The most important presentation technique you need (Brain Rule #6)

If we could only give you one tip we’d tell you about the most important presentation technique out there. We’ll get right to it:

The most important presentation technique is to remember to repeat your messages:

Brain Rule #6: Remember to repeat.

John Medina’s Brain Rule #5 says we need to repeat to remember. And #6 says we need to remember to repeat. Remembering to Repeat means that the brain will be more able to commit information to long term memory. “Repeated exposure is the most powerful way to fix memory into the brain”.

So it’s not just repeating key info within your presentation that’s important. It’s also vital to follow up and communicate your key messages to your audience again (ideally later in the day). That reminder is vital if you want long term memory to come into play. If you don’t… well then maybe you’re happy with being forgotten?

How you reconnect and remind your audience is a different issue. Hopefully you can email them all, but don’t just send them a copy of your slides. Write something to highlight your call to action or to remind them of your key message.

According to Medina: In an ideal school environment, repeating what was learned would occur 90-120 minutes after the initial learning.

Don’t waste an opportunity

The opportunity to present to an audience is an amazing one to have! The communication and learning potential is huge and so it’s important that we make the most of these occasions.  Whilst presentation design may impress (especially if great presentation designers like Presented help you, nudge nudge), it’s more important that your information is clear and understandable. Some tips for clarity include: good layout, simplified content, a strong structure, a repeated structure.

We believe these days that many good presenters keep content light and avoid text heavy slides. But we also believe that most presenters neglect to remind their audience later of their key messages. This really is the most important presentation technique.  It’s so powerful to follow up with an audience to reaffirm messages and key content.

So, let’s make it happen: Start to use this presentation technique. Remember to repeat! Provide a simple synopsis later in the day or later in the week to help your audience remember you.

Will you do it?

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why is repeating messages considered the most important presentation technique?

Repeating messages is considered the most important presentation technique because it helps to embed the information into the audience’s long-term memory. John Medina’s Brain Rules emphasise that repetition is crucial for memory retention. By repeating key points during and after your presentation, you significantly enhance the likelihood that your audience will remember the information.

How can I implement the most important presentation technique effectively?

To implement this technique effectively, you should reiterate your key messages throughout your presentation and follow up with your audience later. This follow-up can be in the form of an email, a summary document, or a reminder message that highlights the main points and calls to action. The timing of this follow-up is crucial; ideally, it should happen 90-120 minutes after the initial presentation to reinforce memory retention.

Why is it important to follow up with the audience after the presentation?

Following up with your audience after the presentation is important because it reinforces the key messages and aids in transferring information to long-term memory. A single exposure to information is not enough for retention. By reminding your audience of the key points later in the day or week, you significantly increase the chances that they will remember and act on the information.

What are some practical ways to remind my audience of key messages post-presentation?

Practical ways to remind your audience of key messages post-presentation include sending a follow-up email with a summary of the main points, creating a brief video recap, or sharing an infographic that highlights the key messages. It’s important not to just send a copy of your slides but to provide a clear and concise reminder that emphasises the critical information and calls to action. This aligns with the most important presentation technique of remembering to repeat, ensuring the information sticks with your audience.