Stan Phelp's Blog

Should you use images when you present? I use copious amounts when I deliver keynotes and workshops. Fellow speaker Todd Dewett, PhD uses zero. Is there a correct way? As with most things in life… it depends.

I’ll make the case for using images. The biggest reason is memorability. When you present, the goal should be that your message comes across “loud” and “clear” for your audience. Is the message shared in a way that’s remember-able? It turns out that our ability to recall a message is enhanced by up to 650% when we use visuals. Why such a big bump? It’s because of a phenomenon called the Picture Superiority Effect.

The picture superiority effect refers to the fact that pictures and images are more likely to be remembered than just words alone. It is based on the notion that “human memory is extremely sensitive to the symbolic modality of presentation of event information.” It’s called dual-coding. Using both creates verbal and image codes, whereas word stimuli only generate a verbal code.

Hear something… 3 days later recall is 10%
Hear something and add image… 3 days later recall is upwards of 65% (Here’s the video)

So, should you use images when present? IMHO, only if you want them to remember your message or call to action.

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Stan Phelps walks the walk. He stands out in the sea of sameness by modeling his own Differentiated Experience (DX) message: Differentiation isn’t just about what you say, it’s about what you do and, more importantly, how and why you do it. Stan leverages his unique collection of 5,000+ case studies on customer, employee, and brand experience to engage audiences with informative learning-based experiences. He believes purposeful DX wins the hearts of employees and customers, and differentiation ultimately boosts loyalty, retention, referrals, and results.

Find Stan’s in-person and virtual keynotes, workshops, and Goldfish tank programs at StanPhelps.com.

What can Steve Jobs teach us about presentation skills? The answer is plenty. In fact, Carmine Gallo wrote an entire book that breaks down lessons from the man.

There is plenty to learn. One is a simple fact that Steve was not born a great presenter. He worked on his presentation skills and improved over time.

But, there is literally one practice that Steve used that warms my heart. It is in the spirit of lagniappe . . . a little something extra that’s thrown in for good measure.

At the end of each one of his Apple Keynote presentations, Jobs would feign that he was finished and then with a glint in his eye announce, “One more thing . . .” The words would show up on a slide and the crowd would erupt.

Ewan Spence recalls one instance in Forbes,

“In September 2006, Jobs introduced the ability to purchase and download movies through iTunes. And then followed that with one more thing in the form of iTV (soon to be renamed Apple TV). And then Jobs followed that one more thing with one more one more thing, and John Mayer made his customary easter egg appearance not as cover art, or a ringtone, but live on-stage singing “Waiting For The World To Change.”

How are you adding one more thing… at the end of your presentation?

Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. 

Stan Phelps walks the walk. He stands out in the sea of sameness by modeling his own Differentiated Experience (DX) message: Differentiation isn’t just about what you say, it’s about what you do and, more importantly, how and why you do it. Stan leverages his unique collection of 5,000+ case studies on customer, employee, and brand experience to engage audiences with informative learning-based experiences. He believes purposeful DX wins the hearts of employees and customers, and differentiation ultimately boosts loyalty, retention, referrals, and results.

Find Stan’s in-person and virtual keynotes, workshops, and Goldfish tank programs at StanPhelps.com.