Today’s question is:
How can you lighten up data-heavy presentations without making the presentation feel light-weight?
There are a few tried-and-tested ideas that go a long way to making data-heavy presentations easier to digest.
And all of them have one thing in common: Breaking it down into bite-sized bits.
It’s logical. And it’s doable, if you keep a few points in mind.
1. Go graphic
By which we mean simply use graphs! Graphs, charts, pie-charts… wait!
Did you know there were 44 types of graphs?
https://visme.co/blog/types-of-graphs/
Well, now you do. So, next time you’re faced with the challenge of presenting an overload of statistics, you’ll have no excuse not to know how!
2. Go infographic
For all the reasons that have been brilliantly encapsulated below, in an infographic (of course!)
https://neomam.com/interactive/13reasons/
3. Visualize
We’ve said this before, we’ll say it again: the best way to ensure that complicated data gets easily understood is to provide visual support wherever possible…
And because there’s nothing better than learning from the masters, here’s some recommended reading (yes, that too) to help you max this:
https://www.januaryadvisors.com/top-five-books-data-visualization/
4. Summarize
Sounds like a no-brainer, doesn’t it? Why then do we sometimes forget that every presentation needs a conclusion? And while in a more story-driven presentation, you could simply end with a powerful quote or memorable incident, we suggest you summarize a data-heavy presentation with a single slide containing not more than 5 key takeaways.
And yes: post-presentation – sharing a physical printout (or virtual copy) of the data you presented might be a very good idea! So that the people you have just impressed in the room with your presentation will be just as impressed by the numbers… and the way it all adds up!
Good luck. Go figure!