Props are powerful tools for enhancing memory retention. Our visual nature makes us more likely to remember a message when it's accompanied by a tangible object. Here's how to effectively use props in your presentations:
Enhance Memory with Visuals: A prop can make your message far more memorable than words alone. In communication, "show and tell" is more impactful than just "tell."
Be Specific: Choose a prop that is closely related to your message and unique to your business. Using generic items like a mobile phone won't make you stand out unless it's directly related to your service.
Business Relevance: Effective props can include items you've repaired or replaced, such as a burnt-out fuse box or a bald tire. These items can highlight the importance of your services.
Incorporate Personal Interests: Consider using items from your hobbies or personal life, like a musical instrument or gardening tools, to create a memorable connection.
Step Outside the Comfort Zone: Engaging in activities like juggling or showcasing a unique skill can leave a lasting impression and help people associate that memory with you.
Choose Carefully: Your prop should not only grab attention but also educate and stimulate your audience to recognize potential referrals for your business.
Module Actions:
Reflect on unique and memorable items related to your business or trade.
Consider tools or objects that can visually represent your message.
Think about personal skills or talents that could be used as memorable props.
Plan how to effectively use a prop to emphasize your point in your presentation.
Props help people remember. Human beings are (generally) very visually stimulated. Our front pointing, stereoscopic, full-colour vision allows us to recognise items, people, threats, and opportunities. For this reason, the use of a prop in your weekly presentation allows people to remember your message far more effectively, than mere words alone.
In communication terms ‘Show and Tell’ is more effective at forming usable memories, than ‘Tell and Tell’. If a picture says a thousand words, then a prop is going to speak volumes.
Be Specific
When you use a prop, you need to be very specific for it to have the maximum effect and memory retention. You will see many times at meetings there are people who haven’t given any thought to the task will use a mobile phone as a prop. Unless you are a seller or repairer of phones, this prop is not different enough for people to remember you and associate you (uniquely) with a mobile phone. You need to make a prop ‘yours’ and memorable.
Business Related
Some of the most effective props are broken or damaged items that you have repaired or replaced. The burned out fuse box, the bald tyre, the broken fire extinguisher, etc. Common items that if they fail could mean death, injury, or high expense are good for getting attention.
Something Strange or Quirky
You might consider something from your non-work life. If you play the trumpet or if you are a keen gardener, you could use something from this aspect of life and weave your one-minute speech around it to help people remember you.
Props are powerful memory triggers
Juggling, Sword Swallowing and Fire Eating
You need to move people from their (and your) comfort zone if they are going to form a memory and associate it with you. If you do something strange very well, or very badly, you can use that as a prop and get people to remember you.
I once set myself the task of publicly learning to juggle. Beforehand, I could not juggle, but seven days later I managed to juggle (only just), but I did it.
Your choice of props should be made carefully. Your aim is to educate and stimulate your fellow members so they can spot a referral for you, triggered by that prop, not just make people laugh.
What can you use?
Jot down some ideas of props, but don’t lose sight of the reason for the prop. It is to make people remember you and your message.
Your choice of prop is entirely personal, but remember, like your memory hook, your prop is to help people to visualize what you do and remember.
Module Actions
What do you have that is unique and memorable in your business or trade?
What tools do you use that can illustrate your message?
What skills or talents do you have that you can use to form memories in people's minds?
How can you make a point using a prop?