Sentiment scores are powerful, but only when understood. Stakeholders—from executives to investors—need clarity on what scores mean, how they’re generated, and why they matter.

This article offers a framework for explaining sentiment insights in a way that builds trust and drives action.


1. Start with the Basics

Explain that sentiment scores represent how a company is perceived across trusted media, NGO reports, and regulatory sources. Scores usually range from -1 (very negative) to +1 (very positive).


2. Clarify the Source Data

  • Mention the types of content analyzed — e.g., news articles, earnings call transcripts, ESG publications.
  • Emphasize the credibility and diversity of sources used.

3. Describe the Scoring Method

  • Explain NLP techniques and how positive/negative language is detected.
  • Note any weighting by source reliability or topic relevance.

4. Put Scores in Context

  • Compare current scores to peer companies or past performance.
  • Highlight topic-level scores (e.g. ESG, governance, innovation).

5. Use Visual Aids

Dashboards, trend lines, and heat maps can make sentiment changes easier to digest. Visualizations reduce abstraction and increase engagement.


6. Anticipate Common Questions

  • “Why is our sentiment negative despite no scandal?”
  • “How do we know if the data is biased?”
  • “What actions should we take based on this score?”

Final Thoughts

Sentiment insights are only as valuable as they are understandable. By demystifying the data, you empower stakeholders to make informed decisions and embrace sentiment as part of their strategic toolkit.

Learn how Sentalyse helps communicate sentiment data with clarity and impact.