How do you communicate data online or remotely?

1 Know your audience

Before you start communicating data, you need to understand who you are communicating with. What are their goals, needs, and expectations? What is their level of data literacy and familiarity with your topic? How will they use or act on your data? Knowing your audience will help you tailor your message, choose the right format and channel, and avoid confusion or misinterpretation.

2 Choose the right format

Depending on your audience and purpose, you may need to communicate data in different formats, such as tables, charts, dashboards, reports, or slides. Each format has its own advantages and disadvantages, so you need to consider what kind of information you want to convey, how much detail you need, and how interactive you want it to be. For example, tables are good for showing precise numbers and comparisons, but they can be hard to read online. Charts are good for showing trends and patterns, but they can be misleading if not designed well. Dashboards are good for showing key indicators and updates, but they can be complex and overwhelming if not organized well. Reports are good for providing context and analysis, but they can be long and boring if not written well. Slides are good for presenting and storytelling, but they can be distracting or confusing if not structured well.

4 Follow the best practices

No matter the format or tool you use, it's essential to follow best practices when communicating data. To start, define your goal and key message, so that your audience knows, feels, or does something after seeing your data. Next, simplify and prioritize the data points that are most important and relevant. Additionally, use colors, shapes, sizes, and labels to make the data more appealing and understandable. You can also use titles, captions, annotations, and stories to make the data more meaningful and engaging. Lastly, test and refine your data by checking for accuracy, consistency, and clarity. Moreover, get feedback from your audience or peers to improve your data.

5 Engage your audience

Communicating data online or remotely can be a challenge, especially when your audience is large or diverse. To engage them and keep their attention, consider asking questions and inviting comments to stimulate curiosity and involvement. Polls and quizzes can test knowledge or understanding of your data, while stories and examples can connect to emotions or values. Humor and creativity can make your data more memorable, such as using metaphors, analogies, or jokes to make it more accessible. These approaches can help bring your data to life for your audience.