Read time: 4 minutes

This week’s tip: Use the “Tell Them” method to guide your audience, eliminate confusion, and make your presentations unforgettable.

Use These 3 Steps to Engage and Guide Your Audience

I’ve been presenting for over 20 years, and during that time, I’ve spoken at conferences, led webinars, pitched to executives, and delivered internal communications. In each scenario, I’ve tested countless methods to connect with my audience and ensure my message lands.

But do you want to know a secret?

I rely on one simple framework that works every time.

It’s called the “Tell Them” method—and it’s shockingly effective.

Why This Method Works

When audiences are left confused about where a presentation is headed or how long it will take, they disengage. But when they have a clear roadmap, they stay with you, listening and processing your message.

This three-step method ensures your audience knows:

1. Where the presentation is going.
2. Where they are in the journey.
3. What they’ve learned when it’s over.

The 3-Step Tell Them Method

Step 1: Tell Them What You’ll Talk About

Every successful presentation begins with a clear roadmap. This step gives your audience a high-level preview of what to expect, helping them feel oriented and prepared.

Here’s how it works:

• Begin with a simple summary of the key topics you’ll cover.
• Keep it concise—your audience needs clarity, not every detail.
• Use visual cues or bullet points to emphasize the structure.

Why it matters:
This introduction gives your audience confidence. They know where you’re taking them, which builds trust and keeps them engaged.

Step 2: Talk About It

Now it’s time to dive into the content. This is where you deliver on your roadmap. Use storytelling, data, and visuals to keep your audience engaged, but always stay aligned with the structure you’ve already outlined.

Here’s how to succeed:

• Stick to your outline to avoid tangents.
• Use transitions like “Next, we’ll explore…” to signal where you are in the presentation.
• Highlight key points with visuals or examples to make them memorable.

Pro Tip:
Don’t overload your audience with information. Focus on clarity, and break your content into digestible sections.

Step 3: Tell Them What You Just Talked About

The final step is where the magic happens. Summarize your key points, tie everything back to your introduction, and leave your audience with a sense of closure.

Here’s how to do it:

• Recap the main takeaways.
• Reiterate the value of what they’ve learned.
• End with a strong call-to-action or a memorable closing thought.

Why it matters:
This step ensures your message sticks. Your audience leaves with clarity, understanding, and a clear path forward.

Why This Framework Matters

Early in my career, I stumbled upon the “Tell Them” method almost by accident. I saw how powerful it was when my audience responded with comments like, "That was an excellent presentation,“ or "I loved how clear that was,” or “I knew exactly where you were taking us.”

This framework solves two major problems:

1. It keeps your audience engaged by orienting them throughout the presentation.
2. It enhances retention by tying your message together with clarity and repetition.

Your Challenge

This week, take a presentation you’ve given recently or one you’re preparing for. Apply the Tell Them method:

1. Write a simple roadmap.
2. Stick to it during your delivery.
3. Wrap up with a strong summary.

Takeaway

Great communication isn’t about dazzling your audience with complexity—it’s about leading them with clarity. The “Tell Them” method transforms presentations into journeys that audiences understand, remember, and act on.

Ready to make your next presentation unforgettable?

Start with “Tell Them.”