Why briefs matter more than feedback
Most revision rounds happen because the editor had to guess. A one-page brief written once — and updated monthly — removes the guessing. It’s also the document that keeps your content consistent if you ever change editors.
The template
SHORT-FORM EDITING BRIEF — [BRAND NAME] 1. GOAL What should this content do? (reach / trust / leads / sales) Primary call to action: [follow / comment keyword / link in bio / book a call] 2. AUDIENCE Who watches: [role, situation, level of knowledge] Their biggest problem: [one sentence] What they should feel after watching: [e.g. "this person gets it"] 3. PLATFORMS Primary: [Reels / TikTok / Shorts / LinkedIn] Also posting to: [ ] Export: 1080x1920 MP4 (plus 1:1 or 4:5 if needed) 4. STYLE References I love (links + what I like about each): - - Pacing: [calm / medium / fast] Captions: [font, colours, highlight colour, placement, emoji yes/no] Motion graphics: [none / subtle / bold] Music mood: [ ] — Sound effects: [none / subtle / punchy] 5. BRAND Fonts / colours / logo: [folder link] Intro / outro rules: [e.g. no intros, logo only at end] Words I never say / topics to avoid: 6. MUST-HAVE IN EVERY VIDEO - Hook in the first 2 seconds - Captions inside safe zones - 7. NEVER - 8. LOGISTICS Footage folder: [link] Naming: [date_topic_v1] Feedback via: [comments / Loom / WhatsApp] Posting schedule: [x per week]
How to fill it in well
- Explain your references. “I like the caption timing in this one, not the music” is far more useful than a link alone.
- Be specific about the audience. “Overwhelmed first-time founders” beats “entrepreneurs”.
- Write the “never” list. It prevents more revisions than anything else.
- Keep it to one page. If it’s longer, nobody re-reads it.
Per-video notes
On top of the brief, add a line or two per recording: the point of the video, the line you think is the hook, and anything to cut. Thirty seconds of notes can save a full revision round.
Hiring an editor for the first time? Pair this with the hiring checklist.
Ready when you are
Send the brief — get the edits.
YASH EDITS works from your brief and learns your style once.