“The whole editing process comes down to how you want your viewers to react to your video. Editing has to feel natural.” And Kevin E should know, having spent years studying how his fellow creators approach their edits.
Kevin E is a creator who doesn’t just want to make brilliant content – he wants to understand it. It’s this drive that led him to create The Creator’s Cut and the Beyond The Cut podcast, where he analyzes videos from people he admires. He’s learned first-hand how a great edit can resonate with viewers on a deeper level.
In this interview with Uppbeat, Kevin shares his advice for finding your unique editing style. Whether you’re just getting started or want to refine your creative process, these tips will help you shape your own approach to editing videos.
- Experiment with editing styles
- Seek inspiration in different places
- Allow your stories to shape your edits
- Find unique editing solutions for each video
- Focus on the quality of the final video
1. Experiment to see what works for your videos
“Try everything, even stuff you think you wouldn’t like. I did weddings, music videos, corporate gigs before I started doing The Creator’s Cut. Trying out all those different styles helped me find my own voice.”
The best way to find out if something works for your content? Simply give it a go! No creator is born with a signature editing style, and Kevin emphasises the importance of trying out lots of different things.
Through his own early career, Kevin jumped between very different projects. The key wasn’t finding one perfect fit – it was sampling a range of editing challenges that helped shape his personal style.
“Through this process you start to find out what you like and what you don't like. You can mesh pieces from different styles and find what works for you. Over time you'll find a unique style that’s yours.”
Kevin’s Key Takeaway:
Every project you take on teaches you something – so don’t get stuck in your comfort zone! Try new formats, collaborate with different people, and let your style evolve with experience.
2. Look for inspiration in different places
Creators are sponges at best and thieves at worst. Whether you're aware of it or not, you're constantly absorbing inspiration from all around you. Kevin explains that the most distinctive styles are often a blend of the things we love – whether that’s music, movies, or even fashion.
“From a creative standpoint, we’re the same as musicians or directors. They’re influenced by the things around them, so their style always ends up embodying everything they’ve enjoyed.”
“Take inspiration from what you love, even things that aren’t connected to the content you create. It’ll help you find the best editing version of yourself.”
Kevin’s Key Takeaway:
Kevin’s advice is to stay curious and pay attention to the storytelling choices in the media you consume. Even things that don’t seem directly related to editing – like the rhythm of a favourite song or the mood of a film scene – can shape the way you approach a video.
Look beyond editing tutorials for inspiration. Pull ideas from music, fashion, culture and everyday life. The more you absorb, the more naturally your own editing voice will emerge.
3. Shape your edits to help tell your story
How you edit your video will depend on the story you want to tell. Kevin learnt this valuable lesson editing wedding videos early in his career, where personal storytelling was a major influence on the style of each edit.
“One thing I always liked about weddings was that it was always the same story. Two people meet, they fall in love and celebrate their lifetime through a day. But then all the stories are different because the people are different, so every single edit becomes a completely unique celebration of their special day.”
Kevin realised that even when the narrative stays the same, each edit can feel completely different – shaped by the people, the music, and emotion of the scene. So whatever story you’re telling, the way you want your audience to react should always guide your editing choices.
“Editing has to feel natural. Your editing style can change depending on your niche, who you are as a creator, or even what the current trends are. But ultimately, the whole editing process comes down to how you want your viewers to react – the reaction you’re trying to create will dictate your edit.”
Kevin’s Key Takeaway:
Start each edit with an idea of how you want to make your audience feel. Your editing choices should all work toward creating that emotional response, whether it’s joy, tension, nostalgia or awe. When your content makes people feel something, they’re far more likely to stay engaged, remember your video, and share it with others.
4. Treat editing as a puzzle for you to solve
When you start each edit, chances are you already have a picture in your head of how you want it to look and feel. Kevin suggests you treat the editing process as your opportunity to turn that picture into a reality. And he points out that every piece of content requires its own unique solution.
“I’ve been learning a lot more about how to edit through doing the Beyond The Cut podcast. I start piecing together the story while I’m talking to people. But it’s in the editing process that I actually move things around to make the story a little bit more coherent.”
“The whole editing process is like a puzzle. Whether you’re shaping words and phrases, or visuals and sounds – it all comes back to piecing the best story together with the footage you have.”
Kevin’s Key Takeaway:
Whether you’re editing visuals or audio, the goal is the same – to tell a clear, engaging story. Don’t be afraid to move things around, restructure conversations, or tighten pacing until it all clicks into place.
5. Prioritize great content over where you’ll post it
While it makes sense to plan where to post your videos, Kevin emphasizes that you should never compromise on quality. Don’t overthink where your content should go and instead focus on what it offers.
“The most important thing for me when I’m editing is to make sure my content gives viewers value. I might think a little bit about the different platforms I could post on, or how fast I want the editing to be, or whether my video should be long-form or short-form – but if people find value in my piece of content, it almost doesn't matter.”
“You’re almost doing your videos a disservice by not posting them everywhere you can. There are people out there that are only on Instagram or TikTok, and they might like your stuff. You just have to get it out there and see how your content does.”
Kevin’s Key Takeaway:
Don’t let platform preferences hold you back. If your content offers value, let it live across multiple spaces. Whether it’s Instagram, YouTube Shorts or TikTok, someone out there is looking for exactly what you’ve made – so make it easy for them to find it.
Once you post your videos, it’s easy to see what people like where they like to watch it. Remember to check for insights in YouTube analytics and TikTok analytics to see where you can improve your content next time.
Stay curious to find the editing style that’s right for you!
The search for your editing style isn’t about having all the answers – it’s about staying curious, trying new things, and trusting your instincts. You’ll be lucky to get it perfect from the start, and your first few edits might not feel polished. That’s okay. With every video, you’ll figure out more about your pace, your preferences, and your personality as a creator.
If you’re looking for more insights from Kevin on how to level up your content, check out his interview on how to improve your storytelling as a creator. You’ll discover how to make people feel something through every cut, transition, and beat.
To nail your signature editing style, the music, sound effects and graphics you choose will all play an important role. Explore Uppbeat’s copyright-free library of assets to find those vital finishing touches for your edits.
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