Creating compelling and unique content on Instagram Stories is key to engaging with followers, and nothing captures attention more than an interesting and eye-catching video. But how can you ensure that the videos are the appropriate length so it can be included in a story? This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to successfully trim videos for Instagram Stories.
1. Introduction to Instagram Story Video Editing
Nowadays Instagram stories are becoming increasingly popular among young people. Storytelling through videos is an interesting way to stimulate the creativity of your followers and gain more engagement on your Instagram account. However, creating quality content requires some effort and knowledge on how to edit videos on Instagram stories. This post provides an introductory guide to editing videos on Instagram stories so you can make the most of this social media platform.
Here’s what you need to know about Instagram story video editing:
- Importing and exporting content
- Adding text and graphics to the video
- Video length limits
- Tools for creating video clips
- Creating effects, transitions and filters
Importing content is the first step of editing videos for Instagram stories. You can easily create videos using your phone’s camera and store them in the app for later use. You can also integrate external sources such as YouTube and Vimeo for importing content. To export your edited video, select the option to save it to your phone’s camera roll.
Adding text and graphics is another important element to consider when editing videos for Instagram stories. To incorporate text, graphics and overlays to the video, you can use Instagram’s in-app editor or a third-party app. You can also add animated graphics and emojis to make your story more interactive.
Finally, it’s important to keep in mind that Instagram videos have a 15-second limit, so it’s necessary to create short and catchy videos that grab the attention of the audience. To achieve this, you can use tools like Windows Movie Maker and Adobe Premiere Pro for creating video clips, adding soundtracks and special effects. If you want to spice up your Instagram stories, you can also create transitions, overlays and filters to make them more visually appealing.
2. Step 1: Download Video Editing Software
Choosing Software
When selecting video editing software, it is important to have certain criteria in mind. Firstly, you must decide if you prefer a platform that is intuitive and comes with many built-in features, or a software that is both powerful and versatile but requires a learning curve. Secondly, consider the availability of the various software packages and their respective costings. Finally, think about the intended use and the type of project you wish to complete, and remember to research the system requirements of the chosen software.
Download
- Once you have selected a software, begin the download process from the website.
- If opting for free software, check to see if there are any restrictions or limitations.
- If necessary, download additional video codec packs, file types, and plugins.
Contingencies
Be prepared for the potentiality of an installation error by testing the download straight away. Most software websites offer support and provide helpful advice on their FAQ page. Additionally, look out for any online tutorials to help with the set-up process. Tests should always include playback of video to ensure audio is working as it should, and ensure all other features are fully operational before starting any advanced video editing.
3. Step 2: Import Videos to the Editor
Now that you have installed the video editing software, it’s time to import the videos you want to work on. This is a fairly simple process, but it’s worth noting some of the details so that you can easily get up and running. Here are some points to keep in mind:
- The exact process for importing videos will vary depending on the software you are using. Refer to the manual for detailed instructions.
- The video files you want to edit must be in a compatible format. Most video editing software only supports a few popular video file formats.
- Depending on the size of the video files and your computer’s hardware specs, importing large video files may take some time.
Before you begin importing your videos, make sure that you set the project settings. This may include the frame rate, resolution, and aspect ratio of the final video, among other settings. Once you have all the settings configured, start importing the videos by following the instructions in the manual.
By following these steps, you should be able to easily import videos into the video editor. Be sure to double-check that all the video files are in the correct format before you begin editing.
4. Step 3: Apply Trimming to the Video
Now that the video has been edited, it is time to apply trimming to the desired areas of the video. Trimming is great for fine-tuning and finessing the video and can be done as follows:
- Using an editing program: most editing programs allow you to manually trim a video. Simply select the desired area and drag the cursor over it to cut the clips at the beginning, middle and/or end.
- Using a slider: Some editing programs feature a slider-based trimming tool. This tool allows you to drag a slider back and forth to easily trim the video, no matter how long you want to cut the clips.
- Using a timeline: Many editing programs also feature a timeline-based trimming tool. This is especially useful for large projects as you can easily scrub through the entire video and trim clips at the desired points.
Once the trimming has been applied, the video is ready to export. It is important to preview the trimmed clip to ensure that the desired portion of the video has been cut accurately. Any mistakes in trimming can be easily rectified by going back to the editing program and applying the corrections.
5. Step 4: Export the Final Video for Instagram
Once you have made all the necessary arrangements, it is time to export the final video for Instagram. This process requires a few important steps:
- Choose output format. When you are ready to export, select a format that can best capture the essence of the video while maintaining its quality on a platform like Instagram. Some examples include ‘avi’, ‘wmv’ and ‘mp4’.
- Set the quality. Depending on the video editor you are using, the quality settings may allow you to make adjustments like resolution, frame rate and bit-rate.
- Export the final version. Once the quality of the video is set, you can export the final version. If everything goes well, you will have a version which you can upload on platforms like Instagram.
By following the abovementioned steps, you should have no difficulty in exporting the final video for Instagram. Before you upload the video, make sure to preview the file to check that it looks the way you want it to. Once you are satisfied, you can go ahead and upload it on your desired platform.
By following the simple steps provided in this guide you should now be able to easily trim or edit your videos for Instagram stories in no time. While other programs are available for more complex content creation, the steps outlined in this guide should allow you to customize and trim your videos to accurately reflect your intended message and share it with your followers without any fuss. Feel confident that your videos now meet the requirements of Instagram and can be uploaded with ease.
