Ending your conversation will automatically focus your audience. Your final closing words give you a unique opportunity to anchor a message in the mind of your audience.
How many times have you seen a presentation that continues and ends with a speech without real interest? It’s amazing how many presenters are surprised at the end of their own speech! The last slide comes up and the speaker says, “Oh, I guess that’s it. So… uh, any questions?”
Call to close your speech
Contrary to the current practice of too many politicians and business and community leaders, the speakers are not the most influencers who end their speeches with a perfunctory, short “thank you.” It’s too easy. And too lazy.
It takes creative thinking and good delivery to end your speech with a full stop, a powerful climax that makes that unnecessary “thank you.” Not surprisingly, only seven of the 217 speeches listed in William Safire’s anthology, Lend Me Your Ears: Great Speeches in History, end with “thank you”
Need help making finish your speech?
Although every presenter thinks about how to end a speech, the answer is not always the same, it is a personal touch that should reflect your personality, objectives and the content of your presentation. r one that is simple, traditional, creative or modern.
Whatever you choose, try to end on a positive note. This is not the time for a quick goodbye, a big thank you, or body language that suggests all you want to do is run away.
There are many public speaking tips that we share with our clients, and one of the main ones is to remember that closing a presentation is one of its most important parts.
End on a positive note
Leave your audience happy and satisfied, but also wanting more. When you finish your conclusion, consider ending it with an engaging and thoughtful premise.
You may want to ask a rhetorical question or cite a specific quote from your research. Sometimes good quotes are like pictures, they say what they mean with confidence and style.
Summary
We remember our speech because we wrote it down and rehearsed it. The audience hears it for the first time. Chances are they won’t remember 95% of your speech after you leave the stage.
To make it easier for the audience to remember your speech, summarize your points towards the end of your speech. Keep the summary concise and precise. A summary also helps eliminate any miscommunication with your audience.