How long should a one-question video be?

Aim for 60 to 90 seconds. That's long enough to give a complete, useful answer and short enough to hold attention on every major platform. If you finish in 45 seconds, that's fine too — don't pad it.

What if my question needs more than 90 seconds to answer?

Split it into a series. Break the big question into two or three sub-questions, and give each one its own video. You end up with more content and each piece is easier for viewers to find and share.

Do I need a script for a one-question video?

No. The question itself is your prompt. Restate it, give your answer, add one supporting detail, and close. The structure is simple enough to deliver naturally without reading from a script.

How is this different from topic-based content planning?

Topic-based planning gives you broad subjects like 'nutrition' or 'home buying.' A single question gives you a specific, answerable scope like 'Should I eat before a morning workout?' The narrower focus produces clearer, more useful videos.

The One-Question, One-Video Framework

You know more than you can fit into a single video. That is exactly the problem.

Most experts who struggle with video content are not lacking knowledge. They are drowning in it. They hit record, start talking about their topic, and three minutes later they have covered six sub-points, gone on two tangents, and lost the viewer somewhere around the 40-second mark.

There is a fix, and it is almost stupidly simple: every video answers exactly one question, in 60 to 90 seconds. That is it. One question. One video. No exceptions.

This is the core framework behind FAQ Videos, and it is the single most effective constraint you can put on your content.

The Rule

Pick one question. Answer it. Stop.

Not a topic. Not a theme. A specific question that a real person would actually type into a search bar or ask you face-to-face. The kind of question you can answer in 60 to 90 seconds without rushing and without padding.

If you have been reading the What to Say on Camera guide, you already know that the hardest part of video is not recording. It is deciding what to say. This framework eliminates that decision entirely. The question tells you what to say. Your job is just to answer it.

Why This Constraint Works

Constraints do not limit you. They free you. Here is what the one-question rule does.

It forces clarity. When you know you only have 60 to 90 seconds and one question to answer, you cannot ramble. You have to get to the point. The result is a video that sounds authoritative because it is focused.

It keeps viewer attention. People do not abandon videos because the content is bad. They abandon videos because the content is unfocused. A viewer who clicked because they had a question will stay if you are clearly answering that exact question. The moment you drift into a second topic, they scroll.

It makes your content searchable and shareable. A video titled “Should I Stretch Before or After a Workout?” gets found. A video titled “My Thoughts on Fitness” does not. One question gives you a natural title, a clear hook, and a reason for someone to send it to a friend.

The Structure

You do not need a script. You need a structure. Here is the one that works for a one-question video:

Restate the question. Start by saying the question out loud. “A lot of people ask me: should I get pre-approved before I start looking at houses?” This hooks the viewer who has that exact question and gives context to everyone else.
Give the answer. Do not build suspense. Answer directly. “Yes, absolutely, and here is why.” Viewers came for the answer — give it to them in the first 15 seconds.
Add one supporting point. One example, one reason, one story. Not three. Not five. One. This is where your expertise shines. You are not just giving the answer; you are giving the answer only someone with your experience could give.
Close. Land it cleanly. Restate the takeaway, invite a follow-up, or point them to another resource. Do not trail off.

The whole thing takes 60 to 90 seconds. If you want more ideas for questions to answer, you can turn your most-asked questions into videos or browse video content ideas when you’re stuck.

Examples Across Professions

This framework works regardless of your field. Here is what it looks like in practice.

A coach: “Should I raise my prices if I am fully booked?” Restate the question. Answer: yes, that is a signal, not a problem. Supporting point: one quick story about a client who raised rates and improved retention. Close.

A realtor: “Do I need a 20 percent down payment to buy a house?” Restate. Answer: no, there are several programs with lower requirements. Supporting point: name one specific program and who qualifies. Close.

A personal trainer: “Is it bad to work out every day?” Restate. Answer: it depends on intensity, but most people benefit from rest days. Supporting point: explain the difference between training and active recovery. Close.

A content creator: “How often should I post on Instagram?” Restate. Answer: consistency matters more than frequency. Supporting point: three times a week beats daily posting that burns you out. Close.

Each of those is a complete, useful video. Each one takes under 90 seconds. Each one answers a question that real people are already asking.

When a Question Needs More Than 90 Seconds

Some questions are big. “How do I start a business?” is not a 90-second answer. That is fine. You do not force a big question into a small box. You break it apart.

“How do I start a business?” becomes a series: “How do I choose a business structure?” “Do I need an LLC?” “What is the first thing I should do after registering my business?” Each of those is one question, one video.

The series approach gives you more content, not less. A single complex question can easily generate five or six videos, each one individually useful and each one linking back to the others. You end up with a library instead of a single overloaded clip.

Why This Beats Topic-Based Content Planning

The traditional approach to content planning is to pick a topic and create around it. “This week I will post about nutrition.” The problem is that “nutrition” is not a video. It is a category. You sit down to record and you are right back to the blank-screen problem: what, specifically, do I say?

The one-question framework replaces topic planning with question planning. Instead of “nutrition,” you have a list: “Is breakfast actually important?” “Should I count calories?” “What should I eat before a workout?” Each one is a video that is ready to record right now.

Questions are specific. Topics are vague. Specificity is what makes content useful, findable, and worth watching.

Start With One

You do not need to build a content calendar or map out a series. You need one question. The one you got asked this week. The one sitting in your inbox or your DMs. The one you are tired of answering in person.

Answer it on camera. Keep it under 90 seconds. Post it. Then do it again tomorrow with a different question.

That is the framework. One question. One video. Every time.