3 tips for data storytelling success
We’ve never had more data available at our fingertips than we do today. While this is exciting, it can also present a dilemma to business leaders – how do you filter out the noise and crunch the data to find the message you want?
Data Has A Story To Tell is the latest addition to a collection of papers published by Eyeful Presentations as part of our Eyeful Insights consultancy service. The service was set up with the aim to tackle all the problems and shortfalls of presentations that plague businesses of all varieties across the globe. The CSO of an international tech enterprise describe our most recent report as: “An excellent read – a valuable piece of research.”
While data is a valuable tool that can spark conversations, encourage debate and drive strategy, it’s important to remember that data is quantitative. In short, data relies on a narrator to give it an emotive backbone.
So how do you cross the chasm from dry data to engaging insights? Here are some tips and tricks from the experts at Eyeful:
Understand the power of when data and storytelling meet
Storytelling breathes life and insight into data, which is exactly what a presenter needs to explain, enlighten and keep the audience hooked by demonstrating a greater understanding of the data. The best data storytellers see numbers and statistics beyond their quantifiable nature and use the data to its full potential, recognising it as an opportunity to shape a connection with the audience, by building a story around the data that the audience can both challenge and empathise with.
Data visualisations vs Data storytelling
It is important to know the difference between data storytelling and data visualisation. Charts and infographics are a useful tool for short term impact, but they rarely deliver a powerful and long-lasting message. A good tip is to think of them as the punctuation marks of the story and the inclusion of powerful narrative facilitates a much more compelling and engaging conversation.
Message is key
Without having the narrative as the backbone to your presentation, presenting data will leave your audience thinking, “So what?” Be very selective with the data you choose to present and make sure it is relevant to your business and the message you are trying to convey. Too many business leaders miss the mark by overloading on numbers and statistic which are, let’s face it, irrelevant.
To learn more about how to bring your data to life through storytelling, download Data Has A Story To Tell here or get in touch with our presentation consultancy team.
