What is your process for testing data stories before presenting them?

You can create audience personas as per their interests and needs. Based on these audience personas you can conduct a pilot survey of your data based story by sharing it with a small group of your audience. This will further help in understanding your audience and how you can improve your story so that the audience resonate with it better.

The "Grandma Test" (Clarity & Relevance) Think of your grandma, bless her heart. Would she understand the data story's) message? Use clear language, avoid jargon, and focus on the "what" and "why" before diving into the "how." Remember, you're not writing a research paper, you're telling a compelling story. Example: Instead of saying, "The multivariate analysis revealed a statistically significant correlation between..." simply say, "Our data shows that patients who received early intervention had significantly better recovery rates."

As a storyteller, and content creator, i've honed a 4-step process to ensure my data stories resonate. Here's how I test each element for my Target Audience before hitting that "Post" button on my Linkedin post: 1/ I analyze demographics like age, profession, technical expertise – these factors influence how I frame my story. 2/ I identify their needs and pain points, and how my data story can address them. 3/ I think about their preferred information format, like if they prefer visuals, concise bullet points, or a more in-depth narrative. Lastly, I like to create audience personas – fictional profiles of my ideal audience member. This helps me to craft my story with these personas in mind.

Unless your audience cares about what you're saying, neither your story nor your data will land. And it definitely won't be remembered. Ask yourself the following questions when you're creating a data story: - Who is my audience? Who's going to read/listen to this? - What do these people actually care about? - Which narrative structure will make sense to them? I.e. what sorts of stories do they typically consume? Crafting a story is pointless if it isn't compelling to the audience - so make sure you really understand their context before you get to work.

Knowing the people in your storytelling is an important step to ensuring the data story that you are telling will resonate and be relevant. Also know that every is an individual. So while the theme / segment maybe the same ... how they take in information (and data) will be different ... so take this also into consideration when formulating your data story.

A good place to start with every story is the end. When I write brand stories for my clients, I always ask them which feeling they'd like their audience to be left with after reading. When you're crafting a data story, the same goes for you. Is there a specific action you'd like the audience to take? A thought you want to leave them with? Once you've honed in on the number one thing you're actually trying to convey, you can work your way backwards. Use your data for the logical/factual components of your story and storytelling tools for the emotional/evocative ones. This way you make sure every little piece of your story is serving the end goal.

Testing data stories effectively starts with a clear goal and message: Establish what you aim to achieve with your data story and the key message you want to convey. Align your goal and message with your audience's needs and values to ensure relevance. Include a straightforward call to action, guiding your audience on the next steps. This process ensures that your data story is not only informative but also resonates with your audience and prompts the desired response.

When I pitch to investors, I need my "data story" to be laser-focused! My presentation needs a clear target and a focused message to deliver impact. Here is how I do it: 1/ I define your goal by aiming to either inform, persuade, or simply spark discussion. 2/ I craft a concise message on what is the single most important takeaway I want your audience to remember. Lastly, when I develop an elevator pitch, I use a clear, concise explanation of my data story in under 30 seconds. If I cannot explain it simply to a colleague unfamiliar with the topic in that time, I know I need to refine my message.

What is the impact that you wish to make with your data story. Is it to ... Educate, Inform Influence, Persuade Motivate, Inspire It will be one of or up to all of the 6 ... decide which and then ensure that your data story is heading you in that desired direction.

Start with a clear narrative. Every great data story begins with a clear narrative. Think of it as building a house—you need a solid blueprint before you start laying bricks. I ask myself: What’s the main message? Why does it matter? Who’s the audience? By answering these questions upfront, I set a strong foundation.

Craft visuals that are clear, concise, and visually appealing. Avoid boring bar graphs, embrace infographics, and don't forget the power of storytelling! Example: Instead of showing a bland scatter plot, use a timeline with patient avatars to illustrate how their health improved over time. Make it interactive, let people zoom in, and add a catchy tagline like, "From wobbly knees to walking the halls: A journey of patient recovery."

A picture says more than a thousand words - when it's the right picture. When selecting your data and visuals, lean into the core message you've identified for your data story; the end goal. Your data and visuals should serve as boosters for your story and vice versa. Pick out the insights and data that will matter most to your audience and that will amplify that core message you're working towards conveying with your story.

When I am designing a data-deck to my investors, I know that while data is the foundation, visuals are the BRIDGE that connects my audience to my message. Not all data is created equal, so I choose the most relevant and impactful pieces in my slides. I also visualize my data effectively as charts, graphs, and infographics. These images can be powerful tools, but I avoid overloading my audience with visuals. I like to keep them clear, concise, and easy to understand.

Keep it simple! Your goal is to attract and engage with your audience quickly. The goal of your visual is to support your message but also be able to stand on its own. Be thoughtful in presenting information or findings that aren't busy or overwhelming to your audience.

Everyone takes in information in different ways ... so be creative. As we know ... the default type to present data isn't always excel data tables. More than ever we are able to share data in such creative ways - visual, audio, written - take your pick. Just ensure that the creativity doesn't overwhelm the audience and you lose sight of the key message / story you are trying to get across with the data.

In my pitch data "story", I know that while data may be king, it is a compelling narrative that captures hearts and minds! I like to structure your story with a clear flow, that introduces the problem, present the data as evidence, and then showcase my solution or conclusion. I also use language that my audience understands, and avoid jargon and technical terms. I explain complex concepts in a clear, concise way. Lastly, I engage with storytelling techniques by using anecdotes, analogies, and case studies to illustrate my points and make my data relatable.

My favourite way to craft a narrative is through the 3-act structure: Act 1: Set-up - Provide context - Set the scene Act 2: Confrontation - Show the problem - Up the stakes Act 3: Resolution - Give a takeaway - Close the story off

The "Grandma Test" (Clarity & Relevance) Think of your grandma, bless her heart. Would she understand the data story's message? Use clear language, avoid jargon, and focus on the "what" and "why" before diving into the "how." Remember, you're not writing a research paper, you're telling a compelling story. Example: Instead of saying, "The multivariate analysis revealed a statistically significant correlation between..." simply say, "Our data shows that patients who received early intervention had significantly better recovery rates."

Narrative structure should always be based on, you guessed it: Your audience. To ensure this, ask yourself the following: - What stories are they likely consuming? (TV, books, films, social media) - How can I format my data story in a similar structure? - How will I amplify my core message through my narrative structure? Essentially, your narrative structure is the map to the destination (end goal) of your story. So make sure you choose one that's relevant to your audience and likely to really bring that core message home.

The section accurately emphasizes the importance of crafting a compelling narrative in data storytelling. It's crucial to remember that a well-structured narrative, with a clear beginning, middle, and end, can significantly enhance the impact of your data presentation by giving it guardrails to adhere to (and test against). The use of storytelling techniques such as hook, context, conflict, resolution, and takeaway can further engage your audience. Avoiding jargon and technical terms makes your narrative more accessible, which is especially important when your audience is not data-savvy.

Would your picky cousin find any "bones" (inaccuracies) in the data story? Double-check your data sources, ensure calculations are correct, and avoid cherry-picking information to fit your narrative. Transparency is key! Example: Instead of claiming a 100% success rate for a new intervention, acknowledge there might be outliers or limitations in your data. Say, "While the Intervention improved outcomes for 85% of patients, further research is needed to understand why it didn't work for everyone."

1. Gather Feedback: Get input from colleagues, subject matter experts, or even potential audience members. 2. Evaluate Yourself: Consider clarity, flow, believability, relevance, and impact of your story. 3. Refine and Improve: Make adjustments based on the feedback and your own evaluation. My Tip: Think of it like polishing a gem! Get multiple perspectives to make your data story shine.

Perfection is not a destination; it's a journey of continuous improvement. Before presenting your data story to the world, subject it to rigorous review and refinement. Polish every word, refine every visualization, and fine-tune every transition. With each iteration, your data story evolves from good to great, resonating more deeply with your audience and leaving a lasting impression.

Before serving your "story", gather a diverse group of "tasters" (colleagues, patients, stakeholders) and get their feedback. Be open to constructive criticism, refine your story based on their insights, and remember, the best pies are often the ones that are tweaked and improved until they're just right. Bonus Tip: Don't forget the "dessert" (actionable insights)! Conclude your data story with clear recommendations for how your findings can be used to improve patient care, policy, or research.

Rehearse your presentation multiple times to ensure smooth delivery and confidence in conveying the data story. Anticipate potential questions or challenges from the audience and prepare thoughtful responses.

Behind every seamless presentation lies countless hours of practice and preparation. Rehearse your data story until it flows effortlessly from your lips, until every word carries the weight of conviction, and every gesture exudes confidence. Prepare for every possible scenario, equipping yourself to handle questions and challenges with grace and poise. With diligent practice and preparation, you transform uncertainty into certainty, fear into courage, and hesitation into empowerment.

Verify data accuracy. Accuracy is non-negotiable. I double-check my data sources, run the numbers multiple times, and even get a second pair of eyes to review. I also use tools like Excel, R, or Python to cross-verify my calculations. This step is like fact-checking in journalism; one mistake can undermine the entire story.

Following a structured process to create impactful storytelling should always be your starting point. By doing this you are in turn setting yourself up for the most impactful outcome possible. Think about your; impact, people, start point, main event, end point, and how you will nurture your storytelling. These 6 layers will put you in the best place, as they prompt you to reflect on and include the key elements that make a great story / communication.

In the realm of data storytelling, the journey never truly ends. As you embark on your quest to craft impactful narratives, consider the broader context in which your story unfolds. Stay abreast of emerging trends and developments in your field, adapting your storytelling approach to reflect changing realities. Embrace feedback with humility and gratitude, using it as fuel to propel your storytelling prowess to new heights. And above all, never lose sight of the profound impact your data stories can have on individuals, communities, and the world at large.

Before presenting data stories, I follow a rigorous testing process. Firstly, I review the data sources for accuracy and reliability. Then, I create drafts of the story and test them on a small sample audience to gather feedback. Next, I conduct thorough analysis to ensure the insights are clear and impactful. Finally, I refine the presentation based on feedback and insights, ensuring it effectively communicates the intended message to the audience.