How to Speak so People Remember You | Yasir Khan | TEDxCentreville Chicopee Youth

Summary

In this engaging speech, Yaser shares valuable insights on how to become memorable when speaking, whether in public, interviews, or conversations. He emphasizes the importance of standing out, highlighting key points, addressing the audience, being repeatable, and speaking with emotion. Drawing from personal experiences, he illustrates how these strategies make a lasting impact. Ultimately, he teaches that it's not what you say, but what others remember that truly matters. This approach, encapsulated in the acronym 'SHARE,' is designed to help people leave a lasting impression and be more effective communicators.

Takeaways

• 😀 It's not about what you say, it's about what people remember. Being memorable is key to being valuable in communication.
• 😀 People often forget most of what they hear in presentations or conversations, which makes it important to focus on making an impact that sticks.
• 😀 Standing out in conversations can make people remember you. Little changes in how you respond can make you memorable.
• 😀 Highlight the most important points when you speak. Don't overload your audience with unnecessary information.
• 😀 Address people directly by making your communication about them. Personalizing your message increases retention and engagement.
• 😀 Being repeatable is important. When you share stories, phrases, or ideas that others can easily repeat, you're more likely to be remembered.
• 😀 Emotion plays a huge role in how people remember what you say. If people feel something, they are more likely to believe and remember it.
• 😀 Use simple techniques like metaphors, analogies, and stories to make your communication memorable and repeatable.
• 😀 People are more likely to remember your words if you speak with emotion, as it makes the message resonate deeply with them.
• 😀 Aim to be valuable in every conversation or presentation by focusing on making your message memorable, not just informative.
• 😀 Every time you speak, try to ensure that your audience walks away remembering what you said, whether in casual conversations, interviews, or presentations.

Q & A

Why is it important to be memorable when speaking?

Being memorable ensures that people remember your key messages, which makes them more likely to implement your advice or engage with your ideas. Without memorability, your words risk being forgotten, reducing their impact.

What was the lesson learned from the speaker's experience with the audience member who forgot the techniques?

The speaker learned that it's not about what you say, but what the audience remembers. Even well-researched techniques can be ineffective if they are not memorable enough for people to recall when needed.

What does the 'S' in 'SHARE' stand for and why is it important?

The 'S' in 'SHARE' stands for 'Stand out'. It's crucial because when your message is different or unique, it grabs attention and sticks in the audience's memory, making them more likely to remember it.

Can you provide an example of standing out in a conversation?

An example is when a person at a hotel check-in answers 'Absolutely phenomenal' to a simple question like 'How are you today?'. This unexpected response made the receptionist pay attention and start a conversation, which stood out and stuck in the speaker's memory.

What is the role of highlighting what's important when speaking?

Highlighting what's important helps the audience focus on the key points. By explicitly pointing out what matters most, you ensure that people retain the critical elements of your message.

What did the speaker learn from the feedback of the executive regarding his presentation?

The speaker learned the importance of making sure that the key message is clear and not lost in unnecessary information. The executive likened this to giving a gift without wrapping it properly — making the content feel less valuable and memorable.

What does the 'A' in 'SHARE' represent and why is it effective?

'A' in 'SHARE' stands for 'Address them'. When you make your message personal to your audience and refer to them directly, it engages their attention more effectively, making them feel involved and connected to the conversation.

How did the speaker's charismatic friend demonstrate the importance of addressing others?

The speaker's friend addressed people by saying 'You know what I noticed about you?', which sparked curiosity and made people feel special. This approach made him memorable, as people enjoy hearing about themselves.

What is meant by being 'repeatable' in communication?

Being repeatable means that your message is easy to remember and can be shared with others. This can be achieved through stories, phrases, or analogies that are simple to recall and pass on to others.

Why is emotion important when speaking?

Emotion is important because it helps make your message more impactful. When people feel something during your speech, they are more likely to believe and remember it. Emotions create lasting impressions that logic alone cannot.