You need to communicate economic data to a skeptical audience. What can you do to help them understand?

1 Know your audience

Before you start, think about who you are talking to and what they care about. What are their backgrounds, interests, values, and goals? How familiar are they with the topic and the data sources? What are their potential objections or questions? Tailor your message and tone to suit their needs and expectations. Avoid jargon, technical terms, and acronyms that they may not understand. Use examples, stories, and analogies that relate to their experiences and perspectives.

2 Choose the right data

Not all data is equally relevant, reliable, or representative. You need to select the data that supports your main point, answers your audience's questions, and addresses their concerns. You also need to make sure that the data is accurate, valid, and up-to-date. Cite your sources and explain how the data was collected, analyzed, and interpreted. Be transparent about any limitations, assumptions, or uncertainties in the data. Acknowledge any alternative or conflicting data and explain why you prefer your chosen data.

3 Visualize the data

A picture is worth a thousand words, especially when it comes to numbers. Visualizing the data can help you show trends, patterns, comparisons, and relationships that may not be obvious from tables or text. Use charts, graphs, maps, or diagrams that are appropriate for the type and amount of data you have. Make sure that the visuals are clear, simple, and consistent. Label the axes, legends, and units. Use colors, shapes, and sizes that enhance the meaning and contrast of the data. Avoid clutter, distortion, and misleading scales.

4 Narrate the data

Visuals alone are not enough to convey your message. You need to tell a story with the data that engages your audience and guides them through your logic and evidence. Start with a catchy hook that captures their attention and curiosity. Then, state your main point or claim and summarize how the data supports it. Next, provide more details and explanations for each piece of data that you present. Use transitions, headings, and keywords to organize and connect your ideas. End with a strong conclusion that reinforces your point and calls for action or further discussion.

5 Simplify the data

You don't want to overwhelm your audience with too much or too complex data. You need to simplify the data without losing its meaning or accuracy. You can do this by using round numbers, percentages, ratios, or averages that are easier to remember and compare. You can also use benchmarks, references, or ranges that provide context and scale for the data. For example, you can say that the GDP of a country is equivalent to the size of a certain industry or state. You can also use metaphors, analogies, or examples that make the data more concrete and relatable.

6 Check the data

Before you share your data with your audience, you need to check it for errors, inconsistencies, or biases. You need to make sure that the data is factual, logical, and ethical. You can do this by reviewing your sources, methods, calculations, and interpretations. You can also ask for feedback from someone who is knowledgeable, objective, or representative of your audience. You can test your data for clarity, relevance, and persuasiveness. You can also anticipate and prepare for any questions, challenges, or counterarguments that your audience may have.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?