Are you getting into video clipping or creating short formats on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts?
Between the technical English terms (Hook, B-Roll, Frame rate, Jump cut) and the marketing jargon (Repurposing, UGC, CTR, Watch time), it’s easy to get lost when starting out.
To help you master the language of professional editors and understand the expectations of creators and brands, here is the Official Clipper Lexicon.
Quick Summary
1. The Jargon of Virality & Metrics
2. Techniques & Editing Terms
3. Formats & Visual Concepts
4. The Vocabulary of Business & Prospecting
1. The Jargon of Virality & Metrics
Hook (The Hook)
The first 2 to 3 seconds of a video. It is the most critical element of a clip. Its role is to stop the user's scroll with a powerful visual, textual, or auditory impact.
Hook Rate (Hook Rate)
The percentage of viewers who remain after the first 3 seconds of the video. A good Hook Rate is generally above 60%.
Watch Time (Watch Time)
The average duration that users watch your clip. The higher the watch time (ideally close to 100% of the total video length), the more the algorithm will promote the content.
Retention Rate (Retention Rate)
The curve that measures exactly when viewers leave the video. The clipper's job is to eliminate dead time to keep this curve as high as possible.
Call to Action / CTA (Call to Action)
The phrase or visual cue located at the end (or during) the video that invites the viewer to take action: subscribe, comment, share, or click on a link.
2. Techniques & Editing Terms
Repurposing (Content Recycling)
The art of taking long content (podcast, interview, Twitch live, show, YouTube video) and cutting/re-editing it into several vertical clips optimized for social media.
B-Roll (B-Roll)
Secondary images or videos overlaid on the main video (A-Roll / voiceover) to illustrate the statements, energize the pace, and avoid visual monotony.
SFX (Sound Effects)
Illustrative sounds added to the edit (whoosh, pop, wosh, swoosh, impact sounds) to support transitions, text appearances, or animations.
Jump Cut
A quick cut within the same shot to remove a pause, a hesitation ("uh...") or an unnecessary word to speed up the pace of the speech.
Split-Screen (Split Screen)
Separation of the screen into two parts (top/bottom). Used notably to display the speaker at the top and a visual/gameplay background at the bottom.
Keyframing (Key Frames)
Editing technique that allows animating an element (text, image, zoom) over time by defining a starting point and an endpoint.
3. Visual Formats & Concepts
Caption Format
Clean editing style focused on dynamic subtitles animated word by word.
👉 Discover our complete guide :The Caption Format: The simplest format to start with
Double Format
Split-screen editing combining an interview/podcast and a supporting visual shot (gameplay or B-roll).
👉 Discover our complete guide : The Double Format: One of the most effective edits
Skull Format
Editing style with a dark, contrasted, and ultra-dynamic visual, focused on suspense and strong emotions.
👉 Discover our complete guide : The Skull Format: Why this style is popular on TikTok and Shorts
Top Format
Structured editing in the form of a list, ranking, or comparison to spark debate in the comments.
👉 Discover our complete guide : The Top Format: The ideal format to maximize engagement
4. The Vocabulary of Business & Prospecting
Brief
The specifications provided by a client or a platform (like Cliplink) indicating the editing instructions, tone, target audience, and desired duration for a campaign.
Rushes
The raw video or audio files provided by the client before any rough cut and editing work.
UGC (User Generated Content)
Video content created by an on-screen creator (facing the camera) simulating the authentic opinion of a user.
👉 Learn more : Clipper or UGC Creator: What are the differences and which one to choose?
🚀 Ready to move from theory to practice?
Mastering the vocabulary is just the first step of the journey. To become a qualified clipper and start monetizing your skills:
1. 🎓 **Join the Cliplink Academy:** Access the step-by-step training course, download our effects/templates packs, and have your edits validated to join our official network.
2. 💼 Apply to become a CLIPLINK Clipper →]and access our paid briefs.
📚 Continue your training on the blog :
🔗 Clipper : The complete guide to mastering short format