12 Common Video Editing Mistakes Every Video Editor Should Know

I’m not going to lie; when I first started editing videos, it was a bit of a rollercoaster. There were plenty of late nights filled with frustration, second-guessing, and wondering if I’d ever get the hang of it.

Honestly, I doubted myself a lot in the beginning. However, as the years went by and I gained more experience, I started to realize that a lot of the problems I was facing were pretty common, and most of them were totally avoidable.

The good news is that after going through it all, I can help you sidestep those same rookie mistakes to save you a ton of headaches down the line.

Let’s take a look at the 12 most common video editing mistakes and how you can avoid them.

1.  Not Backing Things Up

One of my first major editing gigs was a real learning experience, but not in the way I had hoped. I had spent hours cutting footage, tweaking transitions, adjusting color grading, the whole deal. I was in the zone, feeling pretty good about the progress, and then… disaster struck. My project file got corrupted. And just like that, all those hours of work were gone.

Why? Because I didn’t have autosave turned on, and I wasn’t consistent about backing up my files. Classic rookie mistake, and believe me, I paid for it. I had to start from scratch, and let me tell you, doing the same work twice isn’t nearly as fun as it sounds.

The lesson here is to get in the habit of backing things up regularly, whether enabling autosave, setting up cloud backups, or using external drives. And while you’re at it, create different versions of your projects. You never know when you’ll want to revisit an old cut or make a tweak without undoing all the progress you’ve made.

2.  Not Keeping Organized

While organizing your files might sound obvious, it’s easy to skip when you’re in a rush to start editing. But trust me, taking a little time upfront to organize your project can save you hours of frustration later. You don’t want to be hunting through 100 files named “VID_0073” when you’re trying to find that one crucial shot, right?

A good habit is to start by naming your project files in a way that makes sense, like ProjectName_Version1 or ClientName_Final_V2. That way, when you come back for future edits, you know exactly what version you’re working on. As you make updates, update the version number or description—Version2_Revision or Final_ColorCorrected. It keeps things crystal clear and prevents you from accidentally overwriting the wrong file.

Speaking of renaming, do yourself a favor and rename your raw video files based on what’s in the footage. Instead of keeping that generic “VID_0001,” try something like Interview_Sarah_CloseUp or Broll_CityStreet_SlowMo. It might seem like a lot of work upfront, but when you’re in the heat of editing, you’ll be so glad everything is easy to find.

You can also create folders for different types of assets, such as one for footage, another for audio, and another for graphics or titles. You could even break it down further: Footage > B-Roll > Daytime Shots, or Audio > Music > Licensed Tracks. The more specific, the better.

3.  Not Learning Shortcuts

I’ll admit it—even after years of using Premiere, there are plenty of shortcuts I still don’t know. I’d like to think I’m getting better at making a point to use them, but it’s definitely a process. It’s kind of like when you know you should fold the laundry right away, but you don’t always get around to it. It’s the same energy.

The thing is, as a video editor, efficiency is everything. Every second you save adds up, especially when you’re working on bigger projects with tight deadlines. Shaving off milliseconds here and there can turn into hours saved over the course of a project.

In Premiere, for example, the “Ripple Delete” shortcut (Shift+Delete) deletes a clip and automatically closes the gap, saving you from manually dragging everything around. It might seem small, but when you’re editing dozens of cuts, it’s a real lifesaver.

So, if you haven’t already, make it a point to find those time-saving shortcuts in your software.

4.  Deleting Clips Instead of Disabling

One of the most underrated tricks in video editing is disabling clips instead of straight-up deleting them. It may not sound like a big deal, but it can be a lifesaver when you’re working with multiple camera angles or trying out different takes.

Let’s say you’re doing a first round of edits, and you want to compare a couple of different shots. If you delete a clip, it’s gone from your timeline, and if you want it back later? Well, now you’ve got to dig through your bins and re-import it or stretch out one of the active clips on that portion of the timeline. Not exactly efficient. But if you disable the clip instead (right-click and hit Disable), it stays on your timeline, just muted. This way, you can switch between different angles or versions without any hassle.

If you’re cutting a multi-camera shoot, disabling lets you keep all your angles on the timeline, so when it’s time to revisit a scene or make a quick change, you’ve got everything right there.

5.  Not Having a Plan

Jumping into a project without a solid game plan is never a good idea. As the French say, mise en place, or “organize and prepare your ingredients before cooking.”

Sure, you might get your project done eventually, but it’s going to take way longer. That’s where having a post-production workflow comes in.

A workflow is your roadmap through the chaos. It helps you work faster, stay organized, and avoid getting lost in all the footage, edits, and revisions. Without one, you can end up wasting time on things like redoing work, forgetting key steps, or just feeling overwhelmed by all the pieces that need to come together.

Creating a simple step-by-step checklist for your projects can save you a ton of stress. Here’s an example of a basic workflow:

1. Import Footage
2. Review Footage
3. Rough Cut
4. Refine the Edit
5. Add Effects and Color Correction
6. Sound Design and Mix
7. Export and Review

It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but having a checklist keeps you on track and makes sure you don’t overlook important steps.

6.  Not Being Intentional with Cuts

Many people like to think of editing as the second step of directing, and they’re not wrong. The way you cut can completely change the tone, pacing, and flow of a video. That’s why if you’re not being intentional with your cuts, things can go south fast. Unmotivated cuts can leave your video feeling chaotic, disjointed, and, honestly, a bit of a disaster.

We’ve all seen those movies or music videos that seem to have a cut every half-second, so many that it feels like you’re getting whiplash just trying to keep up. Sure, sometimes it’s a stylistic choice, and when done right, it works. But when those cuts don’t have a clear purpose, it just ends up being distracting. And that’s where the problem lies.

The key is to get into the habit of asking yourself why you’re making each cut. Is it to reveal new information? Shift the focus? Build tension? Or are you just cutting for the sake of cutting? Every edit should have a reason behind it, whether it’s driving the story forward or enhancing the emotional impact.

7.  Having Poor or Inconsistent Audio

Video might seem like it's mainly about visuals. However, any great editor will tell you that the audio side of things is just as important, especially when you’re trying to create a professional project. A lot of beginners fall into the trap of focusing so much on getting the visuals perfect that they forget the sound needs just as much love. But even the best-looking video can completely fall apart if the audio quality is poor or inconsistent.

Bad audio can make your project feel amateur, no matter how slick the visuals are. Whether it’s dialogue that’s hard to hear, distracting background noise, or levels that are all over the place, audio issues can ruin the viewer experience.

Getting a quality sound right from the start is crucial. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Use an external microphone: Your camera’s built-in mic won’t cut it, trust me. Invest in a decent external mic for clearer, more professional sound.
• Record in a quiet environment: It sounds obvious, but background noise can sneak into your audio and ruin the clarity. Pick your shooting location wisely.
• Monitor audio levels while recording: Don’t wait until post-production to discover that your audio is peaking or way too low. Keep an eye (and ear) on it during the shoot.

Now, there are times when bad audio is unavoidable, and in those cases, there are tools you can use in post-production to clean things up. Noise reduction, equalizers, and compressors can help smooth out inconsistencies and make your audio sound much better than it did going in.

8.  Having Overly Long Shots

A lot of beginner editors make the mistake of not cutting enough. It’s tempting to leave those long, uninterrupted shots. However, keeping shots running too long can cause your viewers to lose interest. We live in a fast-paced world, and if your video feels like it’s dragging, people are going to check out real quick.

Now, I’m not saying you should never use long takes. When done with intent, they can be powerful. But if every shot overstays its welcome, your pacing suffers. The trick is to use long shots sparingly and with purpose, making sure each one serves a clear function in your video. Always consider the overall pacing of your project.

9.  Overusing Effects

Your editing software probably has a ton of fun effects, and it’s easy to get carried away with them. But just because you can use a bunch of effects doesn’t mean you should.

When effects are overused or, worse, not executed well, the final product can come off as unprofessional or, frankly, a bit cheesy. You don’t want your video to look like it’s stuck in the early 2000s with star wipes and glowing text everywhere. Less is more, and the key to using effects is making sure they serve a real purpose.

10.  Not Having Variation

Another one of the most common video editing mistakes is not including enough visual variety. It’s easy to get stuck in a rhythm of using the same shot type or angle over and over, but that can get old real quick for your audience.

Of course, you don’t want to throw in random shots just for the sake of “mixing it up,” either. The type of video you’re working on should guide your decisions. For example, if you’re editing a fast-paced music video, you’ll likely want to use quick cuts, dynamic angles, and maybe even some split screens to keep the energy high.

But if you’re working on a slow, emotional documentary, you might hold onto those wider, more static shots to let the emotion build naturally.

11.  Inconsistent Color Scheme

One thing that can instantly make your video feel disjointed is inconsistent color across different shots. If one clip is warm and vibrant and the next is cold and muted, it’s going to feel like your viewers are being bounced between different worlds.

Maintaining a consistent color scheme is key, especially if you’re working with footage from multiple cameras or different lighting setups. Whether it’s through color grading or correction, you want to make sure that all your clips feel like they belong together.

12.  Not Setting the Right Tone Musically

Music can make or break the tone of your video. Whether you’re going for something upbeat, dramatic, or heartfelt, the right track can completely change how your audience feels. That’s why it’s so important to spend time finding music that complements your content. The perfect background music can elevate your video from good to great, so why compromise?

That’s where ProTunes One comes in. With an extensive library of background music tracks and a powerful AI-driven search, it’s never been easier to find the perfect match for your project.

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And the best part? You never have to worry about copyright or royalties when you use ProTunes. Every track is pre-cleared, so you can focus on the creative side without stressing over legal issues.

If you’re ready to set the right tone for your project, get started with ProTunes today and take your videos to the next level.