How can you tell a data story that engages your audience?

Imagine explaining something cool you saw to a friend. Here's how to tell a data story like that: 1. Start with "Why?": Why are you telling the story? What do you want them to know? 2. Keep it simple and relatable: Explain things in a way they understand, using examples or comparisons. 3. Show, don't just tell: Use pictures, graphs, or even drawings to make the data come alive. 4. Be honest: Tell them where the information comes from, and if there's anything they need to know about it. 5. End with "So what?": What does this information mean? Why should they care? Remember, it's about connecting with your audience, not just showing off data. Make it fun, clear, and impactful!

One thing I have found helpful is to know your goal before you start creating your story. When you know what you do you want your audience to learn, feel, or do after hearing your story, then you will be able to create a story that engages your audiences and connect with them. For example, if your goal is to persuade your audiences to adapt a new strategy, you might use data to show the benefits, challenges, and solutions of your proposal.

Start with a true success story that illustrates the effectiveness of trying a new technique instead of sticking to the traditional approach. Pick a punch line from the story that can bring the story to life for e.g. 'mission independence'. This can be a great tool to support your presentation going forward.

In my experience, co-creation data stories with key stakeholders will speak to a practitioners’ audience that wants to see how data impact their own organisations. Data stories that are meaningful, timely and relevant to the issues that organisations are facing today.

While creating a data story you should keep in mind that the story should conclude your point without confusing the audience.

Knowing the audience for a presentation makes significant differences. It helps in data based story telling and also helps to customize the presentation to be effective according to customers. I have learned it over the years in my 22 years of career and I coach my training participants to pay attention to it. Presentation to a group of C-suite or Directors have to be different from our peers.

It is important to understand who your audience is and what they care about. By knowing their interests and knowledge level, you can make your data story more relevant and engaging for them. For example, if you're talking to subject experts, you can use technical terms, but if you're talking to the general public, it's better to keep things simple and easy to understand. Knowing the pulse of the audience and getting that connect with them is important.

Again as part of the research, understanding of what has to be conveyed and to whom is vital before working on the narrative.

1. Start with a compelling narrative that connects with your audience's interests. 2. Use visualizations like charts and graphs to make data more digestible. 3. Incorporate real-life examples or case studies to make the data relatable. 4. Keep the story concise and focused on key insights. 5. Encourage interaction by asking questions or prompting discussion about the data.

Analyzing your audience's demographics, interests, and existing knowledge is pivotal for shaping a data story that connects with them effectively. By understanding their background and preferences, you can customize the data presentation to match their level of expertise and engagement. For instance, when addressing technical experts, integrate complex datasets and specialized terminology to cater to their depth of understanding. Conversely, when engaging a general audience, simplify the data and use straightforward language to ensure comprehension and sustain interest. Tailoring the data story to suit your audience's characteristics ensures heightened impact and relevance.

Data story that contains 1. Analogies that make topic more relatable and simplified 2. Piecharts/ bar graphs with metrics that can quantity/ display trends and comparisons 3. Well researched facts/ quotes that validated authenticity of your claims 4. Open ended questions/ audience engagement activities that ensure 2 way communication/ participation by audience and break the ice 5. Key differentiators/ USP s that create the required impression All in a storytelling format with some fun element that sparks interest and capture audience s imagination, emotion is the key

Sometimes especially while working with quantitative data we may end up with a lot of data. Stakeholders are not researchers, they don't have time and not always need to know all the details we think are important. Thus, ask yourself, what are the 5 key insights I want to deliver? Can I offer an action plan for each of those? Design your story around these 5 key insights. In each slide have a visual which tells the story and key statement with your insight saying "what" and ending with "so what". Believe me, your stakeholders will love it! :)

Selecting suitable data is essential for creating a compelling data narrative. It's vital to pick data that aligns with your story's objective and connects with your audience. Consider the accuracy, relevance, and credibility of your data sources. Furthermore, opt for data that is straightforward and understandable, avoiding overwhelming your audience. Visual elements such as charts and graphs can aid in presenting complex information in a more accessible manner.

In my trainings on presentation skills, I also emphasise on data funnel system. It helps my participants to identify important data that they have to include in their presentations, to attract attentions of their audience. ROI or loss related data will be a great data to share, to attract attentions in business related presentations.

When we talk about numbers and data, definitely they are the easiest to convey and relate to the audience as human brains looks for visuals and data to build a story. Numbers stick with us, if we associate it with a narrative and its easy to retain. However once should be careful in selecting data as the data that talks to the executives, may not talk the same to tech team etc. Again having an understanding of the audience is vital.

At times, it’s essential to showcase data in your presentation that supports the content that you’re presenting thus one of the Best way to present data is via charts, use animations and effects to make it more understandable and engaging. You should be aware as to where to focus more on the data for eg, trends etc.

Graphs, or any comparative visual representation works wonders, as it not only helps you strengthen your narrative but it also convinces the audience on the research and confidence behind the story, thereby making it A FACT and not simple a story.

After collecting your data, the subsequent task involves arranging it in an easily comprehensible and visually appealing manner. Use tools such as charts, graphs, tables, maps, or infographics to present your data compellingly. Choose the format that best fits the type of data you have, your story's goal, and your audience's preferences. For instance, if you're exploring trends and patterns within a dataset, you might consider using a line chart or heatmap to highlight changes over time or across different geographical areas.

Formatting your data is like decorating a room. Just as an interior designer selects furniture and accessories to create a cohesive and inviting space, you must choose visual elements such as charts, graphs, tables, or infographics to present your data story in an engaging and accessible manner. Similar to ensuring each decor piece complements the overall aesthetic, you also need to select formats that align with your story goal and audience preferences. For example, if highlighting patterns or trends, using line graphs or scatter plots can serve as focal points, adding visual interest and clarity to your data narrative, creating a welcoming environment for your audience to explore.

Once you have selected relevant data, the subsequent step involves formatting it in a manner that enhances comprehension and visualization. Various tools and techniques, including charts, graphs, tables, maps, or infographics, can be employed to present your data effectively. It's essential to select a format that aligns with your data type, narrative objective, and audience preferences. For instance, when illustrating trends and patterns within a substantial dataset, utilizing a line chart or heatmap can effectively convey changes over time or space. By adeptly formatting your data, you can facilitate understanding and engagement, thereby reinforcing the impact of your data story.

Crafting your data story is like crafting a journey. Just as a traveler plans a route with landmarks and destinations, you must structure your narrative with key points and insights. Using characters, conflicts, plots, and resolutions, you can guide your audience through a compelling narrative that unfolds step by step. Employing clear language, a logical progression, and a memorable message, you can effectively convey your data story. Incorporating methods such as anecdotes or case studies, each element should contribute to illuminating the problem, proposing solutions, and showcasing outcomes.

Create an engaging narrative / story that uses data to call your audience to action: Example: 1. Start with an individual story about the problem as is that your audience an relate to. If possible, use pictures of people to help them empathise 2. Add some data about the gravity of the problem (i e.: the affected population, the missed opportunity, the financial / operational loss). By this you have outlined why it matters. 3. Now present the recommended solution to the problem, use visuals and infographics to ease grasping how the solved situation looks like. 4. Insert data supporting your solution and showing the impact it will create in contrast to the gravity of the problem. If possible create a clear impact visual

The final step involves narrating your data engagingly, using storytelling elements like characters and conflict. Keep language clear and concise, structure logical, and message powerful. For instance, a case study or testimonial can effectively illustrate the problem, solution, and outcome when showcasing a project's success. This approach ensures your data story captivates the audience and achieves its goal. Continuous practice and feedback refine your data presentation skills, enhancing your effectiveness as a storyteller.

Narrating your data involves transforming raw information into a compelling story that resonates with your audience. Consider the following practical experiences to illustrate effective data narration: Structured Storytelling: Imagine you're presenting data on consumer behavior for a new product launch. Describe their initial need, the discovery of your product, and the eventual satisfaction or challenges they encounter. This narrative approach humanizes the data, making it more relatable and memorable. Anecdotal Insights: Personal stories add depth and emotional resonance to your data, fostering empathy and understanding among your audience.

Visual communication of data insights will always be more engaging to any audience. Visualization gives deeper insights and credibility to the story being told and makes decision making easier.

Be minimalist. Expose or present only what helps your narrative and not drain the slide by actually writing your script on the slide. Be precise and often stick to 1 or 2 slides.

Stop putting documents on slides. Hand out documents, and get good at data storytelling with a bit of visual stimuli on slides to support your story and the document.

The essential mantra that I learnt from an ex-colleague almost 10 years back still holds strong and resonates with all audiences that I have engaged... DIKW (DATA > INFORMATION > KNOWLEDGE > WISDOM) ... If one has the ability to stitch this fabric with integrity... that's all you need

One method I made really good experience with is to engage the audience in active participation. In the world of data and statistics, it is often possible to include surveys in a talk. There are tools suitable for live, remote, and hybrid talks, where people can simply use their mobile phones to vote and one can show the live polling during the talk. I have used this e.g. to ask people to vote for the best strategy to solve a particular problem - and went on to show why the bulk of the participants in fact chose a non-optimal option. This was a wonderful way to keep the audience's attention and they effortlessly followed out of curiosity, to find out where their intuition went wrong.

I have seen a bunch of data "stories" Summary infographics are often bland, do not provide adequate context or the right level of detail to inform and provide interest. Stories are much less likely to be accessible if data is presented in cluttered tables. If tables are essential, colour should be strategically used to emphasise relevant takeaways. Traffic light systems are widely used, and applicable. Regarding context, it's incredibly important to communicate the validity and reliability of the data used to create a story, otherwise there's a risk that interesting data points are shared as facts. There's space for all types of data, but storytelling should clarify how informative the story itself is, in a rigorous manner.