Start with the outcome and delivery format
Before uploading footage, write one sentence describing what the finished video should do. An educational reel, a podcast highlight and a business introduction need different choices about pacing, context and captions. Give the editor a viewer and a purpose, not just a target duration.
State the intended platform, aspect ratio, approximate length and language. If you need several versions, list them separately. For example, you might need a vertical highlight and a horizontal full conversation. Ask the editor to confirm whether both are included. A change in framing can require more than exporting the same timeline at a different size.
Also state the deadline and who will approve the demo. Leave time for review between the first version and final delivery. A delivery date without an agreed review window can turn ordinary feedback into a last-minute rush.
Organise files by what they contain
Use a simple folder structure such as Footage, Audio, Brand Assets, References and Brief. Keep original recordings unchanged. Name files so someone else can identify the camera, session or take without opening each one. For example, “interview-camera-a-take-02” is more useful than “final-final-new”.
If there are multiple cameras and a separate microphone, identify which files belong to the same session. Include a note about claps, sync markers or recording interruptions if you know them. Do not hide recording problems: a missing audio segment or a restart is easier to plan around when the editor knows about it.
Check the upload by opening the shared folder from the recipient's perspective. Confirm that the files are complete and that the editor has the agreed access. Send a single clear link rather than spreading assets across several messages.
Use timecodes to identify priorities
You do not have to select every usable moment yourself, but a short list of must-include points is valuable. Give a filename, a time range and the reason it matters. For example: “Interview A, 04:10–04:38: clear explanation of the customer problem.” Mark anything that must be removed, such as a private detail or an outdated offer.
For a short clip, identify the main point and the context needed to understand it. A strong sentence can become misleading if the setup is removed. Ask the editor to preserve the intended meaning while tightening repetition and pauses. If you want the editor to select the highlights, say so and agree how many clips they should propose.
Supply approved brand assets and usable media
Include the approved logo, colour references and any required text. Specify the spelling of names, job titles, technical terms and the final call to action. If captions are needed, provide corrections for words that automatic transcription is likely to misunderstand.
Tell the editor where supplied music, photos or stock footage came from and whether you have permission for the intended use. Do not assume that a track available in a personal editing app can be reused in every commercial context. If permission is unclear, flag it before editing rather than waiting until export.
A reference video can communicate pacing or caption style. Explain which feature you want to learn from; request an original treatment instead of copying the whole design. Include anything you want to avoid, such as rapid flashes, oversized captions or distracting sound effects.
Approve a short demo before the full edit
A short representative sample can settle caption styling, voice clarity, framing and pacing early. Choose a section that includes the main types of footage rather than an unusually simple opening. Review it on a phone with sound and without sound if both matter to your audience.
Send one consolidated feedback list. Include the timecode, observation and requested outcome: “00:08: the caption covers the product; move it into the clear lower area.” Separate factual corrections from preferences and new requirements. Confirm the agreed direction before the editor applies it across the full video.
Final handover checklist
- Viewer, purpose, platform, aspect ratio and target length are stated.
- Original footage and matching audio are uploaded and accessible.
- Must-include and must-remove moments have filenames and timecodes.
- Logo, required wording and caption spelling are approved.
- Rights or restrictions for supplied music and media are explained.
- Demo reviewer, revision process and delivery date are agreed.
- Final export, subtitle and project-file requirements are confirmed.
After delivery, watch the complete export rather than checking only the opening. Confirm captions, audio, the final message and the file versions. Keep approved exports separate from drafts. For help with reels, podcasts or promotional edits, see our video editing services and share this checklist with your project brief.