You know video content is powerful but you've never edited a video in your life. Your phone shoots in 4K. AI can edit it for you. Here's the minimum viable video workflow — film on your phone, edit with AI, and publish something that doesn't embarrass you.
| Tool | What It Does | Cost | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your Smartphone | Camera — modern phones shoot great video | Already have it | Sign up → |
| CapCut | AI-powered video editor — auto-captions, cuts, effects | Free (Pro $9.99/mo) | Sign up → |
| Claude or ChatGPT | Writes your video script and title/description | Free | Sign up → |
What to do: Open Claude and use this prompt: “Write a 2-minute YouTube video script about [your topic]. Start with a hook that grabs attention in the first 5 seconds. Use a conversational, talking-to-the-camera tone. Include specific tips, not generic advice. End with a call to action to subscribe.”
Why you’re doing it: A script keeps you focused and prevents rambling. The hook is critical — YouTube viewers decide to stay or leave in the first 5 seconds.
What to expect: A complete script in about 30 seconds. Read it out loud and edit anything that doesn’t sound natural when spoken.
Common mistakes: Reading the script word-for-word like a robot. Use it as a guide, not a teleprompter. Bullet points work better than full sentences for most people.
What to do: Find a well-lit spot (facing a window is ideal). Prop your phone at eye level in landscape mode. If you have a tripod, great. If not, stack some books. Make sure the background isn’t distracting.
Why you’re doing it: Good lighting and a steady camera are the two things that make amateur video look professional. You don’t need fancy equipment.
What to expect: 5 minutes of setup. Natural light from a window produces better results than most ring lights.
Common mistakes: Filming in portrait mode for YouTube (use landscape). Also, backlighting — don’t sit with a window behind you or you’ll be a silhouette.
What to do: Hit record. Follow your script loosely. Talk to the camera like you’re talking to one person — a customer sitting across from you. It’s okay to mess up — you’ll edit it later. Film more than you need.
Why you’re doing it: You need raw footage. Don’t overthink it. The first take is almost never the one you use, but by take 3, you’ll feel natural.
What to expect: Budget 20–30 minutes for a 2-minute video. You’ll do multiple takes and pick the best parts in editing.
What to do: Download CapCut (free, desktop or mobile). Import your video. Use the AI features: auto-captions generates subtitles automatically, auto-cut removes silences and “ums,” and smart templates add transitions and effects.
Why you’re doing it: CapCut’s AI does 80% of editing work automatically. You don’t need to learn timeline editing or keyframes. The auto-caption feature alone is worth it — 80% of social video is watched on mute.
What to expect: First edit takes about 30–45 minutes. After you learn the interface, future videos take 15–20 minutes.
Common mistakes: Over-editing. Simple cuts, captions, and maybe one transition between sections is all you need. Don’t add zoom effects on every sentence.
What to do: Ask AI: “Write 5 YouTube title options for a video about [topic]. Make them specific, curiosity-driven, and include numbers where possible. Also write a 100-word video description with relevant keywords.”
Why you’re doing it: The title determines whether people click. The description helps YouTube’s algorithm understand and recommend your video.
What to expect: 5 title options and a description in 30 seconds. Pick the title that makes YOU want to click.
What to do: Upload to YouTube. Add your title, description, a thumbnail (CapCut can make these too, or use Canva), and relevant tags. Set the visibility to Public and publish.
Why you’re doing it: The video isn’t content until it’s published. Don’t sit on it waiting for it to be perfect.
What to expect: Upload takes a few minutes depending on file size and internet speed. YouTube processes the video, which can take another 10–30 minutes before it’s available in full quality.
This workflow is Beta — Based on Best Available Knowledge. CapCut’s AI editing features are current as of February 2026. We’ve tested the script-to-publish workflow. Alternatives include Descript (great for editing by editing text), InShot (simpler mobile editor), and DaVinci Resolve (free, professional-grade, steep learning curve).