7.5 Ways to Make Your Communications More Memorable - by Tony Buzan, Leader of ThinkBuzan Ltd

Cardiff, United Kingdom, June 04, 2012 --(PR.com)-- In his new book, "The Most Important Graph in the World" (co-written with Jennifer Goddard and Jorge Castaneda), Tony reveals the little-known secrets of how the memory works:

1) First Impressions Count

The Primacy effect states that we tend to remember the information at the beginning of a learning experience. If you’re giving a presentation or speech, you’ve got just 30 to 60 seconds to make your audience sit up and take notice otherwise you could well lose them for the duration. Don’t start with the usual introduction and platitudes: “Hello, I’m ... It’s great to be here.” Instead, start with a bang by making a shocking claim or statement, presenting a striking statistic, asking a provocative question, or cracking a (tasteful) joke.

2) End on a High

The Recency effect demonstrates that we also usually remember the information at the end of a learning experience. Always finish your communication with some form of Call to Action. For instance, when planning a presentation or seminar you should have in mind: “What do I want the audience to Look, Feel, Say or Do at the end of my presentation?” Prepare a ‘key’ sentence that will create the response you want in those precious final moments.

3) The ‘Wow’ Factor (worth an extra 0.5)

The Von Restorff/Imagination effect shows that we remember anything that is exceptional, different or unique. No matter how brilliant a communicator you are, there will automatically be a sag or drop in the audience’s attention and recall in the middle of your presentation or speech. To add excitement, try developing a signature story that tells an interesting tale while delivering your message at the same time.

4) Make Connections

The principle of Association states that we remember what is linked or connected, especially to ourselves and our own worlds. Using association will raise the overall level of recall by helping you access the audiences existing memory ‘files’. Group exercises are a great tool for this, helping the audience link the ideas you are presenting with their own lives, applications and practices.

5) Do they Understand?

The principle of Understanding and Misunderstanding demonstrates that it’s possible to remember something ‘accurately’ that never actually happened. During your communications, remember that the brain is not simply a passive receiver – it’s a highly active and creative participant. Your audience will be manufacturing their own personal images and associations in the context of what you are saying. Think: Where is there a potential for misunderstanding and how can I avoid it? What are the real facts? How can I improve clarity?

6) Wake Up their Interest

Interest has the potential to improve memory in one immediate, giant leap. Your goal is for people to remember, understand and enjoy your communication; to ensure that it captivates their interest and gives them something valuable to apply to their lives once it has finished. Work with the following rule: First tell them what you are going to tell them - in other words start with a strong Primacy effect. Second, tell them - creating association and Von Restorff through the middle. Finally, conclude with an impactful Recency by telling them what you told them.

7) What’s the Meaning of it all?

Through the principle of Meaning, people take in bits of information and piece them together to create the whole picture. The result is the ‘aha’ moment when it all makes sense. Think about how you can build meaning into your entire communication - What is the big picture? What will it mean to your audience?

‘The Most Important Graph in the World’, published by Proactive Press (£14.99, 210 pages, paperback, ISBN: 978-1-908934-01-7), launches on 2nd June and is available via Amazon.co.uk.

Interviews with Tony Buzan and Review Copies are available on request

Please Contact:

Owen Hardy (ThinkBuzan Ltd)
Email: proactivepress@thinkbuzan.com
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7117 7173