Presentations that consist mainly of data are often dull and very hard to follow, I have personally seen audiences disengage within the first minute of a presentation starting and it is really hard to get them back once this happens. Luckily, I can tell you that it doesn’t have to be like that and if you have a data based presentation to do you should consider using Storytelling to transform your data into a compelling narrative that captivates your audience.
In this article, I will outline my step by step process to using storytelling to create an engaging presentation that not only presents the necessary information clearly but also resonates with your audience, making your data memorable and actionable
Understand Your Audience
The first step in creating a compelling story is knowing your audience. Before you even start moulding your data presentation, take the time to understand who you will be presenting to. What are their interests, knowledge level, and pain points? Tailoring your story to your audience ensures that your data will be relevant and relatable.
Define Your Message
Every good story has a clear message or moral. In the context of data presentations, your message should be the key insight or takeaway you want your audience to remember. Remember, most research tells us that we forget 90% of what we are told in a presentation, you need to decide what 10% you want your audience to remember. What is the one thing you want them to understand from your data? Define this message early on, and it will guide the entire narrative
Choose The Right Data
Not all data is created equal. Focus on the data that drives your message and select the most relevant data points that support it.
Too much data will overwhelm your audience, if it doesn’t form part of the story or isn’t guiding them towards the message that you want to deliver, don’t use it. You might have some really interesting data but you need to ask yourself if it supports your main message.
If it doesn’t, delete it as it will only serve to distract your audience from what you want to tell them
Form a Compelling Story line
Now that you have your message defined and selected the best data, it’s time to weave them into a compelling story. Start with a hook or an intriguing question or a strange statistic that piques your audience’s curiosity. Then, follow a structured storyline with a beginning, middle, and end. Depending on the type of message there are various types of storylines you can use but the most common story for data I have used is “The Mountain”, you start by outlining the problem, the middle involves taking people on the journey through the data highlighting the issues and the end is where you reach the summit with the audience by showing them the solutlion
Create an Emotional Connection
To make your presentation even more memorable you need to tap into your audiences emotions. People are more likely to remember information that triggers an emotional response so share stories of individuals or businesses that have been impacted by the data you’re presenting. Whether it’s success stories or challenges overcome, emotions add depth to your narrative and make them personal.
Engage with Visuals
Visual aids are crucial in data presentations. Use charts, graphs, and images to support your narrative and make complex data more accessible. Ensure that your visuals are clear, easy to understand, and directly related to the points you’re making in your story.
The same rule applies to when choosing data, it doesn’t matter how good the infographic is or how much you like it. If it doesnt contribute to your story, delete it.
Keep it Simple
Avoid jargon and overly technical language. Data can be hard to follow at the best of times so you need to keep your presentation simple and straightforward. Use plain language that anyone can understand. If you must use technical terms, be sure to explain them in a way that doesn’t alienate your audience.
Build Suspense and Resolution
A great story often includes elements of suspense and resolution. In your data presentation, you can build suspense by first outlining the problem and then gradually revealing data points or insights. This will leave your audience wanting to know more, and then you can provide the resolution by tying it back to your message
Finish with a Clear Message
Every good story has a conclusion, and your data presentation should be no different. Summarize your key message and end with either a clear call to action if that is your message or a takeaway of the main points.
What do you want your audience to do or think after your presentation? Make it clear, concise and actionable. Remember that your audience will forget 90% of what you told them, this is your chance to ensure they remember the 10% that you want them to
You Can Do This
Incorporating storytelling into your data presentations will transform them from boring data dumps that could have just been emailed into engaging, memorable presentations. By understanding your audience and using the steps above to form a compelling narrative, you can create presentations that not only inform but are also enjoyable to watch. So, the next time you need to present data, remember how you would like to be presented to and use the power of storytelling to make your message stick and your insights resonate. Happy storytelling!
I would really like to hear your thoughts on this so please feel free to leave your feedback below
Pete