Quick Summary
- Upload your video to Pictory
- Let Pictory transcribe your video
- Edit the transcript to modify your video
- Remove filler words and silences
- Style your captions
- Download your edited video
Total time: 10-15 minutes for a 5-minute video Skill level: Beginner-friendly Key benefit: Edit videos as easily as editing an email
The Video Editing Revolution
Remember when video editing felt like rocket science? Those days are over. I’ve discovered a game-changer that’s transformed my content creation process, and I’m excited to share it with you. Pictory isn’t just another video editing tool – it’s a revolution that allows you to edit videos by simply editing text. Yes, you read that right. If you can edit an email, you can now edit a video.
In this guide, I’ll show you how to use Pictory – a game-changing online tool that lets you edit videos using text. I’ve personally used Pictory to transform hours of raw footage into polished videos in a fraction of the time it would take with traditional editors. Whether you’re a podcaster, YouTuber, or business owner looking to create engaging video content, this step-by-step tutorial will have you editing like a pro in no time.
Why Text-Based Video Editing is a Game-Changer
Before we dive into the how-to, let’s talk about why this matters:
- Time-Saving: I’ve cut my editing time by 70% using this method.
- Accessibility: No need for complex video editing skills.
- Precision: Easily remove specific words or phrases without guesswork.
- Multitasking: Edit your video while commuting or during downtime.
Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how to edit your videos using Pictory.
Step-by-Step Guide to Editing Videos with Text
1. Uploading Your Video
To begin, head over to Pictory’s website and sign up for an account if you haven’t already. Once logged in:
- Click on the “Edit video using text” tool from the dashboard.
- Click the “Proceed” button.
You’ll now see two options for uploading your video:
- Paste a YouTube link
- Upload a video file from your computer
I prefer uploading my own files for more control, but both methods work great. Select your video and click “Proceed.”
Pro Tip: Pictory works best with videos under 2 hours in length. For longer content, consider breaking it into segments.
2. Let Pictory Work Its Magic
Once you’ve uploaded your video, Pictory will automatically transcribe it and add subtitle captions. This usually takes about a minute for every 5 minutes of video.
What’s happening behind the scenes:
- Speech-to-text conversion
- Automatic punctuation
- Speaker detection (for multiple speakers)
3. Editing Your Transcript
Now comes the fun part. You’ll see your video transcription on the left side of your screen.
Here’s how to make the most of this powerful text-based editing:
a) Correct transcription errors:
- Select any text
- Click “Edit text” in the pop-up menu
- Make your changes
b) Remove unwanted sections:
- Highlight the text you want to cut
- Press the delete key
- The corresponding video section is automatically removed
c) Add speaker names:
- Click on a speaker label (e.g., “Speaker 1”)
- Enter the correct name
- This helps organize multi-person videos
Pro Tip: I always read through the entire transcript first, making quick corrections. This gives me a good overview before making major edits.
Remember: Any changes you make to the transcript will automatically be applied to your video. It’s that simple!
4. Removing Filler Words
One of my favorite features is the ability to remove filler words with a single click.
How to do it:
- Click the “Remove filler words” button in the top toolbar
- Select which words you want to remove
- Click “Apply“
This feature alone can make my videos sound 10 times more professional.
5. Eliminating Silences
Pictory can also automatically remove awkward pauses and silences.
Steps:
- Look for small square icons in your transcript (these represent silences)
- Click “Remove silences” in the top toolbar
- Choose how long a silence should be before it’s removed (I usually set this to 1 second)
- Click “Apply“
6. Styling Your Captions
Now that your video is trimmed and polished, it’s time to make it look great with styled captions.
Here’s how:
- Look for the “Subtitles” option below the video preview
- Toggle it on (if it’s not already)
- Choose how many lines you want for each caption (I prefer 1-2 for most videos)
- Browse the template library on the right side of the screen
- Click on different styles to preview them on your video
Pro Tip: I’ve found that high-contrast colors and simple fonts work best for readability across devices.
7. Previewing and Downloading
Before you finalize your video, take a moment to preview your changes.
Final steps:
- Use the play button to watch your edited video
- Make any last-minute adjustments
- Click “Download Video” in the top right corner when you’re satisfied
And voilà! You’ve just edited a video by editing text.
Conclusion
Editing videos with Pictory has transformed my content creation process. What used to take hours now takes minutes, and the results are consistently professional. Whether you’re repurposing podcast content, creating educational videos, or polishing your vlog entries, text-based editing with Pictory is a skill worth mastering.
Remember, the key to great video content isn’t just in the editing – it’s in the story you tell. Pictory gives you the tools to tell that story more effectively and efficiently than ever before.
Happy editing!
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