5 Ways to Make information stick.
Great presentations don’t just inform, they connect. The difference between a forgettable slide show and a message that actually lands comes down to how well the information is anchored to something the audience already cares about. When content connects to familiar, emotional, or meaningful reference points, the brain pays attention.
Here are five powerful ways to make presentations stick.
1. Connect With Emotion (Humor and Tragedy)
Emotion is the brain’s highlighter. Humor lowers defenses and builds trust; tragedy creates gravity and meaning. When people feel something, they lean in. A well-timed laugh or a short, authentic story of struggle, gives information a pulse. The audience will remember how you made them feel, long after the facts fade.
2. Leverage Pop Culture (Movies, TV, and Social Media)
Pop culture creates instant access. A single reference to a popular movie, a trending star, or a viral moment can clarify complex ideas in seconds. When information is framed through something familiar, the cognitive load drops and comprehension increases.
3. Ground Ideas in History
History adds credibility and perspective. It reminds audiences that today’s challenges aren’t new, and that solutions can often be found in the past. When you connect current ideas to past events, people see patterns, progress, and consequences.
4. Use Famous Quotes
A strong quote distills big ideas into tight language. When audiences hear words from a respected voice, it reinforces the message and gives it authority. The best quotes don’t just decorate the slide; they can frame the thinking.
5. Anchor With Science
Science builds trust. Referencing how the brain learns, how something works, or how the information is similar to something that occurs in biology or nature, brings authority to the presentation. When people understand the science behind the idea, buy-in increases.
Bottom line, People don’t remember information, they remember connections. When presentations intentionally link content to emotion, culture, history, wisdom, and science, ideas stop floating and start sticking.
Note: A picture says a thousand words. Whether you’re connecting ideas through emotion, pop culture, history, or powerful quotes, visuals matter! Images, illustrations, and short video clips give abstract ideas form. Visuals engages your audience, speed up understanding, and deepen emotional impact. Relevant visuals transforms good information into a great presentation.
