Captivating CLOSINGS for Powerful Presentations!

1. What would you say is the best way to end a presentation?

Never end your presentation with a question-and-answer session. Instead, ask for questions, comments, and concerns and only then end with a quick wrap-up.  The goal is to end with your audience being clear on their next steps.

2. What do the final slides of your presentations usually look like?  

Slides are only there to support your message. Toward the end of the presentation, I may even stop the ppt entirely and have a black screen. At the end of the presentation, I suggest a slide-up with the following steps or call to action.

3. What are some phrases you would use to end a presentation?

I always end with a summary of the content, a definitive call to action, and a reiteration of the benefits to the audience.  This is a superb model, and I have shared it with thousands of individuals who have found it immensely valuable.  Use this as your framework.  What I have looked at today….What I am asking you to do…..The benefits are…..

4. Which tools, if any, do you direct your audience to at the end of your presentation? For example, do you ask them to state what they have learned during your talk?

If not, do you ask for any specific feedback or simply leave room for questions? If time allows, I ask participants to share their biggest “take-away.” I then ask questions. As mentioned earlier, I never end on q&a. I always end with my three-part model of the summary, call to action, and benefit statement.

5. What would you say are the worst ways to end a presentation? Are there any established presenting norms you’d rather do away with?  

Never end a presentation with a question-and-answer session. I have seen numerous presenters end by asking, “any questions?” Too often, there are no questions, and the presenter is left looking deflated and muttering, “thank you.” In the event of no questions, you can always say, “a question I’m often asked is…” or “Something I would like to reiterate is….”.