The problem is: you are probably a far cry from “video producer”.

How can you make your own promotional videos and showcase them online – without hiring outside production help?

You’ll need Video Editing Software.

Today I will show you 5 important features to look for when shopping for an entry-level Video Editing Program.

1. Ease Of Use

Since you are a beginner, you will need video editing software that has an intuitive interface. The editing tools should be clearly identified, easy to find, and simple to use.

Importing your video clips from your camcorder to the software application is the first step in digital video editing – and this step should be super easy.

2. Timeline and Storyboard Interface Option

To make video editing easier for you, you should be able to toggle between using a storyboard editing format and a timeline editing format.

A storyboard format lets you arrange your various video clips like you would arrange pictures in a photo album.

After the video clips are arranged in the order you want them, the timeline allows you to easily add audio/music, titles, effects and background music based on minutes and seconds within your video project.

3. Additional Audio Tracks

When selecting a video editing application, pay attention to the number of audio tracks you can add to your video. If you want lots of sound effects, voice-overs, and music -- you will need lots of audio tracks on which to add them.

4. YouTube Publishing & Uploading

Since YouTube is one of the most popular video hosting sites on the planet, sooner or later you’ll probably want to have a video hosted for free on YouTube.

Some video editing programs allow you to render your video project directly to Flash Video Files (FLV), and then will automatically upload your videos to YouTube.

Of course, you’ll need to set up a free YouTube account first!

5. Price

Adobe Premier Elements, Sony Vegas Movie Studio, and Apple iMovie (included with iLife) are all around $100.

You really don’t have to spend much more than this as a beginning video editor.

The Bottom Line

With any of these programs, you can easily edit and share your videos on YouTube, Vimeo, Revver, Blip.tv and other video hosting sites.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cB_8X3Wd_Ls

Compare applications, and start making videos!