Hello ,

When preparing a work presentation or speech, it's easy to feel the urge to write to impress others.

We want to come across as experts who have done our research, right?

But what if I told you that simplifying your speech is actually the best way to WOW your audience?

We need to write for a listening audience, not a reading one. This means your message should be clear, simple, and memorable.

Speaking of memory, did you know that the average listener can hold only 3 to 7 items in working memory at once?

Using complex jargon requires our listeners to work harder to understand us.

Remember the 10% retention rule: research shows we remember only 10% of a presentation 24 hours later. That’s why it’s more effective to share one BIG idea repeatedly rather than overwhelming your audience with too much data.

There’s also a real difference between processing speed and speaking speed. If we make our speeches too dense, we risk overloading our audience’s processing capacity. If you've noticed your audience glazing over, it may be because their brains have reached their cognitive limit.

I understand this urge to overshare, believe me! I used to want to share everything at my corporate workshops. They hired me to help, and I wanted to overdeliver.

Yet I could sense that I was overwhelming my clients. After reworking my dense presentations, I learned how to help create real change in small, doable steps.

We learn from small wins.

Now, in my Speaking With Presence Small Group for Women, we explore how to share enough and feel like we are enough. The strategies are simple, but not always easy.

When we present, we are not information-sharers; we can create small "Aha" moments, make a lasting impression, and even help drive a transformation.

Here’s why focusing on 1-3 key ideas is more effective than presenting 10:

1. The power of focus: By establishing 1-3 clear main points, you help your audience follow your key messages more easily. Presenting 10 ideas turns your speech into a confusing maze of information overload.
2. A compelling arc: With 1-3 ideas, you can create a clear beginning, middle, and end in your speech. With 10 ideas, the path is too convoluted.
3. A clear call to action: Your audience will be motivated to act with a single takeaway, rather than feel paralyzed by the "paradox of choice."

So, remember, next time you want to share everything, use the K.I.S.S. principle: Keep It Simple, Sweetheart.

Stay calm and speak on,

Jessica

P.S. I am now accepting applications for my upcoming Speaking With Presence small-group training program for women! We will practice making presentations more memorable and inspiring. Learn about the next cohort and how to apply HERE.