Closing a Presentation
Not only is the opening critical to the success of your presentation, so is your conclusion. Prepare your closing and know exactly what you are going to say and do. Create something memorable for the audience to take away with them - a present, if you like. It needs to be purposeful and memorable and linked to your objectives: to what you want your audience to think, feel and do.
Things to Avoid When Closing a Presentation
1. The emergency stop
Here the speaker pulls up in mid-speech to end on time … you can almost hear the screech of the brakes as he or she says:
It's 4 o'clock. That's all I have time for. So I'll stop.
This is like someone leaving a conversation suddenly and walking out of the room.
2. You can't get the landing gear down
The speaker can't find the words to end. He or she keeps looping:
I'll finish on that point and remind you of the comment I made earlier about...
and off he or she goes again.
Things to Do When Closing a Presentation
1. 'Feel-good' ending
Aim for something catchy - a story, a phrase, a thought, an image
- that will continue to play in people's minds for hours, days or weeks. This is the time to deliver your take-home message straight to them eye to eye and person to person.
2. The closing summary
The closing summary is useful when the presentation is intended to convey information and not a call to action:
So we have seen that...
and this means ...
3. A call to action
Remind your audience of the benefits of taking action and stir their emotions. Remember, feelings are a catalyst to action.
Beware of padding out your speech to the allotted time. If you finish early most people will consider this a bonus! Rather than overstay your welcome, leave them wanting more. Remember:
- Always plan your closing
- Make it catchy, brief and to the point
- Link to the main points of your talk
- Stand confidently and look directly at your audience
- Leave your audience wanting more
- Summarise the main points and answer the question 'now what?'
If your presentation is to be followed by a question and answer session, the impact of your final sentences can be diluted. You
can counter this by a second very brief closing after accepting a series of questions.
How you end is how people will remember you. The lasting impression is formed from your final words, be they uplifting and motivating or empty and wishy-washy. Your closing is your signature. You might want to leave your audience feeling upbeat, needed and special.
