Uplevel Your Social Media Campaigns With Canva’s Video Editor and Animation Tools

Do you know that video content outperforms static posts across every major social media platform? But many organizations stop short of creating their own video posts because they think it will be too time-consuming.

If you want to create engaging, thumb-stopping content—but don’t want the hassle or expense of traditional video editing software like Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro—Canva’s Video Editor is your secret weapon.

Since launching its AI-powered video editing and animation tools, Canva has become a go-to design tool for professionals and business owners alike. Its drag-and-drop interface ensures even beginners can create compelling, high-quality video content for Instagram Reels, TikTok, or YouTube in just a few clicks.

This guide introduces you to Canva’s Video Editor and explains how to take full advantage of its features. We’ll explain why Canva is the video maker tool par excellence for modern marketers and business owners aiming to streamline their workflows and elevate their content creation game.

>> Looking for help with graphic design in Canva? Check out our blog, “6 Reasons You Should Be Using Canva Pro to Make Your Social Media Content.”

Benefits of Using the Canva Video Editor

Creativity that Stands Out From the Rest

Data shows that people spend more time watching videos online than ever. Videos and animation capture your attention almost instantly, and people can digest information through these media more quickly than through words or still images.

Canva’s animation styles, transitions, free assets (such as graphics, photography, footage, and fonts), and compelling color palettes help you share your message with your audience more effectively. Animation and video allow for more flexibility when telling your story. When crafting an animated ad, for example, you can easily convey longer or more complex ideas by breaking them into segments.

Simplicity

When it comes to static graphics, typically more is less. Clients often want to squeeze too much text onto too small a square, but we, as marketers, know that’s a surefire way to overwhelm the graphic and the viewer.

However, with video and animation, you can convey longer or more complex ideas easily by breaking them up so they’re easier to digest.

Perhaps you don’t have any branded video footage, but you have a decent library of branded photography. With Canva’s Video Editor, you can still make animated ads by creating a slideshow from photos you already own. This is an easy way to create a more immersive experience when video footage isn’t available. Slideshow-style animated ads also reach folks with slower connections, as they use much less data than video projects.

Great Value for the Money

Believe it or not, Canva Pro offers many of the same services as the more expensive design programs, but for almost half the price. Here are some of the biggest selling points:

• Access to more than 60 million stock videos, photos, and elements, all royalty-free
• 5,000+ premium fonts (with the ability to upload your own)
• The ability to upload your brand kit to ensure seamless content creation across your team and an easy workflow to use the design tool
• An extensive audio library to ensure your content sounds amazing
• Access to countless pre-designed animated templates to help get you started (even if you’re a beginner)
• An unlimited number of folders to help keep everything organized

Fast and Efficient

Not only do you get a lot for your money, but using Canva Pro can save you time when sourcing elements such as photos, videos, or illustrations. Everything you need to build animations or videos is already offered directly within the platform.

Here are some of our favorite features and Canva AI tools that help you design quickly and efficiently in Canva Pro:

• Magic Shortcut: By clicking your backslash key (/), Canva gives you quick access to frequently used elements, such as adding text, logos, shapes, tables, etc.
• Magic Design: Upload an image, and Canva generates templates tailored to your content.
• Background Remover: With the click of a button, Canva will automatically detect what needs to be removed in the background.
• Magic Resizing and Quick Create: If you need to adapt your design to fit specific dimensions like social stories or a print flyer, you can easily adjust your design to fit any format quickly. More recently, Canva started offering a feature called Quick Create, which allows you to create designs for multiple formats simultaneously, showing you your design in different formats all in one place.
• Advanced Search: Within the editor, you can narrow your search to find exactly what you want. You can filter your search by color, static, animation, orientation, or transparent background PNGs.

Step-by-Step Tutorial to Edit Videos in Canva

Using Canva’s video editing software is as simple as:

1. Upload Your Content

Bring in your video clips, images, or graphics. Canva supports drag-and-drop uploads from your device or integrations like Google Drive.

2. Arrange and Trim

Canva makes it easy to organize your clips. Use the timeline feature to arrange, cut, or trim footage.

3. Add Transitions

Smooth transitions tie a video together. Select “Animate” or “Add Transition” for options like fades, slides, and more.

How do I add transitions between clips in Canva Video Editor?

• Click on the space between two clips in the timeline.
• Choose from a library of transitions, adjust timing, and preview the result.

4. Incorporate Text and Graphics

With Canva’s selection of fonts, icons, and illustrations, you can add captions, CTAs, and other eye-catching elements.

5. Add Music and Sound Effects

An engaging video isn’t complete without the perfect soundtrack. Canva’s audio library includes free music tracks and sound effects.

How do I add music to my video in Canva?

• Go to the toolbar and select Audio.
• Drag and drop your music onto the timeline.
• Adjust the audio length and volume as needed.

6. Apply Filters and Adjust Colors

Enhance your footage through built-in filters or by manually adjusting brightness, contrast, and more for high-quality visuals.

7. Preview and Download

Before publishing, preview your creation. Download your file in formats like MP4, optimized for social media.

Optimizing Video Content for Every Social Platform

Different platforms have different video requirements for content creators. Here’s how to optimize:

• Instagram Reels and TikTok: Focus on vertical formats (9:16) with soundtracks overlayed. Short, punchy edits work best.
• YouTube Videos: Longer-form content thrives on YouTube. Make intros engaging to retain viewers within the first 10 seconds.
• Facebook: Boost engagement by creating slideshow-style ads or adding subtitles for silent autoplay on Facebook.

Utilize Canva’s Magic Resize tool to create platform-specific edits with a single click.

Try Canva for Your Next Project

With its user-friendly tools, massive media library, and AI-driven features, Canva makes crafting impactful video content accessible for businesses and creators of all skill levels. It’s your secret weapon for producing stunning videos efficiently. Now that we’ve shared some of our favorite features and secrets in Canva Pro, it’s time to try it out for yourself.

Looking for help with your social media marketing? Contact Big Sea for expert guidance on transforming your social media campaigns using Canva’s Video Editor and tools for success.

FAQs

Which App Is Better than Canva for Video Editing?

While Canva is easy to use, advanced editing tools like CapCut and Adobe Premiere offer more professional-grade tools if you need advanced editing.

Is It Free to Use Canva’s Video Editor?

Yes, you can. However, Canva Pro adds valuable upgrades like advanced video templates, premium assets, and optimization tools.

How Long Can a Video Be Edited in Canva?

Canva allows you to create videos that last up to 60 minutes, but designs are generally geared toward short-form, social-friendly content.