Repetition isn’t just a teaching technique—it’s the secret to making your presentation stick. When done right, it reinforces key points, engages your audience, and solidifies your message in their memory. If you want your audience to walk away remembering what you said, you need a structured approach to repetition.
One of the most effective strategies? Tell them what you’re going to say, say it, then tell them what you said. This simple yet powerful technique ensures clarity, strengthens retention, and keeps your audience focused. Here’s why it works and how to use it effectively.
Repetition Reinforces Understanding
The more times your audience hears a key message, the more likely they are to understand and remember it. Studies on memory retention suggest that repeated exposure to information strengthens neural pathways, making it easier to recall. By reinforcing your main points at different stages of your presentation, you help your audience absorb and retain what truly matters.
Repetition Enhances Engagement
Repetition isn’t just about memory—it’s also a tool for keeping your audience engaged. When used intentionally, it creates moments of interaction and anticipation. Consider incorporating techniques like:
- Call-and-response: Have your audience repeat a key phrase to make it stick.
- Quizzes or quick recaps: Reinforce takeaways with a short, interactive moment.
- Story callbacks: Reference an earlier point to tie everything together and keep the audience engaged.
Repetition Solidifies Intentions
Repetition isn’t just for your audience—it’s for you, too. Restating your key points ensures that you’re staying on track and emphasizing what truly matters. It also helps your audience recognize the main takeaways, keeping them aligned with your core message.
Reinforce, Don’t Overwhelm
While repetition is powerful, overusing it can feel redundant or tedious. The goal is to reinforce, not overwhelm. Be mindful of cutting unnecessary repetitions that don’t add value. Instead of repeating the same sentence multiple times, reframe your points in fresh ways to maintain engagement without losing impact.
A Foolproof Presentation Structure
The best way to incorporate repetition effectively? Use this timeless structure:
- Tell them what you’re going to say – Set expectations upfront so your audience knows what to focus on.
- Say it – Deliver your key points clearly and concisely.
- Tell them what you said – Recap the message to reinforce it and make it stick.
This structure not only strengthens memory but also improves clarity and flow, making your presentation more effective overall.
Final Thoughts
If you want your message to be remembered long after your presentation ends, repetition is your best friend. By structuring your talk around intentional repetition, engaging your audience, and reinforcing key takeaways, you can ensure that your message sticks. Use the “tell them what you’re going to say, say it, then tell them what you said” method—and watch your presentation go from forgettable to unforgettable. Have additional questions? Reach out, we’re always happy to help.
