Make your data sing in 3 steps

1. Cut

Numbers are chocolate for the brain. Too much, and you get sick. Cut the number of data points you’ll share.

2. Connect

Connect it to something that is easily understood.

3. Create

Create a memorable story that’s easy for others to share.

How might you compare millionaires vs billionaires?

1. Cut

CUT: Ave millionaire worth 1.6 mil.
CUT: Ave billionaire worth 4.1 bil
CUT: Bezos: 175 bil,
1 mil vs 1 bil

2. Connect

It’s hard to relate to a billion dollars.  It’s easy to relate to time.

3. Create

1 million seconds is about 11 days. 1 billion seconds is about 32 years. The difference is massive. That’s why we should encourage billionaires to do more.

How might you show how serious mental illness is?

1. Cut

In the US, mental illness affects 1 in 5 Americans every year.

CUT: 1/5 children seriously
CUT: 1/25 adults seriously
CUT: More than 50% will be diagnosed in their lifetime.

2. Connect

20% is too abstract. 1 in 5 is better. We all know at least 5 people.  1 out of 5 friends strikes at the heart.

3. Create

Think of the 5 people closest to you. One of them is likely experiencing mental illness this year.

Tips

Accuracy

Precise numbers give credibility but are harder to remember.

Instead of percentages, try 1 out of ____.

Create impact

Connect numbers to familiar and loved things, like family and favorite activities.

Show significance

Show how big or small the number is by contrasting it with something else.​

Questions to ask yourself

Are these numbers large or small?
Is there an emotional punch?
What image does it make?

What’s surprising about it?
How memorable is it?
How will people react?