What is signposting
Signposting is the tactic of guiding your audience through your talks and presentations with verbal markers. It’s using phrases like:
- There are three key things to know…
- Here’s the surprising part…
- Let me walk you through the weeks ahead…
With signposts, your update becomes a clear, well-lit path where no one gets lost along the way. Your listener knows exactly what’s going on – and what’s coming up next.
Why it will strengthen your communication
Busy professionals rarely give you their full attention. They’re filtering noise, questioning the relevance – and thinking ahead to their next meeting. Not because they don’t care, but because their cognitive bandwidth is already limited and strained.
Signposts are beacons that help you break through that brain fog. They provide a clear roadmap for what your audience needs to focus on.
They’re also powerful retention tools. Consider a line like: Here are two risks and two opportunities. Signposts like these act as a memory shelf – helping listeners store and recall information after your talk is over.
Why signposting works
Signposting mirrors how the brain processes verbal information.
When we listen, we build a mental map to make sense of the message. Without structured markers, the brain has to work harder to organise ideas, predict what’s next and decide what matters.
Verbal signposts lighten that cognitive load so your audience can more easily follow your message – as you intended.
They also make you sound more confident. These subtle, logical cues show that you – and your presentation – are coherent, considered and credible.
How to apply the tactic
- Include a preview line early: Start strong and frame the conversation for your audience: We need to make three decisions this morning.
- List your points as you go: Cue transitions so listeners already anticipate your next idea (and so you don’t meander off track): Firstly, Secondly, Finally or Let’s now address the risks.
- Highlight importance in real time: When something matters, signal it so your listeners can prioritise what they’re hearing: This part is critical.
- Close the loop: End by reviewing the structure of your talk to reinforce retention: To wrap that up, here’s what these three changes mean for our team.
Above all, keep your language simple and natural. Signposts work best when they sound like you. So use plain English and short, punchy phrases.
Tactic in action: Signposting in a high-stakes exec meeting
| WITHOUT signposting | WITH signposting |
| Sales are going okay, but we still need more leads. The team’s working on it. We’re also waiting for the results from the customer survey. Marketing has a new campaign coming, which should help. But it won’t start until late February. And we’re talking to a possible partner that could make a big difference if the deal goes ahead. | Let me give you three key updates. One: Sales are up, but we still need more leads. Two: We’ll get the customer survey results on Friday – that’s the big one to watch. Three: We’ve got two things coming that should help: the February campaign and a possible new partner. |
If you liked this tactic, your team will love bringing it to life in our Presenting with Confidence workshop. Give your people the skills and confidence to command attention – in any room.