Data Storytelling for Investors and Financial Advisors

Data Storytelling for Investors and Financial Advisors

Instructors: Mark Peco

Included with Coursera Plus

Learn more

1 module

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

7 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

1 module

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

7 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Define the scope and requirements of the advisory message based on its purposes and targeted client impact.
Transform financial data using Python to design, visualize, and interpret flow dynamics through Sankey diagrams for storytelling purposes.
Develop financial data stories by combining analysis, visualization, and structured narrative techniques.
Present financial insights using clear and engaging storytelling techniques.

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

There is 1 module in this course

In today’s data-driven financial landscape, effective advisors and investors go beyond analysis—they transform data into stories that inspire action. This course introduces practical techniques to translate complex financial insights into clear, engaging narratives that strengthen client communication and decision-making. You’ll learn how to structure financial stories, design impactful data visualizations, and use tools like Python and Sankey diagrams to present insights with clarity and influence.

Designed for financial advisors, investment mentors, quantitative analysts, and individual investors, the course is ideal for professionals who want to complement financial analysis with persuasive storytelling. Learners should have a basic understanding of investment principles, data analysis, and visualization, with some experience using Python and generative AI tools. By the end, you’ll be equipped to craft compelling, data-driven financial stories that engage clients, differentiate your services, and drive better investment outcomes.

In this course, you’ll learn how to turn complex financial data into clear, compelling stories that elevate your advisory services and inspire client action. You’ll focus on the art of data storytelling using Python, visualization techniques, and tools like Sankey diagrams to reveal financial insights, structure narratives, and build stronger client relationships. Through expert-led videos, hands-on exercises, real-world scenarios, and guided story design, you’ll gain the skills to communicate investment insights with clarity, confidence, and lasting impact.

What's included

24 videos5 readings5 assignments5 peer reviews5 discussion prompts

24 videosTotal 180 minutes

Welcome and Course Goals 2 minutes
Meet Your Instructor1 minute
Tips for Successful Completion 1 minute
The Need for Communications in Financial Advisory 7 minutes
Challenges in Communicating Financial Insights & Advice 8 minutes
The Rise of Data Storytelling 8 minutes
Financial Data Storytelling Frameworks 8 minutes
Patterns and Relationships in Financial Data 10 minutes
Comparing and Selecting Charting Styles 7 minutes
Sankey Diagrams 7 minutes
Organizing Data for Sankey Diagrams 5 minutes
Defining Story Purpose and Audience Needs 7 minutes
Designing the Financial Story Arc 8 minutes
Selecting and Developing Characters 8 minutes
Story Design Tools and Techniques 8 minutes
Overview of Visualization Techniques Suitable to Storytelling 15 minutes
Applications of Bar Charts and Line Charts for Charts for Data Storytelling 20 minutes
Review of Sankey Diagrams for Data Storytelling 12 minutes
Evaluating and Selecting a Charting Technique 5 minutes
Financial Advisory Case Study: Case Study Introduction 5 minutes
Financial Advisory Case Study: Creating Insights From the Raw Data 5 minutes
Financial Advisory Case Study: Crafting a Data Story to Deliver the Insights 4 minutes
Financial Advisory Case Study: Delivering the Story to Engage with the Audience 5 minutes
Course Wrap Up 4 minutes

5 readingsTotal 25 minutes

Welcome to the Course: Course Overview5 minutes
Data Storytelling for Financial Planning and Analysis 5 minutes
Financial Storytelling: The Art of Being a Financial Advisor 5 minutes
Write and Design Your Data Story: Step-By-Step Guide 5 minutes
How to Create a Sankey Diagram with Python in 30 Seconds 5 minutes

5 assignmentsTotal 100 minutes

Financial Data Storytelling Concepts20 minutes
Visualization Techniques for Financial Data 20 minutes
Storytelling Design Techniques 20 minutes
Using Python to Create Data Visualizations20 minutes
Delivering Financial Advice with Engaging Data Stories 20 minutes

5 peer reviewsTotal 100 minutes

Hands-On-Learning: Understanding the Purpose and Power of Financial Storytelling 10 minutes
Hands-On-Learning: Visualizing Financial Patterns with the Right Chart Type 10 minutes
Hands-On-Learning: Designing a Before-and-After Financial Story Using Story Design Tools 10 minutes
Hands-On-Learning: Using Google Colab with Python and Gemini AI to Create a Bar Chart for Financial Fund Flows 10 minutes
Project: Data Storytelling for Retirement Income Planning 60 minutes

5 discussion promptsTotal 25 minutes

Turning Reports into Stories 5 minutes
When the Numbers Spoke Clearly 5 minutes
Structuring a Financial Story 5 minutes
Choosing the Right Visualization Tool 5 minutes
Storytelling Moments That Matter 5 minutes

Instructors

Mark Peco

Starweaver

1 Course112 learners

Offered by

Starweaver

Explore more from Finance

Status: Free Trial
University of California, Irvine
Data Storytelling
Course
Status: Free Trial
DeepLearning.AI
Data Storytelling
Course
Status: Free Trial
Coursera Instructor Network
Unlocking Business Insights through Storytelling with Data
Course
Status: Free Trial
Fractal Analytics
Data Storytelling
Course

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018

"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020

"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021

"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription

Learn more

Advance your career with an online degree

Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online

Explore degrees

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy

Learn more

Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.