Define the goal of your memorable presentation
When preparing a presentation, first identify the main message you want your audience to remember. This message should go beyond naming the topic: it should express the idea you are arguing for, the finding you are sharing, or the action you are recommending. For example, “Remote work” is a topic; “Listing task owners in weekly plans can make handoffs more visible across the team” is a main message you can explain in a presentation.
As you begin preparing, consider who your audience is, what they already know about the topic, and which idea or action you want to emphasize at the end of the presentation. For example, if you are explaining a process change to a team, you could focus on explaining why the change is needed and what first step you recommend. This helps you choose content that suits your audience and the purpose of the presentation.
Build a flow that supports the main message
Introduce the problem or question your audience faces; then explain the reasons, findings, or examples that support your main message. In the final section, answer the opening question and restate the key takeaway. IE University’s guide for university students also recommends a simple flow that presents the problem at the beginning, analysis or findings in the middle, and the key takeaway at the end (presentation skills guide).
Give each section of your presentation plan a clear purpose, such as introducing the question, presenting evidence, making a comparison, or reinforcing the conclusion. If you find it difficult to explain how a section relates to the main message, consider reorganizing the content or removing the detail. Using one main idea per slide can also be a useful rule of thumb for keeping the flow clear; the IE guide recommends that slides emphasize a single main idea and favor concise wording.
Make the moment to remember concrete
Explain the main message with a brief case, comparison, simple drawing, or familiar situation. The example should not replace the message; it should help show what the message means. You could explain the idea that “handoffs should be visible” with an example of a task whose owner is unclear.
A contrast, such as before and after or assumption and observation, can make differences easier to understand. But explain what the comparison illustrates. If it is based on real data, identify the source; if the example is fictional, say so clearly. The University of Georgia’s presentation preparation material covers developing ideas and messages, building structure, using contrast, and identifying key moments (High Impact Presentations: Best Practices).
Use visuals in service of the message
Make sure the title, main idea, and visual support the same message. Rather than putting lengthy explanations on a slide, use concise phrases, labels, or a readable diagram when appropriate; explain the details verbally. If you use a chart, say what it shows and how it connects to the main takeaway. The IE guide recommends that slides support the message, avoid text-heavy layouts, and use visual elements to help explain the idea.
When choosing a visual, ask yourself this practical question: “If I removed this visual, would the main idea be harder to understand?” If the answer is no, the visual may not be necessary. Checking the source and terms of use for a visual is also part of preparing a presentation.
Hypothetical example: a team meeting presentation
Scenario: A team leader is preparing a short presentation to reduce information loss during weekly task handoffs. The events and numbers below are entirely hypothetical and should not be used as real findings.
- Slide 1 — The problem: “What information is unclear during a task handoff?” Under the heading, present a situation that raises the question, “Who owns this task?”
- Slide 2 — The situation: As a fictional example, suppose the owners of three tasks were not recorded at the last meeting. Label this number as an example; if you are describing a real situation, verify it against the meeting notes.
- Slide 3 — The comparison: Show a disorganized handoff note on one side and a simple template on the other, with fields for “task, owner, next step, date.”
- Slide 4 — The key takeaway: “Every task handoff should clearly state the owner and the next step.”
- Slide 5 — The action: Recommend that the team try the template for one agenda item at its next weekly meeting.
In this example, the template’s four fields make the main message concrete, while the final slide identifies the recommended first step. This keeps the example from becoming a story disconnected from the presentation’s conclusion.
Rehearse and check understanding
Present the entire presentation aloud and time yourself. Use brief notes to identify the idea you will emphasize on each slide. During rehearsal, pay attention to terms that are difficult to understand and transitions between sections. The UCSB Library recommends making eye contact with the audience, focusing on important details, keeping to the time allotted, and rehearsing (presentation tips). Apply these recommendations to suit the context of your presentation.
You can ask someone in your audience to describe the main message and your recommended first step in their own words after the presentation. If their response differs from the idea you intended, review the main message, flow, or example instead of adding more information. This check helps you see what the audience understood; it does not guarantee that everyone will remember the same thing.
Common problems and fixes
Too much information: Remove details that do not support the main message or move them to supplementary material. Memorable but irrelevant example: Explain how the example connects to the key takeaway; if you cannot make the connection, choose another example. Crowded slide: Try shortening the text, splitting up the content, or moving the explanation into your spoken presentation. An inconclusive closing: Answer the opening question and state the next step you recommend. Unverified number: Check its source; if you cannot verify it, do not present it as a real finding.
Final checklist
- Can you express the presentation’s main message in a single sentence?
- Do the sections explain or support this message?
- Do the examples and visuals make the idea easier to understand?
- If you used real data, did you verify its source?
- Does the conclusion clearly state the main message and the recommended next step?
- Did you rehearse the presentation within the allotted time?
- Did you check what someone in the audience remembered?
Should I add a visual to every slide to make the presentation memorable?
No. Use a visual when it helps explain the main idea or make a comparison visible. If a visual does not support the message, consider removing it.
How can I tell whether my presentation was memorable?
Ask someone in your audience to describe the main message and your recommended first step in their own words. If their response differs from what you intended, simplify the message and review the flow. Do not treat one audience member’s response as proof of what everyone remembered.
Related practical guides
You can explore the relevant step in more detail with the guide Presenting naturally, like a conversation. You can explore the relevant step in more detail with the guide Preparing an interactive presentation with audience participation.
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