Rough cut
Get the story and pacing right before any polish.
- Assemble clips in order following the script
- Cut filler, long pauses, and tangents ruthlessly
- Confirm the hook lands within the first 15 seconds
YouTube & VideoPDFFree
Video Editing Checklist
A great edit is the difference between a video that retains and one that drops viewers in the middle. This checklist takes you from rough cut to export with the pacing, audio, and polish steps that keep people watching.
What you get
- A rough-cut to final-cut workflow that protects pacing
- Audio and color checks so the video feels professional
- Caption and accessibility steps that boost retention
- A branded, print-ready PDF to run before every export
How to use this template
- 1
Cut the story first. Do a rough cut for structure and pacing before adding any effects. Story comes before polish, always.
- 2
Tighten the first 30 seconds. Obsess over the open. Trim dead air and front-load value so the hook lands and retention holds early.
- 3
Fix audio and levels. Balance dialogue, music, and effects, and remove pops and hum so audio never pushes viewers to click away.
- 4
Polish, caption, and export. Add captions, run a final watch-through, and export at the right resolution and bitrate for YouTube.
What's inside
Here's a preview. Unlock the free download to get all 4 sections (3 more below).
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Frequently asked questions
What should I edit first in a video?
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Always cut the story and pacing first, then add polish. A rough cut focused on structure lets you fix retention problems early, before you waste time color grading or adding effects to scenes that should be removed.
How do I keep viewers watching through the middle of a video?
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Vary the visuals every 30 to 45 seconds with a cut, zoom, or b-roll, and trim anything that drags on a re-watch. The slow drop-off in the middle of most videos comes from flat, uninterrupted delivery.