Why No One Remembers Your Presentation

Read Time – 5 minutes

We’ve all seen it (or done it ourselves).

A presenter puts up a slide packed with text, multiple charts, and paragraphs of analysis.

And what happens next?

The audience stops listening and starts reading. Some squint at the screen, others check out entirely. By the time the presenter moves to the next slide, half the room is still stuck on the first.

Here’s the problem: Most slides aren’t designed for speaking. They’re designed for sending.

Let’s fix that.

The Mistake: Using ‘Sending’ Slides When You Should Be Using 'Speaking' Slides

Not all slides are created equal. Some are meant to be read, while others are meant to be presented.

Here’s the key difference:

✔ Sending slides → A self-sufficient data story that can be read and understood without the presenter.
✔ Speaking slides → A guided story that supports your narrative with simplified visuals and less text.

Most people don’t think about this distinction, so they cram everything into their slides. The result? Overwhelming, text-heavy decks that lose attention fast.

Example: The Wrong Way to Present Data

Don’t speak with this slide.
Here’s an example of a “sending” slide mistakenly used in a presentation.

It has detailed explanations, multiple charts, and full paragraphs of analysis. Perfect for emailing. Terrible for presenting.

Why?
Because your audience is forced to read instead of listening to you.

The Fix: Make Your Slides Work for Speaking

When you’re presenting, your slides should support your words—not replace them.

Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Break complex slides into multiple, simpler ones.
Step 2: Reduce text—your voice should do the explaining.
Step 3: Use clear charts that reinforce your key points.

Example: The Right Way to Present Data

Speak with these slides.
Instead of one dense slide, break it into a sequence of clear, digestible slides.

Each slide focuses on a single idea, using short question and chart to guide the audience.

The result?
People stay engaged, follow your story, and absorb insights faster.

Why This Works

✔ Keeps attention on you.
Your slides support your words instead of competing with them.

✔ Reduces cognitive overload.
A well-paced visual sequence prevents information fatigue.

✔ Improves retention.
Simple, focused messages stick longer than cluttered slides.

Take Action

Next time you create a slide deck, ask yourself:

1. Is this for speaking or sending?
2. If I removed half the text, would the key message still land?
3. Does each slide focus on just one idea?

If you’ve been overwhelming your audience with slides that do too much, it’s time to simplify.

Because the best presentations aren’t about showing everything—they’re about helping your audience understand the right things.

Make Your Presentations Memorable.

Your slides should support your story, not compete with it. At Data Story Academy, we teach professionals how to tell data stories that engage, simplify, and drive action—without overwhelming their audience.

Ready to turn your data into stories? Get instant access to our online courses and tools or reach out to our team to schedule a workshop, keynote, or private coaching.

See you next Tuesday!