Our brain is an efficient filter for information, which is extremely useful. If our brain were to actually store all the information that bombards us daily, there would be very little room left for the important things. However, our brain prefers to decide for itself what it considers important.

As useful as this is, this system can sometimes present a hurdle. If we want to deliberately store something, we first have to convince our brain to do so. However, with the right techniques and tricks, this is certainly possible – and you can use this to your advantage when crafting the core message of your presentation!

Presentation of the key message: Heard today, forgotten tomorrow?

When giving a presentation, one usually has a specific intention. This could be the marketing of products or services. On the other hand, it could also be the imparting of knowledge or simply convincing your audience of a particular issue.

Essentially, it's about stating that your method works or that your product offers a solution for XY. This is how you convey knowledge about a specific topic to your audience.

A concise and well-written presentation can certainly convey a great deal. However, if the content only registers superficially with the audience and isn't linked to a lasting message , it may not be very effective. Even a well-crafted presentation can quickly be forgotten, and the listeners will no longer have the key facts in mind.

For this reason, it is advisable to strategically place information when creating your PowerPoint presentation . This will ensure that your audience remembers the key message for a long time.

Below, we will show you in 5 steps how to design your presentation around your core message in such a way that it is guaranteed to stick in your audience's memory.

Create a memorable key message in 5 steps

Step #1: Formulate the key message of your presentation

Your preparation begins with the core message. Before you consider how to deliver your content, you need to define the core of the topic. What should your presentation be about? What do you want to convey to your audience, and what do you hope to achieve with your presentation? What is your key message?

Also consider the context of your presentation . What kind of presentation are you giving, and who is your audience? How should you develop your core message and what should you focus on?

In business presentations, the focus is often on communicating added value and benefits for customers or investors. Educational presentations, on the other hand, may place greater emphasis on imparting knowledge and understanding. In political speeches, the core message may aim at persuasion and mobilization.

It is important to consider the context and adapt the core message accordingly to achieve the desired effect. Every context requires an individual approach to optimally convey the core message.

The core message of your presentation doesn't necessarily need to be fully developed before you begin creating your presentation slides. However, it's important to note that solidifying the key message at the beginning of the preparation process can simplify the process. This may save you from having to make changes and adjustments later.

In any case, a well-developed message should form the core of your work. Your key message can act as a filter for all content. It should be crafted in such a way that the arguments, content, and materials of your presentation support and build upon it.

Step #2: Ensure clarity in your core message.

The meaning of your core message may be perfectly crafted, but this is of little use if the wording is poor. The more understandable and memorable the core message is formulated, the easier it will be for your listeners to understand and remember it.

The best slogans are short, snappy , and therefore easy to remember. "Square. Practical. Good." "Half past nine in the morning in Germany." Without mentioning the brand names, you probably know which product these slogans describe.

To achieve this, it's advisable to structure your key messages simply and formulate them concisely. Avoid overly complex or vague key messages that might confuse or fail to convince your audience.

Furthermore, to ensure the clarity of the core message, it is important to provide sufficient justification or to support it with relevant information. The core message should be built on a solid foundation of arguments and facts.

To achieve this, it is therefore advisable to structure your key messages simply and formulate them concisely and to the point.

Step #3: How to make your key message stick in people's minds!

Once you've developed a core message, the next step is ensuring it not only gets across but also has a lasting impact. The message should stick in your audience's minds and continue to have an effect not just during the presentation but also afterward. So, how can you make sure your message finds its way into your audience's long-term memory? How can you market your core message effectively using PowerPoint?

In this context, less is more when it comes to the entire presentation. The more information bombards us, the more our brain filters it out. So, if you cram a lot of information into your presentation, there's a high probability that much of it will be forgotten, potentially including the truly important points, such as your core message.

For this reason, it is essential that your presentation is as concise as possible . Make sure that irrelevant and unimportant details are omitted. For more information on how to avoid information overload on your slides, we link to our article "Avoid Information Overload ." Don't hide the needle—in this case, your key message—in a haystack ; instead, present it to your audience on a silver platter.

When it comes to your core message , unlike the presentation as a whole, more is more. The more often we hear something, the more easily it sticks in our memory. Therefore, it's important that you clearly emphasize your central thesis several times during the presentation.

Step #4: Placing the core message

Unlike advertising on television or the internet, you don't have the option of repeating your slogan as often as you like in a presentation. This makes the placement of your core message all the more crucial. A clearly formulated key message provides the foundation for its skillful placement and effective reinforcement.

It is now important that your entire presentation is structured appropriately to effectively showcase your core PowerPoint message.

The structure of many PowerPoint presentations often follows a classic, funnel-like format. Such a presentation begins with a broad overview of collected facts, from which a specific argument is then derived. This argument is subsequently supported with examples, while the core message is only presented at the very end. In the business world, where efficiency and persuasiveness are paramount, the so-called funnel principle is not necessarily the best choice.

Presentation structure based on the pyramid principle

Unlike the funnel-shaped structure, the pyramid principle can serve as a template for creating a more engaging presentation. This helps your audience to better remember key content.

The approach is exactly the opposite of the funnel principle. The core message takes center stage as the starting point of the presentation and is strategically supported with examples and facts. If you have formulated your core message clearly and memorably, your audience's interest will be piqued right from the start. The goal of the presentation is thus already defined, and it will be much easier for your audience to follow your line of reasoning.

For more tips on PowerPoint structure , please check out our article on "Presentation Structure" .

Step #5: Active instead of passive learning

It is widely known that learning can be divided into active and passive forms. Passive learning encompasses everything we read, see, or hear without actively engaging in the process. However, as soon as we actively participate , we learn much more efficiently. You can leverage this principle when communicating your key message.

Therefore, invite your audience to actively participate. This works by asking questions like, "What experiences have you had with this?" Also, encourage your audience to make guesses such as, "What conclusion do you think I reached?" If your topic lends itself to it, you can also incorporate small activities like a memory exercise . Such exercises activate your listeners' attention and thus ensure that your presentation is remembered longer. For more tips on "interactive presentations," feel free to visit our blog.

Bonus tips for better memorability:

• Work with emotions

Emotions give events personal meaning for us. Therefore, when events are linked to emotions, we often find it easier to remember them. Use this to your advantage in your presentation to convey your key PowerPoint message! You can achieve this, for example, by using images, music, and stories . Establishing a personal connection also fosters emotional engagement from the audience.

There are several proven techniques to enhance the core message of a presentation and make it even more compelling for the audience. One option is storytelling, where a captivating narrative is used to convey the message. Find out how to evoke emotions in your audience in our article on "Storytelling" !

Furthermore, rhetorical devices such as repetition, metaphors or questions can be used to capture the audience's attention and emphatically stress the core message.

• Multidimensionality instead of just words

The more connections the human brain can make, the easier and more lasting it is to remember something. Therefore, be sure to present your core message in as many different ways as possible.

Images, graphics, mnemonic devices, and wordplay such as rhymes or alliteration help information stick in the brain. References to well-known films or series can also help ensure that relevant triggers repeatedly bring your key message to mind even after your presentation.

A well-designed visual presentation can help simplify complex information and improve understanding and retention of the core message . Furthermore, the visual design of the presentation should align with the core message and exhibit a consistent and appealing aesthetic.

• Practical relevance: effective learning method

Depending on how long ago you were in school, you might remember how mindless memorizing rules and formulas can be. Learning with examples and independently deriving the relevant rules is a far more effective learning method.

To be able to work with learned material in the long term, our brain needs to understand what it's absorbing. Keep this in mind during your presentation and present your audience with concrete and practical examples. This doesn't mean that presenting data and facts is inherently pointless, but rather that there should always be a relevant connection to your central thesis.

• After the presentation: Handout as a reminder

Prepare a handout . Distribute it after the presentation and give the audience the opportunity to review the presentation on their own .

When creating your handout, make sure your key message is clearly the focus. Learn more about what to consider when summarizing your content in our article on handouts .

One last trick that offers double the benefit: Ask your audience for feedback via email or an online survey. This way, your participants engage with the presentation again, and you simultaneously receive valuable feedback. You can learn how to skillfully integrate a request for feedback into your presentation in our article on "Feedback."

Develop crystal-clear core messages with the SUCCESS method

To develop clear core messages and simultaneously check whether these remain in the memory of your listeners , you can use the Success Method .

Success is an acronym for:

• S - Simple (simple)

The core message must be clear and understandable. It must be grasped quickly. Clarity is key. Your audience doesn't want to be left in the dark for long.

• U-Unexpected (unexpected)

The message must be unexpected and surprising. Surprise is the spice of any presentation. Incorporate unexpected elements to maintain attention and spark interest.

• C-Clear (clear)

Your core message must be concrete and easily grasped. All statements must make immediate sense. Avoid abstractions and remain as specific as possible so that the message remains grounded in reality.

• C-Credible (trustworthy)

It must be realistic and credible. Credibility is a key issue today and can be supported by facts. Use statistics, expert opinions, or case studies to strengthen your message.

• E-Emotional

The core message must resonate emotionally. People make decisions based on emotions. Connect your message to feelings to create a stronger bond with your audience.

• S-Story (History)

The message should offer material for good storytelling. A story holds all the elements together. Integrate a storyline to present the information in a memorable format.

Tips can be found in the article " Storytelling in Presentations ".

• S-Style (Style)

Style and design are what make a presentation unique. From the layout of the slides to the selection of images, icons, and infographics, ensure that the visual design is as powerful as your message.

Use these guidelines to check how well your core message meets each point. The more points you can fulfill, the better.

Conclusion: Make your core message memorable!

It is entirely possible to structure a presentation so that you and your message are not immediately forgotten. A well-formulated yet concise key message will help you achieve your goals even more effectively. Follow our 5 steps to creating a memorable key message and see for yourself!

Do you have questions about key messages or PowerPoint in general? Feel free to contact us by email at info@presentationload.de . We're happy to help!

Are you looking for professionally designed slide templates to support your key message? Feel free to browse our shop. We have numerous slides on a wide variety of (business) topics available for download. Take a look today! ► To the shop

Other articles that might interest you:

• Creating a handout: The best tips on structure and presentation!
• Storytelling in presentations - How to evoke emotions in the audience!
• Bring structure to your PowerPoint presentations with the right presentation layout! - Tips & Tricks
• Better presentations through feedback
• Interactive presentations - 7 tips for effective design!
• Short article: Presentation trick: Avoid information overload on your slides - here's how!