Our brains can best recall the first and last things we hear.
When presenting, you can use this to your advantage. Lead with your most important info, then circle back at the end for a powerful conclusion.
The Psychology Behind Strategic Slides
The Serial Positioning Effect explains why we remember the first and last items presented better than the rest. Repeat your opening info at the end for maximum retention from your audience.
As mentioned in one of our last videos/blogs, the Pyramid Principle plays a huge role in the psychology of retaining information. It’s all about starting with the end in mind and placing the most critical information at the beginning.
Limit The Overload
If the object or purpose of your presentation is to get someone in your audience to make a decision, they must follow your every word, and understand every piece of information you share. That’s why avoiding complex visuals is crucial.
Visual and auditory senses share neural resources, so if you’re overloading your audience with visuals, it can start to affect how much they’re listening to you. If understanding your content is critical, keep visuals simple.
Tell A Story
Narrative sense. Structure your presentation into a beginning, middle, and end narrative. (Or, depending on the style of presentation you’re giving, structure using this framework: problem, solution, implementation.) Frame your information as a story, not reciting fact after fact. Our brains are wired to comprehend and retain structured story arcs.
Create A Curiosity Gap
Reveal graphics or details bit by bit to create a curiosity gap. Audiences stay engaged when you tease content rather than hit them with everything at once. Pace the presentation out to build intrigue.
Short-term memory can only hold 7 items at a time. Creating short gaps in sharing information helps your audience’s brains to retain information better.
End On A Memorable Note
End on your most important take away/s. Back to the Serial Positioning Effect – our minds recall the start and finish way more than the middle. Once you’ve nailed your opening slide, your close will write itself.
Using strategic slide order leverages how our brains process information. Structure your presentation to ease the cognitive load for optimal audience comprehension and recall. For help with your next presentation, get in touch.