3 Tips to Improve Message Retention
We all know how important it is to get our message across effectively, whether it’s in a business setting, a political campaign, or even just in our everyday conversations. But how can we ensure that our message is being retained? According to Doctor Richard Meyer of the University of California, Santa Barbara’s Department of Psychological and Brain Research, the answer lies in visuals.
Doctor Meyer’s research has found that when a message is delivered via text, the average retention rate is only 10%. However, when a relevant image is added to the message, retention rate increases to 65%. Even more impressive, when video is added to the message, retention rate increases to 80% or higher. This is a critical finding for anyone trying to get their message across, as it shows that visuals are key to ensuring that the message is being retained.
These findings are especially relevant for leaders, politicians, and other public figures. If you’re trying to get your message out, it’s important to consider how you’re delivering it. Are you using text, email, or surveys? If so, you’re fighting an uphill battle, as these mediums don’t lend themselves to high retention rates.
Here are 3 tips for improving the retention rate of messages:
Use a video distribution platform - think products like LoopingBack.ai or Loom. These platforms allow you to utilize video out and video IN to make sure your message is maximized.
Think about how you listen - not just how you talk. Are you only allowing people to send you text survey responses? The chances are you won’t really understand their message to you. You will spend lots of time trying to recreate their story - rather than just letting them tell it.
Always include some visual. It could be a picture (worth 1,000 words!) or a chart or a video. But visual processing happens much faster than text processing. You need to give your audience something that will be easier to remember.
It’s no surprise that visuals are powerful tools for communication. According to 3M, visuals are processed 60,000 times faster in the brain than text. This means that visuals can help to quickly and effectively communicate a message, and Doctor Meyer’s research shows that they can also help to ensure that the message is being retained.