Edelman Atlanta

The way you close your presentation is just as important – arguably more so – than the way you open it. So, don’t leave it to chance.

Most presentations end with, “Are there any questions?” What a weak way to complete what has hopefully been a dynamic show up until that point! The last thing the audience hears should come from you and it needs to be more profound than a simple, “Thank you.”

When considering how to close a presentation, think about how you might borrow from the way you opened it. Here are some techniques to consider:

1) Re-emphasize an earlier point. Select a key message from your presentation and refer back to it. Did you open with a question? Close by answering the question. Did you use a quote? Use it again. If a message is key, it’s worth repeating.

2) Challenge the audience. Don’t assume the audience knows exactly what you want them to do next. Tell them. Be bold. Suggest, “If you do nothing else, do this…” or even ask, “If you don’t take action now to _____, how long do you think it will be until you ____?”

3) End with a story. Don’t let the fact that you started your presentation with a story keep you from ending with one. People never tire of hearing great stories that make relevant points. Gifted presenters always come full circle in the course of a talk. Think about how you can tell a story at the end that ties to a story told previously.

4) Close with a quote. It can be from someone you’ve quoted earlier (even the exact same quote you opened with) or you can go an entirely different route. Just make sure it is relevant and enables the audience to make a direct connection between you and the problem they need to solve.