I used to think the hardest part of making a good short video was editing. Turns out the hardest part is getting to a first version you can actually watch.
Most of my ideas die in the “planning” phase—notes everywhere, half-written scripts, a folder of random images… and no video. The moment I open an editor, I get stuck on tiny decisions: which clip first, how long should the hook be, where to put text, what pacing feels right. It’s a lot of effort before I even know if the idea is worth finishing.
So I switched to a draft-first approach.
Now I aim to create a rough draft as quickly as possible. Not a final video—just something watchable. Once I can see it on screen, everything becomes easier. I can tell if the opening is weak, if the message is confusing, or if the middle drags. Then I only spend time polishing the ideas that survive that first watch.
Here’s the simple structure I follow:
One-line hook (what the viewer gets in 3 seconds)
Three beats (setup → point → payoff)
A quick draft video
One revision pass (trim, reorder, simplify)
Only then: captions, music, and finishing touches
This is also why I’ve been experimenting with tools like veo 4 ai. I don’t use it to “replace editing”—I use it to get to that first draft faster, so I can judge an idea with my eyes instead of guessing on paper.
The biggest benefit is momentum. When drafts are easy, you create more versions, you test more angles, and you stop overthinking. And honestly, consistency comes from finishing—not from perfect planning.
If you’re trying to post videos regularly, try making the first version ugly on purpose. A rough draft is not a failure. It’s the fastest way to find the ideas that deserve your time.
