We're all overwhelmed with information!
There’s just so much to keep up with and FOMO (the fear of missing out) is real.
New social media platforms and AI apps are always on the horizon. Tech and AI move at lightning speeds, and we’re all either stretched thin for time to keep up or simply OVER IT.
But in the middle of this era of information overload and retaining NOTHING, there’s something I’ve discovered.
We still tend to remember things that really resonate with us, things that give us a dopamine rush and move us emotionally, things that are significant enough to stick in our memories.
It’s like the more we’re moved emotionally, the more our brain guards these moments.
You know those photos we have hanging on our walls and sitting next to our computers? The wooden pieces that memorialize the people and moments we never want to forget?
“We use frames to preserve our most cherished moments. Why not use a FRAME for our most cherished ideas?.”
I believe that if we approach our ideas and content in the same way, we will make them unforgettable.
And that approach is called the F.R.A.M.E. method.
The F.R.A.M.E. method is a simple creative tool that can help anyone with an idea, message, product or experience be more easily remembered by their audiences while nurturing a natural connection. It essentially helps us ‘humanize’ whatever we’re trying to communicate and it’s especially for those who think they are not creative.
5 key ingredients for turning ordinary content into emotive visuals people will actually remember.
1. FEELINGS — What feelings do you want your audience to have when they interact with your content?
What should your content / brand / idea / keynote / framework / live performance
video / illustration / visual installation or user experience feel like?
A great way to get into the “feels” of your content is to think of a specific moment.
Finish the sentence — “My content is like “the feeling of….” OR “the feeling when…”
Remember Maya Angelou’s timeless quote? “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” It’s that powerful!
2. RELATABLE CONCEPT — What relatable concept can you use for people to understand your content?
People tend to connect with things that they can relate to. The key principle here is to take something familiar and give it your unique touch. A visual analogy or a compelling narrative can be used to enhance the audience’s understanding and connection to your idea.
A great way to identify relatable concepts for your content is to ask:
What is this content like? What does this content symbolize? What should your content
remind you of? What can it be compared to? What does it sound/smell/feel like?
Does it trigger nostalgic experiences?
E.g. Your ideas are like photos in frame — important and worth remembering.
Without tapping into a solid, familiar concept, you run the risk of getting lost in the noise of life. However, by focusing on the desired outcome and the associated feelings, you increase your chances of creating an intentional experience that resonates with your audience.
3. AESTHETICS — What aesthetics define your content?
What is the vibe or style that best represents your content? What should it look like?
Aesthetics define the visual identity or personality of your content.
It can build trust, excitement, community and so much more so, let’s be intentional about it.
E.g. — If you’re invited to a retail store blindfolded, you would immediately be able to tell whether you’re in Target or Walmart once the blindfold is removed.
One practical habit to define the aesthetic of your content is to collect inspirational objects or save inspirational images into a folder on your phone or desktop. This way, you can easily guide a designer by showing them what inspires you.
4. MESSAGE — What’s the one message that you want your audience to remember?
When it comes to visually expressing your content, it’s important to have ONE THING that people can easily repeat and remember.
This is where you gather all the key language around your content and distill everything down to its essence.
For example, Apple’s message “Think different” encourages you to think outside the box. Disney’s “The happiest place on earth” welcomes you to their joyful world. And All State’s “You’re in good hands” assures you that you can trust them.
With short attention spans being a challenge, having ONE clear message is critical. We may recall a funny commercial, listened to a great podcast episode or watched a beautiful performance, but if we don’t remember the takeaway message, everything was in vain.
Having just ONE message increases the likelihood of your content being remembered.
5. EXPRESSION — What are the other ways in which your ideas or content can be expressed?
Now that you’ve completed most of the F.R.A.M.E. method, it’s time to confidently express your unique content visually. Your content deserves the perfect medium to deliver a synergy of feelings, relatable concepts, aesthetics, and message.
Traditionally, most of us present our content ideas as a PowerPoint keynote, print, or video format. But what if your content is best expressed in other ways that keep people talking about it? Consider expressing your content as a digital token, interactive public exhibit, or audio format. For example, an author may have a companion book of quotes to accompany their main book or offer relevant merchandise with custom messages as giveaways.
Think about all the cool, dope, riveting, deeply satisfying, or even unforgettable experiences you’ve had. Most, if not all, of them used the FRAME method. Don’t believe me? I challenge you to ask yourself, “What was an unforgettable piece of content or experience I actually remember?”
Download the free F.R.A.M.E. method worksheet, answer the five short questions, and prove me right.
After all, people only remember things they connect with.
Thanks for reading!
Phil
