To Be Remembered

Having been lectured at in schools, and at universities and have always found the spoken word hard to remember.

         I found visual impressions last longer than words – that’s why you make notes.

         Research has shown that most audiences remember about 20% of what they hear and about 80% of what they see.  That’s why you should use visuals if you want your message to be remembered.

         Having carried out recall exercises in many countries I got similar results.  

         If you use a visual aid when you are talking to an audience you are more likely to have your message remembered.

A Handful of Tips to improve your next presentation

* The Venue         

         Check the blackout facilities.

         Check the equipment to make sure it is compatible with your machine.

         Make sure you have the right plugs and cords.

* Show the best   

         Show only the best visuals – leave out the rest.  Each presentation should have a single message.

         Don’t use complicated charts that are hard to read.

         Explain the visual when you first project it. Remove it as soon as you finish discussing it.

         A good visual can do a lot of talking for you, especially if you are setting a scene, such as the damage caused by war, a cyclone, or an earthquake.  

         Complex messages such as detailed graphs and large lists of figures should be given out as handouts and not projected onto a screen.  

*  All people must see

         Many presentations are ruined by people not being able to see the visual aid or to read the figures, or words.

         Before you start your next presentation set up a visual on your screen and go to the back of the room to see if your message is clear.        

         Check the seating arrangements and the size, height and location of the screen.

         When preparing visual aids for projecting, pay special attention to the text – the amount, the size and the colour combinations. 

         Use primary bold contrasting colours so your message can be seen easily.  (About 8% of men are colour-blind so be aware of red/green problems.)

         Use combinations such as black or dark blue lettering on a white or yellow background.       Don’t use pastel colours.

         Don’t clutter your visuals.

         Keep your message bold with no distractions.

         Avoid using fancy, distracting visuals with messages flying in and out.

         Keep your message simple to reinforce your spoken message.

         Allow sufficient time for the audience to study each visual. Don’t read out your message.

*  Talk to your audience

         Try not to lose eye contact with the audience. Don’t talk to the screen. You are the main visual aid so keep facing your audience.

         A shacking laser pointer tends to distract from your message.

*  Set up early

         Check your equipment for compatibility and to check your visuals for clear viewing. 

         It’s wise to prepare a backup plan in case you have a technical problem – it often happens.

         Before you start tell your audience if you have handouts to be distributed after your talk. 

         When preparing your next presentation remember, showing is more effective than telling. 

Geoffrey Moss(mossassociates.co.nz)

“Seeing something can be worth more than a thousand words.”

Source: “Persuasive Ways. ‘Tricks of the trade’ to get your ideas across”. First published by  Moss Associates Ltd., New Zealand and in Chinese by the Shanghai People’s Publishing House, the Singapore Institute of Management, Kogan Page Ltd, U.K and in Hungarian by Bagolyvar Konyvkiado.  Also published as the “Secrets of Persuasion” by Cengage Learning Asia and as an e-book and sold by Amazon.com.

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