Premiere Workflow – Marketing Video

This tutorial will show you how to create your marketing video in Adobe Premiere.

1. Create a new project

  • Open Premiere and select New Project.
  • Enter your project name and choose where to save it.

2. Set your video specs

  • Create a sequence using 1920 × 1080 resolution.
    • In the Project panel, click New Item (+) > Sequence (or choose File > New > Sequence).
    • Select a preset that matches your footage, such as AVCHD > 1080p > 30 fps.
    • If needed, open the Settings tab and set Frame Size to 1920 horizontal × 1080 vertical.
    • Set Timebase to match your footage (usually 29.97 or 30 fps).
    • Set Pixel Aspect Ratio to Square Pixels (1.0).
    • Name your sequence and click OK.
  • Use the required video duration and aspect ratio.

A sequence in Premiere

A sequence is like a composition in After Effects. It’s where you assemble and edit your video clips, audio, text, and graphics into a finished video.

  • Project (Premiere): The main file that holds your sequences and links to your video clips, audio, graphics, and other assets. Similar to an After Effects project.
  • Sequence (Premiere): The workspace where you arrange and edit video and audio on a timeline. Similar to a composition in After Effects.
  • Composition (After Effects): The workspace where you combine layers, graphics, effects, and animation on a timeline.

Simple example: Your Premiere project might be called Hearth & Crumb Marketing Video. Inside it, you create a sequence called Main Video – 1080p. That sequence contains all the clips, music, titles, and transitions that make up your final video.

Setting Timeline Duration

Shorten the Export Length Only

  • If you want to keep your timeline intact but only export a shorter portion, set your timeline indicator to the very beginning or zero, then press I to set an In point. Move it to your desired endpoint and press O to set an Out point.
  • In the Export settings, set your range to Sequence In/Out or Work Area.

Creating Intros and Outros

You do not need to create a separate 1920 × 1080 background or composition before creating your intro or outro in Premiere.

Once you have created your 1920 × 1080 sequence, you can build both screens directly in the timeline.

  • For the intro: Add a background (a video clip, a solid color, or a graphic), then add text and the logo on top.
  • For the outro: Add a background, then add the logo, call to action, and any website or contact information.
  • For timing: Extend or shorten the background and text clips so they stay on screen for the desired duration.
  • For layering: Put the background on a lower video track and the text and logo on tracks above it.

One important tip for beginners: If they want a simple solid-color background, they can create one directly in Premiere using Project panel > New Item (icon-lower right) > Color Matte, choose the sequence settings, select a color, and place it on the timeline.

Think of the sequence as your video canvas. They build the entire video—including the intro and outro—inside it.

3. Organize and save your project

  • Create a project folder with subfolders for Video, Audio, Graphics, and Exports.
  • Save your Premiere project file inside the main folder.
  • Save frequently with Cmd+S (Mac) or Ctrl+S (Windows).

4. Import your assets

  • Choose File > Import or drag files into the Project panel.
  • Import your video clips, audio, logos, and graphics.

5. Create your intro screen

  • Move the playhead to the beginning of the timeline.
  • Use the Text tool (T) to add a title.
  • Add your logo and graphics. Adjust font, color, size, and position in the Properties panel.

6. Create your 3-second thumb-stop hook

  • Place your strongest opening clip at the beginning.
  • Trim it to approximately 1–3 seconds.
  • Add a short headline or attention-grabbing visual.

7. Color correct and grade your first clip

  • Select the clip in the timeline.
  • Open Window > Lumetri Color.
  • Adjust exposure, white balance, contrast, and saturation under Basic Correction.
  • Add a consistent creative look under Creative if needed.

8. Match the remaining clips

  • Drag each clip onto the timeline in the order you want.
  • Select each clip and open Window > Lumetri Color.
  • Adjust exposure, white balance, and saturation to match your first clip.
  • Use the Effects panel to add a simple transition, such as Cross Dissolve, where needed.

9. Arrange your story

  • Drag clips left or right to change their order.
  • Use the Selection tool (V) to select clips.
  • Use the Razor tool (C) to cut clips.
  • Drag clip edges inward to trim unwanted footage.
  • Remove gaps and unnecessary footage.

10. Add text, graphics, and animations

  • Select the Text tool (T) and click the Program Monitor to add text.
  • Use the Properties panel to adjust font, size, color, and position.
  • Import logos and graphics through File > Import.
  • To animate an element, use Effect Controls > Motion and set keyframes for properties such as Position, Scale, or Opacity.

11. Add and adjust audio

  • Drag voiceover and music files onto separate audio tracks.
  • Select an audio clip and open Window > Essential Sound or the available audio controls.
  • Tag voiceover as Dialogue and music as Music.
  • Use audio repair tools to reduce noise when needed.
    • Select the voiceover clip in the timeline.
    • Open Window > Essential Sound.
    • Under Audio Type, select Dialogue.
    • Expand Repair and enable Reduce Noise.
    • Adjust the slider gradually until background noise is reduced, but the voice still sounds natural.
    • If needed, try Reduce Rumble to reduce low-frequency noise.
    • Play the clip back and check for muffled or distorted audio.
  • Lower music so dialogue remains clear.
  • Add fades using audio transitions or volume keyframes.

12. Add captions

  • Select Window > Text.
  • In the Transcript tab, choose Transcribe sequence.
  • Review the transcript and correct errors.
  • Choose Create captions from the transcript.
  • Check spelling, timing, readability, and placement.

13. Sync music with your edits

  • Play the timeline and listen for strong beats.
  • Drag clips or trim their edges to align key moments with the music.
  • For fades, adjust audio volume keyframes or add audio transitions.
  • Keep music low enough that dialogue is easy to hear.

14. Create your outro

  • Move the playhead to the end of your timeline.
  • Add your logo, a short call to action, and any required contact or website information.
  • Keep the text readable and on screen long enough to read.
  • Add a simple fade if appropriate.

15. Review your video

  • Play the entire timeline from beginning to end.
  • Check pacing, spelling, captions, audio levels, color consistency, and transitions.
  • Confirm the video follows the brand’s colors, typography, logo, and visual style.
  • Fix any mistakes and save your project.

16. Export your MP4

  • Select File > Export > Media or click Export in the top workspace bar.
  • Set Format: H.264.
  • Choose Match Source – Adaptive High Bitrate or an appropriate preset.
  • Confirm the resolution is 1920 × 1080 and the frame rate matches your sequence.
  • Choose the filename and save location in your Exports folder.
  • Click Export and play the finished MP4 to check it.