discover-start-io — Presentations People Forget: A Practical Guide

Presentations look simple until you stand in front of people and realize how many small details add up. This guide highlights the things presenters commonly forget and gives practical, concrete fixes. Use the headings to jump to sections and copy–paste the HTML into training materials or a handout.

Why people forget things

Humans are pattern-seekers. When we prepare a talk we focus on content and assume the rest will "figure itself out." Time pressure, overconfidence, and unfamiliar tech often push important details off the checklist. This section lists common blindspots and their remedies.

1. The audience-first assumption (but not really)

You may say "I know my audience," but have you written a single short sentence answering: "What should they know, feel, or do after this talk?" Without that goal, slides become a data dump.

2. Structure: you have a talk, not a stream of facts

Presentations need narrative. Even technical presentations benefit from a simple arc: Setup → Conflict → Resolution → Next steps. Without this, audiences struggle to retain information.

Fix

1. Start with a single-sentence setup.
2. Show the main problem or question (the conflict).
3. Offer 2–4 solutions and the recommended action.
4. Close with a clear next step and a slide for Q&A.

3. Visuals that hide information

Too many presenters use bullet-point paralysis, tiny fonts, or complex charts without explanation. Visuals should make the audience's job easier, not harder.

Fix

• One idea per slide.
• Keep text to a minimum — treat slides like signposts, not scripts.
• When using charts, highlight the data point you want the audience to see.

4. Failing to rehearse with the environment

Rehearsal often happens alone at a laptop. That misses microphone handling, projector quirks, pointer latency, and the feel of speaking to a room.

Fix

Rehearse once in the room or simulate it: use an external monitor, time your talk, and practice transitions. Record one run-through and watch for filler words and awkward pauses.

5. Ignoring accessibility and inclusivity

Stereo audio cues, tiny fonts, and indistinguishable chart colors exclude people. Accessibility isn't a niche add-on — it's baseline respect.

Fix

1. Use at least 24px font for slide text when possible.
2. Choose high-contrast palettes and test colorblind-safe palettes.
3. Add alt text and provide slide notes or a downloadable PDF for screen-reader users.

Practical checklist

Put this checklist in your slide-deck notes or on a sticky card.

• Goal sentence: One-line desired outcome.
• Arc: Setup → conflict → resolution → ask.
• 1 idea/slide: No overcrowded slides.
• Rehearse: At least one full timed run-through.
• Tech test: Confirm projector, cable, mic, and remote.
• Accessibility: Font size, contrast, alt text, captioning if video/audio used.
• Backup: PDF export and a USB or cloud link.

Handling Q&A (don't improvise)

Q&A can make or break a talk. It rewards curiosity but punishes vagueness.

Fix

Repeat each question before answering, set a time limit for the session, and prepare three short follow-up slides with extra data for likely questions. If you don't know an answer, say how you'll follow up and commit to a date.

Closing with a memory

People remember either stories or actions. End with a simple, repeatable takeaway and an obvious next step—whether that's "try this metric for two weeks" or "download the checklist."

10 official, colorful resources (quick links)

Below are ten reputable resources to study when you want to level up your presentation craft. Each link opens in a new tab and uses a friendly, colorful dot.

Printable handout (quick)

If you want a one-page handout: export the slides as a PDF, and create a one-page summary containing the outcome sentence, three core messages, and the checklist above. Attach it to your event invite so attendees can prepare mentally.

Final note

Great presentations are mostly logistics and empathy. The content matters, but getting the small details right—clear outcome, tight structure, readable visuals, environment rehearsal, accessibility, and a plan for follow-up—makes the difference between a talk people forget and one people act on.