how to memorize a presentation quickly

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How to Memorize Your Presentation—In 60 Minutes or Less

Get your team on prezi – watch this on demand video.

Chelsi Nakano April 29, 2016

Learn the simple trick that will help you memorize anything—and that will make your presentations more memorable to your audience.

Originally published on the  SlideGenius blog .

When presenting, it’s never a good idea to read from your slides or note cards. A few quick glances are usually acceptable. And if you read everything word for word, you will seem disengaged from the audience. Even though most presenters know this, the situation still seems unavoidable. What if you experience a mental block and forget an entire section of your presentation? You can’t be expected to memorize an hour-long speech that’s packed with crucial data. Is that even possible? If we were to ask the ancient Greeks and Romans, we would find that the answer is a loud “yes.” How did Cicero remember all of his famous orations? He used a technique called “the memory palace.”

While the term might be new to you, I’m sure you’ve seen this technique portrayed in popular media. The latest incarnation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s iconic character, Sherlock Holmes, uses it to solve the most complex mysteries. In BBC’s Sherlock , we watch Holmes sweep through imagined mental spaces to find crucial information that could help his investigation. In real life, the technique was used by the greatest Greek and Roman orators to memorize their speeches . Currently, “ memory athletes ” use it to memorize a deck of cards or a long list of random names in seconds.

HOW DOES THE “MEMORY PALACE” WORK?

The memory palace technique is formally known as the “method of Loci,” and this name gives us some insight on how the whole thing actually works. Loci is the plural form of the Latin word for location. Our spatial memory is much stronger than our memory for words or ideas, because our hunter-gatherer ancestors evolved to be able to navigate their world and remember their surroundings. When associated with spatial relationships, ideas become much more memorable—that’s why tools like Prezi, which allow you to show your ideas within context and lead your audience on a visual journey, can help make your presentation more memorable.

To practice the technique, imagine yourself walking through a specific location. You then associate each item you want to commit to memory to things you come across en route. Here’s an example from Chloe Cornish of The Independent :

So does the memory palace technique really work? I tried revisiting my secondary school, to help memorise the names of the U.S. Presidents in order (there are 44). To get into the car park, I jumped over a washing line (George Washington), where Adam and Eve (John Adams) were playing cricket with Geoffrey Boycott (Thomas Jefferson). Marilyn Manson (James Madison) was in the IT block getting off with Marilyn Monroe (James Monroe) etc. It took me about 40 minutes to come up with the lurid tale, and apart from occasionally getting their first names wrong (so many Jameses and Adams), it worked a treat.

To see this memory palace visualized, take a look at the prezi below:

SO HOW CAN I USE IT FOR MY PRESENTATION?

While creating a memory palace seems pretty straightforward, it actually takes a bit of practice and preparation. To start, create an outline of your presentation. List down all of your talking points and make note of the most prominent words for each one. You will use these words to make visual associations in your imagined scene. Following that, you can start with your mental construction:

1. CHOOSE ANY LOCATION YOU’D LIKE TO USE FOR YOUR MEMORY PALACE.

It’s better if you go with a place you’re completely familiar with, like your childhood home or the walk you take to the office.

2. SET A ROUTE THAT YOU WILL MENTALLY WALK THROUGH.

For example, if you’re using your childhood home as your memory palace, it can be the walk from the front door to your bedroom.

3. WHEN YOU’VE DECIDED ON A ROUTE, IMAGINE WALKING THROUGH IT AND FOCUS ON THE ITEMS AND FEATURES YOU “SEE.”

From the front door, you enter the hallway and climb the stairs to your right. You go up to the landing where a portrait of your grandfather hangs, and so on.

4. REFER BACK TO THE OUTLINE OF YOUR PRESENTATION.

Take the most important words you took note of and make visual associations you can insert to your memory palace. Place these associations in the specific features you’ve identified in your route. Try to place associations that are extraordinary, like in the example by Cornish.

5. FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH YOUR MEMORY PALACE BY WALKING THROUGH IT A COUPLE OF TIMES.

Take note and memorize all the associations you’ve made. After some time, you will find that you’ve memorized your speech completely. Simply revisit your memory palace if you find yourself stumped during the presentation.

After building your memory palace, you won’t have to worry about forgetting what comes next in your presentation. Take a cue from some of the greatest minds in fiction and history, and you can save your note cards for another occasion.

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How to Memorize a Presentation: 12 Ways Only Pros Use

Written by: Mahnoor Sheikh

Memorizing a presentation can sound like a daunting task, but if you do it right, it can help you deliver a powerful and effective talk.

For most people, public speaking doesn’t come easy. Research suggests that as many as 75% of adults have a fear of public speaking.

To overcome this fear and anxiety, presenters often resort to stuffing their PowerPoint slides with text and bullet points. But being dependent on your slides can prevent you from making sufficient eye contact, interacting with the audience, and speaking confidently and fluently.

This is why professional presenters utilize memory techniques and exercises to remember presentation points and speak without relying on their slides.

In this article, we’ll show you 12 ways to memorize a presentation that only pros use.

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12 Ways to Memorize Your Next Presentation

Way #1: build a memory palace, way #2: create a mind map.

Way #3: Read Out Loud

Way #4: Practice With a Friend

Way #5: break up the information, way #6: record yourself, way #7: make written notes, way #8: take a nap, way #9: use the 20-20-20 rule, way #10: avoid multitasking, way #11: exercise before memorizing, way #12: practice during the afternoon.

Did you ever wonder how the Greeks and Romans managed to give long, elaborate speeches full of decorative language, facts and data?

They used an ancient memory technique called the Method of Loci, also known as the memory palace method. This technique involves associating words and ideas with spaces.

Our brains are hardwired to remember spatial information more effectively. When you associate ideas with specific locations, they become easier to memorize.

One reason for this could be that forming spatial relationships gives the information context, which helps us make sense of it based on our existing knowledge and beliefs.

Let’s look at an example to help you understand better.

Joe works for a smartphone company, and he wants to memorize a presentation about the latest smartphone his company has launched.

To remember the main points of the presentation, Joe builds a memory palace of his house, where each room is associated with a section of the presentation.

• Bedroom: Associated with “Battery” because he recharges his energy when he sleeps.
• Work Area: Associated with “Camera” because his remote work involves video conferencing.
• Bathroom: Associated with “Storage” because he uses it to relieve the contents stored in his bladder.
• Kitchen: Associated with “Speed” because this is the back-end where things are “cooking” up.
• Living Room: Associated with “Display” because this is where his family watches TV.

A memory palace doesn’t need to be a real place. It can be a series of fictional spaces linked together in your mind where you go to retrieve stored information.

In BBC’s Sherlock, the famous detective uses the memory palace technique to remember crucial information needed to solve cases.

Watch the snippet from the show below where Sherlock’s friend and assistant, John Watson, explains how this works.

How to build your own memory palace.

To build your own memory palace for a presentation, follow the five simple steps below:

• Step 1: Think of a location. This could be a real place, like your home, or a fictional location, such as an exotic palace.
• Step 2: Set a route to walk through in your mind. Establish the beginning, middle and the end of the route you’ll take as you mentally walk through the location. For example, which rooms will you visit and in which order?
• Step 3: Identify the features of each space. Visualize the items, furniture, colors and other features of each room or space.
• Step 4: Make associations between the features and your presentation. Relate specific parts of your presentation with the items and features identified in the previous step to build visual associations.
• Step 5: Practice walking through the route several times. This will help you familiarize yourself with your memory palace and enable you to retrieve memorized information faster during your actual presentation.

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Creating a mind map is a great way for visual learners to memorize a presentation.

A mind map helps you lay out the main points of your presentation in the form of a diagram rather than a list of words.

You can use colors, images, shapes, lines, arrows and other elements to make your diagram look more interesting and easier to scan through.

Climate Change Concept Map

Harry Potter Concept Map

Writers Concept Map

Food Groups Concept Map

Brand Exploratory Concept Map

Coffee Concept Map

Create your mind map View more templates

Mind maps help you better understand the connections and transitions between points, as our brains are able to form associations between ideas and a mind map’s visual elements.

Mind mapping also imprints the shape of the mind map in your brain — shapes are much easier to remember than traditional notes or a long list of words.

Mind maps are especially useful for memorizing boring or dry information by transforming it into colorful shapes and drawings.

Way #3: Speak Out Loud

Studies show that reading information out loud can help you remember it better.

This happens because the reader is engaging in two personal acts; using their motor speech skills and self-referential information (“I” said it.)

When information gets personal, it automatically becomes easier to remember.

Rehearsing out loud is also a great way to make sense of your presentation content.

Oftentimes, things may seem logical and clear in our minds, but when we say them out loud, the concepts are all over the place.

Speaking out loud can help put all the pieces in places and aid the logical reasoning behind going from one point to the next. It can also help you think of better transition words and phrases along the way.

Practicing in front of trusted friends or colleagues can be extremely beneficial for two reasons.

Not only can it help you memorize the content more effectively, it can also get you honest, insightful feedback to improve your presentation.

Plus, when you’re rehearsing in front of an actual audience, you’ll be more conscious of what you’re saying, which can be a memory booster in itself.

You should also consider sharing your presentation slides with your friend.

Here’s why this can be helpful:

• They can give you suggestions for improving the content and design of your presentation.
• They can raise questions or concerns you may not have thought through, which can help prepare you for the Q&As during the actual presentation.
• Presenting in front of a live audience will boost your confidence.

TED speaker Nancy Duarte also endorses practicing your presentation with a friend, especially if they’re solid presenters and can give you helpful feedback.

In her article, she says:

"When I did my TEDx Talk, I repeated this step four times, twice with my ExComm Manager and twice with my company President. After they added their insights, I was ready to have the slides designed."

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Breaking up information can help you organize it better. Start by creating a rough outline of your presentation.

You don’t need to write everything down. Focus on jotting down the headings of the different sections, and short bullets of what you’re going to talk about under each section.

Next, prioritize the points by importance.

This will help you focus on memorizing the important information first. You’ll also be able to allocate the right amount of time to each point.

Another effective way to break up information is chunking. Chunking is the process of dividing information into smaller parts, or groups, to make it easier to memorize and recall.

For example, you can break your presentation down into sections like introduction, features, challenges and conclusion.

Here’s a visual to help you better understand what chunking is.

Notice how the string of letters have been broken down in two steps.

The first step organizes the letters into 6 three-letter groups. The second step further organizes the groups by theme, such as Animals, Companies and Alphabet.

Memorizing six words that have meaning is much easier than memorizing 18 random letters. And that’s exactly how chunking works.

According to the National Association for Music Education , listening to a performance not only improves future practice sessions, but also boosts overnight retention.

You can apply the same principle when trying to memorize a presentation.

Once you’ve finalized your presentation, make an audio and/or video recording of yourself.

Listen to the audio while you take the bus to work or while you're in the gym, and even before sleeping — the more you listen to the presentation, the faster you’ll memorize it.

You should also make a video of yourself presenting. Not only can this be used for memorization, but can also help you improve the your body language during the presentation.

Studies show that writing down information by hand can help you learn concepts and remember them more effectively.

When you’re preparing for your presentation, jot down the main points on a notepad or a piece of paper. Underline important headings and make bulleted lists to organize your notes.

You can also sketch visuals like diagrams or pictures where possible to aid your memory.

For example, if you’re talking about the sales process of your company, you can create a rough flowchart diagram with circles and arrows.

Drawing a process by hand can help you better remember the details.

Practice sketching the same diagram several times to familiarize yourself with the concept and make sure you’re not leaving out anything important.

This might seem counterintuitive or maybe even like a waste of time when you’re under pressure, but napping has been proven to improve your memory function.

That’s right — a study recently conducted in China found that taking naps can lead to better cognitive function and memory skills.

They took two groups of people; those who took power naps during the day and those who did not. After performing cognitive tests on the two groups, they found that the napping group showed much better results when it came to cognitive function and memorization.

Not only should you consider adding a power nap to your routine while studying to memorize your presentation, but you also need to consider how much sleep you’re getting in the time leading up to your presentation.

According to Dr. Mayank Shukla, a well-rested brain is more effective at recalling information than a sleep-deprived brain. “Not only will you be able to recall information more easily due to sleeping and being well-rested, but it is consolidation, the middle phase of the memory process, that occurs during sleep.” says Dr. Mayank.

Even though you might think you need to just push through and memorize despite being exhausted, consider taking a nap and viewing it as a memorization technique for your next presentation.

Last but not least, a proven way to memorize your presentation is to use the 20-20-20 rule of rehearsal.

According to memory experts, reviewing your presentation material for 20 minutes, and then repeating it twice for 20 minutes each can help you remember the content better.

The rule also says that if the material is not repeated within 30 minutes, it’s not encoded into the long-term memory.

This method is a good way to stop yourself from spending too much time on the individual bits and pieces of your presentation.

Instead, you’ll be able to focus on the important parts to memorize as you’re restricted by the 20-minute time limit.

You might think that multitasking lets you be more productive than if you were to focus on a single task at a time.

But did you know that when it comes to studying, the opposite can be true?

According to a study conducted by the Journal of Experimental Psychology , you actually impair memorization by multitasking.

The study reveals that when you become distracted with other “important” tasks during a time when your brain is learning something new or practicing something unfamiliar, you undermine your efficiency significantly.

This is largely due to the fact that your brain needs time to shift between different tasks. So, when you check a notification on your phone and then go back to studying, it takes your brain some time to get into gear and start memorizing again.

Here's an interesting video from BBC that explains how multitasking can make you inefficient.

In order to see the best results for memorization, set aside a designated time in a quiet, relaxing place and focus solely on studying with no interruptions.

Not only is exercise a great way to improve your physical health, but it’s incredibly game-changing for your mental health and memorization capabilities.

According to this study conducted by Pub Med , there are direct and immediate benefits from exercise that affect cognition for both younger and older adults.

By simply exercising before sitting down to memorize your presentation, you will experience enhanced cognitive processing.

Now, this doesn’t mean that you have to go to the gym and do an intense cardio workout to get your creative juices flowing. You can simply go for a walk, practice mindful yoga or do anything that gets your heart pumping.

Exercise not only enhances memory function and cognitive processing, but it also rids your mind of stress by releasing endorphins immediately after some physical activity.

So, if you’re experiencing brain fog and an inability to memorize efficiently, try going on a brisk jog with your furry friend, and then come back inside for a second round of memorization.

Many of you may be early risers and like to get things done in the morning so you can have the afternoon free. On the flip side, you might be a night owl who likes to pull all-nighters to get their work done.

But according to a study conducted by the Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research , studying early in the morning or late at night can actually be counterintuitive.

In fact, the research shows that the best time of the day to study and memorize is in the afternoon. Surprising, right?

This study examined the “time-of-day” effect and performance of various people doing different memory tasks, and found that those who studied in the afternoon had much higher recollection and effective long-term memorization than those who studied in the morning or evening.

And according to PSB Academy, studying in the afternoon is best for integrating new information into something you already know.

This is great news because once you know the basic structure of your presentation, you can then begin to add minute details into your memorization process and have your presentation memorized by the evening.

So, if you can fester up the energy and discipline to focus during what many might consider the “hump” part of the day, you might actually get some of your best memorizing done.

Memorize and Deliver a Powerful Presentation

Memorizing your presentation is one of the best ways to appear confident on stage and deliver a powerful speech or presentation without reading off the slides.

Learn more about how to deliver a powerful business presentation , or check out Visme's presentation software to create a unique, engaging presentation that looks extremely professional.

Remember, when you design a presentation that looks as good as the content inside, you’ll be more confident when presenting in front of a large audience.

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About the Author

Mahnoor Sheikh is the content marketing manager at Visme. She has years of experience in content strategy and execution, SEO copywriting and graphic design. She is also the founder of MASH Content and is passionate about tea, kittens and traveling with her husband. Get in touch with her on LinkedIn .

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How to Memorize a Presentation Fast and Deliver It Without Notes

Last Updated: April 22, 2024 References

This article was co-authored by Patrick Muñoz . Patrick is an internationally recognized Voice & Speech Coach, focusing on public speaking, vocal power, accent and dialects, accent reduction, voiceover, acting and speech therapy. He has worked with clients such as Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria, and Roselyn Sanchez. He was voted LA's Favorite Voice and Dialect Coach by BACKSTAGE, is the voice and speech coach for Disney and Turner Classic Movies, and is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association. This article has been viewed 72,722 times.

Memorizing a presentation can seem overwhelming but with practice and determination it can be done. All you have to do is be confident in your ability to deliver information to your audience, and you can accomplish this by using some proven memory techniques. Using some great techniques will help you to memorize the information quickly and present it to an audience without needing notes.

Organizing Your Information

• Think about your main topic first—what is the main idea that you're trying to get across? Then, break it down into 3 specific ideas—this is a great way to focus your discussion.

Imagining Pictures as Reminders

• If your point is about a particular animal such as a tiger, visualize a tiger for that point. If your sub point to that main idea is about how a tiger finds prey, visualize a tiger running towards its prey in the wild.
• If you main idea is about how education is changing, visualize a caterpillar turning into a butterfly or a person changing their shoes. If your sub point to that main idea is how different classrooms look, visualize a classroom or visualize two contrasting things like oil and water.

• A trigger word for a sub point about how a tiger finds prey could be “yum” to stimulate you to think about food.
• Trigger words should be short and clear.
• Sometimes using unique trigger words works best.
• Your trigger words or phrases only have to make sense to you.
• Choose words or phrases that quickly jog your memory about the point you’re trying to recall.

• You may want to assign main points to larger body parts such as your feet, stomach, arms, hands, and head.
• You may want to assign details or less important points to smaller body parts such as your toes, knees, hips, fingers, and ears.

• Lets say you have 10 points, you can begin at your feet, move to your knees, then your thighs, next to your hips, ribs, shoulders, neck, ears, head, and finally eyes.

• It is vital that you remember how many points to deliver in your speech. Be sure to memorize this number and count as you go so you don’t go over or fall short.

Memorizing the Information

• Consider your learning style, too. For example, if you're an auditory learner, then play an audio recording of your speech. If you're a visual learner, then highlight important passages that you want to emphasize. Or, you might be kinesthetic—if so, rehearse the body language you'll use.

• Besides just recalling how many points to hit, be sure you know the correct order. You must not be reluctant about where to go next when moving from body part to body part or your presentation will lack fluidity.

• Take some time to simply practice the order you plan on moving around your body. Make sure to do this without actually stopping to present the main ideas at these stopping points. You’ll want to be able to move very swiftly and be certain about where to go next.

• Transition sentences are phrases that link one thought to another. It is so very important that you incorporate these into your presentation.
• If you do not shift from one idea to the next in a proper way using transition sentences you run the risk of sounding robotic and rehearsed. Make certain your thoughts flow so that you are not stopping abruptly or jumping suddenly from one point to another.
• Examples of good transition words or phrases between similar ideas include "Similarly," "Likewise," etc.
• Examples of good transition words or phrases between contrasting ideas include "On the contrary," "Contradictory to," etc.

What Are Tips For Memorizing a Speech?

Community Q&A

• Practice makes perfect, so spend a good amount of time reviewing your information and rehearsing. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Use physical gestures to enhance your storytelling! If you're discussing the qualities of a good leader, you might stand up nice and tall; if you're talking about a time you felt nervous, you might physically feel that experience by hunching over, shaking, widening your eyes, and wrinkling your forehead. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Rote memorization is not the best way to retain information but is a good way to quickly remember and deliver information about a particular topic. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1

You Might Also Like

Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about memorizing a presentation, check out our in-depth interview with Patrick Muñoz .

• ↑ https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/openforum/articles/business-by-the-book-remembering-presentation-material/
• ↑ https://blog.udemy.com/how-to-memorize-a-speech/
• ↑ http://westsidetoastmasters.com/resources/powerspeak/lib0208.html
• ↑ http://www.productivity501.com/how-to-memorize-verbatim-text/294/

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How to Quickly Memorize a Speech (In Under an Hour)

The clock is ticking and soon you've got to get on stage and deliver the speech of your life. But you don’t have a single word memorized yet. What on earth are you supposed to do in such a situation? 

First of all, don’t panic. But second, though this is an understandably stressful situation, it doesn’t need to paralyze you. In fact, you can use a bit of that adrenaline to fuel. It'll motivate you to get the speech memorized and to prepare yourself mentally to deliver it in front of an audience. 

Whether it’s for a packed theater or an audience of one, today, we’ll provide you with step-by-step instructions for memorizing a speech quickly – sometimes under an hour’s time. 

Reasons You May Need to Memorize a Speech Quickly 

You won’t always be under such time constraints, of course, but sometimes speech memorization really does wind up being a last-minute thing. If you’re curious about what situations might cause such restrictions, here are a few possibilities: 

• You've got a last-minute presentation to give. Whether someone else canceled or you were recruited with little notice, having memorization techniques at the ready could prove helpful if you need to prep with limited time.
• You’ve had to update a previously memorized speech. Maybe you’re prepared to give a speech over the past week, but some elements had to be rewritten or amended at the last minute? This is another case where knowing how to memorize information quickly would be invaluable. 
• You’re an actor or performance artist. Memorization is a part of your work-life regularly, so having some extra ways to memorize more quickly could prove helpful. 

Is it Possible to Memorize a Speech in a Day (or Less)? 

Now, you may be wondering if it’s even possible to memorize a speech in a day, let alone a single hour.

The answer is absolutely, yes. You can! But it’s not truly a matter of memorizing a huge chunk of text verbatim. The methods of memorization we’ll be discussing here today are intended largely for the corporate set. These folks need to memorize the themes, intention, and main points of a speech rather than a word-for-word regurgitation. 

How to Memorize a Speech in an Hour (Traditional Method)

The first method to memorize a speech in an hour or less we’ll talk about here's what we’re referring to as the “traditional” method. That is, it doesn’t really use any unfamiliar tricks. It’s a standard approach to memorization that can help you save some time and improve your recall. 

Let’s explore this process now. 

1. Write Your Speech Down 

The first thing you should do is to physically write your speech down. Now you can approach this in any number of ways. But most often people will choose to write out word-for-word what they’d like to say or create a structured outline of the topics and main points they’d like to address. 

Both approaches are valid and workable. The key here is to just get your ideas on paper, so you've got something to work with. This is especially important if there are specific industry terms, jargon, or slogans that you’d like to include to catch your audience’s attention. No matter your approach, get your ideas down on paper first. 

2. Read It Out Loud 

Next, read back what you wrote. Do so out loud so you can hear the flow of the words and get a feel for what it’ll be like delivering this speech to an audience. If you’ve created a script, you can literally read this out loud. But if you created an outline, you can reference your notes as you talk about the subject at hand. 

This process will allow you to identify clunky phrasing or bits that need clarification. It’ll also help you figure out the flow of your speech and what will sound best. 

For even more public speaking tips, review this tutorial:

3. Try a Recall Test 

When you’re happy with how your speech is sounding, you can perform a recall test.

This is just a matter of covering up your notes or script and seeing what you remember. Do your best to see what you remember. You might surprise yourself as to how much you’ve retained. 

4. Memorize the Main Points First 

When it comes to memorization, you’re better off locking in the bigger parts of your speech first before tackling the details. This is where creating an outline is actually really helpful. It helps you see what your main points are and what the primary topics of discussion will be. Then you can commit those large ideas and your main points about them to memory. 

For instance, if you’re giving a speech about a product, your main points might be its main features and how it solves the customer’s problems. Or, if you’re giving an informational speech, your main points might involve the evidence you have to back up an argument. 

5. Add in the Transitions and Small Sections Next

With those big ideas memorized, you can move on to the details and transitions. For some, this will be where you get the exact phrasing down. For others, it’ll be tiny details or the occasional turn of phrase you like and want to include. 

Then you can work on combining the larger points and the finer details into a cohesive whole. 

6. Perfect the Delivery 

Now that the majority of your speech is memorized, it’s time to get the delivery right. Work on saying your speech out loud in the mirror to make sure you’ve incorporated any gestures you’d like to include, movement, or the use of props or a PowerPoint presentation. 

This is also where you hone in on the appropriate intonation. You don’t want to sound like a robot, after all. 

For more tips on perfecting the delivery, review this tutorial:

7. Give the Speech to a Trusted Audience Member 

Once you’re happy with how your speech is sounding, perform it in front of a trusted audience member. This could be a co-worker, family member, or friend who you feel comfortable around and who you know will provide reliable feedback. 

After incorporating their notes, there’s nothing left to do but to go out there and give your speech! 

How to Memorize a Presentation or Speech (Mind Palace Method) 

Though the above method of memorizing a speech is valuable and definitely works, it might not always fit within shorter time frames. To hasten the process, there’s another way to memorize a speech that relies much more on visualization and concepts than on words. 

1. Create an Outline of Talking Points 

The mind palace method starts out similarly to the traditional method in this regard. You begin by creating an outline of your speech. In this case you’re actively discouraged from trying to memorize it word for word. Instead, you'll come up with bullet points that encompass the general topics, themes, and points you’d like to cover. 

This approach leaves room for spontaneity and unique phrases and sentiments that you might express in the moment. 

2. Assign a Mental Image to Each Point 

Once you've got your outline completed, your next task is to give each main idea an image. Picture something really specific in your head to go along with each idea.

So, if you were going to discuss finances as one of your main points, you might picture the dollar sign or a stack of money. Maybe even gold coins? Whatever image connects with the concept is what will work best for you. 

3. Create a Mind Palace in Your Home or Office

With images secure in your mind’s eye, your next task is to create what Ron White , a memory expert, calls a “mind palace.” It sounds a bit new-agey but it’s actually a time-honored practice used by William Shakespeare, even. 

How it works is that you assign a number to each piece of furniture in your home or office. So, you’d enter a room and walk around it in a natural way and assign a number to each large item in the space. So, the couch would be 1, the coffee table would be 2, the main lamp 3, and so forth. 

Walk around the space a few times reciting the numbers you’ve given each furniture item as you pass it. 

4. Assign the Mental Images to Spaces in Your Mind Palace 

With the lay of the land figured out, so to speak, you can now assign the mental images you made a couple of steps ago to each item of furniture. So, walk through the room again and stop at each furniture item then think of the mental image you created. But don’t stop at just a static image. Mentally bring it to life with as much sense-memory and emotion as possible. 

Using the money example mentioned earlier, listen to the sound of coins clattering onto a table, and think of how they’d feel in your hand. You can even imagine the metallic taste of metal if you were to bite a coin. 

The more visceral the imagery, the more effective it'll be for triggering your memory. 

Repeat this same process for each mental image you created. Then practice mentally touring your room and imagine pausing at each furniture item to recall the mental image. This is how you can access your speech’s bullet points – and eventually give the speech itself – without needing a single note in front of you. 

5. Practice, Practice, Practice 

Again, you'll need to practice this technique a bit to enjoy its full effects. But the great thing about the mind palace is that once you’ve created it, you can reuse it over and over with different mental images for different speeches. 

Plus, repeated practice will ensure you’ll always know where you are in your speech even if you don’t have your notes. You can always use visual aids or a presentation to go along with your speech. But with the mind palace, those aids are there for the audience and not something you’ll need to rely on.

Complement Your Speech With a PowerPoint Presentation

Though relying on a presentation isn’t ideal, having a PowerPoint on hand can help to trigger your memory if your mind ever goes blank. It can also help you to illustrate your points and serve as reinforcement for your audience. And thankfully, you don’t have to look very far to find compelling presentation templates to get started. 

Explore PowerPoint Templates

Envato Elements offers access to tons of PowerPoint presentation templates and many other design resources for one monthly subscription fee. 

Learn More About the Art of Giving Speeches 

If you want to take your speech-giving skills to the next level, we’ve covered the topic extensively in the past. Here are just a few tutorials and guides we’ve published on the subject:

Use the Best Way to Memorize a Speech for Your Circumstances

Having to give a speech can be a nerve-wracking ordeal. But if you take the time to bolster your memorization skills, you’ll find that you’re able to deliver speeches more eloquently, with greater confidence, and without forgetting anything important. 

And you can even create compelling graphics and presentations to go along with your speeches with PowerPoint templates , readily available from Envato Elements . 

There’s no time like the present to improve your speech memorization skills, so why not get started? 

Editorial Note: This content was originally published in June 2022. We're sharing it again because our editors have determined that this information is still accurate and relevant.

How do you memorize a presentation? 13 effective ways to memorize your presentation material

Learn effective ways to memorize a presentation & deliver your next presentation with confidence.

Bharti Jain

Delivering presentations

So, you've got a big presentation coming up, and you want to nail it. But there's one thing standing in your way: memorization. Memorizing your presentation can seem like a daunting task, but fear not!

With the right techniques and presentation creation tools , you can commit your material to memory with ease and deal with the fear of public speaking.

Why should you memorize your presentation material?

Before looking into the how, let's first understand the why. Rehearse your presentation for several benefits:

Common mistakes during memorization of presentation

Now that we understand the importance of memorization, let's address some common pitfalls to avoid:

• Rote memorization : Simply repeating your presentation verbatim can lead to robotic delivery and hinder genuine connection with your audience.
• Over-reliance on slides : Relying too heavily on slides can impede memorization and cause you to lose your place if technical issues arise.
• Ignoring body language : Forgetting to incorporate body language cues into your memorization can make your delivery feel stiff and unnatural.

13 effective ways to help you remember your next presentation

Here are some effective techniques to ensure you deliver the speech or presentation with confidence and poise. Whether you're a seasoned professional or preparing for your first public speaking engagement, these strategies will enhance your preparation process and performance.

1. Understand your material

Before you even begin to memorize your presentation, it's crucial to have a deep understanding of your material. Break down your content into key concepts and frame it like a story with a good flow. This isn't just about remembering words but grasping the essence of what you're going to talk about. Relate these concepts to stories or experiences for easier recall.

After breaking down the content and relating it to personal experiences, map out a narrative arc for your presentation. What are the key points? How does one idea flow into the next? This will not only help you remember the order of your content, but it will also make your presentation more engaging.

2. Employ the memory palace technique

The loci method, or memory palace technique, involves associating parts of your presentation with specific physical locations. By visualizing a familiar place and 'placing' elements of your talk in different locations within this space, you can walk through the area in your mind to help recall information.

Example: For a presentation on the impact of regular exercise, assign each key point to a room in your house using the mind palace technique:

• Front door (Introduction) : Envision stepping over a jump rope to enter, setting the stage for discussing the importance of physical activity.
• Kitchen (Benefits) : Picture a basket of fresh fruits on the counter, symbolizing the health benefits of exercise, like improved heart health and energy levels.
• Living room (Strategies) : Imagine a treadmill and yoga mat, representing strategies to incorporate exercise into daily life.

This concise setup creates a mental journey through your presentation, helping you recall each part clearly during delivery.

3. Create mind maps

It is a powerful tool for organizing your thoughts and ideas visually. By creating a mind map of your presentation, you can see the relationships between different sections and points. This visual representation makes it easier to memorize the flow of your presentation and recall details during your delivery.

Not only does a mind map provide a clear picture of your content structure, but it also encourages creativity. Essentially, it's brainstorming amplified. By the end, you are left with a rich tree of thoughts and ideas - your complete presentation, written out in an easy-to-follow map. So, next time you are preparing for a presentation, take a moment. Create a mind map.

4. 20-20-20 rule

The 20-20-20 rule of rehearsal is simple and very effective. Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away to prevent eye strain and maintain focus. This technique helps not only to rest your eyes but also to refocus your mind. It's a moment to breathe, to recalibrate, to reassess.

You'll find that when you return to your task, quite often you’ll approach it with a renewed sense of clarity. And guess what? It won't derail your productivity, it will enhance it. So, set your timer, practice the 20-20-20 rule, and see the difference it makes.

5. Practice... a lot!

There's no substitute for practice. The power to influence, inspire, and inform an audience lies in your ability to confidently present your material. Rehearsing your presentation multiple times is an absolute necessity. Each rehearsal should focus on refining different aspects - from your tone of voice to your body language.

Try practicing in front of a mirror. Watch your facial expressions and movements - do they align with the message you're trying to convey?

Don’t shy away from presenting to a friend or colleague. They can offer valuable feedback that you might overlook. Their perspective can help you pinpoint areas for improvement - from your content clarity to your engagement skills.

6. Use mnemonic devices

Mnemonic devices are shortcuts to help you remember information more easily. Create acronyms, phrases, or even songs that are related to the content of your presentation. These tools are particularly useful for memorizing lists or complex information. Example -

• Acronyms : Suppose your deck is about the critical components of a successful team. You could use the acronym "G.R.I.T." to help remember and convey these components: G oal-oriented, R esilient, I nterpersonal skills, and T enacity. Each letter prompts you to recall and discuss each characteristic in detail.
• Phrases : For a deck on the stages of project management, you might use a catchy phrase like "Dogs Prefer Running Through Water" to memorize the stages: D efine, P lan, R un, T rack, and W rap-up. This phrase creates a visual and auditory mnemonic that makes the stages easier to remember and recite.

7. Chunk your information

Rather than attempting to engulf the entirety at once, take it bit by bit. Start with the introduction. Then the first key point. Followed by the next. Revisit each segment, solidifying your grasp before proceeding. This piecemeal approach fosters understanding and retention.

Now apply this tactic in a broader context. Imagine the potential improvement in processing complex instructions, studying for a crucial exam, or even mastering a new skill. Chunking is not just for presentations. It's a powerful tool in our cognitive arsenal to improve productivity and efficiency, providing an antidote to the overwhelm of big tasks. Take it step-by-step.

8. Incorporate physical movement

Our bodies and minds are interconnected. Using gestures or physical movements while assembling your presentation could be your game-changer. The theory is simple: associate different elements of your speech with specific movements. This technique is rooted in the idea of muscle memory - your body remembers.

For example , try pointing up when discussing quarterly growth, or stride across the room when talking about overcoming challenges. The physical act of moving can help reinforce your material, making it easier to recall during the presentation.

9. Take advantage of technology

Use apps and tools designed to improve memorization and practice. From presentation software with storybuilder features to flashcard apps that help you drill main points, technology can be a valuable ally in your preparation. You can even record your presentation to check how it looks.

10. Teach someone else

Teaching someone else about your presentation content is not just a rehearsal; it's a powerful learning technique known as the "Protégé Effect." This strategy is grounded in the principle that teaching information to another person improves the teacher's own understanding and retention of the material. When you explain concepts to someone else, you are forced to clarify your thoughts, identify any gaps in your own knowledge, and think about the material in new and different ways.

11. Stay healthy

The adage "a healthy body houses a healthy mind" is more than just a saying; it's backed by extensive scientific research. The interconnection between physical health and mental acuity cannot be overstated. A good night's sleep, proper nutrition, and regular exercise are foundational elements that support cognitive functions, including memory, attention, and problem-solving skills.

Did you know - A study from the University of British Columbia found that regular aerobic exercise, the kind that gets your heart and your sweat glands pumping, appears to boost the size of the hippocampus, the brain area involved in verbal memory and learning.

12. Visualize success

Visualizing success, particularly in the context of preparing for a presentation, is a powerful technique rooted in cognitive psychology. This practice involves creating a detailed mental image of achieving a desired outcome, including feeling confident and engaging your audience effectively during a presentation.

The science behind visualization is based on the principle that the brain and nervous system respond similarly to imagined experiences as they do to real experiences. This means that by visualizing success, you can condition your mind and body to perform more effectively in the actual situation.

13. Reflect and adjust

Reflecting on and adjusting your approach after each practice session is a critical part of mastering any skill, including memorization and presentation delivery. This iterative process is grounded in the principles of deliberate practice and reflective learning, which are key to achieving expertise in any field.

An example of the reflect and adjust method in action can be seen in medical education, where students often engage in simulated patient interactions. After each simulation, students reflect on their performance, receive feedback from instructors, and identify specific areas for improvement. This process has been shown to significantly improve students' diagnostic accuracy and patient communication skills over time.

What to do if you forget a main point midway?

Even with thorough preparation, forgetting a part of your presentation can happen. If you find yourself drawing a blank mid-speech, take a deep breath, and try one of these strategies to remember your presentation:

1. How long does it take to memorize a presentation?

Memorization time varies depending on the length and complexity of the presentation, but consistent practice can significantly reduce the time required.

2. Is it okay to use cue cards during a presentation?

While cue cards can be helpful for reference, relying too heavily on them can hinder your connection with the audience. Aim to minimize their use through thorough memorization and practice.

3. Should I memorize every word of my presentation?

While it's essential to have a thorough understanding of your material, aiming for word-for-word memorization can lead to robotic delivery. Focus on memorizing key points and transitions for a more natural presentation.

4. What if I make a mistake during my presentation?

Mistakes are natural and happen to everyone. Take a deep breath, acknowledge the error gracefully, and continue with your presentation. Your ability to recover smoothly can even enhance your credibility with the audience.

5. How can I calm my nerves before a presentation?

Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, visualization, and positive affirmations to calm pre-presentation nerves and boost your confidence.

Ways in which Prezent can help you memorize!

Prezent is a comprehensive AI-powered platform designed to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of your presentations, making it easier for you to memorize and deliver them with confidence.

Simplification of complex information:

Generative AI : Converts complex sentences into clear, concise presentations. This feature helps in breaking down intricate ideas into simpler, more memorable pieces.

Executive summary synthesis : Converts detailed decks into a one-page summary, focusing on the essence of the presentation. This aids in grasping and remembering the core message.

Engaging storytelling:

Structured storylines : Utilizes AI to help structure presentations in a narrative format, making the information more engaging and easier to remember.

Access to 35,000+ brand-approved slides : Offers a vast library that can be used to create visually appealing and narrative-driven presentations, enhancing the storytelling aspect.

Efficiency in presentation creation:

Personalized on-brand presentations in seconds : Quickly generates presentations that align with brand guidelines, saving time and allowing presenters to focus more on the content's delivery and memorization.

Story-builder tool : Streamlines the creation process by providing a structured framework for presentations, reducing the time spent on design and layout.

Visual aids for enhanced recall:

Redesign to brand-new look : Instantly transforms slides into visually appealing formats that are consistent with brand identity, making the visual aids more memorable.

Library of curated best-practice presentations : Offers access to high-quality visual and content templates that enhance the visual appeal and recallability of presentations.

Adaptive training and learning modules:

On-demand learning modules : Provides modules on the art and science of business communication, including effective use of visual aids and storytelling, which can improve presentation skills.

Communication fingerprints : A unique feature that helps understand personal or audience preferences, enabling the creation of more personalized and impactful presentations that are easier to remember.

Remember, creating a presentation that is as visually compelling as the information it contains will elevate your confidence, making your delivery in front of a large audience seamless and powerful.

Explore Prezent with a free trial to create such stunning presentations. Schedule a demo to experience all the product features and how it can elevate your presentations.

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How I Memorized a Presentation for TEDx (Word Perfect)

Anthony metivier.

• June 11, 2024
• Presentation

Podcast: Download

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Beyond that presentation from the stage, what qualifies me to offer you tips for memorizing a speech of any length?

Well, I also spent a decade as a professor at three universities in three different countries. I delivered dozens of lectures during those years. In more than one language.

I’ve also spent over a decade as an online “professor of memory.” My expertise in memory has taken me around the world. I’ve given presentations in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, England, China, Canada, Australia and the USA.

In fact, in the feature image for this post, you see me discussing memory as a part of language learning at a 2016 Polyglot Conference in Berlin. You can also watch hundreds of hours of my presentations on YouTube from several years of live streaming.

And on this page, I’m going to share the best of my experiences with multiple kinds of presentation.

If you want to memorize a speech verbatim, I’ll show you how.

Or, if you prefer to work from mental bullet points, I’ll help you do that too.

When it comes to memory aids for speakers, this is the real deal from someone who practices these techniques week in and week out.

Let’s get started!

So You Need to Memorize a Presentation… Here’s Where to Start

Getting started… this is the tricky bit.

So here’s a story using the Polyglot conference speech I gave to help dimensionalize the starting point I usually use.

Determine Who Your Presentation Is For… And Who It Isn’t For

Before I wrote a single word, I asked myself a very simple set of questions:

Who can I help and who am I unable to help?

And what’s the one thing that will help the listeners above all?

I went through this same process with my TEDx Talk and many other presentations.

Make no mistake, this step can be tricky. It’s a discipline to whittle things down to the biggest and most important point.

But it is possible and often the success of the talks we enjoy most come down to knowing that the audience you’re addressing is defined as closely as possible.

It was hard for me, but I believe focusing on just one kind of person and one message for that person helped my TEDx Talk reach so many viewers.

Of course, some presentations need more details and more nuance, but even then, the principle is the same. If you think about who each principle is for and how to focus on the biggest and most impactful part, it’s going to be easier to digest. And easier for you to remember successfully.

Script The Presentation

When it comes to helping yourself remember your presentation, writing is key. If you write a bunch of mush with endless long sentences, you’re setting yourself up for a struggle.

So when you’re putting the presentation together, ask yourself:

• Do I want to memorize the speech verbatim ?
• Or can I memorize keywords and let my expertise fill in the blanks while speaking?

Both ways work very well. It just comes down to your goal. In the case of my TEDx Talk, I wrote the speech and memorized it verbatim.

In my Polyglot Conference talk, I prepared slides and memorized the key points, which involved speaking some Chinese based on how I’ve studied that language .

Either way, scripting or preparing slides can help you decide how you’re going to memorize the presentation.

Review The Presentation

As a final preparation step, it’s great if you can take a moment to review what you’ve prepared. Ideally, you’ll also get at least one other person to review it as well.

For my TEDx Talk, Thomas Krafft reviewed the script itself and a recording of me delivering it from memory. Before presenting the script of my live-action “Memory Detective” game attached to a memory improvement novel I wrote, I had a test audience go through the entire sequence.

Reviewing the speech, slides and related materials with others helps add an extra layer of understanding that helps with the memorization process. I highly recommend making time for review.

How to Memorize a Presentation from Start to Finish in 7 Easy Steps

As Hanna Pishwa points out in Language and Memory , Aristotle was one of the first to intensively describe the rhetorical strategies used for persuasion in speeches.

But we can go a step further: Aristotle also closed his treatise on memory by explaining that we are moved most by people who speak from memory.

He says reciting from memory is impressive because the person who has memorized their speech doesn’t have to “hunt” for their ideas. They use a “process” that brings those ideas to them automatically.

How can you do that too? Just follow these steps:

One: Learn To Use The Memory Palace Technique

Since long before Aristotle, people have been using the ancient art of memory to commit speeches to memory using Memory Palaces .

A Memory Palace is simply a mental copy of a location you know well, like you home, office, school, church or any place with walls, paths and other environment features.

This is a graphic representation of the Memory Palace I used to memorize my TEDx Talk:

It’s a neighborhood in Brisbane and the numbers represent individual stations.

I teach people who take the Magnetic Memory Method Masterclass to number their stations to help them rapidly create these simple journeys .

To do this, it’s helpful to draw your Memory Palaces first. Like this:

Two: Add Interesting Associations To The Words & Ideas In Your Presentation

The best memory techniques all rely on mnemonic imagery .

When it comes to how to memorize lines for a presentation, you can do this very quickly by tapping into a pegword list .

For example, in a speech that starts with, “How would you like…?” my pegword list suggests Howie Mandel for “how” and Elijah Wood for “would.”

Those figures are laid out in the Memory Palace at the beginning of its journey.

This leads us to the next step.

Three: Make Your Associations Zany

Let me make a preemptive strike here:

A lot of people have protested to me over the years:

I’m not creative. I can’t get myself to see Howie Mandel and Elijah Wood to kick a like button on a platform like YouTube.

Stop right there.

I’m not creative either.

All I’m doing is taking too people who already exist and having them do something strange. There are only so many actions in the world. They could kiss the like button, put it in a rocket ship and send it to the moon, or bury it with thumbs-up shaped shovels.

Seriously. There’s nothing “creative” about this. It’s just borrowing from real possible actions and animating them in the Memory Palace. Please don’t overthink this process and make sure of the exercises I’m going to share with you in step four.

If you’re memorizing your presentation verbatim, you’ll need more associations than you would for a speech delivered based on bullet-points.

Either way, the process is the same.

Four: Make Your Associations Multisensory

Once you’ve decided what your characters are going to do with one another, add some multisensory elements. For example, you can hear the voices of your celebrity associations, or imagine that you’re feeling them interacting with the like button in our example.

We do this because scientific research makes it clear that elaboration helps form memories faster.

To get better at making your associations weird and multisensory within seconds, these elaborative encoding exercises will help, as will these visualization exercises .

Five: Use The Memory Palace To Memorize Your Speech

When the ancient Romans delivered their speeches, they often would start a persuasive passage with a set of points.

“In the first place,” an orator would say before diving into the point. Then the orator would say, “In the second place,” etc.

This convention in speeches remains with us today, and those orators were literally using their Memory Palaces in real time to recall their points.

But you can be sure that they had practiced in private before delivering them. We know that Rhetorica Ad Herennium , originally attributed to Cicero , gives many suggestions around how best to practice for both public speaking and reciting poetry.

And you need to practice as well.

You do it by starting at the “first place” of the Memory Palace and then triggering those images to help you recall the words.

Personally, I practice my speeches by following several patterns. For example, instead of always starting at the beginning, I will practice reciting a few lines from the end, then switch to the beginning, then go to a spot in the middle.

This is helpful in ushering the speech into long term memory quickly because it harnesses the primacy effect, recency effect and serial-positioning effect.

Six: Practice Delivering The Speech

Now, this point is a subtly that I personally find important.

I do not go through my Memory Palace while delivering my presentations unless I absolutely have to do so.

See, when you follow the process I’ve described above, the presentation will be in your long term memory .

However, unexpected things can happen. During my TEDx Talk, people laughed at a spot I hadn’t placed a joke. It surprised me for a second and I briefly popped into the Memory Palace I’d made to help me get back on track (instead of standing there like a deer caught in headlights).

But ideally, you want to just have the speech memorized and not have to rely on any mnemonic strategies while in the moment. With optimal setup and execution, the memory techniques will have already done their job and you can do what Aristotle described: speak without looking like you’re hunting for the ideas.

And that means you can connect with that audience you identified during the preparation stage. The more you connect with them, the more successful you’ll be during and after your presentation because people remember connection.

Seven: Analyze Your Performance

Want to be a pro speaker?

Then you’ll want to spend some time reflecting on your presentation.

This step is important because it gives you the opportunity to identify areas to improve the next time.

And it will help you congratulate yourself where credit is due. Please make sure to do so. Giving a speech is a huge accomplishment and you deserve recognition merely for making it happen.

But the real gold is some objective and subjective reasoning about the entire process. It will also reveal new ideas for other presentations you might not have thought about otherwise.

In a Pinch? Here’s How to Memorize a Speech Fast

I know that some people don’t have time for all of the steps above.

To be clear: I do all that I can to make sure I have enough time.

But when I don’t, here’s what I do instead.

The Acronym Method

I’m often invited to speak in the community at the last minute. I literally don’t have time to mindmap more than a few ideas.

But I can take those ideas and arrange them into a keyword.

For example, when I was invited to speak at a “Masters of Marketing” event, I arranged my ideas into the acronym F.R.E.E.

• Frequent messaging to a…
• Relevant audience…
• Entertains, Educates and…
• Engages in the direction of a response

I placed that acronym in a simple Memory Palace and talked about what each concept mean for two minutes each.

The great thing about the acronym approach is that you don’t have to practice as much, if at all. The logic of the acronym itself guides you through the parts of your presentation because you’re mentally checking them off by spelling the acronym.

Give this presentation technique a try and you will have no problem committing presentations to memory fast.

Memorize Your Speech in No Time With the Steps Above

Let’s recap:

Presentations are so much easier to remember when you’re clear about who you’re addressing  and  who you’re not.

Once you’ve decided on whether you’ll be speaking verbatim or working from bullet points, the Memory Palace technique is a tried and true technique with thousands of years of success stories .

To make information “stick,” you need a process of elaborating associations. A bit of prep will take you a long way if you complete the exercises I shared on this page.

Finally, it’s worth repeating that reviewing your talk in any way possible is tremendously valuable. Even if you get a last minute invite to speak, you can probably squeeze in a few minutes to record yourself on your phone and tweak a few things.

Even if you don’t have time to change anything, just seeing yourself once will give you ideas about how to make what you’re about to say in front of an audience better.

Just make sure to avoid perfectionism. Relax and if you make a mistake, just call a spade a spade and find your way back to where you got lost.

And if you want more on the memorization process so you always recover quickly when things happen during live presentations (as they inevitably will), check out my FREE Memory Improvement Kit:

So what do you say?

Are you ready to get out there and give the best presentation of your career?

Let me now if you have any questions and I’ll be happy to share with you more granular details from my long career of presenting around the world.

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ABOUT ANTHONY METIVIER

Anthony Metivier is the founder of the Magnetic Memory Method, a systematic, 21st century approach to memorizing foreign language vocabulary, names, music, poetry and more in ways that are easy, elegant, effective and fun.

Dr. Metivier holds a Ph.D. in Humanities from York University and has been featured in Forbes, Viva Magazine, Fluent in 3 Months, Daily Stoic, Learning How to Learn and he has delivered one of the most popular TEDx Talks on memory improvement.

His most popular books include, The Victorious Mind and… Read More

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How To Memorize a Presentation For a Better Flow

Many presentation veterans and TEDxTalkers will tell you that you should dedicate one hour of preparation for every minute of the presentation. That seems like a lot, right? If your presentation is 15 minutes long, that’s 15 hours of preparation. Who has time for that? However, when you actually sit down and consider the brainstorming and story mining, the physical deck design, and practicing the presentation— 15 hours might not seem so astronomical. After all, you don’t want to spend hours creating a deck just to forget everything you’re supposed to say when you step up to the podium. 

It might not seem important, but how your presentation flows is critical to its overall success. In fact, 90% of people believe that a strong narrative and story in a presentation is critical for engagement. Similarly, 35% of millennials say they will only engage with content they feel has a great story or theme. It just goes to show that presentations are two-fold: the deck, and the delivery. Your presentation could have a great story, but if your flow and delivery misses the mark it’s all for naught. It’s no wonder so many people stress about public speaking, they don’t want to get choked up in front of an audience and embarrass themselves. Practice and memorization are just as important as the physical presentation deck, and vice versa. 

If you’re a last-minute warrior (no judgement), and are wondering how to memorize a presentation in one night, we’ve got you covered. Consider these tips to help you memorize your next presentation for a better flow and overall experience. 

Structure your story in an obvious way

If you structure your story in an obvious way— with a beginning, middle, and end— it will help keep you on track. Become familiar with the character (your product, service, or idea), the villain (the problem you’re solving for), and the narrative. Better yet, think of it as a novel you’ve read again and again, or a funny story you’re sharing with your friends. When you know the flow, positioning, and progression of your story, it will be easier to pick up where you left off if you get lost or distracted mid-thought. 

Beautiful.ai can help you structure your story more effectively with our Smart Slide templates . The guardrails put in place by our design AI force you to format your story more efficiently, but it also allows you to structure it in new, creative ways you might not have thought of otherwise. 

Keep it short and sweet

It’s not rocket science: the shorter your presentation, the easier it is to remember. (The same goes for your audience, too). In order to memorize your presentation, and make sure you’re not leaving out any key points, keep your deck to a minimum. We always recommend Guy Kawasaki’s 10/20/30 rule, which says no PowerPoint presentation should be more than ten slides, longer than 20 minutes, and use fonts smaller than 30 point size. If you stick to this method, you’ll have less to memorize and more to gain. 

Practice, practice, practice

Obviously, practice makes perfect. The more you practice and rehearse the narrative, in your head or in front of your mirror, the more prepared you will be on game day. Here are some easy ways to practice, and better memorize your presentation.

The 20-20-20 rule

The 20-20-20 rule, which was created by memory experts, encourages you to go over the material (in this case, your presentation) for 20 minutes, and then repeat that twice for another 20 minutes each. According to research, if the information is not repeated or revisited within 30 minutes, it’s not encoded into the long-term memory side of the brain, and therefore would be harder to remember on presentation day. 

Record yourself

When you sit down to practice, you should do at least one dry run in front of the mirror or a friend. And you should record yourself doing it. When you record yourself presenting, you can watch it back to 1) review and memorize the information, and 2) tweak your narrative where necessary. It’s also a great way to manage and tweak your facial expressions and body language. 

There’s just something about hand-written notes that really engrains the information in your brain. No, really. It’s scientifically proven that physically writing down information by hand helps you retain it more effectively. So, take notes. Take notes as you’re story mining, designing your deck, and practicing your speech and refer back to them before your presentation. 

Have a cheat sheet handy

Okay, normally we wouldn’t encourage note cards. Why? Simply because people tend to read directly from the note cards instead of speaking to their audience. But in our new norm of remote work— and virtual conferences, meetings, events, etc.— a cheat sheet can be your friend.

Check out this hot tip. Make a cheat sheet of the absolute highest level key points you need to touch on and tape the note card to the top of your computer near the camera. Even if you need to read from the card (in the case of a mental lapse), it will look like you’re staring into the camera and making eye contact with your virtual audience. You’re welcome. 

Jordan Turner

Jordan is a Bay Area writer, social media manager, and content strategist.

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Microsoft 365 Life Hacks > Presentations > Tips for memorizing presentations

Tips for memorizing presentations

If you’re looking to deliver an engaging and interesting presentation , it’s best to memorize it as much as possible. Robotically reading off of your slides won’t captivate your audience. Follow these tips for memorizing your presentation.

If you have an important presentation coming up, you’ll want to impress your audience by proving you know what you’re talking about. Memorizing the ins and outs of your presentation will demonstrate that you’re an expert on the presentation topic. If you struggle with memorizing your presentation, these memorization tips and tricks can help.

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Memorization tip #1: Use repetition

Repetition is an excellent trick for memorization. Make sure to repeat the key points of your presentation. Using repetition will make it easier to reinforce the information in your memory and make it easier to recall once it’s time to present. Repeat the key points of your presentation out loud, handwrite them , or try both.

Memorization tip #2: Use visual aids

Adding visual aids like images, diagrams, or charts to your PowerPoint can help make it easier to remember the key points of your presentation. Visual aids are especially helpful if you’re a visual learner . Visual aids won’t just benefit you—they can make your presentation much more enjoyable to the audience. Audience members who are also visual learners will benefit from images, diagrams, and charts in your presentation. It can be tempting to overload your presentation with graphics and images. Try to keep it down to one visual aid per slide. Otherwise, your presentation could become overwhelming to the audience, and you may confuse yourself by adding too many visuals.

Memorization tip #3: Break it down

A simple memorization trick is to break down your presentation into smaller chunks or sections. Breaking down your presentation into smaller pieces will make it easier to memorize and can help prevent you from becoming overwhelmed. It can also add more structure to your presentation.

Memorization tip #4: Practice makes perfect

This is probably the most obvious tip for memorization, but practice your presentation as much as possible. Practice running through your presentation alone first to build your confidence, then run through it with a friend, family member, or colleague to get their feedback. Practicing your presentation in front of other people can also help calm presentation anxiety .

Memorization tip #5: Record yourself talking

Record yourself going through your presentation. Then, you can listen to your presentation while doing other mundane tasks, like while you wash the dishes or commute to work. Listening to your presentation will help you memorize it. This memorization technique is especially helpful for auditory learners.

Memorization tip #6: Take breaks

While practicing your presentation is an excellent way to memorize it, don’t overdo it. Take short breaks to avoid burnout and refresh your mind so that it’s easier to focus when you get back to rehearsing your presentation.

Memorization tip #7: Use stories

Adding stories or anecdotes to your presentation can help you remember the key points of your presentation. Stories are also engaging for an audience. Stick to simple and/or authentic stories. If you make up a story just for the sake of your presentation, then it’ll be just another thing for you to memorize. Choosing a story from your actual life won’t require much recall. Additionally, stories with too many components will be harder to remember. Make your life easier by choosing an uncomplicated anecdote.

Memorization tip #8: Create a script

Create a script that follows your presentation. Having a detailed script to go off of will help you memorize and be more prepared for your presentation. Your script doesn’t have to be dense—you can create a bulleted list to read off of.

Memorization tip #9: Give yourself time to prepare

If you have a big presentation coming up, don’t procrastinate. There’s a reason why cramming isn’t recommended—crammed information is stored in your short-term memory, meaning you can only recall that information for a smaller amount of time. Devote a few days of practice leading up to your presentation to build long-term memory. Long-term memory lasts much longer.

Memorization tip #10: Get a good night’s sleep

Don’t stay up late the night before your presentation trying to memorize it. Getting a good night’s sleep will help you strengthen and retain the information that you learned throughout the day. Waking up with a clear and refreshed mind will help you perform your best when it’s time to present.

Creating and delivering a presentation is a lot of work, but with the right preparation, it’ll be a breeze. Explore more presentation tips with Microsoft 365.

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• Presentation

How to Memorize a Presentation in Eleven Easy Steps!

• May 25, 2022

Public speaking can be daunting, but one technique can significantly boost your confidence and impact: memorizing your presentation. With the capacity to recall material, the significance of doing so while giving a speech, pitch, or presentation must be balanced. Practical advice on acquiring the skill of How to memorize a presentation is provided through this blog post.

Table of Contents

How do you memorize a presentation?

To memorize a presentation effectively, thoroughly understand your content, and create  Presentation design services . Then, repeat the presentation aloud multiple times, initially with the aid of your outline, gradually reducing reliance on it until you can recall the entire presentation from memory. Visualize key points and use mental associations to aid recall. Record yourself practicing and review for improvements. Break down lengthy presentations into manageable chunks and practice with a trusted audience under simulated pressure. On the presentation day, take deep breaths, maintain eye contact, and engage with your audience while delivering your memorized content to boost confidence and ensure a polished delivery.

No need to worry about giving a presentation, we’ve got your back! In this blog post, you’ll find eleven easy steps that will help memorize any speech or song so it feels like second nature. Follow them and before long all of those worrying thoughts are gone – just focus on delivering great content while feeling calm in front of an audience instead.

1–Know Your Material

Before you can be successful at present, it is essential that both your pre-talk and talk are entirely familiar with the material. It will take more time for memorization if there’s a gap in understanding what we’re going over – make sure to review everything carefully before moving forward!

2–Create an Outline

You should always start with an outline of your presentation. It will help you stay on track and remember what’s going on in the event that it becomes difficult for any reason, like when someone interrupts or another person needs attention!

3–Practice saying it out loud, timing yourself to make sure you’re within the allotted time limit

If you’re looking to deliver a speech in the allotted time, this is an important step. It’s also a great way of getting started with memorizing your material and practicing aloud before going live! When we practice saying our lines out loud like regular people do–we’ll be able put them to good use when it counts most: during presentations or other big moments where speed matters more than anything else (like interviewing somebody).

4–Break the speech down into smaller parts and focus on memorizing one part at a time

The entire presentation may seem daunting at first, but if you break it down into smaller parts and focus on memorizing just one section at a time until all of the information has been committed to memory then things will go much smoother.

5–Visualize yourself giving the speech in front of a crowd

visualizing yourself delivering a speech in front of an audience can be very helpful when trying to commit material into memory. First, see yourself delivering the lines confidently and flawlessly before your eyes then do so physically through practice or role-play until it becomes natural for you!

6–Imagine your audience’s reaction to your words – are they laughing, clapping, or looking bored?

You can make your presentations more engaging by using visualization techniques like this. As you are memorizing the information, imagine how it will feel when they’re listening to what you have said and visualizing their reactions in order for them not only to hear but also to remember all of these important points!

7–Take practice runs in front of a mirror or with friends/family members to get feedback

You can use this technique to help you remember the information from your presentation and improve memorization. You might want to try practicing in front of a mirror or with friends/family members, listening for errors that may have been made when saying it aloud beforehand so they don’t happen again during performance time!

Why Do You Need to Memorize a Presentation?

• Enhanced Confidence: Knowing your material inside and out instills confidence. You can maintain eye contact, engage with your audience, and appear more authoritative without relying on notes or slides.
• Better Flow: Memorizing your presentation allows for a smoother and more natural delivery. You will be able to understand words or ideas, creating a more enjoyable experience for your listeners.
• Reduced Nervousness: Fear of forgetting your content can be a significant source of anxiety before a presentation. Memorization reduces this fear, leading to a calmer and more composed delivery.
• Improved Connection: When you’re not constantly glancing at notes or slides, you can connect more deeply with your audience. Your engagement and authenticity become apparent, fostering a stronger connection.
• Professionalism: Memorizing a presentation showcases your dedication and professionalism. It suggests that you’ve tried to deliver a polished and well-prepared talk.

The Best Way to Memorize a Presentation

Understand your content:.

Before you start memorizing, ensure you have a solid grasp of your material. Understand the key points, the flow of your presentation, and the overarching message. This foundational knowledge will make memorization more manageable.

Create an Outline:

Begin by creating a detailed outline of your presentation. Break it down into sections or key points. A structured outline makes it easier to organize your thoughts and memorize them systematically.

Repeat, Repeat, Repeat:

The most effective way to memorize is through repetition. Aloud reading is essential before you begin presenting. Memory recall and reference to an outline are essential when reciting something. As you decrease your reliance on the outline, recalling the entire presentation will become possible.

Use Visual Aids Sparingly:

While visual aids like slides can be helpful, don’t rely on them as a crutch. Use them sparingly to complement your presentation, not as a script. This way, you will be able to read from the slides.

Practice with Props:

If your presentation involves props or physical demonstrations, practice with them extensively. Incorporate them into your memorization process so that they become seamlessly integrated into your talk.

Record Yourself:

While giving presentations, recording oneself can prove incredibly beneficial. With this tool, you can assess your performance, pinpoint areas for growth, and keep tabs on your progress in memorization.

Break It Down:

I f your presentation is lengthy, break it down into manageable chunks. Memorize one section at a time and combine them as you become more confident. This approach prevents overwhelming yourself.

Visualize the Content:

Create mental images or associations to help you remember specific points or examples. Visualizing your content can make it easier to recall during your presentation.

Practice Under Pressure:

To simulate the pressure of a real presentation, practice in front of friends, family, or colleagues. This will help you get accustomed to speaking under scrutiny and build confidence.

Stay Calm and Breathe:

Calming your nerves requires deep breaths on the presentation day. With trust in your preparations, approach each section separately. Moments of silence are acceptable when you need time to reflect.

Engage with the Audience:

Audience involvement is key when giving a memorized speech. By doing so, you can effectively respond to their reactions. This will be more interactive and memorable for you and your audience.

Practice, Practice, Practice:

The key to successful presentation memorization is practice. The more you rehearse, the more comfortable and confident you’ll become in delivering your content from memory.

Is it okay to memorize a presentation?

No need to take a robotic approach; there’s so much power in tapping into our knowledge and passion. To rise above the crowd with stellar presentations, begin by being intentional and taking time to plan well.

Why should you never (ever) Memorize a Presentation?

If you’re preparing a presentation, reciting every word might not be the best course of action. Instead of relying on memorization to deliver your message, focus on internalizing what it is you want to convey so that when presenting in front of an audience, the interaction and flow feel natural rather than contrived. When delivering content becomes too scripted or rehearsed – the charm runs out!

I was so uninterested in the presentation that I couldn’t even bring myself to understand what this guy was saying. The only thing of note I remember is randomly discovering on Twitter during my boredom-induced browse that Brazilian ex-president Dilma Rousseff had been impeached back then. All I could do at the time was pray for it to end!

When you regurgitate your content, you create a barrier between yourself and the audience. This removes any natural conversational flow that could be there to capture their attention. It’s important to keep this personal connection alive for your message to truly resonate!

Tap into your passion to take your audience on an unforgettable journey! When you make speaking a conversation, it allows you to open up and connect with them in ways that can be both inspiring and entertaining. You’ll share the highs of triumphs as well as commiserate through life’s challenges – together.

Memorizing a presentation is a valuable skill that can elevate your public speaking abilities. Confidence, delivery, and audience connection are all enhanced when you use this technique. Becoming a master of memorable presentations requires understanding content, crafting an organized structure, and dedicating time to practice. Start practicing today, and perfect your memorization skills with time!

How many times does it take to memorize a presentation?

Try to practice your presentation 2 to 3 times every day for weeks. Spreading out your practice sessions helps embed your presentation into memory more effectively and efficiently. It’s tough not to be nervous before your presentation.

How can I memorize a presentation quickly?

Memory experts recommend the 20-20-20 rule, which prescribes going over the details of a presentation for 20 minutes and then repeating the same material twice more. If material is not repeated within 30 minutes, it is not encoded into long-term memory.

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In a Hurry? Here’s How to Memorize a Speech in Less than an Hour

This article covers a few great tips about how great speakers make the presentation memorization process easy and stress-free. First, we will cover the big mistakes that most people make when they design a presentation that makes memorizing the presentation much harder. Forgetting what you want to say is a common phobia even among good speakers. So, the first step is to eliminate bad habits that make memorizing a presentation more difficult.

Next, we cover a few memory techniques that are common among professional speakers. (These tips are fantastic, and they work really well.) However, in the third part, I will show you how to actually design your entire presentation where you won’t have to memorize ANYTHING!

If you use this memory technique, your audience will see you as being absolutely brilliant. (Your speech will also be fantastically easy to deliver.)

Big Mistakes When Designing a Presentation that Makes Memorizing a Speech More Difficult.

Before you actually attempt to memorize a speech, the first thing that you want to do is to eliminate the following preparation mistakes. If you do these things, it won’t matter what memory aid you use. Your presentation will likely be difficult to deliver and boring for the audience. (That’s bad.)

1) Starting with the Visual Aid.

Many presenters will often start by designing a PowerPoint slideshow or some other visual aid. When we do this, we will likely end up with a long list of bullet points. As the speaker prepares to deliver the speech, he/she will often need to try to memorize exactly what he/she wants to say for each of the bullets. (This can be hard, and it adds a lot of unneeded pressure.) Instead, start by designing a good presentation. Then, after you have a great speech determine what visual aids will help your audience understand the content.

2) Writing a Presentation Word-for-Word.

Another big mistake is to write out their entire presentation longhand. Many presenters see delivering a presentation like learning lines in a play. We think that we have to create a script first. If you think about the logical “next steps,”, though, you will quickly see the big challenge. Because, after the script is written, you really only have two choices. Choice one is to just read the entire presentation. (Very boring!) Option two is to memorize the entire speech word-for-word (rote memorization.) That adds an extreme level of complexity to the delivery. It also doesn’t fix the initial problem with option number one. (It is still going to be very boring.) To fix this, just create a simple outline of your major points.

3) Data Dumping.

The hardest problem to overcome is called “data dumping.” This is where we give too much information in too short a period of time. When we design presentations, we often think that in order to present well, we have to tell the audience EVERYTHING that we know about the topic all at once. In reality, though, a few points covered really well will be better received than a bunch of points covered in a cursory fashion. We suggest that you limit your main points to five or fewer.

The good news is that once you eliminate these challenges, the next step is pretty easy — choose a memory technique based on the structure of our speech.

How to Memorize a Speech in Just a Few Minutes. (Memory Hack)

The human brain is a fantastic hard drive that can store vast amounts of information. However, most people don’t really understand how to efficiently use this fantastic organ effectively. All that you need to know to improve your memory dramatically in just a few minutes is to realize that your mind thinks in pictures.

When presenters make the mistake of writing out their speeches word-for-word, they will next try to memorize the presentation word-for-word as well. We look at the words on the paper, and we get overwhelmed. You see, our minds don’t remember the written words. We remember the images that those words create in our minds.

An Ancient Memory Technique that Assigns Mental Images for Each Part of Your Speech

The Stacking Technique is an ancient technique used to memorize the most important specific points of your presentation. You can actually memorize a whole speech, by focusing on the main ideas of the presentation — not a word-for-word recitation. Start by creating an outline of the speech. Break the speech into component parts. Then, just create a mental image for each point.

Here is a specific example. Let’s say I was giving the following presentation…

Our Plan to Increase Profit Next Quarter. Cut Costs by Buying Materials in Bulk. Decrease Rework by Improving Communication with Our Customers. Reach Out to Our Existing Satisfied Customers for Additional Orders.

All I would have to do to remember the main concepts is to create a mental image for each bullet point. For the first bullet point, I could create the image of a price tag being cut with a pair of scissors. This will help me remember to speak about cutting costs. For point two, I could picture a golfer who slices his shot and then secretly drops a new ball onto the fairway. The Mulligan golfer will help me remember to speak about reducing rework. For the final point, I could picture an employee with arms stretching 20 feet to shake hands with a customer. This will help me remember to speak about reaching out to happy customers.

To improve the chance of memorizing each item, add some type of action going from one image to the next. For instance, I start with the giant scissors cutting the price tag. The pieces of the price tag fall with a thud on either side of the startled golfer in mid-swing. As a result, his shot goes way off course. The disgruntled golfer looks around nervously and drops a new ball where his previous ball had laid. As he swings a second time, the ball slices around one of our employees. She has super-stretchy arms that are over 20 feet long. With her right hand, she reaches out to shake hands with a happy customer.

This technique works well even if you have to deliver a large number of bullet points. Just add a new image for each new bullet point. Practice the list of images with a friend to move the images to long-term memory.

The Best Way to Memorize a Speech: Mind Map it Out in Your Memory Palace

If you have ever seen a professional keynote speaker come on stage and deliver an entire hour-long presentation without any notes, he/she probably used the Mind Palace technique. (Also called the Mind Palace, Palace Technique, or Room Technique.) This technique is similar to the Stacking Technique, but instead of memorizing the images in sequential order, the images are placed within a location that you know extremely well. So, just like in the Stacking Technique, you create an image for each main point in your presentation.

Next, pick a location you can easily remember in great detail. It could be your house, office, or even the meeting room or banquet hall if you want. Then create a logical ‘route,’ based on which room or piece of furniture that you see first. For example, when you open the front door of your home, what is the first room that you enter?

After deciding on a route, imagine taking that route and focusing on the rooms or items AND the order that you see them. Using my home as an example, when I enter through the front door, I’m standing in the formal living room. The first piece of furniture that I see is the sofa to my left. This is where my dog sleepily wags her tail when I first enter. To my right is my wife’s office. Straight ahead is the formal dining area with the big table that is only used when my family visits on a holiday. Next is the smaller living area where the TV and comfy sofas are. Finally is the kitchen with the island in the middle.

Since I know this route and the specific locations really well, I can easily insert the images that we prepared in the Stacking Section. Instead of seeing my dog on the formal sofa, there is an oversize pair of scissors cutting a price tag. On my wife’s desk is the disgruntled golfer. Seated at the head of the formal dining table is my employee with her arms stretched all the way across the table to shake hands with a happy customer. If I had a fourth point, it would be watching TV. The fifth point would be on the kitchen island.

Add Details with Additional Pictures

Once you have the outline memorized, you can add additional images to represent additional content. For instance, for the first point about bulk orders, let’s say that you want to tell a story to reinforce the point. Last week, we ordered three separate supplies on three different orders and paid shipping fees for each delivery. If we had prepared the orders all at once, we would have saved money on shipping. A good image to help you remember this story is three sailing ships. (This represents the three separate shipments.)

In addition, let’s say that you want to underscore this opportunity by ending with an analogy. For instance, if you are going to fly to three different cities where clients are located, and you will only spend a single day with each, you will save a lot of money (and time) by organizing the trips in a single week. If you made the trips separately, in three different weeks, you’d pay more for your airline tickets and spend way more time at airports. It would also take you at least six days for all of the trips (three traveling and three with the clients.) However, if you left on a Tuesday, visited a client on Wednesday, flew to another city on Thursday, and then another on Friday, you’d spend a lot less time and money.

That is what we want to do with our ordering. Instead of having three people place three orders, paying for shipping for each of the orders, and having three people process the intake when the three orders arrive, we do it all at once. A single order, a single shipping cost, and a single intake. To remember this analogy, I could create an image of a Trident. (A single weapon with three points.)

Going back to the image of the Scissors on my formal sofa, well that sofa has three cushions. The left-most cushion has the scissors. The middle cushion has three ships. And, finally, the third cushion has a trident sticking into it. I can do the same for each room that I created using the Palace Technique.

How to Deliver Your Entire Speech without Memorizing ANYTHING!

By the way, we teach both of these memory techniques in our presentation skills classes . However, almost no one who comes through our classes ever uses either of these techniques.

What? Did you say no one ever uses these techniques to memorize a presentation?

Yes. Delivering a memorized speech is actually a terrible way to give a presentation.

If you design a really good presentation in the first place, you won’t really need to memorize anything. The technique that we teach in our classes is to focus on just a few, key concepts related to what your audience wants or needs to know about your topic. Then, create a visual aid with just those key bullet points on it. Since your bullet points are right there on your slideshow or visual aid, you don’t really need to memorize them. Then, for each of you bullets, come up with a compelling story, interesting analogy, or some other type of “attention getter.”

If you prepare and practice a few items like this for each of your main bullet points, then, when you deliver the presentation, just internally ask yourself, “How can I best explain this concept to my audience?” The answer will always be one or more of the items that you prepared.

A presentation like this will be much more spontaneous and interesting than a memorized presentation.

For additional help, make sure to visit our 101 presentation tips for public speaking blog post.

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60 Effective PowerPoint Presentation Tips & Tricks (Giant List)

Here's a PowerPoint presentation tips and tricks guide that takes you through how to make a good PowerPoint presentation.

The best PowerPoint presentations shouldn’t be remembered. Instead, they should fall into the background to support you and the message you’re trying to get across.

Unlike good PowerPoint presentations , bad PowerPoint presentations are a distraction. You may remember them, but not in a good way.

You’ve seen them before. They might have millions of lines of text. Or a disjointed flow to the slides. Even worse, some slides feature ugly photos and poor design that detract from the message you’re trying to get across. That can even hurt your credibility as a professional or speaker.

This article will take you from finding your initial topic to learning how to make a great PowerPoint presentation. Our guide covers everything in between so that you learn how to present a PowerPoint like a pro.

These Microsoft PowerPoint presentation tips and guidelines are organized into sections. So cut straight to the advice you need and come back when you’re ready for the next steps.

Guide to Making Great Presentations (Free eBook Download)

Also, download our Free eBook: The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations . It’s the deepest resource for learning effective presentation skills for a PPT.

This eBook covers the complete presentation process. It takes the PowerPoint tips and tricks you learn in this article further. Learn how to write your presentation, design it like a pro, and prepare it to present powerfully. It’s another great source for presentation design tips.

Master PowerPoint (Free Course): 15 Essential Tips

This article is full of helpful tips so you can build a powerful presentation. You can also find more PowerPoint tips in this video lesson:

To learn even more about how to make a PowerPoint look good, review the huge list of tips below.

What Makes a PowerPoint Presentation Effective?

Knowing how to use PowerPoint and work within it quickly is helpful. But more important is making a good presentation that hits all your goals. A great PowerPoint presentation is:

• Prepared to Win . Research, plan, and prepare your presentation professionally. It helps you deliver an effective message to your target audience.
• Designed Correctly . Your visual points should stand out without overwhelming your audience. A good PowerPoint visual shouldn’t complicate your message.
• Practiced to Perfection . Rehearse your timing and delivery so that your points land as practiced with a live audience.
• Delivered With Poise . Present with a relaxed inner calm and confident outward projection. Give your audience warmth, excitement, and energy.
• Free From Mistakes . Avoid typos, cheesy clip art, and mistakes like reading directly from your slides.

Consider this your all-inclusive guide to how to make a good presentation. We’ll look at preparing your presentation and explore how to design it in PowerPoint. Plus, we’ll cover how to practice and nail your delivery successfully come presentation time.

We’ll also address what not to do in these tips for PowerPoint presentations—so you can sidestep any big mistakes. Now let’s dig into these tips for effective PowerPoint presentations.

Killer Presentation Preparation Tips to Get Started Right

Before even opening PowerPoint, start by addressing these things. These Microsoft PowerPoint tips and tricks will ensure that you’re prepared for your presentation:

1. Know Your Stuff

Your presentation isn’t about your slides alone. It’s about the message you want to get across. Before filling in stats, facts and figures, think about the narrative that’ll be discussed, why, and in what order.

2. Write It Out

Start in a Word or Google doc, and storyboard or script the entire presentation. This will give you an idea of how the information presented will flow and how viewers will see it in sequence. Learn the complete writing process .

3. Highlight What’s Most Important

A presentation covers the most crucial pieces only. Whatever you’ve been working on that led to this—a paper, a work project, a new product design—doesn’t need to be shared in its entirety. Pick key points and put the rest in an “Appendix” to refer to during the Q&A session at the end.

4. Know Your Audience

How you talk to a room full of medical professionals should be different from the way you address a room full of young entrepreneurs. Everything, in fact, is different: your topic selection, the language you use, the examples you give to illustrate points. The little bits of humor you include should be tailored specifically with your target audience in mind.

Understand your audience’s needs to create a successful PowerPoint presentation. Customize your content to meet their specific requirements.

5. Rehearse! (Yes, Already)

It’s never too early to get used to the rhythm of your presentation and take note of points you want to emphasize. While saying it out loud, you’ll start to develop a “feel” for the material. You’ll notice that some things work well, while others don’t and might need to be worked around.

6. Rewrite After You Rehearse

As you’re rehearsing your presentation, you’re bound to stumble over sections that don’t quite flow naturally. Instead of reworking your delivery, it might be time to consider the content and rewrite the areas that served as stumbling blocks.

“Editing is hard. ‘It’s good enough,’ is a phrase wannabes use. Leaders take editing seriously.” – Anthony Trendl

The most important part of creating a great presentation is the writing stage. The second most important stage is rewriting.

7. Share With a Friend

If the stakes are high for your presentation, it’s never too early to get feedback from those that you trust. Here’s an article that helps you collaborate as a team on a PowerPoint presentation. Get PowerPoint design tips from those that you trust when you collaborate.

Simple Tips to Design Your PowerPoint Presentation Better

Second only to you (the information you bring and how you present it) is your PowerPoint slides. If not designed well, a PowerPoint can be disengaging or distracting (regardless of the content quality). Here are some presentation design tips to make sure this doesn’t happen to you:

8. Keep Your Slides Simple

This is one of the most important PowerPoint presentation tips to follow when designing your slides. Keep in mind that less is more (effective.) A cluttered slide is distracting. It causes confusion for an audience: Which part of the slide should I focus on? Should I read the slide or pay attention to the presenter?

A simple, visually appealing slide will engage your audience, keeping them on track with your main points. Here’s an example of a simple slide that serves its purpose perfectly:

Minimalist slide templates like Nook can help you resist the urge to clutter your slides.

9. Limit Words on Your Slides

Piggybacking on the last point, less is more effective. If possible, avoid bullets altogether. Otherwise cut them to just a few simple words. The audience should be listening, not reading.

10. Use High-Quality Photos and Graphics

One of the most important tips for quality PowerPoint presentations is to use high-quality photos and graphics.

Earlier in this tutorial, you saw Envato Elements, an all-you-can-download service with PPT tips inside of templates. Those pre-built designs are a beginner’s best friend. They’re even better when paired with Elements’ unlimited library of stock photos .

People are more likely to take you seriously if your presentation is visually appealing. Users view attractive design as more usable. Similarly, they’ll view a more attractive PowerPoint as more effective.

11. Use Accurate and Relevant Charts and Graphs

Charts and graphs can also be distracting if they’re not used right. Make sure your information design is simple and clean so that the audience doesn’t spend the entire time trying to decipher what your X axis says. Learn more about PPT data presentation .

12. Use High-Quality, Fresh Templates

Have you seen the old PowerPoint template that looks like worn paper and uses ink splashes? Yeah, so has your audience. Templates can be distracting if they’re too basic or if the design feels dated. You need one with great design options.

Costs are always a concern. But when you use Envato Elements, you’ve got everything you need to create a great PowerPoint presentation . That’s thanks to the incredible all-you-can-download subscription package.

The best PowerPoint tips and tricks can hardly compare to the value of using a template while building your presentation.

On Envato Elements, there are thousands of PowerPoint design templates that are ready to use. Instead of designing a presentation from scratch, start with a template! Just add your specifics to the placeholders.

Templates like Galaxi are impressively designed and waiting for your slide specifics.

The best PowerPoint design tips save you time. And there’s no tip more powerful than this one: use a pre-built template . It helps you master how to present a PowerPoint without spending all your time in the app.

13. Choose Appropriate Fonts

Fonts are an important part of engaging your audience. Fonts and typography choices have a subconscious effect on viewers. They can characterize your company’s presentation and brand either positively or negatively. Make sure that you’re choosing fonts that are professional and modern.

14. Choose Color Well

Like font choice, colors cause specific subconscious reactions from viewers. Choosing an outdated color combination for your presentation will render it ineffective.

Below is an example of the Popsicle PowerPoint template , which has a modern presentation color choice:

The Popsicle PowerPoint template highlights how harmonized color palettes can create beautiful slides.

15. Clean + Simple Formatting Makes All the Difference!

We’ve got a full tutorial on how to make a good presentation slide . Give it a read through and review the accompanying video. Just remember, less is more. The focus is you and your message , not your slides.

16. Make Sure All Objects Are Aligned

A simple way to create a well-designed presentation is to make sure all items on a slide are intentionally aligned. To do this, hold down Shift and select all the objects you want to include. Then choose Arrange in the options bar and apply Alignment Type .

17. Limit Punctuation

This isn’t the place for exclamation points. Emphasize your points (while speaking). Don’t enlist punctuation to do this for you. (Leave these at home!!!)

18. Avoid Over-Formatting Your Points

This PowerPoint presentation tip is simple. There’s no need to have every word of every bullet point capitalized, or to have all your bullet points in title case. If possible, drop bullets altogether. Again, the simpler, the better!

Limit your text formatting, including reducing the use of bullets, underline, and other effects. Compare the before example on the left to the revised version on the right.

19. Combine Information With Graphics in PowerPoint

One of the most powerful presentation skills for PPT is using infographics. With the right type of visuals, slides come to life and reduce the text in favor of graphics.

Infographics help combine information with graphics. It’s easier to explain complex ideas when you use visual formats that are intuitive.

Practice Presentation Tips: Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse!

Delivery is probably more important than the actual content. Here’s how to become more aware of your own unique ticks, and how to present like a polished pro:

20. I’ll Say It Again, Rehearse!

Just do it. Again and again. Experiment with pauses, gestures, and body language. Practice around one hour for every minute of your speech.

21. Practice With a Timer

Consistency is key to an effective PowerPoint presentation. The timing should be similar (ideally the same) each time you rehearse. This one will especially pay off when it’s time to present in front of your audience.

22. Slow It Down

Many of the best speakers today intentionally speak slowly. You’ll have the chance to emphasize, appear more thoughtful, and make your information easier to digest.

23. Pause More Often

Like the prior tip, pausing more often allows your main points to be emphasized and gives time for information to sink in. You need to let key points breathe a little before rushing into the next section.

24. Record Yourself

Use your phone’s voice recorder. Assess and critique yourself. Consider:

• Are your pauses too short or too long?
• Are you speaking slowly enough? Too slow?
• When you’re nervous, does your voice get high like the mice in Cinderella?

It’s always weird to hear your own voice recorded; don’t stress it. Use this as a time to adjust.

25. Choose Three Focal Points in the Room

If you stare at the same spot (or even creepier, the same person) the entire time, your presentation will be ineffective (and awkward.) People will be distracted by you, wondering what you’re staring at.

Try this: pick three points in the room (typically: left, center, right). Take time to direct your delivery toward each physical focal point in the room. Also, focus on the center when making your primary points.

26. Vary Your Sentence Length

This makes you sound more interesting, and it’s easier for your audience to follow. Think short and punchy. Or go long and complex for dramatic effect.

27. Modulate!

Don’t speak in monotone for your whole presentation. Be conscious of raising and lowering your voice tone. Otherwise, people will tune you out, and you’ll come across like the teacher in Charlie Brown.

28. Practice in Front of a Mirror

What you look like is as important as how you sound. Pretend you’re having a normal conversation, and allow your hands to move with your speech to emphasize your points. Just don’t get carried away! (I’m thinking Brene Brown or President Obama , not your Aunt Jamie after a few gin and tonics.)

29. Use “Present Mode” When Rehearsing

When you finally are ready to hit the Present button in PowerPoint, make sure you use the Present Mode option. This allows you (and only you) to view extra notes about each slide—just in case you forget something!

30. Practice With New Audiences

If possible, try doing a few real live test runs as a webinar or even at a local Toastmasters organization to get some feedback from a live audience.

31. Engage the Audience by Asking Questions

There’s no reason that a presentation should be one-sided. Why not invert the format and ask your audience a question?

To learn how to create a slide that kicks off a Q&A, use this article . These PowerPoint design tips help you create an engaging and exciting discussion.

Helpful Tips to Step Up and Deliver Come Presentation Time

When the actual day arrives, there are only a few last PowerPoint presentation tips and guidelines to keep in mind:

32. Take a Deep Breath

Deep breathing is proven to relieve stress. It’s simple, and it’ll help you remain calm and in the moment, even up to the last minute before starting.

33. Lighten Up Your Mood

Tell yourself a joke or watch a funny video clip. Do this before the presentation, of course. Research concludes that happy people are more productive. More productive is more focused and able to perform better.

34. Remind Yourself to Take It Slow

When we’re stressed or nervous (or both), we tend to speak faster. Consciously, take yet another deep breath and remind yourself to take it slow!

35. Read the Room

Every presentation room has a temperature. It’s your job as a speaker to gauge it and tailor your presentation to it.

Here’s a great example. Layoffs are coming at a company, and you’re asked to speak to an audience. Even if the audience isn’t personally affected by the actions, you’ve got to consider the morale of the workforce.

Skilled speakers have a knack for reading the energy of the room and adjusting their presentation on the fly.

The last thing that group will want to hear is how strong the economy is and why the company is the best place to work. That doesn’t mean that you’ve got to align to their uncertainty, but don’t go too far against the grain while presenting.

Robert Kennedy III is a master of bringing energy and aligning a speech to the audience. Here’s his advice for adjusting:

“It can be hard to wake up a “dead” crowd but go for it. Most of all, don’t take their energy personally. Focus on serving them with every bit of your fiber then leave empty.”

36. Fake It ‘Til You Make It!

Go forward with confidence. If you act confident, you’ll start to feel more confident. Move slowly with grace, speak clearly, smile, wear something nice. You’ll appear confident to all attendees (no matter how you feel internally).

PowerPoint Presentation Tips and Tricks to Help Avoid Mistakes (What Not to Do)

Most importantly, focus on what you can do to make your presentation better. There are a few important things not to do that we’ve got to address. Here are a handful of PowerPoint presentation tips and tricks to help you avoid missteps.

37. Stop With the Sound Effects

Sound effects are distracting and outdated. In most cases, avoid them. Add audio or music to your presentation to inject interest or highlight an important point, but it’s something to take extra care with. If you insert audio, then make sure your use really connects with your audience and has a fresh approach. Otherwise, it’s best to leave it out.

38. Don’t Use Flashy Slide Transitions

Again, this is distracting and outdated. Use transitions and subtle animations in your PowerPoint presentation. But you need to take care and do it right .

39. Beware of Clip Art

This PowerPoint presentation tip shouldn’t even have to be said. But please, please don’t use clip art. Use professional graphics instead.

40. Don’t Be Afraid to Be Afraid

The fear of public speaking is a real one. Many beginners think that if they’re feeling nervous that a presentation won’t go well or succeed. That might lead them to cancel the presentation.

Here’s a tip from expert Sandra Zimmer, who leads The Self-Expression Center on conquering your fears before you take the stage:

“Get out of your head and into your body. I do this through a grounding exercise that really works to calm nerves and bring you present in the moment.”

If you think that public speaking fears aren’t normal, you might never give your award-winning presentation. So don’t be afraid to be afraid, and acknowledge it’s part of the process!

41. Don’t Read Directly During Your PowerPoint Presentation

If you spend your entire presentation looking at the screen or your note cards, you’re sure to lose your audience’s attention. They’ll disengage from what you’re saying, and your presentation will fall flat.

Reading from your paper or screen also makes it look like you’re not prepared. Many people do it, but no one should. As a general rule, only present something you know well and have, at least mostly, memorized the main points of.

42. Don’t Miss Out on PowerPoint Customizations

Many new PowerPoint users often make significant mistakes when using Envato Elements designs.

The best way to see how to make a good presentation PPT is to start with designs from others. That means using a template, but that doesn’t mean you can’t customize them!

Don’t forget that PowerPoint templates are infinitely customizable. Think of them as guides with built-in presentation design tips.

To see more presentation tips that show you what not to do, make sure to check out our guide .

Work in PowerPoint More Effectively (Tips & Tricks to Level Up Your PPT Skills)

These PowerPoint tips will help you get the most out of the application to level up your next presentation. Let’s dive in.

43. Use the Visual Guides

When you’re designing your next PowerPoint presentation, it helps to create a sense of visual rhythm. Slides that have objects aligned and centered are more likely to resonate with an audience.

44. Use a Few Animations (Tastefully)

Animations in effective PowerPoint presentations are a slippery slope. We’ve all sat through presentations where there were so many objects in motion that it was easy to lose focus on the key ideas in the presentation.

But that’s why animations get an unfairly bad reputation. Use animations to create motion and hold an audience’s attention. Use them sparingly and on key elements on your slide, and you’ll capture that attention properly.

45. Stage Key Content With Animations

You just learned that animations should avoid being distracting. But there’s an important principle to using animations properly. It’s called staging content.

Staging content means that the content appears step by step. There’s nothing worse than overwhelming an audience with all your content at once. But when you stage content, bring it on step by step.

Take it from presentation pro Suzannah Baum :

“If you’re sharing a slide with lots of different points on it, using the animation to reveal those points one at a time is a way to keep the presenter’s content flowing smoothly.”

For more animation presentation tips and tricks, follow our guide .

46. Add a Video to Your PowerPoint

When you’re sharing a big idea in your presentation, it helps to share your perspective from a few different angles. Adding a video to supplement your content can do just that. Luckily, it’s easy to add and embed a YouTube video in your next PowerPoint presentation.

47. Add Charts & Graphs

Charts and graphs can help you tell stories with data. It’s easy for an audience to zone out when you throw a big data table or set of statistics at them.

instead, convert those to charts and graphs. Try out our tutorial to learn how to edit those graphs.

48. Build Your Own Infographics With SmartArt

Earlier in this tutorial, we gave you one of my favorite PowerPoint design tips: use infographic templates.

Here’s another. One of my favorite PowerPoint features is SmartArt, which allows you to build infographics right inside the app.

You don’t have to use another graphic design app like Photoshop or Illustrator to add visuals. Instead, try out SmartArt to help you build graphics that are easy to update.

49. Use Presenter View

Remember that when you use the PowerPoint, you’ re the presentation. The slides are just there to reinforce what you’ve got to say and support your speaking points.

That’s why I always recommend using Presenter view. More often than not, you’re going to have several displays. Presenter view shows your content on your screen, while your presentation is displayed on another screen.

50. Track Your PowerPoint Changes

One of my favorite PowerPoint design tips is to collaborate. Those who know you best will suggest compelling changes that are sure to help you succeed.

As you start collaborating on your presentation, it helps to keep track of proposed and included PowerPoint changes. Use this article to track changes made by others.

10 More Advanced PowerPoint Tips & Tricks

Really need to wow an audience with a good PowerPoint presentation? Give these tips a try to make an unforgettable impression:

51. Engage With an Interactive Quiz

A good PowerPoint presentation gets your audience involved. One of the best PowerPoint tricks is to do that with a quiz. By engaging audiences, a quiz makes your slides memorable.

By adding trivia, you’ll see how to present a PowerPoint in a way that people will love. Channel your inner game-show host today. MIDTEST is a  good PowerPoint presentation  with quiz slides.

52. Illustrate With Custom Image Masks

One of the top PowerPoint tips is to illustrate your slides. But you can go beyond simple, rectangular images on each slide.

The Burte template is full of  PowerPoint tricks , including custom image masks. Image masks shape photos into unique works of art. And thanks to premium templates, you can style photos just like this. Masks overlay your photos onto geometric shapes, instantly elevating your style.

53. Print Handouts With Extra Notes

Wonder how to give a good presentation PPT that audiences will remember? Give them a piece of it to take home.

PowerPoint makes it easy to print handouts with room for notes on the page. This way, audiences can keep copies of your slides, along with their own notes. This is the perfect way to ensure everyone engages with and retains your content.

54. Make Bulk Edits With Master Slides

When you think about how to present a PowerPoint, consider your branding. That means keeping your logo front and center in the eyes of an audience. But if you’re working with a lengthy slide deck, this could seem daunting.

That’s where master slides come in. They’re common in premium layouts, and they’re a leading example of presentation skills for PPT. Master slides let you make bulk edits fast.

55. Shrink File Sizes for Sharing

Many of the top presentation tips involve making your slides more accessible. Often, that involves sharing them with audiences online.

You’ll often find that email clients and cloud services limit the size of files that you share. This can be a problem with large PPT slide decks. But there are a few quick steps you can take to reduce PPT file size. Cut graphics, scale down photos, and more.

56. Map Processes With Flowcharts

As you consider how to do a good PowerPoint presentation, think of ease of understanding. After all, you’re trying to explain something to your audience.

The  Flowcharts in Infographics  template seamlessly illustrates ideas and processes. A flowchart maps out a process in a visual way. Instead of resorting to endless narration, try a quick illustration like this. It saves you time and effort, and your audience is sure to thank you.

57. Use Brand-Specific Colors

Using presentation skills for PPT helps form an association between your message and branding. There’s no better way to do that than with your brand colors.

PowerPoint makes it easy to change color themes, adding your brand colors and logo to each slide. This is one of the top PowerPoint tricks for marketing presentations.

58. Build Social Media Posts in PPT

A good PowerPoint presentation doesn’t have to be shared through a projector. Use the app and templates to build amazing illustrations to use anywhere.

A template like Soffee helps you learn how to present a PowerPoint easily with a pre-built design.

Try using PowerPoint to create social media posts. It helps you engage with your audience, with no need to design custom layouts from scratch.

59. Be Industry-Specific

One of the top presentation tips in 2024 is to be industry-specific. That means avoiding generic layouts and choosing something more customized.

This offers two key advantages. First, you save time by having layouts built for you. Second, you gain design inspiration for your specific topic. Themed templates are truly the best of both worlds.

The Medical and Health template is a good PowerPoint presentation with a set theme.

60. Design for Online (Virtual) Sharing

Last but not least in our list of PowerPoint tips comes virtual presenting. More and more often, slides will be shared with online audiences around the globe.

Why not design your slides for that very purpose? And then learn how to share flawlessly with a global team? It’s one of the top presentation tips for 2024. Embrace it today.

More Great PowerPoint Tutorial Resources

We’ve built a resource for Microsoft PowerPoint that you’re sure to want to try. It includes countless PowerPoint tips and tricks. It’s called How to Use PowerPoint (Ultimate Tutorial Guide) and has all the PowerPoint design tips you need.

Discover More Top PowerPoint Template Designs From Envato Elements for 2024

You’ve just seen our favorite powerful PowerPoint presentation tips and guidelines to help you improve your speaking. We’ve also mentioned Envato Elements, an incredible all-you-can-download source for top PowerPoint designs .

Here are five of the best PowerPoint templates that you can use to create your best presentation yet:

1. Galaxi PowerPoint Template

Blast off to success with the help of this PowerPoint template! Think of the pre-built slide designs as pro PowerPoint design tips. They’re built by professional graphic designers. All the popular and modern slide styles that are perfect for your next presentation. Use Galaxi’s five styles and 30 designs to create a great presentation.

2. Masmax PowerPoint Template

We selected templates for this article that match the PowerPoint tips and tricks provided. Masmax fits the bill perfectly across its 234 unique slide designs. These slide designs are sure to align with the latest in design expectations.

3. STYLE Multipurpose PowerPoint Template V50

Style is subjective, but we can all agree that this template is stunning! The light and airy slide designs are built with fashion-focused designs in mind. But that doesn’t mean that it’s not perfect for most presentations. When learning to present a PowerPoint, remember that templates can be customized to suit your purpose.

4. Peachme Creative PowerPoint Template

Peachme has image-focused slides with splashy designs. The slides are colorful and perfect for a modern presentation. Don’t worry about remembering all the PowerPoint design tips because they’re included in the pre-built slides. Use Peachme’s designs for your presentation today.

5. Buizi Office Building Rent PowerPoint Template

Buizi markets itself as a real estate focused template. It’s ideal for that purpose because of the minimal, image-focused slide designs. But that also makes it a perfect choice for presentations in many fields.

We’ve just scratched the surface of PowerPoint design tips with these five options. Here are many more, bundled inside of the best roundups on Envato Tuts+:

How to Build a Good PowerPoint Presentation Quickly (In 2024)

You’ve already seen effective presentation skills PPT techniques. But you may be wondering exactly how to do a good PowerPoint presentation. It only takes a few clicks. Let’s learn how in just five steps.

For this mini-tutorial, we’ll use the Enjoy PowerPoint Template from Envato Elements. You’ll see that it’s a beautiful template that helps you learn how to present a PowerPoint by giving you every object and layout you need.

Let’s get started:

1. Choose Your Slides

As you can see, a template like Enjoy has dozens of unique slides inside. The key to how to give a good presentation PPT is to choose only the slides that you need.

One of the best PowerPoint tricks is to start by selecting slides you wish to use from your template.

In PowerPoint, scroll through the sidebar on the left to view different slide layouts. Right-click and choose Delete to remove unwanted designs. Plus, you can click and drag slide thumbnails to reorder them in the deck.

2. Add Text

Consider how to do a good PowerPoint presentation without investing a ton of time. That’s where premium templates come in.

One of our top presentation tips when working with a PPT is to lean on the pre-built text boxes for your content.

To add custom text, simply click and select the contents of any text box on your slide. Then, type in your own words. Repeat as needed throughout your slide deck.

3. Customize Fonts

With text selected, it’s easy to customize fonts on each slide. Find the Font section on PowerPoint’s Home tab. From there, you’ve got a variety of dropdown options.

Another of our top tips for presentation tricks is to use a custom font setting in your template.

Click to change the font, font size, and more. You can also use the buttons on the left to add bolds, italics, and more.

Need more custom font styles? As an Envato Elements subscriber, you’ve got instant access to thousands of custom fonts . Use them in your presentation with ease.

4. Insert Images

Slides like this one contain an image placeholder. That’s another advantage found only with premium templates. These make adding images a breeze.

Add images to your PPTX template for more visually interesting slides.

To get started, find an image file stored on your computer. Then, drag and drop it over the placeholder. PowerPoint will import it, sized and scaled for a perfect fit.

5. Change Colors

One of the top effective presentation skills is changing shape colors. This helps you control the look and feel of each slide.

With a shape selected, find the Shape Format tab on PowerPoint’s ribbon. Then, click on the Shape Fill dropdown. You’ll see a color chooser menu appear. Click on any thumbnail to apply it to the shape or browse through the Gradient and Texture options.

Start Putting These PowerPoint Presentation Tips & Tricks Into Use Today!

Learning to write, design, and present a PowerPoint presentation is an invaluable skill, no matter where you use it. If you’re a good communicator of important messages, you’ll never go hungry.

Luckily, improving PowerPoint presentations isn’t as hard as it seems. Follow these tips for PowerPoint presentations to design and deliver with greater confidence.

Remember: Less is more (effective) . Use PowerPoint presentation templates for better design and more effective visual impact. And you can customize a PPT template quickly , with the right workflow.

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The 3-Step Trick to Memorizing Any Presentation

For most presenters, notes and slides are a ball and chain. here's how to break free of the shackles..

For many, the idea of delivering a presentation or speech completely from memory is out of the question. Public speaking is difficult enough. Now you want me to take the training wheels off? That's just crazy.

But the truth is, speaking from memory is not as difficult as it seems-if done right. The benefits are great: In addition to increasing your connection with the audience, it inspires confidence and establishes you as an authority.

So how can you memorize a presentation effectively? Here are three steps to get you there:

1. Organize your thoughts

Your presentation should follow a logical order and make sense-not just to you in your head, but to everyone listening to you. In most cases, you should develop your presentation so that a 12-year old could easily follow and understand it. (Think about the best teachers and presenters -they're always able to simplify the most complicated things.)

When your points are well organized and transition fluidly, they become much easier to remember (and follow).

2. Get it on paper

It takes time to commit something to memory. Even if you're an expert on a subject, at times you'll have to speak about aspects with which you are less familiar. And speaking in front of a new audience is much different from speaking to those in your comfort zone.

When you write out your presentation, you begin to commit it to memory. You don't want to write it in a word-for-word manuscript; rather, make an outline with specific points or thoughts. Seeing your thoughts visually helps your mind to absorb them-gradually and painlessly.

But then you must...

3. Practice, practice, practice

The first couple of times, feel free to look at your notes the entire time; don't worry about looking up to practice audience contact. After the third or fourth dry-run, you naturally begin to look up more, since you will have instinctively memorized much of the talk.

After once or twice more, you'll find that most of the presentation is memorized. Now you don't even need notes to practice, and can take advantage of various times throughout the day (e.g., while traveling or waiting at the doctor's office) to rehearse.

When it comes time to deliver your presentation live, there's nothing wrong with having a few notes with you-in case of emergency. But by using this method, you won't be dependent on them.

Remember: The key is not to memorize the presentation verbatim. You want to be as natural as possible. There's nothing wrong with saying it a little bit differently every time-in fact, that's what you want. You'll be more authentic and better able to adapt to your audience. The goal is to memorize all of your points and examples and to deliver them in the proper order.

And if you forget one or two things, who cares? You're the only one who will ever know.

Like anything, the art of giving effective presentations is a craft that requires hard work. But presenting from memory isn't an unreachable goal. By using the method above, along with a little diligence and patience, you can get your point across clearly, naturally, and with confidence.

A refreshed look at leadership from the desk of CEO and chief content officer Stephanie Mehta

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Updated: July 05, 2023

Overcome your anxiety with these methods that help teach you how to memorize a presentation and remember your slides before you get to them.

A common reason we experience presentation anxiety is the fear that we will forget what we have to say and risk losing credibility. A method many use to address this fear is to create presentation slides as a memory aid. However, this can be short-sighted because nothing erodes your credibility as a speaker faster than signaling to the audience that you depend on your slides.

Seasoned presenters are able to announce a slide before showing it. At a minimum, they know their material so well that they only need to briefly glance at the slide to know what's coming next. You can achieve this by doing simple memory-boosting practices to remember your presentation material and, in turn, reduce your anxiety.

Here are nine tips for memorizing a speech or presentation:

1. Use the Palace Method

Among the most effective tips for memorizing lines is The Palace Method or Mind Palace. The Palace Method is based on research into brain science that has proven a very deep connection between how we remember an event and the space in which it occurred. The brain system important for memory is lso important for space; in other words, we remember things based on spatial locations or "spatial scaffolds."

In a nutshell, The Palace Method is a memory technique that involves transforming what you want to remember into images and placing the images in a familiar mental location. In other words, you're giving your memories something to hang on to, a spatial anchor. You can then mentally tour your Memory Palace looking at your memories through these spatial anchors to help you recall each memory.

Seasoned presenters are able to announce a slide before showing it. At a minimum, they know their material so well that they only need to briefly glance at the slide to know what's coming next. 

Have you ever wondered how do you memorize a last-minute presentation? The Memory Palace Method is an ancient memory technique for how to memorize a presentation, and it's worth knowing. 

For further reading, you might consider Joshua Foer's book, Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything (or watch Foer's popular video,  To Remember Better, Build a Mansion in Your Mind, which illustrates a specific memory-building technique.) 

So, How do You Create Your Own Memory Palace?

• First, create a mental image for every item you want to remember. You will mentally place these images in a location you're familiar with, possibly the place where you grew up or your current residence. 
• Next, visualize arriving at that location and placing, on the front door, the mental image you created of the first item you want to remember. 
• Next, step inside the house and turn to your left. What's the first thing you see? For this example, let's pretend it's a fireplace. Now mentally place by the fireplace the image you created of the second item you want to remember.
• Continue your mental tour, seeing the other things in the room. Place each image you created for what you want to remember on different things in the room. Do this for the entire list of items you want to memorize. You may move from one room to the other until you have exhausted all the items on your list that you need to remember. 
• Rehearse walking through the route as many times as you can. This will aid in familiarizing yourself with your mental palace and help you recall the memorized information faster during the actual presentation.

You might need more than one memory palace, depending on what you're trying to remember.

2. Use Mind Maps

A mindmap is a diagram that allows you to lay out all of your presentation material in a visual shape rather than in list form. A mindmap can be a powerful memory aid as the visual shape or image is imprinted on your brain, making it easier to recall the information than a linear list of items. 

Drawing a mindmap is also an effective way to memorize a last-minute presentation. Try practicing your presentation from a mindmap rather than traditional notes and see what happens.

So, How do You Create a Mindmap?

Here are the basic steps to build a mindmap:

First step : Write down your main topic. For example, your main topic could be the importance of pausing when delivering a presentation.

Second step : Once you've established your main topic for the mindmap, add branches listing the topics you want to remember. In the case of this example, you would have a branch titled: "When it's important to pause." (You can simply write "When?")

Under this branch, you would insert subtopic branches listing the various reasons for pausing. Subtopics for our example might include:

• Pause before displaying a complex visual.
• Pause between different topics.
• Pause before and after explaining a critical or complex concept.

Short phrases and even keywords should suffice to jog your memory when rehearsing from your mindmap. For example, instead of "Pause before displaying a complex visual," you only need to write "complex visual." 

Third step:  Explore another topic by adding another branch to the main topic in your mindmap, such as "The benefits of pausing."    (You can simply write "Why?") To continue with this example, your sub-topics branches would include: 

• To appear unrushed and confident.
• To replace filler words.
• To engage the audience.

You can draw images and use different colors to help you visualize and recall information more quickly than words. You can draw a mindmap manually or purchase mind-mapping software such as  Matchware,   MindGenius ,  Scapple  or  Xmind , to name a few.

3. Know the Value of Focusing for Eight Seconds

Memory experts tell us that it takes an uninterrupted eight seconds for a piece of information to be processed through the hippocampus and into memory – this is how information is encoded in our brain.

Examine how you go about preparing for a presentation. Are you concentrating fully on the task of transferring the information from your notes into memory? Or are you in the habit of interrupting yourself by checking e-mail, reacting to each social media notification, or answering the phone? Remember the crucial eight seconds rule and carve out dedicated time when you can be laser-focused on rehearing the information without any interruptions. This will prevent you from overthinking your material and considerably shorten your preparation time.

4. Practice the 20-20-20 Rule of Rehearsal

How long should you be rehearsing your presentation? Memory experts recommend the 20-20-20 rule, which prescribes going over the details of a presentation for 20 minutes, then repeating the same material twice more. If material is not repeated within 30 minutes, it is not encoded into long-term memory.

This method can help you from overthinking and spending too much time memorizing your material.

5. Rehearse Out Loud

Rehearse your entire presentation out loud at least five to six times. Do this and watch your confidence in the material grow as you not only boost your memory of the material but also end up turning the presentation from a mere recital of facts to something that you have truly internalized—it changes the presentation from a thespian activity to a message that you deliver from the inside out.

What's more, rehearsing out loud can help you practice your pre-planned pauses to avoid  speaking too fast  when you deliver your presentation.

6. Practice to Music

When you explore tips for memorizing your presentation, don't forget music. Music is an effective tool to help us retain information. Dr. Georgi Lozanov, a psychologist, developed a methodology for teaching foreign languages which involved using baroque music with about 60 beats per minute. This type of music activates the left and right brain; the simultaneous action of both hemispheres maximizes the retention of information.

Students learned in a fraction of the usual time and had an average of 92 percent retention. The same applies to retaining your presentation material. Consider listening to music while rehearsing your presentation to help you absorb and retain large amounts of information.

7. Record Your Presentation

A simple, yet surprisingly not widely-known, feature is the record narration function. This allows you to record yourself delivering your presentation and then replaying it. Hearing yourself narrating your presentation from slide to slide will boost your ability to remember your material, as you now use a visual and auditory memory aid. This is a highly effective way to memorize a presentation or a speech.

8. Rehearse Before Bedtime

Neuroscientists uncovered a link between sleep and learning and memory. The findings showed that sleep enhances the consolidation of recently-acquired information in our memory system. Therefore, if you rehearse your presentation just before bedtime, you are more likely to remember the material more easily in the morning. Try doing this for your next presentation.

What's more, a quick run-through of the material before bedtime can help you calm your mind and get a good night's sleep. Consider doing a "brain dump" before bedtime by jotting down thoughts circling in your mind of any last-minute arrangements you must make the following day so they don't run through your head while you try to sleep. 

9. Improve Your Working Memory

Let's start by defining what working memory is. Working memory, also referred to as our "mental chalkboard," is a system in our brain that allows us to temporarily retain small amounts of information, such as  remembering  a phone number, a grocery list or a set of directions. It's our capacity to retain and control information for brief periods.

Working memory is for things that matter to you now but won't matter in 20 years. Long-term memory, in contrast, refers to all the information stored in our brains throughout our life.

Improving our working memory can help control our ability to pay attention and remember things.

• You might consider using some memorization apps, such as Cogmed, Mindsparke or Elevate, to name a few.
• Rehearsal of information can also help. According to researchers, if information is practiced enough,  it can become more permanent.
• Dividing big chunks of information into manageable bite-size pieces and rehearsing these small chunks will also help you  remember  your material. Concentrate and rehearse one or two of the small chunks before moving on to the next pieces of the presentation. 

What if You Forget Your Presentation?

Keep in mind that only  you  know the ideas you want to present. You are not delivering an opera where the audience has a libretto to follow your script.

If you forget something, move on, and the audience will likely not notice. If you remember something later, say: "There is one other item I would like to add," or "Let me digress for a moment to mention another point."

Stay sharp by using some of these memory improvement techniques.

Preparing for a Presentation Should be Quick and Effective With these 9 Tips

• Use the memory palace method to encode the information in your long-term memory for easy retrieval.
• Draw a mind map to outline all your presentation material and rehearse from the mind map.
• Practice deep focusing and rehearse your information without interruptions.
• Use the rehearsal rule of 20-20-20 to shorten your practice time.
• Practice your presentation material aloud.
• Create a low-stress environment and listen to music while rehearsing.
• Record your presentation and watch a replay several times. 
• Rehearse before going to bed and write down a checklist of what's on your mind as a brain dump to relax your mind and get a good night's sleep.
• Improve your working memory by using memorization apps and breaking your rehearsal material into bite-size, manageable chunks. 

A version of this article was originally published on April 11, 2012. 

Photo: Getty Images

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3 More Ways to Memorize Presentations Easily

November 3, 2014 / Blog, Presentation Science, Rick Enrico Blog, Tips & Tricks memorization, memorize presentations, presentation delivery, presentation preparation

In the past, we discussed a classic technique that you could use to memorize presentations. Heavily featured in the BBC show “Sherlock,” the memory palace technique allows you to use a mental image of any space or location to remember key points in your speech. It’s very effective, often used by memory athletes to memorize a random names or cards in under a few seconds.

Of course, the memory palace technique will take longer for newbies who are looking to memorize presentations. If you find it a bit challenging to focus on building your own mind space, there are other methods to help improve your memory and reduce your use of note cards. You’ll never have to worry about mental blocks with these 3 additional ways to memorize presentations.

1. Rehearse your presentation out loud

It’s not enough to just read your presentation again and again. If you really want to memorize presentations, you have to make time for a few rehearsals. According to a study published in 2010 , memory can improve by more than 10 percent if information is spoken and repeated out loud.

So give yourself time to rehearse your presentation for more than just a few times. You can also make things easier by recording your sessions. Hearing yourself speak will help in internalizing your presentation. It will also help you pinpoint which parts might need more improvement.

2. Keep your rehearsals within the 20-20-20 rule

While repeated rehearsals are important, experts also recommend to keep sessions within the 20-20-20 rule . According to this rule, it will be easier to memorize presentations by reviewing your material for 20 minutes and then repeating the information twice for 20 minutes each. If you’re dealing with longer presentations, you can break up your speech into manageable parts and work piece by piece.

3. Make a mind map of your presentation

It will also help if you can visualize how your ideas and arguments relate to one another. Through a mind map , you can see the logical progression of your presentation. The shape or image you come up with will make it easier to remember how one point connects to the next, as opposed to simply having a list or outline as reference. To make sure your mind map works effectively,  use different colors for each “branch”. You can also add drawings that illustrate your points.

Other helpful tips:

• Avoid distractions.   It will be hard to focus when you have to periodically answer emails and text messages. Always rid your practice sessions of any distraction. Step away from your computer and turn off notifications for your phone for a while. Keep your attention on the task at hand.
• Make time for short breaks.  Even as you work hard to deliver a great presentation, don’t forget to reward yourself with short breaks. Give yourself time to relax in between each rehearsal to keep your creativity flowing .
• Get enough sleep.  Sleep is also a crucial ingredient in memory improvement. According to several studies, there’s a strong relationship between sleep and memory. As an article on Psychology Today points out, “ There is no longer any doubt. Sleep does improve the gelling or consolidation of memory for recently encoded information .” Make sure you get enough rest on the days leading up to your presentation.

As you know, preparing for a big presentation involves a lot of effort. Aside from perfecting your slides and content, you also need to make sure that you remember everything you have to say. Memorize presentations by setting time to rehearse and visualize your materials. You can breeze through your time on stage and never have to worry about your note cards again.

Featured Image:  Brian Hillegas  via Flickr

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How to Make a “Good” Presentation “Great”

• Guy Kawasaki

Remember: Less is more.

A strong presentation is so much more than information pasted onto a series of slides with fancy backgrounds. Whether you’re pitching an idea, reporting market research, or sharing something else, a great presentation can give you a competitive advantage, and be a powerful tool when aiming to persuade, educate, or inspire others. Here are some unique elements that make a presentation stand out.

• Fonts: Sans Serif fonts such as Helvetica or Arial are preferred for their clean lines, which make them easy to digest at various sizes and distances. Limit the number of font styles to two: one for headings and another for body text, to avoid visual confusion or distractions.
• Colors: Colors can evoke emotions and highlight critical points, but their overuse can lead to a cluttered and confusing presentation. A limited palette of two to three main colors, complemented by a simple background, can help you draw attention to key elements without overwhelming the audience.
• Pictures: Pictures can communicate complex ideas quickly and memorably but choosing the right images is key. Images or pictures should be big (perhaps 20-25% of the page), bold, and have a clear purpose that complements the slide’s text.
• Layout: Don’t overcrowd your slides with too much information. When in doubt, adhere to the principle of simplicity, and aim for a clean and uncluttered layout with plenty of white space around text and images. Think phrases and bullets, not sentences.

As an intern or early career professional, chances are that you’ll be tasked with making or giving a presentation in the near future. Whether you’re pitching an idea, reporting market research, or sharing something else, a great presentation can give you a competitive advantage, and be a powerful tool when aiming to persuade, educate, or inspire others.

• Guy Kawasaki is the chief evangelist at Canva and was the former chief evangelist at Apple. Guy is the author of 16 books including Think Remarkable : 9 Paths to Transform Your Life and Make a Difference.

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Written by Colette Nichol, Story Strategist and Filmmaking

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

In this post, I’m going to share with you how to memorize a script so you can get off the page fast!

These memorization techniques will help you no matter what you’re looking to memorize. But they are extremely effective for speeches, videos, plays, monologues, presentations, and on-camera acting or presenting.

Most online videos shine when there is no script.

Non-actors tend to do best when speaking off the cuff.

But sometimes you need a script, and you need to memorize it. Maybe you want to do a direct address sales video. Or you want to create an online course with certain pieces that need to be precise.  Or you just want to do something creative and fun that requires a script.

But how do you go about doing the memorizing?

Well, you’re in luck because I happen to have many years of memorization under my belt.

Aside from creating videos, I’m also an actor.  

And I have an obsession with solo theatre.  That means memorizing 60 plus minutes of monologue. That’s about 30 pages of text.  Sounds hard, right?

It is, and it isn’t.

Like most people, I am not a born memorization genius. Some people have glue-like memories.  Not me.  Unless there are some key ingredients in place.

So here they are – the top memorization techniques that can help you memorize as many lines of dialogue or monologue as you’re crazy enough to want to learn.

If I can do this, so can you!

And as a side note: this works for memorizing short scripts super fast and memorizing long scripts over a period of time.

Whatever you’re memorizing, this process will do the trick.

These are my top 10 memorization techniques for learning a script by heart:

1. movement..

Walk and talk my friend.

Go for a walk with your script.  Pace around the house with your script.

Rehearse actions with your script.  

Just move your ass, and those words will stick longer and more easily in your brain.

2.  KNOW WHY YOU’RE SAYING IT.

What are you trying to communicate?

Focus on the why behind each line.  What is your goal with each line?  Find the feeling inside yourself that connects to that goal.

3.  BREATHE!

 If you don’t have oxygen running through your body by the truckload memorization becomes much more difficult.

Allow your ribs to expand, your belly to hang out and your breath to be deep. Think about how babies breathe; that’s what you’re aiming for.

4.  RELEASE TENSION. 

The better you are at releasing tension the more you’ll be able to retain what you’re memorizing.

Breathe and release tension throughout the whole memorization process.

5.  CONNECT THE IMAGES IN YOUR TEXT TO IMAGES IN YOUR MIND.

If you’re telling a story,  see the story in your mind as you run the lines.  Paint the picture in your head, and you’ll be able to recall it better.

6.  STAY HYDRATED.

It’s hard for your brain to work when it’s dehydrated.  And your vocal cords will thank you too.  So that means drinking water two hours before memorization starts.  Yup, it’s that specific.

7.  SPEAK OUT LOUD!

Whatever you do… don’t try to memorize a speech or lines or anything inside your head.   Speak the speech I pray thee! Speak it out loud. Over and over! You can do it in your full voice. You can whisper it. It doesn’t matter, as long as you’re speaking the words.

8. TAKE LOTS OF BREAKS.

Work on your script for ten to twenty minutes. Then take a five-minute break.  Come back.  Rinse and repeat.  Do this a few days in a row and you should be ready to go.  Your brain works better when it can start and re-start.

9.  TALK TO SOMEONE (REAL OR IMAGINARY).

Remember that you’re a human, not a robot. Humans talk to other people, not to the wall.  So focus on the words you’re saying and who you’re saying them to.  Your ideal client perhaps?  Imagine them in your mind’s eye and say the words.

10.   KEEP THE SCRIPT IN YOUR HAND UNTIL YOU DON’T NEED IT.

Don’t force yourself to get off the page early.   Give yourself the gift of time. Look down at the paper as much as you need to.  Eventually, you will find yourself not needing the paper at all.

Bonus Memorization Tip: Rehearse Before Bed

For some reason, when we rehearse before going to sleep, the words stick in our minds more deeply.

There’s definitely a scientific reason for it. But frankly, I don’t care what it is because I know it works.

Actors (myself included) have long used this hack to speed up the memorization process.

And don’t worry if you don’t memorize everything in one session.

Or if you come back the next day and can’t remember anything. Your mind is working.  Trust yourself.  The process always works.  It just works a little differently for every person.

About the Author

Hi! I’m Colette Nichol . I’m a solo filmmaker and story strategist based out of rainy Vancouver, Canada. I’ve been making videos and micro films for small businesses and global brands since 2014.

Plus, I LOVE to help aspiring filmmakers pursue their dreams and start making films. This blog is designed to help you gain the knowledge you need to become a filmmaker.

If you want more, get on the waitlist for the Story Envelope Academy Solo Filmmaking Mentorship Program. It opens up one time per year and is the best way to become a filmmaking or video pro fast!

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Hello, I am just now starting to memorize a 5 minute presentation that I must present next week. Unfortunately, I am not good at doing this because I don't know how to go about it. Any help would be great, thank you!

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Calls are a quick way to connect in Teams. You can have one-on-one calls or calls with several people. You can set them up ahead of time, like in a meeting, or you can start them on the fly while in a chat.

While meetings are a great way to collaborate in Teams, calls can be a more direct way of connecting for completing specific tasks or for getting questions answered quickly.

Here are the first things to remember about making and managing calls in Teams:

1. There are many ways to make a call in Teams

Wherever you are in Teams, you can start a call with someone (or a group of people). Here are some of the ways:

Make or answer a call from anywhere

Turn a chat into a call

Make a call from your call history, speed dial, voicemail, or contacts

Use the dial pad 

If you have a calling plan enabled, you can call anyone from Teams.

You can also type the name of a person or group and call them from the dial pad.

Hover over someone's profile picture

Throughout the Teams app, you'll find profile pictures of people you're connected with. (Sometimes people choose avatars, or you might just see their initials.)

At any time, you can mouse over a profile picture and see options to make a video or an audio-only call to that person. Choose one of those options and your call will begin.

Use the command box

At the top of Teams, type "/call" in the box and then enter a name or number. When you make your selection, the call will begin automatically.

In this way, you can quickly find people or groups and make a call to them.

Note:  If you're in a Teams call on your mobile device, the device's screen won't turn off if you don't navigate away from the call window (or if you navigate away but come back before it turns off). If you turn off your screen during a call, you'll stay connected but the device will lock. 

2. You can do a lot while on a call in Teams

During a call, you can take many actions. These are a few common actions you might take:

Place a call on hold 

Consult then transfer 

Under  Choose a person to consult , start typing the name of the person you want to reach and select them when they appear. You can call them or consult with them over chat. When you're ready, select  Transfer .

Add a delegate

You can pick someone in Teams to be your delegate—to receive and make calls on your behalf. When you add a delegate, you’re essentially sharing your phone line with them, so they can see and share all of your calls. 

Share a line with a delegate

3. review your call history.

Your call history is located in the center of the calls experience and shows a list of past calls (including missed calls).

4. Access your voicemail

Your voicemail is another familiar tool for getting the most out of your calling experience in Teams.

Review messages and transcripts from calls

Customize call rules

Record a greeting

Call anyone who's left you a message 

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