Do memory techniques for vocabulary actually work?

They definitely help, but not the way a lot of people think. It's not like you link a word to some crazy mnemonic trick once and then you've got it forever. These techniques mainly help you with the initial learning - the first time you encounter a word. Especially with abstract or tricky words, an association or a visual story can make the difference between remembering it or not.

But here's the real secret: repetition. You can have the best mnemonic technique out there, but if you don't go over the word regularly, you'll forget it anyway. So it makes more sense to focus on a system you can actually stick with - whether that's flashcards, an app, or just writing stuff down regularly. Memory techniques work best when you use them strategically on the really tough words, not on every single one.

My tip: only spend time on techniques for the words that just won't stick in your head. For everything else, regular repetition does the job fine - otherwise you're just wasting time on prep work. And if a technique frustrates you more than it helps, skip it. The most important thing is that you stay consistent.