As presenters, we always hope that our presentations will end off on a high note.
Present Like A Pro: End with Effect
If you start strong but flounder at the end of your presentation, what feeling are people going to be walking away with? Not a good one, that’s for sure! That’s why the ending your presentation is so important.
Yes, it’s critically important to open a presentation well, so you capture the audience's attention. Equally important – closing it well, as that’ll be what people remember most from your talk.
Fireworks Techniques
Here are selected 'Fireworks Techniques' to effectively close your presentation,
(i) A Short Summary:
Simple, straightforward and effective. For example, if your presentation has three takeaways, just summarize those three quickly. Or, summarize your main point. Is it the sexiest way to close your presentation? No. But it will imprint your point on your audience’s mind – and it’s particularly effective when giving an informational talk.
(ii) Call to action:
What’s the point of giving a presentation? To share important information, yes. But you also want people to DO something with that information. And in order to do that, you need to end your presentation with a clear call to action. Something which motivates, empowers and inspires your audience. Make even more of an impact by starting your presentation with a negative motivation, something shocking perhaps, about how bad things could be if they don’t take action. Then, end it on a positive motivation, showing how great things could be if you do take action.
What’s the point of giving a presentation? To share important information, yes. But you also want people to DO something with that information. And in order to do that, you need to end your presentation with a clear call to action. Something which motivates, empowers and inspires your audience. Make even more of an impact by starting your presentation with a negative motivation, something shocking perhaps, about how bad things could be if they don’t take action. Then, end it on a positive motivation, showing how great things could be if you do take action.
(iii) If Possible, Skip the Q&A at the End of Your Presentation:
Certainly make ‘question time’ a part of your presentation, but not the end. Q&A sessions have the tendency to run long, off-topic and have the possibility to turn sour. You want to end on a high-note or at least a note of your choosing. Not having questions at the end of a presentation means you can stay in control of the mood, what people take away from your presentation, and the timing.
Certainly make ‘question time’ a part of your presentation, but not the end. Q&A sessions have the tendency to run long, off-topic and have the possibility to turn sour. You want to end on a high-note or at least a note of your choosing. Not having questions at the end of a presentation means you can stay in control of the mood, what people take away from your presentation, and the timing.
(iv) A Personal Tagline:
There was a sales manager who closed every sales presentation with “Sell value.” Russell Wilson ends every interview he does with “Go Hawks.” Over time, this will build your personal brand and reinforce your message. Or, if there is a phrase you use again and again in your presentation, use it again as the closer. “The constant drumbeat of a few choice words can make you and your message more memorable to your audience,” Bergells said.
There was a sales manager who closed every sales presentation with “Sell value.” Russell Wilson ends every interview he does with “Go Hawks.” Over time, this will build your personal brand and reinforce your message. Or, if there is a phrase you use again and again in your presentation, use it again as the closer. “The constant drumbeat of a few choice words can make you and your message more memorable to your audience,” Bergells said.
(v) End Your Presentation with a Question:
Asking a question on the other hand can keep your audience thinking about your presentation long after it’s over. Provocative questions can compound your message, stir emotions, or invite action. Suspense can be a fantastic way to create a memorable ending if you use it appropriately. Round off with a question that they can reflect on after the presentation, to keep them thinking about what you’ve shared. Keep it closely related to your topic, and use it to put the spotlight on a point you which to bring across.
Asking a question on the other hand can keep your audience thinking about your presentation long after it’s over. Provocative questions can compound your message, stir emotions, or invite action. Suspense can be a fantastic way to create a memorable ending if you use it appropriately. Round off with a question that they can reflect on after the presentation, to keep them thinking about what you’ve shared. Keep it closely related to your topic, and use it to put the spotlight on a point you which to bring across.
(vi) Conclude Your Speech with a Story:
Storytelling is a powerful presentation tool and is a great way to neatly bookend your presentation. Through storytelling, emotional listeners retain more information. An emotional story, whether it’s funny, sad, or thought-provoking, is a sure fire way to engage your audience. If you can, try to tie the beginning and end together with your stories, it works like a great strategy.
Storytelling is a powerful presentation tool and is a great way to neatly bookend your presentation. Through storytelling, emotional listeners retain more information. An emotional story, whether it’s funny, sad, or thought-provoking, is a sure fire way to engage your audience. If you can, try to tie the beginning and end together with your stories, it works like a great strategy.
(vii) The Power of 3 for Your Conclusion:
Summaries are essential for info heavy presentations, but they can be super dull! Use the power of 3 to keep them short, snappy and more importantly, keep them memorable. This is a tried and tested method that has worked throughout the ages. Here are a few of the most famous examples of the rule of 3:
Summaries are essential for info heavy presentations, but they can be super dull! Use the power of 3 to keep them short, snappy and more importantly, keep them memorable. This is a tried and tested method that has worked throughout the ages. Here are a few of the most famous examples of the rule of 3:
- “This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” – Winston Churchill
- “Blood, sweat and tears” – General Patton
- “I came, I saw, I conquered” – Julius Caesar
- “Just Do It” – Nike slogan
(viii) Come Full Circle at the End of Your Presentation:
Give your audience a sense of completion by referring to your opening message at the end. It’s a great way to bookend the presentation and is a neat and tidy way to sum up. You can set this up at the beginning of your presentation in a few different ways: Pose a question which you answer at the end; Tell a story and either refer to it or finish it at the end; Repeat the first slide, this works especially well with powerful images or quotes.
Give your audience a sense of completion by referring to your opening message at the end. It’s a great way to bookend the presentation and is a neat and tidy way to sum up. You can set this up at the beginning of your presentation in a few different ways: Pose a question which you answer at the end; Tell a story and either refer to it or finish it at the end; Repeat the first slide, this works especially well with powerful images or quotes.
(ix) Demonstrate Your Product:
"Show, don’t just tell" is a great rule of thumb, as the saying goes ‘actions speak loudly than words.’ Ending your presentation with a practical demonstration, will not only clarify your message but be memorable for your audience. It can also be a chance to inject some fun into your presentation.
"Show, don’t just tell" is a great rule of thumb, as the saying goes ‘actions speak loudly than words.’ Ending your presentation with a practical demonstration, will not only clarify your message but be memorable for your audience. It can also be a chance to inject some fun into your presentation.
(x) End with an Either / Or Scenario:
Give your audience a choice at the end of a presentation. This is one way to encourage your audience to continue thinking about your presentation. This can be linked to your ‘call of action’ ending in tip (ii). For example, you can close a presentation by saying something along the lines of, “We can do this, or we can do nothing. The choice is yours.”
Give your audience a choice at the end of a presentation. This is one way to encourage your audience to continue thinking about your presentation. This can be linked to your ‘call of action’ ending in tip (ii). For example, you can close a presentation by saying something along the lines of, “We can do this, or we can do nothing. The choice is yours.”
(xi) Inspire Your Audience with a Quote:
Quotes are one of the most commonly used methods. It has been a tried-and-tested way to reach out to your audience and connect with them on a deeper level. But here’s the thing: You need to figure out what resonates with them, and choose one that fits the presentation theme. If you’re up to it, you can round off the quote with your own thoughts as well.
Quotes are one of the most commonly used methods. It has been a tried-and-tested way to reach out to your audience and connect with them on a deeper level. But here’s the thing: You need to figure out what resonates with them, and choose one that fits the presentation theme. If you’re up to it, you can round off the quote with your own thoughts as well.
(xii) End Your Presentation on a High Note:
Whichever way you choose to end your presentation, end it with energy! If you don’t show any passion or enthusiasm for your topic, then no one else will. As well as a more energetic ending, try to lift the mood. This can be especially important for those presentations which may tackle a difficult subject or convey some bad news. You don’t want your audience leaving the auditorium thinking, ‘well, that was depressing!’ Even if you do have to give dark data, try to end on a high-note and with hope
(xiii) A Sound Bite:
A sound bite is like a slogan, a phrase which demands attention. Can you condense your presentation message into a quick and catchy phrase? If you can fit the central message of your presentation into a few words, they will be memorable and ‘Tweet-able’. Here are a couple of great sound-bite examples for ending presentations: “Stay hungry, stay foolish.” – Steve Jobs “Chance favors the connected mind.” — Author Steven Johnson.
A sound bite is like a slogan, a phrase which demands attention. Can you condense your presentation message into a quick and catchy phrase? If you can fit the central message of your presentation into a few words, they will be memorable and ‘Tweet-able’. Here are a couple of great sound-bite examples for ending presentations: “Stay hungry, stay foolish.” – Steve Jobs “Chance favors the connected mind.” — Author Steven Johnson.
(xiv) End with a Compelling Image:
We all know the saying, ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’. It’s pretty cliché, but true – Images do help to bring your message across in an impactful way. Ever heard of the ‘The Burning Monk’? In 1963, photographer Malcolm Browne captured a stunning photo of a monk who self-immolated in protest against the persecution of Buddhists. That award-winning photo sparked outrage around the world, and brought the situation into focus for many who were previously unaware of the situation. When you’re selecting an image to put on your final slide, ask yourself these questions to guide you along.
We all know the saying, ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’. It’s pretty cliché, but true – Images do help to bring your message across in an impactful way. Ever heard of the ‘The Burning Monk’? In 1963, photographer Malcolm Browne captured a stunning photo of a monk who self-immolated in protest against the persecution of Buddhists. That award-winning photo sparked outrage around the world, and brought the situation into focus for many who were previously unaware of the situation. When you’re selecting an image to put on your final slide, ask yourself these questions to guide you along.
- What do you want to show your audience?
- What are you trying to illustrate?
- How should they feel after looking at the image?
(xv) End with a Provocative Statement/ Question:
How often have you been sitting in a presentation only to find that you have stopped listening before the end and are now day-dreaming or thinking about lunch? Make sure your audience is still with you at the end by making a provocative statement/ question. Statements/ questions, especially those that jolt us out of our comfort zone, stimulate and challenge our mind.
How often have you been sitting in a presentation only to find that you have stopped listening before the end and are now day-dreaming or thinking about lunch? Make sure your audience is still with you at the end by making a provocative statement/ question. Statements/ questions, especially those that jolt us out of our comfort zone, stimulate and challenge our mind.
(xvi) Use the Title Close Technique:
Another useful technique for how to end a presentation is to use the title of your presentation as the closing words. This creates a bookend to your entire presentation and can be used to bring your audience full circle.
Another useful technique for how to end a presentation is to use the title of your presentation as the closing words. This creates a bookend to your entire presentation and can be used to bring your audience full circle.
(xvii) A Quick Presentation Recap:
One method commonly used when giving presentations is the “tell them” method. This involves stating what you are going to say, saying it and then telling them what you told them. While this sounds repetitive, you can use it as a general framework for keeping your presentations short and to the point. That’s because no matter how amazing your presentation has been, you will still need to remind people what you’ve covered. However, try to avoid dull phrases such as “In conclusion” or “To sum up”, you’re not writing an essay! Instead, instigate your summary with a question, such as “Where is this all leading?” or “What does this all mean?”
One method commonly used when giving presentations is the “tell them” method. This involves stating what you are going to say, saying it and then telling them what you told them. While this sounds repetitive, you can use it as a general framework for keeping your presentations short and to the point. That’s because no matter how amazing your presentation has been, you will still need to remind people what you’ve covered. However, try to avoid dull phrases such as “In conclusion” or “To sum up”, you’re not writing an essay! Instead, instigate your summary with a question, such as “Where is this all leading?” or “What does this all mean?”
(xviii) Close with a Clear Cut Ending:
This is a must! There is nothing more uncomfortable than a presenter that doesn’t know how to end and just waffles awkwardly. The audience is left thinking, ‘Is that it? Do we clap now?’ Make sure you and your audience know when the presentation has reached its final destination. This can be a clear cut, ‘thank you!’, a wave, a bow, but let it be a clear signal this is the end. Or it can even be a summary slide that wraps up your talk and leaves your audience with the key takeaways and learning points.
This is a must! There is nothing more uncomfortable than a presenter that doesn’t know how to end and just waffles awkwardly. The audience is left thinking, ‘Is that it? Do we clap now?’ Make sure you and your audience know when the presentation has reached its final destination. This can be a clear cut, ‘thank you!’, a wave, a bow, but let it be a clear signal this is the end. Or it can even be a summary slide that wraps up your talk and leaves your audience with the key takeaways and learning points.
(xix) End Your Presentation on Time:
Remember time is precious. If you want to impress your audience, then end on time, or even better, with a few minutes to spare. The trick to keeping time is to practice your presentation well in advance, timing yourself each time. Cut out any fluff or filler and stick to what you’ve rehearsed.
Remember time is precious. If you want to impress your audience, then end on time, or even better, with a few minutes to spare. The trick to keeping time is to practice your presentation well in advance, timing yourself each time. Cut out any fluff or filler and stick to what you’ve rehearsed.
(xx) A Few Last Tips:
Practice your last words, so they come out smoothly. And then, after you say them, hold for silence for a minute – and then nod, bow or use other appropriate body language to let the audience know the presentation is over.
Practice your last words, so they come out smoothly. And then, after you say them, hold for silence for a minute – and then nod, bow or use other appropriate body language to let the audience know the presentation is over.
As presenters, we always hope that our presentations will end off on a high note. So now that you know how to end a presentation with effect, take some time to prepare and practice, and you’re good to go.
All the best!
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