Editing UGC is where a lot of creators get stuck. You’ve got the footage. You’ve got the vision. But suddenly it’s 2am, your timeline is a mess, and you’re 14 YouTube tutorials deep trying to figure out how to fade to black.
If that sounds familiar—you’re not alone. Whether you’re editing on your phone or desktop, for TikTok or brand ads, this guide is here to make it way less stressful.
We’re breaking down time-saving editing hacks, go-to tools, and simple workflows so you can get in, get it done, and still hit your deadlines (without losing your sanity).
What should you use to edit UGC?
Not every edit needs Final Cut Pro. Here’s what we recommend based on how and where you’re editing:
📱 For Mobile Editing (TikTok, Reels, Stories):
- CapCut – Free, powerful, and built for creators. Bonus: has templates and auto-captions.
- InShot – Great for trimming, filters, and transitions on the fly.
- VLLO – Underrated gem if you like a clean UI and no watermarks.
💻 For Desktop Editing (Longer-form or Paid Brand Content):
- Descript – Edit your video by editing the transcript. Game-changing for talking-head content.
- Adobe Premiere Rush – A stripped-down, beginner-friendly version of Premiere Pro.
- Final Cut Pro / Premiere Pro – If you’re deep in the game and want full creative control.
Pick one or two tools and master them — don’t try to use everything at once.
The editing process
STEP 1: START WITH YOUR STRUCTURE
Before you ever even open CapCut, you should already have your shot list and script plan, and the clips ready to slot in. Nine times out of ten, if someone is struggling with a UGC edit, it’s because they are winging it. While you can exercise creative freedom as you go, knowing the end goal will help you edit faster and more intentionally. A simple flow looks like this:
By following the plan, you’ll spend less time deciding what clips to cut and more time actually editing.
STEP 2: TRIM
Trim, trim, trim.
UGC lives and dies by attention. TikTok users spend around 52 minutes per day on the app, but you’ve got seconds to stop the scroll.
Here’s why trimming matters:
High Watch Time = More Algorithm Love
The longer people stay on your video, the more likely TikTok (and other platforms) are to push it to new audiences.
Aim for clips between 1.5 – 3.5 seconds. If nothing new is happening visually or narratively after 3 seconds, cut it.
Quick tips to boost retention:
- Let the audio set the pace—match your cuts to the beat or rhythm
- Change angles, locations, or framing every 2–3 seconds
- Cut all filler words: no “um’s,” “uh’s,” or awkward silences
Pro tip: Most creators pause or take a breath in the first second of a clip. Chop that second off. It makes your content feel faster and more polished.
Want to boost watch time even more? Create a loop. End the video where it began so it feels seamless. Just copy your last 1–2 seconds and drop them at the start of your video—viewers might not even realize they’re watching it again.
High Watch Time ⇒ More time on the platform ⇒ TikTok pushes video to people ⇒ More views
STEP 3: CAPTIONS AND TEXT
Captions = non-negotiable. More than 80% of users watch without sound—and captions improve accessibility and retention.
But before you add them in: check the brief. If you’re working with a brand, always ask if they require captions and whether they want them burned in (embedded into the video) or as a separate .srt file. Some brands have their own preferences—others will leave it to you.
Unless stated otherwise, use native platform fonts—they blend in better and feel more organic. In CapCut, that’s the ‘Classic’ font, paired with simple, inoffensive colours (think white or off-white with a black drop shadow or soft background box). Avoid bright neons or heavy stylisation unless it’s part of the brand’s identity.
Captions should support the content—not distract from it. Here’s how to keep them effective:
- Keep lines short and readable (1–2 lines max)
- Sync them to your speech, but don’t over-animate
- Highlight key words sparingly for emphasis
And if you’re editing across multiple platforms or clients, save time by creating caption templates you can repurpose across different projects.
STEP 4: EXPORT
Before you hit export, double check:
- Are your dimensions right? (9:16 for TikTok/Reels/Stories)
- Did you export in high resolution? (1080p minimum)
- Is your file size manageable for upload/email?
Export settings vary slightly by platform, but most tools like CapCut and Premiere Rush offer presets to make this easy.
STEP 5: CHECK FOR OVER-EDITING
A common mistake? Over-editing. You don’t need 10 cuts in 3 seconds or flashy transitions if they don’t serve the story. Focus on:
- Crisp audio (cut background noise if needed)
- Good pacing (watch your video back at 1.5x speed to check flow)
- Clear visuals (zoom in on key moments if needed, but don’t overwhelm)
The best edits feel effortless — and usually that means stripping things back, not adding more in. Once you hit your stride and have clean edits down, you can start to get fancy. Some of our favourite tools include Jitter.Video, ZapSlat and even some of the more intricate templates on Capcut…
🧘♀️ Final thoughts
You don’t need to be a full-time editor to make scroll-stopping UGC. What you do need is a repeatable process that saves you time, energy, and second-guessing.
Once you’ve got a few videos under your belt, start building out your own system:
- Create a folder structure for raw clips, exports, brand assets, and sound
- Batch your work – shoot all your content one day, edit the next
- Build an editing checklist – keep track of what every brand or platform needs
A smooth workflow means fewer meltdowns before deadlines. Start small. Keep it simple. Edit with intention.
Because great UGC doesn’t need 15 layers of effects—it just needs to connect.
✍️ TL;DR
🧠 Start with a clear structure before you even open your editing app
✂️ Keep clips short, snappy, and attention-grabbing
🎧 Clean audio + smart pacing = better retention
💬 Use auto-captions + consistent presets to speed up your workflow
🧘♀️ Don’t over-edit—simplicity wins
🗂️ Build a system that helps you edit faster (and stay sane)
