We believe in the power of stories to transform data into transformative actions.
This article presents best practices for creating impactful narratives based on facts and data, taking advantage of the best of available tools and techniques.
What is the purpose of your analysis?
Before starting to build your narrative, it's essential to define your purpose and the path you want your audience to take.
Ask yourself:
- What action do you want to inspire?
- Is it a simple and direct narrative?
- Or complex and contradictory, as a case for discussion?
The order of the factors alters the understanding:
- Present the data that lead to a conclusion at the end, ideal for engaging the audience.
- Start with the conclusion and show the data that supports it, efficient for busy audiences.
A practical tip is to sketch your story on paper or white board before using digital tools.
This helps you quickly identify problems in sequence or logic.
A story can combine more than one type, creating an engaging and dynamic narrative arc
Practice and adjust
As with any creative process, testing and reviewing your story is a crucial part of achieving clarity and efficiency:
- Check that each sequence makes sense on its own and within the set.
- Ask for feedback from colleagues in the Mapfry community
Keep it simple
An effective narrative prioritizes clarity and avoids excess elements.
Get straight to the point:
- Avoid including too many slides or long descriptive ones
- Make sure each narrative point is clear and relevant
- Don't embellish the narrative too much, be objective
Practical tips:
- Personalize the narrative: Use specific data to create a connection with the target audience.
- Contextualize with the market: Show how your data reflects local or global trends.
- Humanize insights: Relate the data to real customer or partner stories.
It's going to be good
We believe that well-structured stories, based on facts and data, have the power to influence decisions, engage teams, and drive results.
Keep exploring, testing, and refining your narratives, because the best way to captivate an audience is through clear, relevant, and truly impactful arguments!
Start counting yours today with Mapfry!