Make it Stick

A nagging concern of speakers is “Will they remember what I said?” or “How do I make my content stick?” Presenting data alone is the least effective method. Or, you can present material with visuals, so the brain works harder connecting the two. But in over twenty-five years of training, we’ve found there is a better method to make an audience feel, be persuaded and remember your presentation.

It’s emotional context. We know that decisions are emotion-based, which is how we’ve survived as a species. If you connect a word picture, photo or slide with what it felt like, the data sticks. A recent NY Times article cited a story about the July 4th Guadalupe River flooding that killed children at Camp Mystic. First, the writer’s description set the scene: “I latched onto a tree with branches large enough to support me…” Then she takes us into her state of mind: “I considered the possibility of death. I thought, if I survive, I’ll be the only one. I contemplated life without my husband, my dad, my sister, her family. And how could the kids survive what I’d just endured?” 

When you deliver a PowerPoint; a description of your services; or a client example, don’t forget to include how it emotionally affected you or the client. Without emotional context, an audience won’t empathize with the characters in your story or won’t be as likely to take the action that you are advocating. Paint pictures with feeling.

p.s. Thank you to all who wrote, concerned about Deborah’s accident detailed in last week’s tip. We’re happy to report she is almost totally healed!