In today’s world, most people receive many messages every day, a multitude of impacts through multiple channels. Most messages will be quickly forgotten. Communicating effectively in these circumstances is more difficult than ever and it can affect your personal branding. Also, communicating well and creating memorable messages can bring great advantages for both companies and professionals.
Neuroscientist and memory expert Dr. Charan Ranganath has provided valuable insights into how to create a message that really sticks in people’s minds. His recommendations arise from a deep understanding of how the brain processes and retains information. Below, I share with you some KEY IDEAS FOR SENDING A MEMORABLE MESSAGE:
- TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EMOTIONS. Emotions are a powerful tool for retaining memory. Messages that evoke strong emotions, whether positive or negative, are more likely to be remembered. When creating your message, try to connect on an emotional level with your audience. This can be through storytelling, highlighting a shared experience, or using language that inspires empathy.
- MAKE IT PERSONAL. Personal relevance improves memory. When people can relate to a message on a personal level, they are more likely to retain it. Dr. Ranganath recommends making your message seem directly relevant to the person you are communicating with. Tailor your message to the person’s needs, goals, or interests.
- KEEP IT SIMPLE. Simplicity is key. The brain has a limited capacity to retain complex information. Dr. Ranganath recommends removing unnecessary details and focusing on the main message. Use clear, concise language, and avoid overwhelming the recipient with too much information at once. As Ranganath says, “Memory is selective, so it’s best to focus on quality over quantity.”
- REPETITION AND SPACING. Repetition, when spaced appropriately, can greatly improve memory retention. Instead of bombarding someone with the same message repeatedly in a short period, space it out over time. This allows the brain to solidify the information through spaced retrieval, which is more effective for long-term retention.
- LEVERAGE NOVELTY. The brain is hardwired to pay attention to new or unexpected information. Dr. Ranganath encourages incorporating an element of surprise or novelty into your message. This could be an unconventional approach to getting the message across or presenting new and exciting information that captures attention.
- CREATE VISUAL AND SENSORY CONNECTIONS. Visual and sensory cues can enhance memory by creating associations that the brain can easily recall later. Accompany your message with a striking visual image or use metaphors that appeal to the senses. This can create a lasting impression and make the message easier to remember.
- Encourage active participation. The more actively someone participates in a message, the more likely he/she is to remember it. Dr. Ranganath recommends creating opportunities for interaction, whether by asking questions, encouraging discussion, or prompting reflection. Active participation helps deepen cognitive processing, which strengthens memory.
Ultimately, if you want to make your message memorable, leverage emotion, personalize it, keep it simple, and activate the brain’s natural mechanisms for retaining information. By using techniques like novelty, repetition, and sensory connections, you can create messages that leave a lasting impact.
I’ll end with a quote from Dr. Ranganath:
“We are not designed to remember everything from the past, because memory is about making sense of the present and navigating toward the future.”
I highly recommend Charan Ranganath’s book “Why We Remember.”
