Tell Them Three Times

It is challenging to have your audience remember your message. One way to improve the retention of your message is to follow the rule of “tell them three times”.

1. Tell them what you are going to tell them
2. Tell them
3. Tell them what you told them

In practice this is more sophisticated than it sounds. Don’t repeat your message three times. First, in a presentation you would be very clear in your introduction with a summary of the primary message, lesson or information that you want your audience to retain. Second, in the body of your presentation you would provide in depth information on your topic. Third, in your conclusion wrap up with a concise summary of the key takeaways.

Telling your audience three times in three different ways will enhance the retention of the audience of your message. It also helps ensure people are not confused or misinterpreting your information.

Related Best Practices

• Communications Best Practices
• Communications: Rules of thumb to communicate change
• Communications: Method of delivering the message matters
• Communications: Talk with, not to or at
• Communications: Outcomes need positive not negative descriptions
• Communications: Stories help us learn and remember

Resources

• Small Business Presentations at BusinessTown.com

Author

The author of this page is Terry Gardiner

Terry Gardiner is the founder and President of Silver Lining Seafoods and NorQuest Seafoods - a medium-size Alaska seafood processing company; and currently a Board member of the Anvil Corporation, an employee-owned company specializing in oil and gas engineering.

His co-operative experiences include member director of the Commercial Fishermen Co-operative association; creation of legislation for the Alaska Commercial Fishing and Agriculture Bank; and advisor to the US Dept of Health and Social Services for the state Health CO-OPs.

Terry served ten years as a member of the Alaska House of Representatives -several legislative committee chairmanships, Speaker of the House, Chairman of the Alaska Criminal Code Commission and board member on various state and federal boards and commissions.

His non-profit experiences include National Policy Director for the Small Business Majority in Washington DC; working with the Herndon Alliance and ForTerra.

Terry authored the leadership book, "Six-Word Lessons to Build Effective Leaders: 100 Lessons to Equip Your People to Create Winning Organizations".

For more check: Terry Gardiner Long bio