Prepare the footage and brief
Start a project with footage you have permission to edit and publish. Check the campaign requirements for duration, aspect ratio, captions, logos and output. Keep an untouched copy of the source so you can revisit context or recover a section.
Listen through the passage before cutting. Write one sentence explaining what the viewer should understand. If that sentence needs a long explanation, choose another passage or include enough context to make the clip stand alone.
Build a cut before adding effects
Place the chosen passage on the timeline. Trim the start so the subject becomes clear quickly, but keep any qualifying words needed for accuracy. Remove pauses only when the speaker still sounds natural and the meaning remains intact.
Check the ending as carefully as the opening. A clip needs a payoff, answer or complete thought, not an arbitrary cut because a target duration has been reached. Play it without looking at the timeline and listen for missing words or abrupt audio edits.
Reframe for a vertical screen
Set a 9:16 canvas when that is what the brief asks for. Reposition the image so the important subject stays visible. If the subject moves, use available reframing controls deliberately instead of letting a tight crop cut off the action.
Keep important text away from the screen edges and the areas usually occupied by platform controls. There is no single placement that is safe for every interface; preview for the intended platform. A modest, readable frame is better than constant unnecessary zooms.
Correct every caption and check the sound
If you use automatic captions, read and correct the whole result. Names, technical terms and punctuation often need attention. Captions must match the spoken words, not exaggerate the claim to make the clip more dramatic.
Use enough contrast and a manageable amount of text per line. Listen on ordinary speakers or headphones to check that speech is clear and audio does not distort. Only add music if the rights and campaign rules permit it; music is not a requirement for a good clip.
Export, then review the actual file
Use the resolution, frame rate and file requirements in the brief. Do not assume that increasing export resolution improves low-resolution source footage. Check whether any feature or asset you used introduces a watermark or requires a paid plan before your final export.
Watch the exported file from start to finish on a phone. Look for clipped captions, frozen frames, missing audio and changes in framing. Save a clean copy and identify the version you intend to publish. Only post campaign material after confirming the participation and approval rules.
The practical takeaway
Make the idea understandable, keep the crop readable, correct the captions and watch the exported file before publishing.