subtitles & CC" in the left-hand menu to add subtitles or closed captions to your video.
• Click "Add" and choose how you want to create subtitles (manually, with YouTube's automatic captions, or upload a subtitle file).

Saving Your Changes:

• After making edits, click "Save" or "Publish" to apply the changes to your video.

Previewing Your Edits:

• Use the preview option throughout the editing process to see how your changes affect the final video.

Undoing Edits:

• If you make a mistake, use the "Undo" button to revert changes step by step.

Tips for Using YouTube's Video Editor

• Keep It Simple: YouTube’s video editor is designed for basic edits. For more complex edits, consider using professional editing software.
• Save Originals: Before making major edits, consider downloading a backup of your original video file in case you need to revert changes.
• Experiment: Explore the different features to get a feel for what works best for your videos.

Limitations

• YouTube's video editor is basic and may not offer advanced editing features available in dedicated video editing software.
• It’s best suited for making quick edits or adjustments rather than comprehensive video production.