Every brain is wired differently, so can one key message in your presentation fit all? (Brain rule #3)

Did my audience remember the key message in my presentation?

Brain rule #3: Wiring

When shown the same presentation and quizzed afterwards, members of the same audience often recall a different key message.  This is not good news for presenters who are hoping that their audience will all come away with the same key message! Indeed, most presenters wrongly assume their audience will not only recall their main message, but indeed all of the information presented to them. It just doesn’t happen – for many reasons, some of which are:

1) Audiences are fighting a million internal distractions. Their to-do list. Their feelings, memories and stresses. It’s hard to keep anyone’s attention.

3) Likewise, external distractions also compete for our attention – sights, sounds, smells, and things happening around us that may or may not be coming from your presentation (animation for example can be distracting, as well as a good way of getting attention).

2) Audiences pay more attention if the presentation is relevant to them. So we need to get their interest as early as possible. If you don’t, they’ll switch off and be harder to win back.

4) Each person has their own unique brain wiring – so their interpretation of your information (and the way you have presented it) will be slightly different for each person.

How can we help audiences to recall our key message?

In an ideal world, we would tailor our presentations for each and every member of our audience. Since that’s not quite going to happen, we can at least be practical with these 3 other options:

1. Create an interactive PowerPoint deck which allows you to adapt the flow of the presentation to any questions from the room. PowerPoint has great hyperlinking abilities (essentially replicating a website’s navigation). You click, you go to that page. You can focus on a particular direction, or area of interest specific to the group you are presenting to. More and more presenters are choosing this non-linear option.
2. Give your presentation a clear structure to bring home your key message. The take aways for your audience need to be up front, repeated, and simple. One of the presentation structures we like best was developed by Cliff Atkinson in Beyond Bullet Points. In summary: establish relevance and context right at the start. Next, deliver your presentation’s key message. Right up front. Use the remaining slides to focus on proving those key messages. This works to reinforce and drum home your points. It also gives meaning to your meanderings and tangents, or keeps you on track!
3. You must repeat your key message frequently. Ideally as part of your structure. But however you do it: repeat it.

 

If you do one or all of the above – those different brains with their different wirings will be more likely to all come out with the same conclusion. Your key message: remembered!

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why don’t all audience members remember the same key message from my presentation?

When shown the same presentation, audience members often recall different key messages due to their unique brain wiring. This results in varied interpretations of the information presented, which can lead to different takeaways.

How can I help my audience remember the key message of my presentation?

To aid memory retention, repeat your key message frequently throughout your presentation. Use a clear structure that introduces the key message upfront, and reinforces it throughout the slides. This helps to keep the audience focused and the message memorable.

What is one method to keep my audience’s attention and reinforce the key message?

Using an interactive PowerPoint deck allows you to tailor the presentation to the interests and questions of your audience. This non-linear approach can help maintain attention and reinforce the key message by addressing specific points of interest.

Why is establishing relevance important in delivering the key message of my presentation?

Establishing relevance right at the start of your presentation is crucial for engaging your audience. If the content is relevant, they are more likely to pay attention and remember the key message. Without this relevance, they may lose interest, making it harder for them to retain the key points.