Making Numbers Count
8 Days
·Cohort-based Course
Learn how to translate your numbers into clear, impactful messages
Making Numbers Count
8 Days
·Cohort-based Course
Learn how to translate your numbers into clear, impactful messages
Course overview
Turn numbers into clear, captivating insights—no graphs required
You're giving a presentation on climate change. Finally, you land on your big moment: "Livestock are responsible for 14.5% of global greenhouse-gas emissions." You look up to a few nods and a yawn.
You take this class. You present again. You say: “If cows were a country, they'd be the 3rd highest producer of greenhouse emissions in the world—behind only China and America.” 🇨🇳 🇺🇸 🐄
🚀 Understanding, interest, and a genuine conversation: that's the power of a "number translation."
🧠 Learn the principles of neuroscience behind communication—and why numbers are inherently un-sticky
📚 Practice a 4-part framework to transform messy data and overwhelming reports into clear messages
👟 Master a 3-part framework to turn any abstract idea into a motivating action
🫶 Get lots of hands-on feedback from someone who literally wrote the book on the topic
Who is this course for?
01
Writers, marketers, and professionals who want non-visual tools to express any quantitative or numerically-based idea
02
Data analysts, scientists, and numbers people looking to reach a broader, more general audience
03
Anyone who wants to think of number-related messaging as a fun creative challenge—not a mind-numbing chore
Key Outcomes
Understanding numbers in a completely different way
You'll learn the neuroscience behind numbers, how data and figures fall under the more general umbrella of communication—and you'll learn to love numbers.
Communication and presentation superpower
You won't just be learning how to make pretty graphs—you'll develop the ability to give your audience an "AHA!" moment, whether they're in the boardroom or reading at home.
Tailor messages for any audience
Need to reach a diverse group of people? You'll get research-based tips on how to maximize impact and make every point land.
An arsenal of tools and techniques
Deliverables, baby! This class includes a 35-page workbook.
Grow your professional network
You'll be in a cohort-based group of smart, interesting professionals whose work also bridges the worlds of numbers and words. You'll make contacts from around the world.
Level up your decision-making
Here's an unexpected treat: thanks to the newfound mindset shift in how you approach and think of numbers, you'll have an easier time making smarter choices.
Making Numbers Count
What people are saying
Sue York
Alex Rogers
Jason Bryll
Meet your instructor
Karla Starr
Coauthor, Making Numbers Count: The Art and Science of Communicating Numbers
Karla Starr is the coauthor of the bestselling Making Numbers Count, which she wrote with Chip Heath (Made to Stick, Switch). Her first book, Can You Learn to Be Lucky?, was a Fast Company book of the year.
She has taught data storytelling and information design with Section4 and given workshops on data communication to thousands of students at some of the world's largest organizations.
Course syllabus
01
Intro & Overview
- What are numbers, even? Why do our brains have such a hard time dealing with them? Why no one thinks they're a numbers person—and how to overcome that.
- Getting to Know Each Other Funsies
- Homework!
02
Simplify & Clarify
- Don't Highlight the Whole Chapter! We'll talk information hierarchies, formatting, data visualization, and finding your big idea.
- Clarity, now! In this class, we'll differentiate between abstract and concrete concepts.
- Intro to advanced techniques to hook your audience, spanning the worlds of neuroscience, storytelling, magic, and performance
03
Captivate & Motivate
- Make the Strange Familiar and the Familiar Strange: using number translations to overcome bias.
- Motivation Station: Learn the 3 simple steps to crafting an energizing message. (AREN'T YOU A LITTLE CURIOUS??)
04
Putting It All Together
Data is a pixel; real life is a movie. Data is an ingredient; real life is a dish. Context is EVERYTHING! This class will be a lively discussion where we share our projects, articles, presentations, and reports. I'll share best practices on how context changes the way we need to share and discuss our numbers.
Course schedule
3-5 hours per week
September 18-25, 2023
Monday, Wednesday, Saturday
1:00pm - 2:00pm EST
Weekly projects
Making Numbers Count cheat sheet
Here, we have a cheat sheet of the book!
Get this free resource
Learning is better with cohorts
Active hands-on learning
This course builds on live workshops and hands-on projects
Interactive and project-based
You’ll be interacting with other learners through breakout rooms and project teams
Learn with a cohort of peers
Join a community of like-minded people who want to learn and grow alongside you
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I can’t make a live session?
I work full-time, what is the expected time commitment?
Do you offer scholarships or purchasing power parity?
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