Data Storytelling - Building an Impactful Narrative from Data
Bill Shander
30+ years experience, and taught 2M+
Data storytelling isn't a fad, it's a REQUIREMENT
Sharing data is pointless, unless it's expressed in a way that resonates and is, therefore, memorable.
Stories connect. Facts slip away.
Learn how to take facts and statistics and any data and package them into a narrative that enables decision-making and understanding, no matter how complex the underlying data. And this process is actually quite simple.
You already know how to do it. It's just been taught out of you. You forget to do it when dealing with data. My job is mostly to remind you to do what you already know how to do. To reconnect that muscle to your data work.
You will learn some specific storytelling techniques that you may never have heard before, but will make perfect sense, not matter if you have extensive or zero experience learning storytelling in another context.
What you’ll learn
Data communications isn't about sharing data points. The goal is providing insights and explaining ideas.
Successful data stories don't live in a bubble, they're being prepared FOR someone, who has a need/goal. You need to understand first.
Learn to conduct the conversations that unearth REAL needs that can be translated into effective data stories
While not about data analytics, learn the subtle mindset shift needed to identify "story" as opposed to "data findings"
Differentiate between the need for short-, medium-, or long-form content (and why), to drive the narrative approach
Focus on the three legs of the stool that underpin every data story: the data itself, the audience need, and your point of view/perspetive
Create an outline of the narrative, to which you can attach content later
Understand the difference between a narrative and a collection of facts
Craft a story using a simple failsafe approach that will feel natural to anyone
Identify alternative approaches to the narrative and test them
Identify which parts of the narrative will be best supported with visuals or other supporting materials
Workshop agenda
Why We're Here
A brief overview of the topic at hand and WHY it's mission-critical for anyone sharing data with stakeholders
Introductions
Brief introductions between Bill and workshop participants
The 4X4 Model for Knowledge Content
A short talk about identifying the four levels of content we tend to create, what each one does, and how they build on each other. We also explore the idea of finding the story in the data here.
The KWYs
A short talk on the 3 focal points that underpin any data story and can begin to answer every question you have during the process of creating one.
4X4 and KWYs Exercise
A short headline writing exercise to begin to create the foundation for your data story, considering the 4X4 Model and the KWYs.
Storytelling
A very simple but extremely actionable definition of story, which points directly to applicable storytelling techniques. We also cover some other storytelling lessons, tips and tricks.
Storytelling Exercise
Build a data story based on a data set, starting with an outline, and moving on to a narrative
Transitioning to Presentation
We won't be teaching data visualization in this workshop, but we will explore how to identify the components of a data story that will be best served with visuals or other supporting materials.
Learn directly from Bill
Bill Shander
Author, educator, information designer; LinkedIn Learning instructor: 2M+ taught
Who this workshop is for
Data analytics professionals who are good with the data, but need help communicating their findings to stakeholders
Knowledge workers who may not be as comfortable with data, so whatever comms skills they have go out the window when data is the subject
Early career professionals up to mid-level managers looking to get ahead in their careers, building a key skill for today and the future
What's included
Live sessions
Learn directly from Bill Shander in a real-time, interactive format.
Lifetime access
Go back to course content and recordings whenever you need to.
Community of peers
Stay accountable and share insights with like-minded professionals.
Certificate of completion
Share your new skills with your employer or on LinkedIn.
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