6 Ways to Help Remember Your Presentations

This informal CPD article on 6 Ways to Help Remember Your Presentations was provided by UK Body Talk, the global leader in evidence-based courses on the psychology of communication.

Do you struggle to deliver presentations? Do you find it hard to remember what to say or get anxious about speaking in front of a crowd? You’re not alone. Many of our clients express these same concerns to us. But there are several techniques you can use to remember your presentation and be engaging.

1. Firstly, remember your audience doesn’t know your presentation or what you will say.

They won’t notice if you miss a point or two. So don’t put yourself under the pressure of remembering every single word. Writing a full script and trying to remember it rarely works and can turn you into a robot; bullet points that guide you naturally through your narrative are a safer bet and will help you sound more natural and conversational.

2. An easy win is to use visual aids. 

However, not all visual aids are created equal. A study conducted by Dr John Medina found that people who saw a presentation with only bullet points remembered just 10% of the information. In comparison, those who saw the same presentation with images remembered 65%. Why is this? Simply, our brains find it easier to remember images than words. So if you’re planning to use a slide deck, make sure to include images, not just words.

3. Another technique is to create a memory house.

This involves associating different parts of your presentation with different parts of a familiar space. Once you’ve made these associations practise mentally walking through your memory house and recalling each point of your presentation in the correct location. You could also physically walk through the space while talking through your notes to strengthen the associations in your mind.

4. Consider telling a story as part of your presentation.

Stories create meaning and context, which helps our brains to remember information more easily. When we hear a story, we can picture it in our minds, which also helps us recall it later. So if you can find a way to include a compelling narrative in your presentation, you’re more likely to engage your audience and leave a lasting impression.

5. Of course, no amount of memory aids can replace good old-fashioned practice.

The more you rehearse your presentation, the stronger the neural pathways in your brain will become. Try practising the transitions between different sections of your presentation, as these are often the parts that trip people up. You could also practise the opening and closing of the presentation separately to ensure that you start and end strong.

6. Finally, it is important to remember that the audience is on your side.

They want to see you succeed and are rooting for you to do well. Keeping this in mind can help to reduce anxiety and create a more positive mindset when delivering the presentation.

We hope you found this article helpful. For more information from UK Body Talk, please visit their CPD Member Directory page. Alternatively, you can go to the CPD Industry Hubs for more articles, courses and events relevant to your Continuing Professional Development requirements.