The scandalous underbelly of American Idol
June.
2019.
California.
I was sweating and standing in line, fingers crossed, to make the cut for admission as a live audience member of an American Idol episode.
If you’re unfamiliar with the format of the iconic ABC show American Idol, singers take the stage one at a time, belt their hearts out, listen to overwhelmingly positive platitudes from the judges (sorry Katy Perry, but you know it’s true), and then YOU — America — vote.
Who gets the most votes?
And what does this have anything to do with your presentations?
Enter stage left: The Primacy/Recency Effect
It’s a psychological effect that says you will retain new information best in the beginning (primacy) and end (recency).
More plainly: You remember the first and last best.
You remember the middle the worst.
And so does your audience.
Let’s revisit the Kelly Clarksons and Carrie Underwoods of the world:
Who gets the most votes? The best singer, right?
Not necessarily.
Likely the singers who have gone first and last will receive more votes because they are most easily remembered. Granted, they need to have sung well!
And what does this have anything to do with your presentations?
Your audience is going to remember BEST what you share in the beginning and end of your presentation. The middle is muddled.
Don’t bury the lead, keep the gold hidden “until later in the presentation,” or play hide and seek with what’s most important.
Don’t bank on your listeners remembering what you share at the 27th minute mark of your hour long talk.
Don’t wait to unveil the iPhone, give the audience the goods at the 1:50 second mark like Steve did.
Let’s take this a step further: You’re one of 7 presentations in a day.
Notice what order your presentation is. If you’re slated for the beginning or end of the day, your audience is likely to remember you more.
The middle is where your listener’s memories get muddy.
You want to ensure you stand out and make a splash if you’re a middle of the day presentation. I can help you do this. Let’s make you shine. Click here to get showered in stardust.
Did we get into the live taping of American Idol? Oh yeah.
I have breathed the same air as Lionel Richie (pre-COVID, of course).
I *feel* I’ve been invited to Luke’s bass fishing lake.
I have basically touched* Katy Perry’s hair
*We were 45 feet apart, but the feeling was real.
Do I remember how the show opened and closed? You bet.
The middle? Not much.
Make sure your presentation content is sinking in and being remembered.
Plant what’s most important at the beginning and end.
Make sure you get the votes.
Feed your audience what you want them to know first and last.
Every time.
