How do you improve your data stories before presenting them?

Enhance your data stories by understanding your audience, ensuring clarity, emphasizing key insights, and using visuals effectively.

Understanding the preferences of your audience can help you in building a data story that resonates with them. You can ask the audience about their preferences directly via surveys, quizzes etc., or you can build audience personas based on your observations.

A good story without an interesting audience is of no value. Just like you offer Mangoes to someone who loves Apple. That person won't care much. Before presenting any story to your audience, ensure that: 1. You have researched their choice. 2. You have clarity around their language. 3. Does your story add some value to them or not? 4. Talk about your things only, but tailor them for your audience. A young audience who is more into virtual age would like 2 stories: - Something about AI because this is of interest to them. - Or, things about the 90's and how life used to be in those days (it sounds surreal). Enjoy stories because this is what connect!

The purpose of in-depth audience analysis is to gain an empathetic and human understanding of them that considerably surpasses a typical ICP process. Since storytelling is about emotive connection and evocation any story tailored to a specific audience needs to first understand the individuals within that group. Language and structure are both important, but your story's character arc (yes, we have those in data stories, too) will be particularly relevant for stirring resonance and info retention.

When you're presenting data and want the information to stick, a story is the single-fastest and longest-proven method for making that happen. Start by determining the most important data you'd like to impart your audience with and craft a narrative around the main two-three information points. These will serve as your story pillars, and so the narrative should centre around these. By mapping out your narrative structure in this way, you're crafting a direct link between your story's core theme and your most important data points. This seriously increases your chances of ensuring the audience will remember what you've told them.

1. Pick the right story structure: Imagine different ways to organize your points. Think about what you want your audience to take away and choose a structure that helps you achieve that goal. 2. Match structure to purpose: There are many structures, like "problem-solution" or "before-after." Choose the one that best fits what you want to convey, whether it's informing or persuading people.

Every set of data tells a story. Decide on the narrative you want to convey. Is it a story of growth, decline, or an emerging trend? Structure your presentation around this narrative to maintain focus and flow.

Every good story has a narrative arc, and data stories are no different. This isn't just about chronology – it's about creating a captivating journey for your audience! To leverage the power of narrative, I would start with a clear question that sets the stage for my story. Next, I would introduce challenges I am facing, and then finally reveal the data insights that helps me solve that problem.

Usually people don't get big figures. So here are some ways in which I make them easily digestible - 1. I show them visually. Instead of saying X thousand tonnes of trash, I show 1000s of garbage trucks with the trash. 2. Round of the numbers 3. Compare big numbers to something small that everybody relates to. For example - instead of saying 2,500,000 litres of water, I saw water worth one olympic size swimming pool

A helpful approach when visualising your data stories is to think of these visualisations the same way you would illustrations in a book. They are there to serve the audience; to help them gain a deeper understanding of the words in your story and to perhaps see things in a different way. When you work on visualisations for your data story, be sure to select them on the basis of what will support your narrative's core theme - as well as the emotion, reflections or questions you'd like to leave your audience with.

Effective visualization is key to a powerful data story. Use charts, graphs, and infographics that best represent your data and support your narrative. Ensure these visuals are clear, accessible, and not overcrowded with information.

I get it, numbers and charts 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙗𝙚 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜. This is where visualization comes in – it helps to transform data into clear, memorable images! To create effective visuals, we need to focus on highlighting the most important insights. Next we should match the chart to the message! Different types of charts are better suited for different kinds of data. Eg. use bar graphs for comparisons, line graphs for trends, and pie charts for breakdowns. Lastly, label everything! Don't make your audience guess what they're looking at. Ensure titles, axes, and legends are easy to understand. Remember, visuals are there to enhance the story, not replace it.

I was trained by my mentor- for each slide or use of visuals- what's one core message you want others to remember? With this simple mental thought, it helps in reducing the complex details and avoiding data overload.

Once you have your data points, your visualisations and your narrative structure in place, you've arrived at the most important place in your storytelling process: The actual story. Ask yourself the following two questions to build it out: - What is interesting and engaging on a human level about the core data points you've selected as the theme for your story? - Which underlying stories do they tell? Look for the human experience behind the numbers and centre your data story around that. We pay most attention the stories we on some level recognise ourselves within - craft your story to make that experience as likely as possible for your audience.

𝘿𝙖𝙩𝙖 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙗𝙚 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙪𝙡, but it can also feel cold and impersonal! To truly connect with your audience, inject some warmth and personality into your story. To breathe life into your data, use storytelling techniques to weave anecdotes, case studies, or even humor to illustrate your points. Embrace a "voice", to infuse your presentation with your own personality and enthusiasm. Passion is contagious, and it will make your data story more engaging! By following these tips, you can transform your data from a dry report into a captivating story that resonates with your audience.

Only a human touch can bring numbers to life. Your voice, authenticity, and natural humor should guide the narrative. Illustrate points with personal stories that make your data tangible and relatable. Highlight why your data matters. Go beyond percentages to show the real-world stakes and human impact that connects your audience emotionally to the information. Don’t shy away from using humor, metaphors, or visuals to simplify complex concepts. Blend accuracy with relatability. By infusing your data presentation with genuine personality and relevant stories, your message becomes more memorable and impactful. Data is the structure, but your humanity is the soul that leaves a lasting impression.

Data doesn't have to be dry. Infuse your presentation with emotion and personality to make it memorable. Share why the data matters to you and potentially to your audience.

Every good stat impacts a person. Start with a person and let their story showcase the impact of the data. If your audience isn't data driven or struggles with numbers, finding a way to connect the main character to the data, will help them remember the data. I read that 5% of people remember stats and 68% remember stories...lol! The irony behind that statement is true and still the point is: people remember stories. Tell a story and connect it to the stat.

The more you write, the more you understand how you can make your stories easy to resonate for your audience. Practice also gives you the opportunity to revisit your older stories that not only help in identifying the areas to improve but also improves your overall storytelling skills. You can also try A/B testing by asking your audience their preference by writing the same story in different formats, adding different visuals etc.

Rehearse your presentation multiple times. This helps you to refine your pacing, discover sections that may need clarification, and feel more comfortable with the material.

If you are gearing up to a big pitch / presentation / report then absolutely practice it. That said if you follow a storytelling framework/ model .. dare I suggest the sprout model… then you will already be prepared for the big moment. Much of it is in how you construct your story… do that well and the rest will follow 💚🌱

Like any skill, mastering the art of data storytelling requires practice. Hone your craft through rehearsal, feedback, and iteration. Refine your delivery, tighten your narrative, and polish your visuals until they gleam with clarity and impact.

- Rehearse your data story multiple times before the actual presentation. This helps to fine-tune your delivery and build confidence. Practicing in front of a mirror or recording yourself can provide insights into your body language and voice modulation. 🎭 - Mastering the data and its context is crucial. 🔍 - Use visuals effectively, such as slides or graphs, to not only support your points but also to give you visual cues during your presentation, making it easier to remember key points and maintain flow. 📊 - Engaging the audience with interactive elements like polls or quizzes can also boost your confidence as a presenter, as these tools can help maintain audience interest and give you real-time feedback on their engagement. 📝

Your confidence can significantly influence how your message is received. Know your material well, believe in the story you're telling, and maintain a positive, engaging posture.

A lack of confidence during showtime can dim even the brightest presentations. But you can radiate confidence, even when nerves strike by embracing your expertise. Thanks to your diligent research and unique perspective, you are sharing insights that only you can provide. Your posture, eye contact, and gestures all speak volumes. Command the room with your presence, engage with conviction, and let your voice carry the weight of your knowledge. Embracing vulnerability can also help to fortify your audience connection. Acknowledging what you don't know humanizes you and makes your confidence more resonant. Blend deep preparation with authentic presence. Stand tall, own your narrative, and let your data story be not just seen, but felt.

Confidence is contagious. Stand tall, speak with conviction, and let your passion for the data shine through. When you exude confidence in your storytelling, your audience will trust in the insights you present, lending credibility to your message.

Data Integrity: Ensure your data is accurate and sourced reliably. Credibility is key. Engage Your Audience: Invite questions and encourage interaction to make your presentation a two-way conversation. Use Technology Wisely: Utilize presentation tools and technology to enhance your delivery but don't let them overshadow your message. Accessibility: Make sure your presentation is accessible to everyone in your audience, including those with disabilities.

Data plays a critical role in making a story reliable and convincing enough in business context. But how we present data also matters as we can maximise the impact by the right way of presentation. Let's say, if one were to talk about diversity of leadership, the usual way of saying could be something like, Only 12% of CXOs are women or people of color in US organisations. Instead it can be refined as, Only 1 in 10 CXOs are women or people of color in the US organisations. It can be further refined as, Executives with David as their first name outnumber the no. of women or people of color as CXOs in the US. The last one has more emotion and impact than the first approach when its presented in % terms.

Get the premise right. For example, the problem statement. Before we move into the recommendation, it's essential to be critical and tactful about calling out the problem statement. Perform validation on the problem statement. I've seen presentations failing because the problem statement is invalid, hence making the presentation flawed.

Beyond these foundational pillars, consider the broader context surrounding your data. What societal trends, cultural shifts, or external factors influence your narrative? Anticipate questions, address potential objections, and weave a narrative that not only informs but also inspires action and change.

This leads back to your previous steps. Storytelling, data or not, is a process which requires key layers to be delivered with impact. Respect your audience but remember they are individuals, have a clear direction and set your context, present your challenges and or opportunities and the action to address … then bring closure and clarity and a lasting impression which will be to the design you need. Data or not … storytelling is a process and a powerful one at that 💚🌱