The Data Storyteller's Handbook: How to create business impact using data storytelling

by Kat Greenbrook

Have you ever been asked to “tell a story” with your data but weren’t sure where to start? Many books touch on the subject of storytelling but few go into detail on how to actually do this.

The Data Storyteller’s Handbook is your practical, illustrated guide to becoming a skilled Data Storyteller. Based on a proven workshop structure and designed for busy professionals, it's the perfect resource to quickly enhance your data communication skills.

This handbook will help:

* Understand how your work contributes to business success, enabling you to communicate, collaborate, and influence within your organisation.

* Build empathy for your audience, making your data storytelling resonate.

* Find story building blocks from your data analysis, understanding what data is part of what story to help you communicate a clear message.

* Write an engaging and compelling data narrative that weaves data around context and explanation.

* Use visuals to convey your data story with maximum impact, emphasising communication over aesthetics.

Author Kat Greenbrook is a Data Storyteller from Aotearoa, New Zealand. She is a consultant, workshop facilitator, industry speaker, and founder of data storytelling company Rogue Penguin. Throughout her career, Kat has pushed data communication boundaries. With a unique blend of science, business, and design, she empowers data professionals to communicate data effectively through storytelling.

Whether you're a data analyst or simply someone who wants to better communicate data, The Data Storyteller’s Handbook is your ultimate guide to creating business impact by telling data stories.

Praise for The Data Storyteller's Handbook

"The Data Storyteller’s Handbook is an incredible resource that will inspire a new generation of storytellers to find enchantment in numbers and share their learnings with the world."—Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic, bestselling author of storytelling with data, let’s practice!, and storytelling with you

“This is a wonderfully accessible and ever-so-thoughtfully constructed book. It will fully enlighten those who are new to this world, but inject so many fresh ideas for those who are not. It is a vital offering for anyone who has to communicate data. The world of data will be a better place for this book existing!”—Andy Kirk, author of Data A Handbook for Data Driven Design

"Kat Greenbrook’s The Data Storyteller’s Handbook is an insightful, practical resource for anyone looking to build and tell data stories. She does a great job of clarifying the purpose of data stories and provides straightforward guidance on how to craft stories with data."—Brent Dykes, author of Effective Data How to drive change with data, narrative and visuals

"This is an excellent book for the challenge of converting data into a well-told story because Kat Greenbrook has exactly the critical mind needed for the job."—Randy Olson, author of Houston We Have A Why Science Needs Story

Genres: Business, Nonfiction

402 pages, Paperback

Published December 4, 2023

Reviews

[Tania · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredible at taking some concepts that have just never really clicked for me before, and brought them to life. The pace is steady and the visual design is effective. It's the type of book I'll be sharing far and wide, the new gospel of 2024.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Using simple concepts and clear communication, this book is a great guide to starting out in the world of data storytelling. Rather than focus on simply data visualisation techniques, it helpfully sets out how to shape your data into a story which makes an impact, a much needed skill.
Colourful and engaging, easy to read cover to cover or dip into as required.

[Alejandro · Rating 5 out of 5]

The "Data Storyteller's Handbook" is an essential read for anyone looking to transform raw data into compelling narratives. The book breaks down complex concepts into easy-to-understand sections, making it accessible even for those new to data visualisation. The practical tips and real-world examples provided are incredibly valuable, offering clear guidance on how to effectively communicate insights. I found the chapter on visual storytelling particularly enlightening, as it emphasized the importance of design principles in data visualization. Overall, this handbook is not just informative but also inspiring, encouraging readers to think creatively about how they present data. Highly recommended for professionals and enthusiasts alike!

[Zefania Moses · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just Read the book from my friend's kindle, and I can say the book is worth reading, I wish I had enough time with my friend to atleast read it all. Data storytelling ia among of contemporary issues in data viz and data analysis at large. I am not financially stable at the Moment to purchase the book, but at anytime this is my first priority book in 2024. And I would like to agree with Kat that "let data lead you, don't lead the data". This book is worth for all professionals, business, Non Profit, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist like myself, data analysts etc.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read a few books on data storytelling and this book is hands down the best out there. A lot of the other books contain images here and there, but Kat Greenbrook's really tells the story through the visuals and practices what it preaches! The designs are absolutely adorable and make it easy to understand the content. The writing is also clear and simple, not jargony or waffly. Overall, it made the whole topic of telling data stories much clearer to me. Highly recommended for any data storyteller or anyone who has this as part of their role!

[Grace Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be very approachable. The layout, language and topics were easily understood. I found this book to be helpful with how I think about sharing data, however I feel I might have found it more useful if I read it in the middle of my data career rather than at the very beginning (so I could relate it to my own experiences and needs).

Given how easily read it was and that there were useful take aways I would recommend this book. Even if you feel out of your depth with statistical books, I promise this one will make you feel welcomed.

[Sam Sewell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! A clear set of messages and themes to help anyone communicate and message for change. Superbly well written, frank, easy to understand this resource gives you tools and techniques to be deliberate in using information and data for a purpose. Unironically, for a handbook which covers communication, the book communicates confidently and clearly to the reader in a way which demonstrates the authors comprehensive understanding of the topic!

[Frank Onyango · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't have been happier to have come across this book. One problem with most data storytelling book is that they weave into and out of the essence and process of data storytelling. This book is singular and particular in its purpose and direction. It is is also quite easy to read, understand and recall its message. Although it is undoubtedly written with data practitioners in mind, I would also recommend for other creatives whose work involves visual storytelling.

[Siobhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Data Storyteller’s Handbook is transformative! It introduced me to new ways to think about communicating data, and also boiled down some ideas I’ve had about communicating data into easy to understand tools and frameworks. As a Public Health Epidemiologist, this feels like essential reading. I look forward to creating my own data stories!

[Roya G · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you seek to put your research out there and think of effective ways, think no further! Because The Data Storyteller's Handbook covered how to do it effectively with practical guidance. I highly recommend it to anyone who values the impact of their research.

[Qusay Sunjoq · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book (guide book) is important for all data speakers. This book help you to improve your communication with colleagues, managers, and clients through data.

[Kirstin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I'd had this book 20 years ago.

It's not often you find a book that is so good at explaining data. If you think you 'know data', this book will help you understand Data Storytelling.

[Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

useful stuff, helping for telling a narrative and creating something impactful.

[Tania · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredible at taking some concepts that have just never really clicked for me before, and brought them to life. The pace is steady and the visual design is effective. It's the type of book I'll be sharing far and wide, the new gospel of 2024.