In 2018, I helped create the four most popular presentations for a major health summit.

Our speaker was unknown and up against some heavy hitters vying for attention. But when our gal spoke, everyone put down their phones. One strategy we used to get attention was the number hook.

What is the number hook?

A numerical fact that meets two conditions:

1) People find it meaningful

2) People find it memorable

That means you can only shine a spotlight on a single number.  If you share two or three, they wash over your audience. This number needs stand alone.

Why does a single number work?

People love to learn something of value and a single number gets them to feel in the know.  You'll show them that this one fact is crucial.  That's what gets and keeps attention.

How do you show them the number is so valuable?

• Say the number

• Say what it means + credibility

• Repeat it + tell why it matters

Example From Our Most Popular Presentation

Ninety-two percent.

That's the percentage of people who will try to change their behavior and fail this year according to the journal Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy.

Ninety-two percent.  That number seems high and it is. But what can you do to be part of the small sliver of people who succeed at change this year?

Has your attention right?

The power of using a number is all about creating curiosity. We could easily say it's hard to change or mention that most people fail. But sharing a number gives your explanation much-needed weight.

Want to learn more writing tips like this one?

Join my newsletter where I share specific frameworks for creating courses each week.

Link in my bio.