How to Script a YouTube Video for Your Financial Planning Practice

The biggest mistake financial advisors make on YouTube isn't bad lighting or poor audio. It's winging it.

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Unscripted videos ramble. They bury the key information under five minutes of throat-clearing. They go off on tangents. They run too long. And they often accidentally stray into compliance grey areas because nobody reviewed the language before filming.

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A script fixes all of this. It keeps you focused, concise, and compliant. It makes editing faster (or even unnecessary). And it lets you deliver your expertise in the most watchable, valuable format possible.

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Here's the framework we use at Compound One for every financial advisor video we produce.

The 5-Part Video Script Framework

Every effective financial advisor YouTube video follows the same basic structure. Memorise this framework and you'll never stare at a blank page again.

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• ‍Part 1: The Hook (0-15 seconds)
• Part 2: The Context (15-45 seconds)
• Part 3: The Content (main body)
• Part 4: The Summary (30-60 seconds)
• Part 5: The CTA (15-30 seconds)

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Let's break each one down.

Part 1: The Hook (First 15 Seconds)

The first 15 seconds determine whether someone keeps watching or clicks away. You need to immediately answer the viewer's question: "Is this video for me, and is it worth my time?"

Formula:

State the problem or question + promise the answer.

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Examples

"How much do you actually need to retire comfortably in [location]? In this video, I'll break down the numbers — including the figure most people get wrong."

"If you're thinking about setting up a self-managed retirement account, there are three things you need to know before you sign anything. I'll cover all three in the next eight minutes."

"Your insurance premium just went up 20% and nobody told you why. Let me explain what's going on — and what you can do about it."

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What NOT to do:

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• "Hey guys, welcome to my channel, my name is [name], and today we're going to be talking about..." (Nobody cares about your intro. Get to the point.)
• Long animated intros with music (viewers skip these or leave)
• Starting with "So..." or "Um..." (signals uncertainty)

Part 2: The Context (15-45 Seconds)

After the hook, briefly set up why this topic matters and what you'll cover. This is also where your general advice disclaimer fits naturally.

Formula:

Why this matters + what you'll cover + brief disclaimer.

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Example:

"This is one of the most common questions I get from clients approaching retirement — and the answer isn't as simple as you'd think. I'll walk you through the three main benchmarks people use, explain why they're often misleading, and give you a framework for calculating your own number.

Quick note — everything in this video is general information only. It doesn't take into account your personal situation, so if you need specific advice, speak to a licensed financial advisor."

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The disclaimer is delivered conversationally, not read out like a legal document. It protects you without killing the momentum.

Part 3: The Content (Main Body)

This is the meat of your video. The structure here depends on your topic, but financial advisor content generally falls into one of these formats:

Format A: The Explainer

For topics where you're teaching a concept.

Structure:

1. Define the concept simply
2. Explain how it works (with examples)
3. Cover the common misconceptions
4. Address the nuances people miss
5. Practical takeaway

Example structure for "Tax Credits Explained":

1. What tax credits are (simple definition)
2. How the credit system works (with a dollar example)
3. The common misconception: "I always get a refund" — not always
4. How your tax rate/bracket affects the outcome
5. What this means for your investment strategy in general terms

Format B: The List

For topics where you're covering multiple points.

Structure:

1. Brief intro to the list
2. Point 1 (with explanation)
3. Point 2 (with explanation)
4. Continue through the list
5. Which ones matter most (prioritise for the viewer)

Example structure for "5 Tax Deductions Most People Miss":

1. Intro: "These are the deductions I see clients overlook most often"
2. Deduction 1 — explain what it is and who qualifies
3. Deduction 2 — explain what it is and who qualifies
4. Through to Deduction 5
5. "If you only act on one of these, make it number 3 — here's why"

Format C: The Comparison

For topics where you're comparing two options.

Structure:

1. What you're comparing and why
2. Option A: pros and cons
3. Option B: pros and cons
4. Key differences that matter
5. How to think about the decision (without telling viewers what to do)

Example structure for "Managed vs Self-Managed Retirement Account":

1. "This is one of the most common questions I hear"
2. Managed fund: features, costs, pros, limitations
3. Self-managed: features, costs, pros, limitations
4. The three factors that typically drive this decision
5. "The right answer depends on your situation — here's a framework for thinking about it"

Part 4: The Summary (30-60 Seconds)

Summarise the key takeaways. Viewers who've watched the whole video appreciate a crisp recap. It also helps viewers who've been skimming decide whether to go back and watch more carefully.

Formula:

"Here's what to take away from this..."

Example:

"To sum up: the amount you need to retire depends on three things — your desired lifestyle, when you want to retire, and what other income you'll have. Retirement spending benchmarks can be a useful starting point, but they're not gospel. The most important thing is to run the numbers for your specific situation."

Part 5: The Call to Action (15-30 Seconds)

Every video should end with a clear next step. For financial advisors, this typically means one of:

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• Subscribe: "If you found this helpful, subscribe — I post a new video every week on [topic]."
• Watch next: "If you want to go deeper on this topic, watch this video next [point to end screen]."
• Contact: "If you'd like personalised advice on your situation, you can book a consultation through the link in the description."
• Combination: A quick subscribe prompt + the most relevant next step.

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Keep it brief and specific. Don't ask for three things — ask for one.

Scripting Tips for Financial Advisors

Write like you talk.‍

Read your script out loud. If a sentence sounds formal or stiff, rewrite it. "It is advisable to consider" becomes "You should think about." "One must take into account" becomes "Don't forget." YouTube is conversational, not academic.

Use short sentences.‍

Long, complex sentences are hard to deliver on camera and hard for viewers to follow. If a sentence has more than 20 words, break it into two.

Add delivery notes.‍

Mark places where you want to emphasise a word, pause for effect, or change your energy. [PAUSE], [EMPHASISE], [SLOW DOWN] — these notes help your delivery feel natural rather than flat.

Script the transitions.‍

The transitions between sections are where most unscripted videos fall apart. "The second thing you need to know is..." or "Now, this is where it gets interesting..." — script these so the video flows smoothly.

Include compliance language naturally.‍

Don't bolt the disclaimer onto the end. Weave qualifying language throughout: "depending on your situation," "in general terms," "for many people." This keeps the video compliant without making it feel like a legal document.

Aim for 130-150 words per minute.‍

That's a natural speaking pace. A 10-minute video is roughly 1,300-1,500 words of script.

Script Template

Here's a blank template you can use for your next video:

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• ‍VIDEO TITLE: [Target keyword + hook]‍
• TARGET LENGTH: [X minutes — calculate at 130-150 words per minute]‍
• HOOK (0:00 - 0:15): [State the problem/question. Promise the answer. Make it specific.]‍
• CONTEXT (0:15 - 0:45): [Why this matters. What you'll cover. General advice disclaimer.]‍
• CONTENT — SECTION 1 (0:45 - X:XX): [Main point 1. Define, explain, give examples.]‍
• CONTENT — SECTION 2 (X:XX - X:XX): [Main point 2. Define, explain, give examples.]‍
• CONTENT — SECTION 3 (X:XX - X:XX): [Main point 3. Define, explain, give examples.]‍
• SUMMARY (X:XX - X:XX): [Key takeaways. 2-3 sentences maximum.]‍
• CTA (X:XX - END): [One clear action: subscribe, watch next, or contact.]

Want Us to Write the Scripts?

At Compound One, scriptwriting is one of the most valuable things we do. Every script is researched, structured for engagement, written in your voice, and reviewed for compliance — before you ever sit in front of a camera.

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If you'd rather spend 1-2 hours per month delivering great content instead of writing it, that's what we're here for.