Last impressions count!
Just as the opening of a speech or presentation lays the foundation of the talk and what the audience can expect to get out of it, the ending is important in wrapping up your talk, summarising its main message and inspiring and motivating the audience to reflect and take action.
So, what’s the best way to end a talk?
There’s no single best way.
In this blog, I’ll explore eight of the most effective methods.
Summary closure
Succinctly recapping the main points discussed is a great way to reinforce the central message and helps your audience retain the most important messages or ideas you want to communicate.
Summary closures work well in informational or educational talks that aim to impart knowledge or teach new concepts. They are ideal for conference presentations, academic lectures or any type of lengthy talk that requires the audience to absorb large amounts of information.
It’s a tall order to expect the audience to remember everything. With a summary, you can at least help them walk away with the most critical points.
An impactful quote
Ending with a well-chosen quote can encapsulate the essence of your presentation, provoke deeper thoughts and evoke a strong emotional response.
For example, in a presentation about perseverance and success, you might conclude with Robert Frost’s poignant words: “The only way out is through.”
This quote not only reinforces the theme of enduring challenges but leaves the audience with a resonant message that ties back to the broader narrative of your talk.
Concluding on a quote is effective in any type of talk designed to inspire the audience, such as keynote messages and motivational speeches.
A call-to-action (CTA)
CTAs are more of a direct way of telling your audience what to do next rather than leaving it to their imaginations.
Use CTAs when you’d like your audience to do something promptly.
It works best if they can do it right there on the spot–because by the time people leave and get home, other priorities have taken over, and they’re less likely to act.
The CTA could be as simple as:
- Asking for their emails to hear more regular updates via your newsletter.
- Following you on social media.
- Signing a pledge/petition if it’s for a specific cause.
A quick and easy CTA keeps the lines of communication between you and your audience open beyond the talk.
Provocative question
Ending a presentation with a provocative question can leave the audience thinking more deeply about your topic.
The right question encourages the audience to reflect on your topic and form their own judgments.
Don’t be overly controversial, but the right amount of feather-ruffling can ingrain your message into their minds.
For instance, at the end of a talk on digital privacy, the speaker might ask, “What personal freedoms are we willing to sacrifice for greater security in our digital lives?” This question not only underscores the central theme of the presentation but also leaves the audience with a lingering thought that encourages ongoing mental engagement and debate.
This method is effective in academic lectures, discussion panels, and any setting where the goal is to stimulate critical thinking and dialogue.
A provocative question can be a powerful rhetorical tool, ensuring that the presentation’s impact extends beyond the immediate listening experience by sparking continuous reflection and discussion.
Anecdotal conclusion
By sharing a relevant story or anecdote, the speaker can effectively encapsulate the main points in a way that resonates personally with the audience.
Such storytelling reinforces the message and helps humanize the content, making abstract or complex ideas more tangible and memorable.
For example, in a presentation on the importance of teamwork, a speaker might conclude with a personal story about a time when collaborative effort led to overcoming a significant challenge.
This anecdote illustrates the power of teamwork in a practical, engaging way that listeners can easily relate to and remember.
This method works in motivational talks, educational sessions, and business presentations where connecting emotionally with the audience is crucial.
Full circle technique
This is where the speaker repeats an idea introduced at the beginning of the presentation to help the audience see how it ties in with your conclusion.
By echoing elements from the opening in the conclusion, the speaker creates a cohesive narrative arc that enhances the overall structure and impact of the presentation.
For instance, if a speaker begins with a personal anecdote about their first experience with a transformative technology, they might conclude by referencing how that technology has evolved and continues to influence their current work.
This reinforces the presentation’s themes and illustrates the tangible impact of the topic in question.
This technique is particularly powerful in narrative-driven talks, keynote speeches, or presentations aiming to take the audience on a thematic or emotional journey.
This approach leaves the audience with a rounded sense of the topic, encouraging them to reflect on how the initial scenario has transformed or been resolved by the end of the talk.
The visionary technique
This is where you paint a vivid picture of the future, illustrating what could happen with or without adopting the ideas presented.
For example, in a presentation advocating for sustainable business practices, the speaker might describe two contrasting futures: one where these practices are embraced, leading to environmental recovery and long-term economic benefits, and another where they are ignored, resulting in ecological degradation and financial losses.
This technique is especially powerful in presentations aimed at driving change, such as policy proposals, innovation pitches, or any talk where the goal is to influence the audience’s behavior or decision-making.
By offering a clear, compelling vision of possible futures, the speaker emphasizes the importance of their message and encourages the audience to take action to realise a more positive outcome.
Statistical closure
A hard-hitting stat effectively cements the importance of your message by providing concrete, quantitative evidence that resonates with the audience.
For instance, if your presentation focuses on the benefits of early childhood education, ending with a statistic like, “Studies show that every dollar invested in early childhood education yields a return of up to $8 in better health outcomes and reduced criminal activity,” can powerfully drive home the value and impact of your arguments.
A well-chosen statistic reinforces the credibility of the information presented and leaves a lasting impression by quantifying the issue’s relevance or the solution’s potential impact.
Wrapping up
The conclusion of your talk is where you leave your final impression, making it just as crucial as the introduction and body of your presentation.
It is essential to practice your conclusion with the same rigor and dedication as the rest of your speech to ensure it effectively reinforces your message and resonates with the audience.
A well-rehearsed conclusion flows smoothly, feels confident, and succinctly encapsulates your main points, maximizing your message’s impact.
Practicing your conclusion helps you to deliver it with the right tone, pace, and emphasis, ensuring that your final words linger in the minds of your audience, driving home the significance of your topic.
Remember, the end of your presentation is your last opportunity to influence your listeners and motivate them to action; make it powerful, make it memorable, and most importantly, make it count.
Good luck! And if you want to hear more from me, you can find me on:
- YouTube
- Behind the mic on the Art of Communication Podcast
