How to make your spoken message memorable?

Which of the following messages will you be able to remember 6 months from now?

• A conversation over lunch with your colleague
• Words of appreciation from your senior management acknowledging your exceptional work
• A story which one of your friends shared about how she found the inspiration to be a pilot
• A sales pitch from your bank with facts and figures about the best performing mutual fund for your investment 

Although I can’t be certain which one you would remember, I can safely bet on what is most likely to get deleted from your memory. The casual lunch conversation and the sales pitch.

Human memories are complex. Neuroscientists and Cognitive psychologists have been studying long-term and short-term memories, their formation, brain structures etc. for a long time now. Simplistically, our memories are made of associations, visuals, stories, emotions and experiences. And hence, you are more likely to remember a personal success story shared by your company’s senior leader than your organization’s mission statement.

This understanding is the key to change the way we communicate. If what you say does not paint a picture, does not evoke an emotion or does not generate an experience, it will be buried under thousands of other messages which go unheard and unnoticed.

Whether you are making a deal-making-or-breaking presentation, giving for performance improvement feedback to your team or having an interview conversation with your future potential employer, you want to ensure that your words leave an echo in their minds.

Here are three tools you can use to make your spoken message memorable:

1. Tell a Story

  “The Universe is not made of tiny atoms. It is made of tiny stories.” Muriel Rukeyser 

 Since generations, women and men have told tales to pass information, wisdom and time. Whether it is being told around a campfire, in a cinema hall or at a conference, stories can draw people in because they generate emotions and empathy.  

Let us consider a scenario. You have just entered a meeting with a potential client. They ask you the customary question, “Tell us a little bit more about your background and your company.” And you reply, “I established ABC corp on 8 October 2009 to provide customized strategic solutions to our clients to help them meet their recruitment and retention needs. We understand the importance of getting the right people on board and we are committed to making this happen.”

 Now, would your client remember this after 6 days? I think not. It might not even last 6 hours! On the other hand, if you told a story about how and why you started ABC in the first place or your personal experience of helping a client or yourself put together an awesome team, it would make all the difference. Your client will be engaged in your message. You can always use statistics to support your story at a later stage. However, a week later while reviewing your proposal, it is the story which will stand out. 

2. Accessorize your Message

 “Twinkle, Twinkle little star…….Like a Diamond in the Sky.”  

This is probably the first metaphor which we all heard. And it worked. We understood and remembered.

When Martin Luther King delivered his “I have a Dream..” speech in 1963, the entire nation took it to heart and it went down in history as one of the most notable and inspiring public addresses. The speech is replete with beautiful metaphors. 

The best communicators know that a message makes an impression when it is accessorized with quotes and analogies. This way it is easier for the listener to relate, understand and remember.

 In more recent times, this tool has been used by a number of brilliant TED speakers. For example, Ron Finely highlighted 26 Square Miles of vacant land in Central Los Angeles as being equivalent to 20 Central Parks in New Year. Right there, with his simple comparison, he put things in perspective.

You too can make your statistic easy to understand by providing a simple reference. Or set the stage for your presentation by using a powerful quote. Play with your accessories and give your message a fresh look every time! 

3. Add Life through Expressions

Imagine someone who is excited about an upcoming event. What do you see – straight face or wide eyes?

Imagine someone who is interested in your idea. What do you see – person leaning in towards the conversation or withdrawn with crossed arms?

The point is – when we listen, we hear the words and see the body language signs. And this paints a complete picture in our memories. If the words are not coherent with the non-verbal cues, our minds will detect an anomaly and the message will not register.

Even the most interesting and inspiring words will fail to make an impact if they are spoken in a drab manner. Hence, add life to your speech through your expressions. Make sure that your eyes, voice, gestures and feet are all cooperating with each other to deliver that unforgettable message.

By remembering to use these tools, you can get people to remember your  communication with them. 

And most importantly bear in mind, what Mother Teresa said

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”

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Hi there!

Did you enjoy reading the above article? Then you might also like to read:

• How to deliver an Unforgettable Presentation with 5 Simple Techniques? 

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