7 crucial tips to present your data effectively

Source: Tessa Davis

Most people suck at presenting data.

Instead of telling a story they throw numbers at the audience.

Here are 7 crucial tips to present your data effectively:

1: Tell a story with your data.

Presenting data is EXACTLY THE SAME as any other type of presentation.

You need to draw your audience in with storytelling.

Find these 3 things:

• Setup
• Conflict
• Resolution

Take time to find the story in your data before create slides.

2: Never use a single number.

The best presenters know that a single number makes no sense.

Instead COMPARE for more meaning.

“865 subscribers” is meaningless on its own.

But comparison figures give context and help the audience understand you.

3: Provide a focal point.

When we look at a complex chart our eyes dart all over the place.

So, highlight a specific area to channel the audience’s attention.

It tells them where to look and what’s important.

 

4: Use contrast.

99% of the time when I look at a data slide, I have NO IDEA what it’s supposed to be telling me.

Contrast helps draw the eye.

Contrast with:

• Size
• Color
• Orientation

They all make it easier to make sense of data.

5: Maintain consistency.

Too often slides have charts that are totally inconsistent.

Presenters just cut + paste.

Instead, take time to create charts yourself.

Maintain consistency of:

• Color
• Font
• Size

This makes it dead-simple for the audience to read + interpret.

6: Choose the right type chart type.

The choice of chart is critical.

Most people just choose a pie chart.

Don’t do this.

Consider what best represents the story you’re telling.

7: Use a QR code not a full reference.

Ever seen the horror of a slide with a screenshot of a journal article?

The audience:

• Can’t read it
• Struggles to write the ref down
• Forgets to look up the paper later

Instead, show a QR code of the article for them to open.

TL;DR 7 ways to present data that actually makes sense

• Tell a story with your data
• Never use a single number
• Highlight a focal point
• Use contrast
• Maintain consistency
• Choose the right chart type
• Use a QR code not a full reference