Why Video Editing Is the Key to Going Viral (And How I Proved It)
musaby
Content Creator
Why Video Editing Is the Key to Going Viral (And How I Proved It)
Even today, in an era where technology is at its peak and every big brand and influencer relies on video content, video editing is still seen by the majority as just a "skill" — not as a game-changer.
People go viral, their lives change overnight with a single video, yet many still chalk it up to luck. But as someone who has edited viral content across multiple niches for over 8 years, let me show you why this belief is complete bullsh*t.Most people believe in one thing: luck.
They think if your video content is good enough, it will go viral on its own. That's completely wrong. Unless a celebrity shares your post, chances are slim.Social media works in seconds. Most of the videos you think are "natural" are actually edited. The framing, color, music, storyline, even facial expressions—they're all calculated elements. It doesn't always have to be video editing in the traditional sense, but it's all part of a well-designed package.
And yet, people ignore this truth. "If my content is good, it'll go viral."
Why? What makes you think it's "good"?
You might be creating what you believe is quality content for your brand or page, but then you check the stats—the reality hits. It's not the algorithm. It's not your audience. It's you.
Let me tell you a story that proves everything I'm saying.
The Underrated Turkish Rapper Who Thought I Was Overhyping Him
Two years ago, I was participating in a 2-month-long project in Poland.
There, I met a Turkish guy who had a deep passion for rap. We got to know each other,
and eventually he told me that his 2nd song would soon be released on Spotify.
Naturally, I asked if I could listen to it early.
When I heard the track, I was stunned. As someone who has been into Hiphop for years, I knew immediately it had something special. The beat, the flow, everything felt right. I literally begged him to send it to me so I could listen on repeat while walking or falling asleep.
But he refused, brushing me off with comments like "You're exaggerating" or "It's not that good."
Anyway, let's continue the story.
Meanwhile, I was so obsessed I played the song out loud on the kitchen speaker daily.
He used to joke, "You've made me hate my own song" because he was my roommate and had to hear it nonstop.
One day, he randomly started lip-syncing to his own song while we were hanging out in the kitchen. I grabbed the phone(iPhone 6) and began filming. The video quality was bad, the lighting worse, and other project participants were wandering in the background — it was as raw as it gets.
I told him I'd edit the video once I returned to Turkey. He agreed, though you could tell he didn't expect much.
Back in Turkey, I was working as a chef during the day and editing videos at night. One evening after my shift, I sat down and edited that low-quality footage in about 3–4 hours. Just a simple "lyrics edit" type of video. I didn't tell him — just uploaded it to my TikTok and Instagram accounts through my edit page.
In 2 weeks, that 30-second video had over 3 million views both TikTok & Instagram.
Same day he messaged me in shock: "Dude, what the f*ck did you do? 😅"
His Spotify monthly listeners shot up from 11 to almost 80,000 and the stream passed over 3 million also.
The song made over $10,000 in royalties. His song hit #1 on Turkey's Hiphop Top 50 list for weeks. Music labels started contacting him. And for the first time, he started seeing music not as a hobby, but as a career.
All from one short video.
You can even find the old LinkedIn post I made back then. Everything is traceable.
So was his song bad before? Absolutely fucking not. It was great already. But let's be honest — nobody spends two minutes listening to an unknown artist. That video? It was a gateway. Those first few seconds were carefully edited to capture attention and spark curiosity.
Now ask yourself: How many of your videos have been wasted just because you failed to highlight the right few seconds?
Why Editing Isn't Optional Anymore
Video editing boosts your chances of going viral. Period.
Whether it's:
• Cutting silent pauses• Using subtitles correctly
• Color grading to match the emotion
• Adding sound effects that bring a moment to life
All these are designed to support your message. If your content is already strong, editing only amplifies its power.
So, Why Do People Still Ignore Editing?
Maybe because they think it's expensive, complicated, or not essential. But those are excuses. I learned editing by sneaking into internet cafes with money I literally stole from my dad (sorry, dad 😅) when I was 16. I watched YouTube tutorials instead of playing games like every other teen.
Let's Get to the Point
Editing isn't magic. It doesn't fix bad content. But if your message is strong, editing makes sure people actually hear it.
I've worked with influencers and brands across:
• Real Estate• Music
• Food
• Gaming
• Motivation
• E-books
• Daily Life ...and helped them all go viral.
After a while, I stopped seeing myself as just a video editor. I started seeing myself as someone who makes people famous.
Sounds a bit egoistic, doesn't it? Ahah 😉
But it's true.
Video editing is not just a technical job. It's psychological. It's emotional. It's strategic.
You don't just need someone who knows how to cut clips or sync subtitles. You need someone who understands how people behave on social media. Someone who knows how to manipulate those behaviors in favor of your content. Someone who knows exactly how to earn attention and retain it — frame by frame.
So before you dismiss it as "just a skill" ask yourself what one well-edited video could do for your brand.
If you're even thinking about creating content that matters, hit the button below and book a free 30-minute call with me.Who knows? Maybe you'll be the next person I help go viral.
Musab Yiğit
Freelance Short-form Video Editor