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.

The first time I thought about a Subaru as a car choice was when I sat in my colleague's Subaru Outback. I noticed the seat height made getting in and out very easy. Other vehicles I've had felt like you were either doing the limbo or summiting Kilimanjaro. This felt more like you were getting in and out of your dining room chair. No muss, no fuss and certainly appreciated by those with back issues.

For the last several years we've been a Subaru family. In fact, we just moved to a 2018 Outback which is identical to our last one in almost every obvious way, except for the entertainment system.

Just one thing was driving me mad. For the life of me, I couldn't find a button or menu option that allowed me to change the time after daylight savings. I'm not an expert, but consider myself fairly tech savvy for these sorts of common consumer issues. Even the manual didn't seem to offer any answers.

Enter YouTube and an instructional video. Short, easy to understand, and got the job done. Thank you, Joseph Jenkins! 

If you are having this problem, here is the solution.

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

Rough week?

They say videos of cute puppies or kittens helps and I totally believe this. Smiling and laughter are very effective, too.

As for me, a funny commercial always puts a smile on my face. Hope this gives you a smile and a laugh, all in under 60 seconds.

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