A Guide to Writing an amazing Power BI Contest Submission Blog Post

[Sahir_Maharaj]

Creating a Power BI report is only half the story. How you tell the story behind your data (your design choices, your analytical thinking, and how users interact with your report)  matters just as much. A well-written blog post can turn your report into an amazing journey, make it easier for judges and peers to understand your process, and inspire others in the Power BI community.

I like to think of a creating a blog post as the bridge between your work and the audience. A great report without context can feel like a puzzle without a picture. But when you explain your reasoning, it becomes more than just data, it becomes insight.

Structure of a Strong Submission

A great blog post is structured like a narrative - a clear journey from start to finish. Here's the typical flow I would follow (but feel free to create your own!)

1. Opening Statement
2. Tools and Approach
3. Report Walkthrough (with visuals or explanations)
4. Challenges and Lessons Learned
5. Link to Your LinkedIn (or Portfolio)

I find that this structure helps readers follow your thought process and appreciate the effort behind your report.

If you're stuck, think of each section like you're telling a story to a friend or colleague:

• What was the idea?
• How did you build it?
• What did you discover?

Source: Sahir Maharaj

1. Opening Statement

Being transparent helps others relate to your experience and shows that every submission has a personal touch.

Start with 2 - 3 sentences that answer:

• What inspired you to enter this challenge?
• How did you interpret the theme?
• What story did you want to tell with the data?

Example:

"I wanted to explore how different age groups approach financial decisions in a digital world. My goal was to create a report that’s both visually engaging and easy for anyone to understand - whether you’re a data enthusiast or just someone curious about trends."

You can also mention if this is your first contest, or if it’s a topic you’re personally interested in. Don’t be afraid to add a bit of emotion or storytelling here (I believe it sets the tone for everything that follows!)

Source: Sahir Maharaj

2. Tools and Approach (Keep It Simple)

My recommendation is to keep it light. You don’t need to sound technical to sound professional.

I would start by mentioning:

• The tools used (Power BI Desktop, Excel, DAX)
• Whether you used built-in visuals only (many judges appreciate this)
• Any notable techniques or features

Example:
"I used Power BI Desktop for everything - from transforming the data to building the visuals. I focused on using default visuals only to showcase what’s possible without any external add-ons."

If you used DAX for calculated measures or played around with bookmarks, tooltips, or custom navigation features, mention it. Even something as small as “I used a slicer to allow filtering by region” shows thoughtfulness. This section helps the community understand the boundaries and capabilities you worked within.

Source: Sahir Maharaj

3. Report Walkthrough

I like to think of this as the core of your post. Use headings and short sections to explain each part of your report.

For each page or tab:

1. Give the section a descriptive title.
2. Briefly explain what you wanted to explore.

Example:

"I started by exploring how different age groups prioritize their finances. Using a column chart segmented by generation, I showed that Gen Z is more focused on saving, while Millennials prioritize investments. This helps highlight how financial behavior changes across life stages."

Try not to overwhelm the reader with technical descriptions. Instead, focus on what the user sees and learns from each section. Aim to make this portion feel like a guided tour - as if you’re walking the judge or user through each room in your report, explaining why it was built that way.

Source: Sahir Maharaj

4. Challenges and Lessons Learned

This is section that I believe most people will learn the most from as it shows your growth mindset (even if you’re new to Power BI). Perhaps talk about:

• What was tricky or unexpected?
• How did you solve it?
• What would you improve next time?

Example:
"Initially, I struggled with getting the tooltip to display correctly for mobile view. After some testing and adjustments in the format pane, I got it working. This reminded me how important it is to design for all screen sizes, especially for users who check reports on their phones."

You don’t have to be an expert to have insights. Reflecting on what went wrong and how you handled it shows maturity in your process. It also helps judges see that you’re thoughtful and resilient, not just skilled.

Source: Sahir Maharaj

5. Link to Contact

This is your chance to grow your network - many people who view your report may want to follow your work or reach out to collaborate.

My recommendation is to always include:

• Your LinkedIn or portfolio for people to connect with you

Example:
🔗 Connect on LinkedIn

Source: Sahir Maharaj

Final Thoughts

If you’re thinking about entering a Power BI contest but feel unsure or new to it - just go for it. You don’t have to be an expert to start, and every attempt helps you improve. I’ve learned that the Power BI community is one of the most welcoming spaces out there, and your perspective matters. You never know who might be inspired by your work!

Thanks for taking the time to read my post! I’d love to hear what you think and connect with you too 🙂

[Rufyda]

 Hi  Sahir_Maharaj 

Thank you so much for these valuable and inspiring tips.

Honestly, I was feeling a bit unsure about how to present my work in a professional and engaging way, but your guide gave me a clear structure and helped me organize my thoughts in a way that makes it easier for others to understand and appreciate the effort behind the report.

What stood out to me the most was the emphasis on telling the story behind the data and adding a personal touch — that’s something I’ll definitely keep in mind for my upcoming submission.

I truly appreciate you sharing this kind of supportive content, and I’m looking forward to sharing my report soon based on your guidance.