Your cart is currently empty!
Speak Less, say more: how to deliver a message that sticks
There’s a common mistake even experienced speakers make: saying too much. It’s tempting—you’re passionate, you’re prepared, and you’ve got so much knowledge to share. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: the more you say, the less your audience remembers. So, what’s the point?
People don’t retain everything. They retain what stands out, what’s repeated, what connects. This means prioritizing is not optional—it’s a core skill of effective communication.
Less Is More (When It’s the Right Less)
Being concise doesn’t mean being shallow. It means knowing what matters most for your audience, your goal, and the moment. It’s about stripping your message down to its essentials and building back only what helps the audience grasp, feel, and remember.
Delivery style matters, sure. Structure helps. Anecdotes and metaphors stick. But none of that saves a talk if the goal is non-existent, or lost in too many irrelevant details.
When Is It Too Much?
If all of this makes sense to you, you are probably asking yourself: right, so when is it too much? How do I know?
Public speaking is a soft skill, many variables are involved. You’ll not find a check-list with a clear line saying “This is too much.” Yet, there is no reason to panic, there are good clues you can pay attention to.
You’re saying too much if:
- Your audience seems to tune out midway through.
- You’re rushing near the end to squeeze it all in.
- You need slides to hold every detail because you can’t remember what to cut.
- People ask questions afterward that you did answer—but buried 12 minutes in.
These are red flags. Too much can sound like you’re prepared, but feel like you’re overwhelming, and overwhelm rarely moves people. There is no gain in panicking in the moment, but they are certainly a good sign that you need to change your presentation in the future. Remember: you learn by doing it, so maybe you want to start by presenting to the safety of one of our virtual audiences, and start trimming the message with no judgment.
When Is It Not Enough?
That’s trickier. You do need substance. You need to support your points, provide clarity, and make your talk feel complete—not like a teaser. The key isn’t the amount of content, but the density of value. If people are left with clear insights and questions they want to ask, you likely gave just enough.
But if your talk feels vague, repetitive, or too high-level, it may not be satisfying. People should leave with something they can do, think about, or share. It’s not about stuffing in more facts—it’s about making sure the ideas you do include feel grounded, useful, and real.
Learn from the Pros: Comedians
Want to see economy of words in action? Watch stand-up comedy. Comedians are masters of trimming the fat. Every word, pause, and gesture is engineered to keep attention and land meaning.
They cut ruthlessly—not because they don’t have more to say, but because they want the audience to get it and feel it.
Respect the Listener
Primary rule of public speaking: it’s not about you, it’s about the audience.
Public speaking isn’t about proving how much you know. It’s about giving the audience something they can carry with them.
If you respect their time and attention, they’ll respect your message—and remember it.
Cátia is a psychologist who is passionate about helping children develop and train social skills.
