Bring Your Words to Life

In my writing or presentations, I try to keep the audience engaged by creating a memorable experience. There are many ways to do this, such as the power of story, novelty, and light humor. However, today I'd like to share with you another method that is often overlooked.  

To create memorable experiences, use visual metaphors to bring your words to life. 

I think I know what that means, Joe, but just to be sure, what is a "visual metaphor?"

So glad you asked. Here's a definition.

Visual metaphor: the representation of a person, place, thing, or idea by means of a visual image that suggests a particular association or point of similarity.

Game-changing tip: Next time you are preparing to break bread with an audience, come up with visual metaphors to make your concepts more easily accessible, meaningful and memorable.

I could give you some examples of my own, but instead allow me to share a wonderful example of the power of visual metaphor from a short paragraph on songwriting by Amanda Palmer.

The best songs come like this, the melody and the words landing on the brain’s sunlit kitchen table like a singing telegram, a complete and precise little package of information.

In that telegram is encoded the entire blueprint for the verses and chorus, a musical strand of DNA.

I cannot recognize the words, the length, or even the subject of the song, but I can detect something about how the song will feel when finished.

I’ve always suspected that this glimpse of the whole from the part offers an excellent metaphor for life and death.

-Amanda Palmer from "Melody vs meditation"

Action: The next time you are preparing to share information, think of the best images that will create a memorable experience for your audience.

If you have any thoughts or stories to share about this, I would love to hear from you!

Next post next Saturday, 6:30 a.m.