When your audience feels emotion they remember your content

We used to be taught that the structure of a presentation is this: tell them what you're gonna tell them, tell them, and then tell them what you've told them. Not any more. Your audience is much too sophisticated to listen to the information three times. Everyone's attention span has gotten so much shorter than it used to be. 

When you have a presentation it's natural for your audience to waver between being deeply involved and somewhat detached. Your stories, use of humor, and especially emotional content snaps them back into engagement.

Sift through your content to find those emotional stories and highlight one every ten minutes or so in your presentation. I worked with a News Director in Nashville who always said, "All stories are about people. Find the people angle and you'll find the emotional connection." and it's true. 

Red light cameras? Find someone who's lost their license and their job because of the tickets

Gas prices? Locate a group of people who are biking to work instead and tell their story

Interstate widening? Find the homeowner who's house already sits on the edge of the interstate and who can't sleep because semi's throw rock up against her siding.