Brent Dykes's LinkedIn Strategy, Author of Effective Data…

Whenever your chart uses a legend, you add cognitive load to the equation. It may seem like a minor inconvenience if someone has to glance back and forth between a chart and its legend, but those lit…

LinkedIn post image: Whenever your chart uses a legend, you add cognitive load to the equation.

724652016 viral

Data Visualization11 months ago

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A single statistic in isolation doesn’t communicate much. A number like 68% might look impressive, but without context, it’s an empty figure. What gives a number meaning is comparison. Without a co…

LinkedIn post image: A single statistic in isolation doesn’t communicate much.

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Data Storytelling10 months ago

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Some people feel uncomfortable steering the audience toward a particular takeaway. They worry that data storytelling isn’t “objective” and feel that the data should simply speak for itself. What the…

LinkedIn post image: Some people feel uncomfortable steering the audience toward a particular takeaway.

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Data Storytelling11 months ago

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Many people continue to believe dashboards tell data stories. They don’t. And they were never designed to (despite what tool vendors say). Dashboards are great for monitoring key metrics and helping…

LinkedIn post image: Many people continue to believe dashboards tell data stories.

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Data Analytics10 months ago

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Most executives support using data—until the data tells a story they don’t want to hear. When results fall short of expectations, leaders react. And those reactions can either shut down an insight or…

LinkedIn post image: Most executives support using data—until the data tells a story they don’t want to hear.

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Data Analytics10 months ago

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I’m sorry, but a chart isn’t a data story. It’s just a piece. When you share a single chart without context, your audience is forced to assemble the rest of the puzzle on their own. And most of the…

LinkedIn post image: I’m sorry, but a chart isn’t a data story. It’s just a piece.

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Data Storytelling11 months ago

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Topics & Content Focus

Primary Topics

Practical data storytelling for business decision-makersExecutive psychology and stakeholder reactions to analyticsContext, comparison, and narrative framing in quantitative communicationLimits of dashboards and BI tools for persuasive communicationEducation and training offers in data storytelling and data culture

Secondary Themes

Handling uncomfortable or politically sensitive insights with leadersDesigning comparisons that create narrative tension (targets, history, benchmarks)Bridging the gap between monitoring dashboards and action-driving presentationsBuilding data culture through better communication, not just toolsUpskilling analysts, marketers, and managers via courses, workshops, and webinars

Industry Focus

Enterprise analytics and business intelligence teamsB2B leadership and decision-making in data-rich organizationsCorporate data culture, especially in mid-to-large companiesKnowledge workers who regularly present metrics to executives (analysts, marketers, managers, consultants)

Content Categories

Educational frameworks and mental models about data communicationMyth-busting and contrarian takes on dashboards and BI toolingApplied communication psychology for executives and stakeholdersEvent promotion (webinars and workshops) around data storytellingDirect promotion of on-demand courses and training products

Performance Insights

252.9%

Avg Engagement Rate

STABLE

Performance Trend

Best Performing Topics

Educational breakdowns of data storytelling techniques (e.g., context and comparison)Deconstructing why dashboards fail to communicate narrative and drive actionContent that ties a simple number or example to multiple interpretations via framing

Virality Signals

Above-average shares and comments on posts that provide simple, portable frameworks or diagramsHigh comment volume when the post ends with a specific, experience-based question to practitionersStronger reach when content critiques widely adopted tools (like dashboards) and offers a clearer path forwardEngagement spikes when posts focus on universal pain points like executive defensiveness or unclear KPIs

Structure & Quality

350

Avg Length (Words)

HIGH

Depth Level

ADVANCED

Expertise Level

8/10

Uniqueness Score

Common Hooks

Clear, contrarian opening that challenges a common belief (e.g., dashboards do not tell stories)Simple, declarative statement that reframes a familiar concept (e.g., a single metric is meaningless without context)Observation about executive behavior or human psychology around dataStating a common misconception and immediately undermining it with experience-based insight

Common Endings

Open-ended questions inviting readers to share experiences or favorite approachesStack of soft CTAs to newsletter, masterclass, and workshops after the main value deliveryDirect registration or purchase link when promoting webinars or coursesSubtle reminder of broader content ecosystem (newsletter, book, masterclass, workshops)

Value Delivery Methods

Translating abstract communication theory into concrete steps for presenting data to leadersNaming and categorizing common executive reactions to insights to make them more manageableClarifying how to use context and comparison to turn raw numbers into meaningful narrativesShowing the structural difference between monitoring dashboards and persuasive data storiesProviding pathways for further mastery via structured learning (courses, webinars, workshops)

Formatting Style

Short paragraphs with generous line breaks for scannabilityBullet lists using emojis as visual anchors for pointsClear sectioning with labels like 'Defensive reactions' vs 'Constructive reactions'Use of arrows and icons to signal direction and emphasisOccasional bold or stylized text to highlight key concepts and terms

Audience & Tone

YES

Question Usage

0.1%

Response Rate

Detected Tone

Analytical educatorPragmatic consultantEmpathetic toward executive and organizational realitiesMyth-busting expert challenging surface-level analytics practicessemi-formalfirst-person

Interaction Style

Educational and consultative, inviting readers to reflect on their own organizationsExperience-sharing prompts that encourage stories from practitionersNon-judgmental framing of common mistakes, which lowers defensiveness and boosts participationSubtle community-building around the identity of 'data storytellers' and analytics professionals

Community Building Signals

Consistent use of shared language like 'data storytelling' and 'data culture' to create an identity anchorFrequent prompts for readers to share specific examples, normalizing discussion of failures and successesIntegration of newsletters, webinars, and masterclasses to move followers into a broader learning ecosystem

Writing Style Patterns

Content Strategy

Hook: Clear, contrarian opening that challenges a common belief (eTone: semi-formalCTA: Educational CTAs that position further content as

Writing style breakdown

Core characteristics

Professional, educational, and highly structured.

Conversational but polished; feels like a seasoned consultant or instructor addressing practitioners.

Strongly informative and explanatory, with light persuasive framing (guiding toward best practices or offerings).

Not poetic or flowery; clear, concrete, and concept-focused.

The voice projects authority without arrogance: “In my work, I’ve seen…”, “I often…”, “I’ll break down…”.

Formality

Medium-formal: clear sentences, correct grammar, professional vocabulary.

Still accessible: uses contractions (“don’t”, “won’t”, “I’m”) and occasional colloquial phrases (“head-on”, “sea of data noise”, “the data should simply speak for itself”).

No slang, no coarse language.

Emotional tone and energy

Calm, steady, and confident rather than hyped or dramatic.

Moderate energy: enough emphasis to keep attention, but not breathless.

- Frequently uses phrases that balance reality with encouragement

But let’s be honest…

That’s not manipulation—it’s focused communication.

Tone is constructive and optimistic: even when pointing out misconceptions, it focuses on solutions and better practices.

- Frequent use of

Rhetorical questions, especially at the beginning (to frame issues) and at the end (to invite engagement).

Parallel structures and repeated patterns (“Why it matters / What caused it / How it fits / What to do next”).

Conceptual contrasts (dashboards vs stories, chart vs story, number vs context, resistance vs curiosity).

- Distilled “thesis” lines isolated as single-sentence paragraphs

Direct labeling is a simple fix.

That’s the power of comparison.

A single statistic in isolation doesn’t communicate much.

- Uses metaphors sparingly, but when present they are simple and functional

Puzzle piece vs full picture.

Sea of data noise.

- A recurring motif is transformation

move from resistance to curiosity

bridge the gap

turn numbers into compelling stories

transform data into engaging stories

Addressing the reader

Dominant perspective: Second person (“you”) to address practitioners directly.

- First person singular (“I”) to

Reference experience (“In my work, I’ve seen…”, “I often direct label my charts…”).

Announce events or offers (“I’ll break down why dashboards…”, “I’m excited to offer…”).

Occasional first person plural to connect professionally (“we enter Thanksgiving”, “we place numbers side by side”).

- Commands are usually gentle but clear

Think about how you’re leveraging contrast…

Don’t let it go unused.

Prefers clear nudges over hedgy suggestions, but phrasing remains respectful, not bossy.

- Frequently uses empathy statements

But let’s be honest…

They worry that…

What they don’t realize is this:

Brent Dykes

Warm Analysis

Performance Overview

Top Posts by Engagement

Posting Patterns & Frequency

Best Performing Days

Best Performing Times To Post