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Insights

Serial position effects

A sound speech is like an appetising sandwich. Pay attention to what comes first, last and in between.

Hermann Ebbinghaus died over 110 years ago yet you encounter his findings every day. The German psychologist discovered the learning curve and shed light on our memory. Humans tend to recall items mentioned at the beginning and at the end much better. Sales people and lawyers know of this primacy and recency effect when they begin with a bang and end on a strong note. Preparing your arguments is just a first step. Make sure that they are in the right order.

How to strengthen your messages with serial positioning

  1. Write down arguments without limit and prioritisation.

  2. Group and rank them so that you have no more than five.

  3. Start and end with arguments that cannot be refuted easily

Exercise

Do you want to read best before or expiration dates on pre-packed food and beverages? Pick a side, find five arguments and present them better with the help of the primacy and recency effect.

Learn the techniques. Boost your confidence. Make your point.
Click
here for training opportunities.

Ben Wilhelm