Ever feel like everything you learn online just vanishes within days? You’re not alone. Research suggests that we forget 90% of the new information we consume within seven days. So, how do you make new information stick? The key to effective communication is how you deliver your message.
You’re probably thinking, “Okay, but how do I do that?“
In this article, you’ll discover three essential strategies that will transform the way you teach. These tips will help your audience learn better and apply their knowledge to real-world situations. Let’s get started.
Understanding the Root Cause: Why Is Most Knowledge Forgotten?
Think about the last time you read an article or watched a YouTube video. Do you remember all the key points? Were you able to apply them to your life? If the answer is no, it’s likely because the information wasn’t structured effectively to help retention.
The Science of Forgetting: Understanding Memory Retention
The Forgetting Curve, discovered by German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus, shows that we forget more than half of what we learn within an hour unless we reinforce it.
Here’s the good news. You can structure your lessons to increase retention and effectively communicate complex topics.
Why is this important in the communication process?
If your content is hard to follow, overwhelming, or forgettable, your audience simply won’t come back. Your ability to structure and deliver information effectively is what keeps them engaged.
Now, let’s dive into three powerful techniques that will help your audience learn better and retain more information.
1. The Power of Non-Verbal Communication
Your words matter, but your non-verbal cues can make or break your message. According to communication expert Vanessa Van Edwards, your audience is 12.5 times more likely to trust your physical expressions over what you say.
Imagine delivering a well-structured message, but your movements are closed off, you avoid eye contact, and your stance appears tense and uninviting. These silent signals weaken your message, making you seem unreliable.
On the other hand, using confident gestures, maintaining an open posture, and making natural eye contact strengthens your credibility and makes your message memorable.
How to Use Non-Verbal Communication Effectively:
✅ Use open gestures: Keep your hands open and relaxed to create a sense of approachability.
✅ Maintain eye contact: It builds connection, but don’t stare! Use natural, confident engagement.
✅ Lean in slightly: This reflects interest and involvement in the conversation.
What to Avoid:
❌ Crossing your arms: This makes you appear closed-off or defensive.
❌ Looking down: It conveys a lack of confidence.
❌ Rigid posture: Makes you seem disinterested and disengaged.
Bonus Tip: Use hand gestures when explaining concepts. Studies show that hand gestures increase understanding and credibility.
Want to launch an online course?
Do you want to help your audience learn new skills through online coaching or memberships?
Turn your expertise into a thriving business faster than you thought possible.
The Eff-Ex Coaching Program is your shortcut to success.
Here’s what you get:
✅ 12 months of expert coaching to guide you from launch to growth.
✅ An all-in-one platform to sell courses, coaching, and memberships.
✅ A built-in community feature to keep your audience engaged.
Register now and start building!
2. Enhancing The Communication Process: Tone, Speed, and Emphasis
A flat, monotone voice is a sure way to lose your audience’s attention. The best speakers use vocal variety, strategic pauses, and emphasis to keep engagement levels high.
Here’s how to improve your vocal delivery:
Vary your tone: Emphasise key points to make your message memorable. You can do this by raising your pitch slightly for excitement, lowering it for seriousness, and adjusting your volume to highlight important ideas.
Pause after key ideas to enhance communication: According to Harvard Business Review, presenters who pause while speaking give their audience time to process new information. Take intentional pauses after key statements to help your audience absorb the message. You can also use short silences before an important point to build anticipation and draw attention.
Bonus Tip: Speaking Too Fast? Slow Down for Clearer, More Impactful Communication.
Your audience will check out if you rush through your words without giving them time to process. Slow down. Make it easier for them to absorb the information as you communicate your ideas.
Think of it like a conversation with a friend. Take time to speak naturally instead of racing through your words. A good rule of thumb? If you don’t talk that fast in a casual chat, it’s probably too fast for your audience.
Remember: When you slow down and give your words space, your message becomes clearer and easier to remember!
Avoid accidental question inflection: If you say statements like a question, you’ll sound unsure. Be mindful and ensure your statements end in a downward inflection.
Here are 3 ways you can ensure a confident delivery:
- Practice finishing sentences with conviction.
- Record yourself speaking and listen for unintended rising tones.
- Slow down your speech slightly to maintain control over your intonation.
Use downward inflection: Ending sentences with a downward tone adds authority and confidence.
3. Communication Structure for Retention: The ‘What, Why, How’ Formula
One of the simplest yet most powerful ways to structure your content is using the What, Why, How method.
Here’s how it works:
- What – Introduce the key idea.
- Why – Explain why it matters.
- How – Teach how to apply it.
Example: Teaching a Lesson on Stress Management
✅ What: Stress impacts productivity and mental health.
✅ Why: Chronic stress leads to burnout and poor decision-making.
✅ How: Use the 4-7-8 breathing technique. Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7, exhale for 8. Repeat three times to reduce stress instantly.
Why does it work? Structured content is easier to consume and apply. It guides your audience through a logical flow.
Conclusion: Engage, Structure, and Deliver with Impact
If your audience struggles to remember what you taught, they won’t return.
The keys to better learning outcomes are:
Engaging delivery: Use non-verbal cues, strong vocal presence, and a structured approach.
Well-structured content: The ‘What, Why, How’ formula makes learning easy.
Memorable teaching techniques: Bite-sized content, storytelling, and visuals improve retention.
Start applying these communication techniques today to help your audience stay engaged and learn better.
Which technique will you implement first? Let us know in the comments!
