how to end a pitch presentation examples

30 Examples: How to Conclude a Presentation (Effective Closing Techniques)

By Status.net Editorial Team on March 4, 2024 — 9 minutes to read

Ending a presentation on a high note is a skill that can set you apart from the rest. It’s the final chance to leave an impact on your audience, ensuring they walk away with the key messages embedded in their minds. This moment is about driving your points home and making sure they resonate. Crafting a memorable closing isn’t just about summarizing key points, though that’s part of it, but also about providing value that sticks with your listeners long after they’ve left the room.

Crafting Your Core Message

To leave a lasting impression, your presentation’s conclusion should clearly reflect your core message. This is your chance to reinforce the takeaways and leave the audience thinking about your presentation long after it ends.

Identifying Key Points

Start by recognizing what you want your audience to remember. Think about the main ideas that shaped your talk. Make a list like this:

• The problem your presentation addresses.
• The evidence that supports your argument.
• The solution you propose or the action you want the audience to take.

These key points become the pillars of your core message.

Contextualizing the Presentation

Provide context by briefly relating back to the content of the whole presentation. For example:

• Reference a statistic you shared in the opening, and how it ties into the conclusion.
• Mention a case study that underlines the importance of your message.

Connecting these elements gives your message cohesion and makes your conclusion resonate with the framework of your presentation.

30 Example Phrases: How to Conclude a Presentation

• 1. “In summary, let’s revisit the key takeaways from today’s presentation.”
• 2. “Thank you for your attention. Let’s move forward together.”
• 3. “That brings us to the end. I’m open to any questions you may have.”
• 4. “I’ll leave you with this final thought to ponder as we conclude.”
• 5. “Let’s recap the main points before we wrap up.”
• 6. “I appreciate your engagement. Now, let’s turn these ideas into action.”
• 7. “We’ve covered a lot today. To conclude, remember these crucial points.”
• 8. “As we reach the end, I’d like to emphasize our call to action.”
• 9. “Before we close, let’s quickly review what we’ve learned.”
• 10. “Thank you for joining me on this journey. I look forward to our next steps.”
• 11. “In closing, I’d like to thank everyone for their participation.”
• 12. “Let’s conclude with a reminder of the impact we can make together.”
• 13. “To wrap up our session, here’s a brief summary of our discussion.”
• 14. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to present to you. Any final thoughts?”
• 15. “And that’s a wrap. I welcome any final questions or comments.”
• 16. “As we conclude, let’s remember the objectives we’ve set today.”
• 17. “Thank you for your time. Let’s apply these insights to achieve success.”
• 18. “In conclusion, your feedback is valuable, and I’m here to listen.”
• 19. “Before we part, let’s take a moment to reflect on our key messages.”
• 20. “I’ll end with an invitation for all of us to take the next step.”
• 21. “As we close, let’s commit to the goals we’ve outlined today.”
• 22. “Thank you for your attention. Let’s keep the conversation going.”
• 23. “In conclusion, let’s make a difference, starting now.”
• 24. “I’ll leave you with these final words to consider as we end our time together.”
• 25. “Before we conclude, remember that change starts with our actions today.”
• 26. “Thank you for the lively discussion. Let’s continue to build on these ideas.”
• 27. “As we wrap up, I encourage you to reach out with any further questions.”
• 28. “In closing, I’d like to express my gratitude for your valuable input.”
• 29. “Let’s conclude on a high note and take these learnings forward.”
• 30. “Thank you for your time today. Let’s end with a commitment to progress.”

Summarizing the Main Points

When you reach the end of your presentation, summarizing the main points helps your audience retain the important information you’ve shared. Crafting a memorable summary enables your listeners to walk away with a clear understanding of your message.

Effective Methods of Summarization

To effectively summarize your presentation, you need to distill complex information into concise, digestible pieces. Start by revisiting the overarching theme of your talk and then narrow down to the core messages. Use plain language and imagery to make the enduring ideas stick. Here are some examples of how to do this:

• Use analogies that relate to common experiences to recap complex concepts.
• Incorporate visuals or gestures that reinforce your main arguments.

The Rule of Three

The Rule of Three is a classic writing and communication principle. It means presenting ideas in a trio, which is a pattern that’s easy for people to understand and remember. For instance, you might say, “Our plan will save time, cut costs, and improve quality.” This structure has a pleasing rhythm and makes the content more memorable. Some examples include:

• “This software is fast, user-friendly, and secure.”
• Pointing out a product’s “durability, affordability, and eco-friendliness.”

Reiterating the Main Points

Finally, you want to circle back to the key takeaways of your presentation. Rephrase your main points without introducing new information. This reinforcement supports your audience’s memory and understanding of the material. You might summarize key takeaways like this:

• Mention the problem you addressed, the solution you propose, and the benefits of this solution.
• Highlighting the outcomes of adopting your strategy: higher efficiency, greater satisfaction, and increased revenue.

Creating a Strong Conclusion

The final moments of your presentation are your chance to leave your audience with a powerful lasting impression. A strong conclusion is more than just summarizing—it’s your opportunity to invoke thought, inspire action, and make your message memorable.

Incorporating a Call to Action

A call to action is your parting request to your audience. You want to inspire them to take a specific action or think differently as a result of what they’ve heard. To do this effectively:

• Be clear about what you’re asking.
• Explain why their action is needed.
• Make it as simple as possible for them to take the next steps.

Example Phrases:

• “Start making a difference today by…”
• “Join us in this effort by…”
• “Take the leap and commit to…”

Leaving a Lasting Impression

End your presentation with something memorable. This can be a powerful quote, an inspirational statement, or a compelling story that underscores your main points. The goal here is to resonate with your audience on an emotional level so that your message sticks with them long after they leave.

• “In the words of [Influential Person], ‘…'”
• “Imagine a world where…”
• “This is more than just [Topic]; it’s about…”

Enhancing Audience Engagement

To hold your audience’s attention and ensure they leave with a lasting impression of your presentation, fostering interaction is key.

Q&A Sessions

It’s important to integrate a Q&A session because it allows for direct communication between you and your audience. This interactive segment helps clarify any uncertainties and encourages active participation. Plan for this by designating a time slot towards the end of your presentation and invite questions that promote discussion.

• “I’d love to hear your thoughts; what questions do you have?”
• “Let’s dive into any questions you might have. Who would like to start?”
• “Feel free to ask any questions, whether they’re clarifications or deeper inquiries about the topic.”

Encouraging Audience Participation

Getting your audience involved can transform a good presentation into a great one. Use open-ended questions that provoke thought and allow audience members to reflect on how your content relates to them. Additionally, inviting volunteers to participate in a demonstration or share their experiences keeps everyone engaged and adds a personal touch to your talk.

• “Could someone give me an example of how you’ve encountered this in your work?”
• “I’d appreciate a volunteer to help demonstrate this concept. Who’s interested?”
• “How do you see this information impacting your daily tasks? Let’s discuss!”

Delivering a Persuasive Ending

At the end of your presentation, you have the power to leave a lasting impact on your audience. A persuasive ending can drive home your key message and encourage action.

Sales and Persuasion Tactics

When you’re concluding a presentation with the goal of selling a product or idea, employ carefully chosen sales and persuasion tactics. One method is to summarize the key benefits of your offering, reminding your audience why it’s important to act. For example, if you’ve just presented a new software tool, recap how it will save time and increase productivity. Another tactic is the ‘call to action’, which should be clear and direct, such as “Start your free trial today to experience the benefits first-hand!” Furthermore, using a touch of urgency, like “Offer expires soon!”, can nudge your audience to act promptly.

Final Impressions and Professionalism

Your closing statement is a chance to solidify your professional image and leave a positive impression. It’s important to display confidence and poise. Consider thanking your audience for their time and offering to answer any questions. Make sure to end on a high note by summarizing your message in a concise and memorable way. If your topic was on renewable energy, you might conclude by saying, “Let’s take a leap towards a greener future by adopting these solutions today.” This reinforces your main points and encourages your listeners to think or act differently when they leave.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some creative strategies for ending a presentation memorably.

To end your presentation in a memorable way, consider incorporating a call to action that engages your audience to take the next step. Another strategy is to finish with a thought-provoking question or a surprising fact that resonates with your listeners.

Can you suggest some powerful quotes suitable for concluding a presentation?

Yes, using a quote can be very effective. For example, Maya Angelou’s “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,” can reinforce the emotional impact of your presentation.

What is an effective way to write a conclusion that summarizes a presentation?

An effective conclusion should recap the main points succinctly, highlighting what you want your audience to remember. A good way to conclude is by restating your thesis and then briefly summarizing the supporting points you made.

As a student, how can I leave a strong impression with my presentation’s closing remarks?

To leave a strong impression, consider sharing a personal anecdote related to your topic that demonstrates passion and conviction. This helps humanize your content and makes the message more relatable to your audience.

How can I appropriately thank my audience at the close of my presentation?

A simple and sincere expression of gratitude is always appropriate. You might say, “Thank you for your attention and engagement today,” to convey appreciation while also acknowledging their participation.

What are some examples of a compelling closing sentence in a presentation?

A compelling closing sentence could be something like, “Together, let’s take the leap towards a greener future,” if you’re presenting on sustainability. This sentence is impactful, calls for united action, and leaves your audience with a clear message.

• How to Build Rapport: Effective Techniques
• Active Listening (Techniques, Examples, Tips)
• Effective Nonverbal Communication in the Workplace (Examples)
• What is Problem Solving? (Steps, Techniques, Examples)
• 2 Examples of an Effective and Warm Letter of Welcome
• 8 Examples of Effective Interview Confirmation Emails

9 Ways to End Your Sales Presentation With a Bang

Published: May 11, 2022

A brilliant presentation is worth nothing if you don't bring it home with a powerful close — that said, many salespeople still struggle with how to end a presentation. Most sales presentations end with a whimper rather than a bang, taking a major toll on prospect's interest and enthusiasm.

To help you add a little extra oomph to your presentations and consistently end pitches on a high note, we've put together some tips for closing sales presentations — complete with some helpful examples.

Closing a Sales Presentation

• Go back to your opening anecdote or idea.
• End with a challenge.
• Invite your audience on a metaphorical mission.
• Use repetition for a dramatic close.
• Offer inspiration.
• Surface their objections.
• Tell a story.
• Ask an unusual question.
• End with a quote.

1. Go back to your opening anecdote or idea. 2. End with a challenge. 3. Invite your audience on a metaphorical mission. 4. Use repetition for a dramatic close. 5. Offer inspiration. 6. Surface their objections. 7. Tell a story. 8. Ask an unusual question. 9. End with a quote.

1. Go back to your opening anecdote or idea.

Starting a presentation with an anecdote, analogy, case study, or thought-provoking idea can set things off with an intriguing tone — and referring back to that point at the end can add an element of compelling cohesion to your pitch.

For example, let's say you're presenting on behalf of a company selling a conversation intelligence platform to an enterprise-level prospect. You might start with something like:

"Client X's sales development team was qualified, competent, and motivated. SDRs were reliably connecting with prospects, but their conversion rate was hardly over half of what leadership wanted to see. That's where we came in."

Then, you would give your presentation — offering an overview of your product, value proposition, specs, and tailored solution. Once you've covered those bases, and it's time to wrap things up, you could say:

"Remember Client X? Well, after implementing our solution, they were able to refine their messaging, provide reps with better-informed coaching, and identify the most resonant pain points prospects were consistently raising. All told, they more than doubled their conversion rates on calls while maintaining their existing cadence."

That kind of "closed loop" synchronicity is clean and interesting — that's why bringing everything together with a self-referential nod to the beginning of your presentation is one of the better ways to cap things off.

2. End with a challenge.

Leaving your prospects with a dramatic, open-ended challenge is one of the most effective ways to keep yourself top-of-mind after your presentation ends and motivate a buyer to act.

For instance, you might say, "Are you going to let another month pass by without addressing the crippling communication issues on your team? This is your opportunity to change things. Don’t wait."

But be careful, you need to tread lightly if you decide to go this road. Read the room and exercise caution. There's always a thin line between confidence and arrogance, and if you cross it in front of the wrong person, you could be in trouble.

If you're too brash and challenge a prospect with an "alpha" personality, you might wind up rubbing them the wrong way and do more harm than good. If you have even the slightest suspicion that your buyer might not be receptive to this tactic, go with another one.

3. Invite your audience on a metaphorical mission.

This tactic is sort of a spin on the point above — one that's a bit more collaborative and less confrontational. Instead of challenging your prospect, ask them to join you on a mission or journey.

You might say something like:

"More than 5,000 companies have decided to leverage our solution and invest in their employees' health. Are you ready to join them?"

It's more inspirational than a direct challenge but a little less frank — sacrificing some directness in the interest of caution. Still, when done right, it can inspire action.

4. Use repetition for a dramatic close.

Research shows repetition improves a child’s ability to recall new terms — in other words, if they hear an unfamiliar phrase multiple times, they’re more likely to remember it than if they only heard it once.

But that trend isn't specific to kids — the same principle applies to adults. A repetitive rhythmic close is memorable, but its value doesn't stop there. It can also be high-energy and engaging.

Not sure what this would sound like? Take a look at this example:

"If you don’t have transparency, you don’t have trust. If you don’t have trust, you won’t get honest feedback. If you don’t get honest feedback, you’ll develop blind spots. If you develop blind spots, you’ll make poor decisions, lose talented employees, and miss crucial opportunities for improvement."

5. Offer inspiration.

A well-chosen quote can tie your entire sales pitch together and help put things in a new light for your prospect.

Let's say you're selling a new CRM to a midsize business. The buyer is interested, but they know implementing a new system could be a long, challenging process.

With that in mind, you might close with something like:

"Look, I know the thought of changing CRMs is probably scary. But I think one of my favorite Warren Buffett quotes applies nicely here: ‘Should you find yourself in a chronically leaking boat, energy devoted to changing vessels is likely to be more productive than energy devoted to patching leaks.’

In the long run, this switch will save your company a lot of time, money, and effort."

6. Surface their objections.

When you sense your prospect isn’t quite convinced — or they’re not being completely open about — you can try ending your presentation by digging for objections.

HubSpot sales reps use this question: "What would stop you from moving forward?"

You can also try, "If you decide not to buy, what would the reason be?"

The thought of being so direct can be nerve-racking, but you need to keep the fact that your prospect's objections exist — regardless of whether you probe for them. Those concerns are real and will likely come to light eventually, and you can't resolve them if you have no idea what they are.

7. Tell a story.

A story is one of the — if not the — most powerful communication vehicles salespeople have at their disposal. Telling a story makes your message more compelling, digestible, and emotionally resonant.

I recommend telling a hypothetical story of your prospect’s life after they’ve bought your product:

"It’s [date four months in the future]. You’ve been using [product] for [X use case]. [First pain point], which used to swallow up hours of your week, has been completely eliminated. [Second pain point] has been reduced to a 15-minute task every month. And your boss is completely thrilled with [Y results]."

By framing your presentation with immersive descriptions of the results your prospects can expect to see, you're helping them mentally place themselves as existing customers. If you can do that convincingly, this tactic can go a long way.

8. Ask an unusual question.

You don't have to cut your presentation short by asking, " Does anyone have questions? " Instead, try turning the tables by asking an anything-but-ordinary question at the end of your presentation.

This will jolt them back to the conversation at hand and give you a unique entry into the final portion of your presentation. Here are some example questions:

• " How did I change your worldview or perception?"
• " Based on what you've just heard, would you buy today? Why or why not?"
• " What's changed between now and when I began this presentation? "

The conversations prompted by these questions are sure to be more interesting than an ordinary close. And it might go without saying, but you still have to follow up by answering any questions they have.

9. End with a quote.

Whether it's a killer client quote or your favorite Dylan lyric, ending with a thought-provoking line will cause your audience to pause.

From there, take a few moments to ask how the quote resonated with your audience and what it made them consider. They might have offering-related thoughts — or share something completely unrelated to your business.

The point of this exercise is to snap them out of the end-of-presentation daze and get them excited and inspired to think bigger. Choose the right quote and spur your prospect to action at the end.

Here are a few other presentation ideas:

Sales Presentation Ideas

• Share a unique " vision statement " for your prospect - Wow your audience by sharing a personalized vision statement for how you see your offering changing their work and their business.
• Nix language-heavy slides for images - Go easy on the eyes and provide images narrated by your key points.
• Use movement and gestures - Avoid a rigid, unmoving stance. Use natural or slightly animated gestures to give your presentation life.
• Include video or animation - You never want to distract from your main points, but a well-placed video or custom animation can help rather than hindering your presentation.
• Don't shy away from emotion - When appropriate, share a joke, a personal anecdote, or passionate story.
• Always personalize your presentation - Keep things relevant for your audience by customizing every presentation you give.
• Tell stories using your data - You know what's less boring than a slide full of bullet-pointed numbers? You telling a story with your data.
• Ask questions throughout your presentation - Make things interactive by engaging regularly with your audience and asking for their thoughts and opinions.
• Make examples personal - Reminding your audience of your humanity is crucial for them to feel connected and sympathetic to you.
• Use music - "Music embedded throughout a PowerPoint presentation can sustain attention, while slipping content into long-term memory," says Ronald A. Berk of The Johns Hopkins University

With these creative and effective ways to end and facilitate a sales presentation, your close rate is bound to improve.

Don't forget to share this post!

Related articles.

10 Best Sales Presentations To Inspire Your Sales Deck [+ 5 Tips]

15 Sales Presentation Techniques That Will Help You Close More Deals Today

7 Apps That Help Salespeople Become Even Better Speakers

7 Secrets of a Winning Capabilities Presentation

Insight Selling: The 8-Slide Framework for a Better Pitch

The Best Work-Appropriate GIFs to Use in Your Next Sales Slide Deck

How to Make a Business Presentation in 7 Easy Steps [Free Business Presentation Templates]

The 8 Types of Presentation Styles: Which Category Do You Fall Into?

How to Handle Difficult Sales Calls Like a Pro

Technology Give You the Middle Finger in a Demo? 7 Reactions to Avoid

Pro Tactics For Mastering Every Type of Sales Deal

Powerful and easy-to-use sales software that drives productivity, enables customer connection, and supports growing sales orgs

• By Illiya Vjestica
• - January 23, 2023

10 Powerful Examples of How to End a Presentation

Here are 10 powerful examples of how to end a presentation that does not end with a thank you slide.

How many presentations have you seen that end with “Thank you for listening” or “Any questions?” I bet it’s a lot…

“Thank you for listening.” is the most common example. Unfortunately, when it comes to closing out your slides ending with “thank you” is the norm. We can create a better presentation ending by following these simple examples.

The two most essential slides of your deck are the ending and intro. An excellent presentation ending is critical to helping the audience to the next step or following a specific call to action.

There are many ways you can increase your presentation retention rate . The most critical steps are having a solid call to action at the end of your presentation and a powerful hook that draws your audience in.

What Action do You Want Your Audience to Take?

Before designing your presentation, start with this question – what message or action will you leave your audience with?

Are you looking to persuade, inspire, entertain or inform your audience? You can choose one or multiple words to describe the intent of your presentation.

Think about the action words that best describe your presentation ending – what do you want them to do? Inspire, book, learn, understand, engage, donate, buy, book or schedule. These are a few examples.

If the goal of your presentation is to inspire, why not end with a powerful and inspiring quote ? Let words of wisdom be the spark that ignites an action within your audience.

Here are three ways to end your presentation:

• Call to Action – getting the audience to take a specific action or next step, for example, booking a call, signing up for an event or donating to your cause.
• Persuade – persuading your audience to think differently, try something new, undertake a challenge or join your movement or community.
• Summarise – A summary of the key points and information you want the audience to remember. If you decide to summarise your talk at the end, keep it to no more than three main points.

10 Examples of How to End a Presentation

1. Asking your audience to take action or make a pledge.

Here were asking the audience to take action by using the wording “take action” in our copy. This call to action is a pledge to donate. A clear message like this can be helpful for charities and non-profits looking to raise funding for their campaign or cause.

2. Encourage your audience to take a specific action, e.g. joining your cause or community

Here was are asking the audience to join our community and help solve a problem by becoming part of the solution. It’s a simple call to action. You can pass the touch to your audience and ask them to take the next lead.

3. Highlight the critical points for your audience to remember.

Rember, to summarise your presentation into no more than three key points. This is important because the human brain struggles to remember more than three pieces of information simultaneously. We call this the “Rule of Three”.

4. If you are trying to get more leads or sales end with a call to action to book a demo or schedule a call.

Can you inspire your audience to sign up for a demo or trial of your product? Structure your talk to lead your prospect through a journey of the results you generate for other clients. At the end of your deck, finish with a specific call to action, such as “Want similar results to X?”

Make sure you design a button, or graphic your prospect can click on when you send them the PDF version of the slides.

5. Challenge your audience to think differently or take action, e.g. what impact could they make?

6. Give your audience actions to help share your message.

7. Promote your upcoming events or workshops

8. Asking your audience to become a volunteer.

9. Direct your audience to learn more about your website.

10. If you are a book author, encourage your audience to engage with your book.

6 Questions to Generate an Ending for Your Presentation

You’ve told an engaging story, but why end your presentation without leaving your audience a clear message or call to action?

Here are six great questions you can ask yourself to generate an ending for your presentation or keynote talk.

• What impression would you want to leave your audience with?
• What is the big idea you want to leave them with?
• What action should they take next?
• What key point should you remember 72 hours after your presentation?
• What do you want them to feel?
• What is the key takeaway for them to understand?

What to Say After Ending a Presentation?

When you get to the end of a book, you don’t see the author say, “thank you for reading my last chapter.” Of course, there is no harm in thanking the audience after your presentation ends, but don’t make that the last words you speak.

Think of the ending of the presentation as the final chapter of an epic novel. It’s your chance to leave a lasting impression on the audience. Close with an impactful ending and leave them feeling empowered, invigorated and engaged.

• Leave a lasting impression.
• Think of it as the last chapter of a book.
• Conclude with a thought or question.
• Leave the audience with a specific action or next step.

How to End a Presentation with Style?

There are many great ways you can end your presentation with style. Are you ready to drop the mic?

Ensure your closing slide is punchy, has a clear headline, or uses a thought-provoking image.

Think about colours. You want to capture the audience’s attention before closing the presentation. Make sure the fonts you choose are clear and easy to read.

Do you need to consider adding a link? If you add links to your social media accounts, use icons and buttons to make them easy to see. Add a link to each button or icon. By doing this, if you send the PDF slides to people, they can follow the links to your various accounts.

What Should you Remember?

💡 If you take one thing away from this post, it’s to lose the traditional ending slides. Let’s move on from the “Thank you for your attention.” or “Any questions.” slides.

These don’t help you or the audience. Respect them and think about what they should do next. You may be interested to learn 3 Tactics to Free Your Presentation Style to help you connect to your audience.

Illiya Vjestica

Share this post:, leave a comment cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

We use essential cookies to make Venngage work. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

Manage Cookies

Cookies and similar technologies collect certain information about how you’re using our website. Some of them are essential, and without them you wouldn’t be able to use Venngage. But others are optional, and you get to choose whether we use them or not.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are always on, as they’re essential for making Venngage work, and making it safe. Without these cookies, services you’ve asked for can’t be provided.

Show cookie providers

• Google Login

Functionality Cookies

These cookies help us provide enhanced functionality and personalisation, and remember your settings. They may be set by us or by third party providers.

Performance Cookies

These cookies help us analyze how many people are using Venngage, where they come from and how they're using it. If you opt out of these cookies, we can’t get feedback to make Venngage better for you and all our users.

• Google Analytics

Targeting Cookies

These cookies are set by our advertising partners to track your activity and show you relevant Venngage ads on other sites as you browse the internet.

• Google Tag Manager
• Infographics
• Daily Infographics
• Popular Templates
• Accessibility
• Graphic Design
• Graphs and Charts
• Data Visualization
• Human Resources
• Beginner Guides

Blog Marketing How To End A Presentation & Leave A Lasting Impression

How To End A Presentation & Leave A Lasting Impression

Written by: Krystle Wong Aug 09, 2023

So you’ve got an exciting presentation ready to wow your audience and you’re left with the final brushstroke — how to end your presentation with a bang. 

Just as a captivating opening draws your audience in, creating a well-crafted presentation closing has the power to leave a profound and lasting impression that resonates long after the lights dim and the audience disperses.

In this article, I’ll walk you through the art of crafting an impactful conclusion that resonates with 10 effective techniques and ideas along with real-life examples to inspire your next presentation. Alternatively, you could always jump right into creating your slides by customizing our professionally designed presentation templates . They’re fully customizable and require no design experience at all! 

Click to jump ahead:

Why is it important to have an impactful ending for your presentation?

10 effective presentation closing techniques to leave a lasting impression, 7 things to put on a conclusion slide.

• 5 real-life exceptional examples of how to end a presentation

6 mistakes to avoid in concluding a presentation

Faqs on how to end a presentation, how to create a memorable presentation with venngage.

People tend to remember the beginning and end of a presentation more vividly than the middle, making the final moments your last chance to make a lasting impression. 

An ending that leaves a lasting impact doesn’t merely mark the end of a presentation; it opens doors to further exploration. A strong conclusion is vital because it:

• Leaves a lasting impression on the audience.
• Reinforces key points and takeaways.
• Motivates action and implementation of ideas.
• Creates an emotional connection with the audience.
• Fosters engagement, curiosity and reflection.

Just like the final scene of a movie, your presentation’s ending has the potential to linger in your audience’s minds long after they’ve left the room. From summarizing key points to engaging the audience in unexpected ways, make a lasting impression with these 10 ways to end a presentation:

1. The summary

Wrap up your entire presentation with a concise and impactful summary, recapping the key points and main takeaways. By doing so, you reinforce the essential aspects and ensure the audience leaves with a crystal-clear understanding of your core message.

2. The reverse story

Here’s a cool one: start with the end result and then surprise the audience with the journey that led you to where you are. Share the challenges you conquered and the lessons you learned, making it a memorable and unique conclusion that drives home your key takeaways.

Alternatively, customize one of our cool presentation templates to capture the attention of your audience and deliver your message in an engaging and memorable way

3. The metaphorical prop

For an added visual touch, bring a symbolic prop that represents your message. Explain its significance in relation to your content, leaving the audience with a tangible and unforgettable visual representation that reinforces your key concepts.

4. The audience engagement challenge

Get the audience involved by throwing them a challenge related to your informational presentation. Encourage active participation and promise to share the results later, fostering their involvement and motivating them to take action.

5. The memorable statistic showcase

Spice things up with a series of surprising or intriguing statistics, presented with attention-grabbing visual aids. Summarize your main points using these impactful stats to ensure the audience remembers and grasps the significance of your data, especially when delivering a business presentation or pitch deck presentation .

Transform your data-heavy presentations into engaging presentations using data visualization tools. Venngage’s chart and graph tools help you present information in a digestible and visually appealing manner. Infographics and diagrams can simplify complex concepts while images add a relatable dimension to your presentation. 

6. The interactive story creation

How about a collaborative story? Work with the audience to create an impromptu tale together. Let them contribute elements and build the story with you. Then, cleverly tie it back to your core message with a creative presentation conclusion.

7. The unexpected guest speaker

Introduce an unexpected guest who shares a unique perspective related to your presentation’s theme. If their story aligns with your message, it’ll surely amp up the audience’s interest and engagement.

8. The thought-provoking prompt

Leave your audience pondering with a thought-provoking question or prompt related to your topic. Encourage reflection and curiosity, sparking a desire to explore the subject further and dig deeper into your message.

9. The empowering call-to-action

Time to inspire action! Craft a powerful call to action that motivates the audience to make a difference. Provide practical steps and resources to support their involvement, empowering them to take part in something meaningful.

10. The heartfelt expression

End on a warm note by expressing genuine gratitude and appreciation for the audience’s time and attention. Acknowledge their presence and thank them sincerely, leaving a lasting impression of professionalism and warmth.

Not sure where to start? These 12 presentation software might come in handy for creating a good presentation that stands out. 

Remember, your closing slides for the presentation is your final opportunity to make a strong impact on your audience. However, the question remains — what exactly should be on the last slide of your presentation? Here are 7 conclusion slide examples to conclude with a high note:

1. Key takeaways

Highlight the main points or key takeaways from your presentation. This reinforces the essential information you want the audience to remember, ensuring they leave with a clear understanding of your message with a well summarized and simple presentation .

2. Closing statement

Craft a strong closing statement that summarizes the overall message of your presentation and leaves a positive final impression. This concluding remark should be impactful and memorable.

3. Call-to-action

Don’t forget to include a compelling call to action in your final message that motivates the audience to take specific steps after the presentation. Whether it’s signing up for a newsletter, trying a product or conducting further research, a clear call to action can encourage engagement.

4. Contact information

Provide your contact details, such as email address or social media handles. That way, the audience can easily reach out for further inquiries or discussions. Building connections with your audience enhances engagement and opens doors for future opportunities.

Use impactful visuals or graphics to deliver your presentation effectively and make the conclusion slide visually appealing. Engaging visuals can captivate the audience and help solidify your key points.

Visuals are powerful tools for retention. Use Venngage’s library of icons, images and charts to complement your text. You can easily upload and incorporate your own images or choose from Venngage’s library of stock photos to add depth and relevance to your visuals.

6. Next steps

Outline the recommended next steps for the audience to take after the presentation, guiding them on what actions to pursue. This can be a practical roadmap for implementing your ideas and recommendations.

7. Inspirational quote

To leave a lasting impression, consider including a powerful and relevant quote that resonates with the main message of your presentation. Thoughtful quotes can inspire and reinforce the significance of your key points.

Whether you’re giving an in-person or virtual presentation , a strong wrap-up can boost persuasiveness and ensure that your message resonates and motivates action effectively. Check out our gallery of professional presentation templates to get started.

5 real-life exceptional examples of how to end a presentation 

When we talk about crafting an exceptional closing for a presentation, I’m sure you’ll have a million questions — like how do you end a presentation, what do you say at the end of a presentation or even how to say thank you after a presentation. 

To get a better idea of how to end a presentation with style — let’s delve into five remarkable real-life examples that offer valuable insights into crafting a conclusion that truly seals the deal: 

1. Sheryl Sandberg 

In her TED Talk titled “Why We Have Too Few Women Leaders,” Sheryl Sandberg concluded with an impactful call to action, urging men and women to lean in and support gender equality in the workplace. This motivational ending inspired the audience to take action toward a more inclusive world.

2. Elon Musk

Elon Musk often concludes with his vision for the future and how his companies are working towards groundbreaking advancements. His passion and enthusiasm for pushing the boundaries of technology leave the audience inspired and eager to witness the future unfold.

3. Barack Obama

President Obama’s farewell address concluded with an emotional and heartfelt expression of gratitude to the American people. He thanked the audience for their support and encouraged them to stay engaged and uphold the values that define the nation.

4. Brené Brown 

In her TED Talk on vulnerability, Brené Brown ended with a powerful quote from Theodore Roosevelt: “It is not the critic who counts… The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.” This quote reinforced her message about the importance of embracing vulnerability and taking risks in life.

5. Malala Yousafzai

In her Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, Malala Yousafzai ended with a moving call to action for education and girls’ rights. She inspired the audience to stand up against injustice and to work towards a world where every child has access to education.

For more innovative presentation ideas , turn ordinary slides into captivating experiences with these 15 interactive presentation ideas that will leave your audience begging for more.

So, we talked about how a good presentation usually ends. As you approach the conclusion of your presentation, let’s go through some of the common pitfalls you should avoid that will undermine the impact of your closing:

1. Abrupt endings

To deliver persuasive presentations, don’t leave your audience hanging with an abrupt conclusion. Instead, ensure a smooth transition by providing a clear closing statement or summarizing the key points to leave a lasting impression.

2. New information

You may be wondering — can I introduce new information or ideas in the closing? The answer is no. Resist the urge to introduce new data or facts in the conclusion and stick to reinforcing the main content presented earlier. By introducing new content at the end, you risk overshadowing your main message.

3. Ending with a Q&A session

While Q&A sessions are valuable , don’t conclude your presentation with them. Opt for a strong closing statement or call-to-action instead, leaving the audience with a clear takeaway.

4. Overloading your final slide

Avoid cluttering your final slide with too much information or excessive visuals. Keep it clean, concise and impactful to reinforce your key messages effectively.

5. Forgetting the call-to-action

Most presentations fail to include a compelling call-to-action which can diminish the overall impact of your presentation. To deliver a persuasive presentation, encourage your audience to take specific steps after the talk, driving engagement and follow-through.

6. Ignoring the audience

Make your conclusion audience-centric by connecting with their needs and interests. Avoid making it solely about yourself or your achievements. Instead, focus on how your message benefits the audience.

What should be the last slide of a presentation?

The last slide of a presentation should be a conclusion slide, summarizing key takeaways, delivering a strong closing statement and possibly including a call to action.

How do I begin a presentation?

Grabbing the audience’s attention at the very beginning with a compelling opening such as a relevant story, surprising statistic or thought-provoking question. You can even create a game presentation to boost interactivity with your audience. Check out this blog for more ideas on how to start a presentation . 

How can I ensure a smooth transition from the body of the presentation to the closing? 

To ensure a smooth transition, summarize key points from the body, use transition phrases like “In conclusion,” and revisit the main message introduced at the beginning. Bridge the content discussed to the themes of the closing and consider adjusting tone and pace to signal the transition.

How long should the conclusion of a presentation be?

The conclusion of a presentation should typically be around 5-10% of the total presentation time, keeping it concise and impactful.

Should you say thank you at the end of a presentation?

Yes, saying thank you at the end of a PowerPoint presentation is a courteous way to show appreciation for the audience’s time and attention.

Should I use presentation slides in the concluding part of my talk? 

Yes, using presentation slides in the concluding part of your talk can be effective. Use concise slides to summarize key takeaways, reinforce your main points and deliver a strong closing statement. A final presentation slide can enhance the impact of your conclusion and help the audience remember your message.

Should I include a Q&A session at the end of the presentation?

Avoid Q&A sessions in certain situations to ensure a well-structured and impactful conclusion. It helps prevent potential time constraints and disruptions to your carefully crafted ending, ensuring your core message remains the focus without the risk of unanswered or off-topic questions diluting the presentation’s impact.

Is it appropriate to use humor in the closing of a presentation?

Using humor in the closing of a presentation can be appropriate if it aligns with your content and audience as it can leave a positive and memorable impression. However, it’s essential to use humor carefully and avoid inappropriate or offensive jokes.

How do I manage nervousness during the closing of a presentation?

To manage nervousness during the closing, focus on your key points and the main message you want to convey. Take deep breaths to calm your nerves, maintain eye contact and remind yourself that you’re sharing valuable insights to enhance your presentation skills.

Creating a memorable presentation is a blend of engaging content and visually captivating design. With Venngage, you can transform your ideas into a dynamic and unforgettable presentation in just 5 easy steps: 

• Choose a template from Venngage’s library: Pick a visually appealing template that fits your presentation’s theme and audience, making it easy to get started with a professional look.
• Craft a compelling story or outline: Organize your content into a clear and coherent narrative or outline the key points to engage your audience and make the information easy to follow.
• Customize design and visuals: Tailor the template with your brand colors, fonts and captivating visuals like images and icons, enhancing your presentation’s visual appeal and uniqueness. You can also use an eye-catching presentation background to elevate your visual content. 
• Incorporate impactful quotes or inspiring elements: Include powerful quotes or elements that resonate with your message, evoking emotions and leaving a lasting impression on your audience members
• Utilize data visualization for clarity: Present data and statistics effectively with Venngage’s charts, graphs and infographics, simplifying complex information for better comprehension.

Additionally, Venngage’s real-time collaboration tools allow you to seamlessly collaborate with team members to elevate your presentation creation process to a whole new level. Use comments and annotations to provide feedback on each other’s work and refine ideas as a group, ensuring a comprehensive and well-rounded presentation.

Well, there you have it—the secrets of how to conclude a presentation. From summarizing your key message to delivering a compelling call to action, you’re now armed with a toolkit of techniques that’ll leave your audience in awe.

Now go ahead, wrap it up like a pro and leave that lasting impression that sets you apart as a presenter who knows how to captivate, inspire and truly make a mark.

Discover popular designs

Infographic maker

Brochure maker

White paper online

Newsletter creator

Flyer maker

Timeline maker

Letterhead maker

Mind map maker

Ebook maker

• Video Marketing
• Case Studies
• Create a video

How to End a Presentation? [Top 8 Strategies with Examples]

Guru - May 9, 2023 - Leave your thoughts. 9 min read

animaker deck , presentation , presentation ideas , Presentation Software , presentation tips

How you end a presentation is just as crucial as its opening. It can make or break the impression that you leave on your audience.

A strong conclusion can reinforce your key message and ensure that your audience remembers it even after the presentation is over.

A well-concluded presentation can leave your audience impressed, energized, and motivated to take action.

So now, are you wondering what’s the best way to conclude your presentation? Don’t worry! You have come to the right place!

To help you make a powerful ending to your presentation, we have compiled a list of 8 different strategies in this blog post.

Each of these strategies is designed to help you create a memorable and impactful conclusion to your presentation.

By choosing the most appropriate one for your presentation, you can ensure that your audience remembers your key message and feels motivated to take action.

Let’s jump right in,

1. Emphasize the core message 2. Mirror your opening statement 3. Pose an open-ended question 4. End with a Call to action 5. Thank the audience 6. End with a powerful quote 7. Acknowledge your contributors 8. Ask for feedback

1. Emphasize the core message:

One of the most important aspects of any presentation is ensuring your audience understands your core message.

Reiterating your main points and summarizing your message at the end of your presentation can reinforce this and leave a lasting impression.

It helps to ensure that your audience understands the purpose of your presentation and has a clear takeaway from the information you have provided.

In this video, the speaker restates her topic to conclude her speech firmly and gives a pause, resulting in tremendous applause from the audience.

Similarly, by restating your core message, you can also create a sense of cohesion and give your presentation a firm closure.

This can be particularly important if you want to motivate your audience to take action or influence their behavior in some way.

However, it's important not to repeat EVERYTHING you have said. Instead, focus on the most crucial elements and highlight them in a concise and clear manner.

2. Mirror your opening statement:

A great way to end your presentation is by mirroring your opening statement in your conclusion.

Highlighting your presentation's key message at the end and emphasizing the central idea you aimed to communicate will help your audience to retain it in their memory.

During the conclusion of the presentation, the speaker effectively utilized the technique of mirroring the opening example she had presented - ordering a pizza on the phone by herself.

The speaker demonstrated the remarkable transformation she had undergone in terms of personal growth and confidence, which strongly reinforced her message to the audience.

By mirroring her opening example, she created a sense of familiarity and connection with her audience while simultaneously driving home the key message of her presentation.

This technique allowed the audience to understand better and relate to the speaker's personal journey and the message she was conveying.

Similarly, you can also use this strategy to conclude your presentation. This can be particularly effective if you are trying to reinforce a specific theme or idea throughout your presentation.

3. Pose an open-ended question:

One of the best ways to conclude your presentation is to elicit a response from your audience using an open-ended question that can effectively engage them and make your presentation more memorable.

Look at how the speaker concludes her speech with an open-ended question in this video.

Similarly, you can also raise open-ended questions to help your audience look from a different perspective and encourage them to investigate more thoroughly on the information presented.

Most importantly, ensuring that your question is relevant to your presentation and doesn't detract from your overall message is essential when eliciting a response.

So make sure that you kindle your audiences’ thoughts and ideas with the open-ended question at the end. This helps create a good long-lasting impression of your presentation.

4. End with a Call to action:

One of the best ways to end your presentation is by concluding with a call to action slide.

Incorporating a call to action into your presentation can be a powerful way to encourage your audience to take the next step.

Whether it's signing up for a program, making a purchase, or supporting a cause, a clear call to action is essential to achieving your desired outcome.

Similarly, according to your type of presentation, you can include a relevant call to action.

For example, this might involve providing specific instructions or offering an incentive for taking action, such as a discount or free trial.

It's essential that you understand their pain points and make your call to action compelling. Ensure that your core message and the needs of your audience are aligned so that they are motivated enough to act.

5. Thank the audience:

At the end of your presentation, it's essential to recognize that your audience has taken time out of their busy schedules to attend and listen to your message.

Thanking your audience for their time and attention can create a positive impression and make them feel appreciated.

It's essential to make your gratitude genuine and sincere rather than a superficial gesture. For example, consider expressing your gratitude with a personal anecdote or acknowledging specific individuals in the audience.

This simple act of gratitude can also create a sense of personal connection and signal to your audience that the presentation has reached its conclusion, paving the way for future interactions with them.

6. End with a powerful quote:

One effective strategy to end your presentation on a high note is by leaving the audience with a powerful quote.

However, it's crucial to choose a quote that is not only impactful but also unique and relevant to your topic.

Using a commonly known quote may come across as unoriginal and irrelevant, losing the attention and interest of your audience in most cases.

In this presentation, Steve Jobs concludes his speech with an inspiring and powerful message, “Stay Hungry! Stay Foolish”. Thereby emphasizing that you should never stop learning, pursue more goals, and never stop being satisfied.

Similarly, in your conclusion, consider using a relevant quote to make an impact.

7. Acknowledge your contributors:

Another best way to conclude your presentation is by showing gratitude to your contributors.

For example, if you deliver a business presentation on behalf of a team or a department, it's essential to recognize the collective effort that went into creating the presentation.

The concluding moments of your speech are the perfect opportunity to acknowledge your team members' hard work and dedication.

You can express gratitude to your team as a whole, thanking them for their contribution to the presentation.

However, if you want to ensure that the individual efforts of team members are recognized, highlighting specific contributions may be a better approach.

Some examples include:

"Join me in giving a round of applause to my incredible team, who played a significant role in arranging this pitch deck."

"Finally, I would like to mention that my tech team experts provided me with insight into the technical nuances, and without their contribution, this presentation would not have been as informative as it is now."

"As I conclude, I want to express my gratitude to Mark and Serene from the Marketing team, whose assistance in gathering the data and designing the slides was invaluable."

By acknowledging individual team members, you are demonstrating your appreciation for their work and giving them the recognition they deserve.

This will not only make them feel valued but also motivate them to continue contributing to the success of future presentations.

So be sure to end your presentation with the required acknowledgment for all the contributions.

8. Ask for feedback:

You can conclude your presentation seamlessly by thanking the audience and asking for feedback from them.

Encouraging feedback from your audience can greatly benefit your future presentations. It allows you to understand how your message was received and how you can improve for the next time.

So, how can you gather feedback effectively?

Firstly, ask attendees to share their thoughts on your presentation after you finish speaking. This can be done by initiating a Q&A session or by approaching individuals directly.

Another option is to set up a QR code near the exit and ask people to scan and jot down their thoughts on the online form as they leave. This allows attendees to provide their feedback in a confidential and hassle-free manner.

Also, consider having a suggestion box for handwritten feedback notes or creating an anonymous online survey that links to your presentation slides. This method is beneficial if you want to gather feedback from a large audience or if you prefer to have quantitative data.

By actively seeking feedback, you show your audience that you value their input and are committed to improving your presentation skills.

However, this strategy does not apply to all the general presentations. So use this way of concluding your presentation where it makes more sense to you and the audience.

In summary, an impactful conclusion is vital to wrap up your presentation successfully.

Each of these strategies serves a unique purpose, and by combining them, you can create a conclusion that is both engaging and impactful.

By incorporating the 8 critical strategies mentioned in this guide, you can leave a lasting impression on your audience, ensuring that your message stays with them even after the presentation has ended.

Now that you have learned the pro strategies of how to end a presentation, take a look at this guide on “How to start a presentation” as well and nail your presentation from start to end!

If you are still uncertain about how to make a presentation from the ground up, we suggest checking out Animaker Deck - the world's first avatar-driven presentation software.

With over 40 distinct and creatively designed templates at your disposal, we are confident you will find it worth trying!

We hope this article was helpful. Do let us know your thoughts on which strategy worked best for you, and also suggest your own ways of ending a presentation.

Related Posts

How to Embed a Video in Powerpoint? [Supercharge your PPTs Now]

Top 10 Presentation Software for 2023

25 Best Presentation Templates for the Perfect Pitch [For 2023]

Subscribe to get awesome DIY tips that could break the boundaries of other DIY tools.

Create Engaging Animated Videos On Your Own

Our drag-and-drop builder makes it easy for anyone to create pro-level animated videos using pre-made templates and ready-to-go assets with zero technical skills.

Home Blog Presentation Ideas Key Insights on How To End a Presentation Effectively

Key Insights on How To End a Presentation Effectively

A piece of research by   Ipsos Corporate Firm  titled “Last Impressions Also Count” argues that “our memories can be governed more by  how an experience ends than how it begins .” A lasting final impression can be critical to any presentation, especially as it makes our presentation goals more attainable. We’re covering  how to end a presentation , as it can certainly come through as an earned skill or a craft tailored with years of experience. Yet, we can also argue that performing exceptionally in a presentation is conducting the proper research. So, here’s vital information to help out with the task.

This article goes over popular presentation types; it gives suggestions, defines the benefits and examples of different speech closing approaches, and lines all this information up following each presentation purpose.

We also included references to industry leaders towards the end, hoping a few real-life examples can help you gain valuable insight. Learn from noted speakers and consultants as you resort to SlideModel’s latest presentation templates for your efforts. We’re working together on more successful presentation endings that make a difference!

Table of Content

A presentation’s end is not a recap

The benefits of ending a presentation uniquely, the power of closing in persuasive presentations, informative presentations: the kind set out to convey, call to action presentations: trigger actions or kickoff initiatives, a final word on cta presentations, real-life examples of how to end a presentation, succeeding with an effective presentation’s ending.

We need to debunk a widespread myth to start. That’s why the ending of the presentation calls for an appealing action or content beyond just restating information that the speaker already provided.

A presentation’s end is not a summary of data already given to our audience.  On the contrary, a wrap-up is a perfect time to provide meaningful and valuable facts that trigger the desired response we seek from our audience. Just as important as knowing how to start a presentation , your skills on how to end a PowerPoint presentation will make a difference in the presentation’s performance.

Effective ways to end a presentation stem from truly seeking to accomplish – and excel – at reaching a presentation’s primary objective. And what are the benefits of that?

Considering the benefits of each closing approach, think about the great satisfaction that comes from giving an excellent presentation that ends well. We all intuitively rejoice in that success, regardless of the kind of audience we face. 

That feeling of achievement, when an ending feels right, is not a minor element, and it’s the engine that should drive our best efforts forward. Going for the most recommended way of ending a presentation according to its primary goal and presentation type is one way to ensure we achieve our purpose. 

The main benefit of cleverly unlocking the secret to presentation success is getting the ball rolling on what we set ourselves to achieve . Whether that’s securing a funding round, delivering a final project, presenting a quarterly business review, or other goals; there is no possible way in which handling the best presentation-ending approaches fails to add to making a skilled presenter, improving a brand or business, or positively stirring any academic or commercial context. 

The best part of mastering these skills is the ability to benefit from all of the above time and time again; for any project, idea, or need moving forward.

How to end a PowerPoint Presentation?

PowerPoint Presentations differ by dimensions. They vary not only tied to the diverse reasons people present, but they also separate themselves from one another according to: a- use, b- context, c- industry, and d- purpose. 

We’re focusing on three different types of presentation pillars, which are: 

• Informative
• Calls to action

As you can guess, the speaker’s intent varies throughout these types. Yet, there’s much more to each! Let’s go over each type’s diverse options with examples. 

In 2009,   “The New Rules of Persuasion,”  a journal article published by The Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, determined that commercial persuasion was missing “the ability to think clearly about behavior goals and the mindset of starting small and growing what works.” Incorporating these thoughts is still equally valid in persuasive presentations today.

What hasn’t changed since, however, is this society’s good reminder that “the potential to persuade is in the hands of millions.” As they stated in that publication, “ordinary people sitting in dorm rooms and garages can compete against the biggest brands and the richest companies.” The proven reality behind that concept can be pretty inspiring.

According to this source, “ the first critical step in designing for persuasion is to select an appropriate target behavior. ” And, for behavior to occur, in their opinion, “three elements must converge at the same moment […]:  Motivation ,  Ability,  and  Trigger .” This theory signals a person is motivated through sensation, anticipation, or belonging when they can perform a particular action. This concept is at the backbone of setting the correct trigger to allow a group of people to react a certain way.

The above is of utmost importance as we seek to gear persuasive efforts. The more insight we get on the matter, the easier it is to define the precise actions that will effectively trigger a certainly required response – in any scenario.

Here are options on how to deliver a final punch in a persuasive presentation during different types of objectives:

Investment presentations

Whenever you seek funding,  that need  should be expressly clear during a pitch. Investors need to know what’s in it for them on a given investment. Highlight what interests them, and add what the  return for the investor  is. Mention dividends, equity, or the return method selected, for instance. Your final ask slide should show the exact amount you’re looking for during this funding stage.

Throughout, explain what an investor’s return on investment (ROI) will be. And make sure you do so according to provable calculations. Here, the goal is to display current figures and future opportunities in your speech.

You mustn’t make up this data. In this setting, presenters are naturally assessed by their ability to stay within real options fully supported by proven and concise reliable information.

Focus on showing an ability to execute and accomplish expected growth. Also, be precise on how you’re using any trusted funds . For that, mention where they’ll be allocated and how you foresee revenue after investing the funds in your idea, product, or company.

Pitch Presentations

Pitches are also another form of persuasive presentation. Presenters are expected to wow in new ways with them, be engaging in their approach, and deliver valuable, market-impacting data. When someone delivers a pitch, it seeks a particular kind of action in return from the audience. Being fully engaged towards a presentation’s end is crucial.

Make sure you give the presentation’s end a Call to Action slide in sales. You’re certainly looking to maximize conversion rates here. Bluntly invite your audience to purchase the product or service you’re selling, and doing so is fair in this context. For example, you can add a QR code or even include an old-fashioned Contact Us button. To generate the QR code, you can use a QR code generator .

According to  Sage Publishing , there are “four types of informative speeches[, which] are definition speeches, demonstration speeches, explanatory speeches, and descriptive speeches.” In business, descriptive speeches are the most common. When we transport these more specifically to the art of presenting, we can think of project presentations, quarterly business reviews, and product launches. In education, the definition and demonstration speeches are the norm, we can think in lectures and research presentations respectively.

As their name suggests, these presentations are meant to inform our audiences of specific content. Or, as  SAGE Flex for Public Speaking  puts it in a document about these kinds of speeches, “the speaker’s general goal is always to inform—or teach—the audience by offering interesting information about a topic in a way that helps the audience remember what they’ve heard.” Remember that as much as possible, you’re looking to, in Sage’s words, give out “information about a topic in a way that’s easy to understand and memorable.” Let’s see how we manage that in the most common informative presentation scenarios mentioned above.

Project Presentations

For projects, presentations should end with an action plan . Ensure the project can keep moving forward after the presentation. The best with these conclusion slides is to define who is responsible for which tasks and the expected date of completion. Aim to do so clearly, so that there are no remaining doubts about stakeholders and duties when the presentation ends. In other words, seek commitment from the team, before stepping out of these meetings. It should be clear to your audience what’s expected next of them.

As an addition, sum up, your problem, solution, and benefits of this project as part of your final message.

Quarterly Business Review Presentations (QBR)

By the end of the presentation type, you would’ve naturally gone over everything that happened during a specific quarter. Therefore, make sure you end this quarterly review with clear objectives on what’s to come for the following term. Be specific on what’s to come.

In doing so, set figures you hope to reach. Give out numbers and be precise in this practice. Having a clear action plan to address new or continuing goals is crucial in this aspect for a recent quarter’s start out of your QBR. Otherwise, we’re missing out on a true QBR’s purpose. According to  Gainsight , “If you go into a QBR without a concrete set of goals and a pathway to achieve them, you’ll only waste everyone’s time. You won’t improve the value of your product or services for your customers. You won’t bolster your company’s image in the eyes of key stakeholders and decision-makers. You won’t better understand your client’s business objectives.” As they put it, “Lock in solid goals for the next quarter (or until your next QBR)” and secure your way forward as the last step in presenting these kinds of data. Visit our guide on  How to Write an Effective Quarterly Business Review  for further tips on this type of presentation.

Research presentations

Your research has come this far! It’s time to close it off with an executive summary.

Include the hypothesis, thesis, and conclusion towards the presentation’s end.

How do you get the audience to recall the main points of all this work? Let this guiding question answer what to insert in your final slide, but seek to reinforce your main findings, key concepts, or valuable insight as much as possible. Support your statements where necessary.

Most commonly, researchers end with credits to the collaborating teams. Consider your main messages for the audience to take home. And tie those with the hypothesis as much as possible.

Product Launch Presentation

Quite simply, please take out the product launch’s roadmap and make it visible for your presentation’s end in this case.

It’s ideal for product launch presentations to stir conversations that get a product moving. Please don’t stick to showcasing the product, but build a narrative around it.

Steve Jobs’ example at the bottom might help guide you with ideas on how to go around this. A key factor is how Apple presentations were based on a precise mix of cutting-edge, revolutionary means of working with technology advancements and a simple human touch.

Elon Musk’s principles are similar. People’s ambitions and dreams are a natural part of that final invitation for consumers or viewers to take action. What will get your audience talking? Seek to make them react.

Lecture for specific classes / educational presentation

When it comes to academic settings, it’s helpful to summarize key points of a presentation while leaving room for questions and answers.

If you’re facing a periodic encounter in a class environment, let students know what’s coming for the next term. For instance, you could title that section “What’s coming next class,” or be creative about how you call for your student body’s attention every time you go over pending items.

If you need to leave homework, list what tasks need to be completed by the audience for the next class.

Another option is to jot down the main learnings from this session or inspire students to come back for the following class with a list of exciting topics. There’s more room for play in this setting than in the others we’ve described thus far.

Harvard Business Review  (HBR) concisely describes the need at the end of a call to action presentation. HBR’s direct piece of advice is that you should “use the last few moments of your presentation to clarify what action [an audience] can take to show their support.” And what’s key to HBR is that you “Also mention your timeframe” as, for them, “a deadline can help to urge [the audience] into action.” Having a clear view of specific timelines is always fruitful for a better grasp of action items.

In her book Resonate,  Nancy Duarte  explains that “No matter how engaging your presentation may be, no audience will act unless you describe a reward that makes it worthwhile. You must clearly articulate the ultimate gain for the audience […] If your call to action asks them to sacrifice their time, money, or ideals, you must be very clear about the payoff.”

Business plan presentations

Here, we need to speak of two different presentation types, one is a  traditional approach , and the second is what we call a  lean approach .

For the traditional business plan presentation, display each internal area call to action. Think of Marketing, Operations, HR, and even budgets as you do so. Your PowerPoint end slide should include the rewards for each of the areas. For example, which will benefit each area when achieving the targets, or how will the company reward its employees when attaining specific goals? Communicating the reward will help each of the responsible entities to trigger action.

On the other hand, for your lean business plan, consider a business model canvas to bring your presentation to an end. 

Job interview presentations

You can undoubtedly feel tons of pressure asking for a specific position. For a great chance of getting that new job, consider closing your case with a  30 60 90 day plan  as a particular hiring date. The employer will see its reward in each of the 30-day milestones.

Also, show off what you’ll bring to the role and how you’ll benefit the company in that period, specifically. Again, to a certain extent, we’re seeking to impress by being offered a position. Your differentiator can help as a wrap-up statement in this case.

Business Model Presentation

The pivot business model fits perfectly here for a presentation’s grand finale. The reward is simple; the business validated a hypothesis, and a new approach has been defined.

Though the setting can be stressful around business model presentations, you can see this as simply letting executives know what the following line of steps will need to be for the business model to be scalable and viable. Take some tension off this purpose by focusing on actions needed moving forward.

Your call to action will center around a clear business model canvas pivot here.

We need to work hard at ending presentations with clear and concise calls to action (CTA) and dare be creative as we’re doing so! Suppose you can manage to give out a specific CTA in a way that’s imaginative, appealing, and even innovative. In that case, you’ll be showing off priceless and unique creative skills that get people talking for years!

Think of  Bill Gates’ releasing mosquitoes  in a TED Talk on malaria, for example. He went that far to get his CTA across. Maybe that’s a bit too bold, but there’s also no limit!

Now that we can rely on a broader understanding of how to conclude a presentation successfully, we’ll top this summary off with real-life examples of great endings to famous speakers’ presentations. These people have done a stellar job at ending their presentations in every case.

We’re also going back to our three main pillars to focus on a practical example for each. You’ll find an excellent example for an informative speech, a persuasive pitch, and a successful investor pitch deck. We’re also expanding on the last item for a guiding idea on ending a pitch directly from Reid Hoffman.

Informational Presentation: A product launch of a phone reinvention

The first is what’s been titled “the best product launch ever.” We’re going back to the  iconic Steve Jobs’ iPhone launch  dated more than a decade ago. You can see how to end a presentation with a quote in this example effectively. The quote resonates with the whole presentation purpose, which was not “selling” the iPhone as a “hardware phone” but as the “hardware” platform for “great software.” Closing with a quote from a famous personality that summarizes the idea was a clever move.

Little words are needed to introduce Steve Jobs as a great speaker who effectively moved the business forward every time he went up on a stage to present a new product. No one has ever been so revolutionary with a calm business spirit that has changed the world! 

Persuasive Presentation: The best pitch deck ever

We’re giving you the perfect example of a great pitch deck for a persuasive kind of presentation. 

Here’s  TechCrunch’s gallery on Uber’s first pitch deck . 

As you can see, the last slide doesn’t just report the status to date on their services; it also accounts for the  following steps moving forward  with a precise date scheduled. 

Check the deck out for a clearer idea of wrapping up a persuasive business presentation. 

Call to Action Presentation: LinkedIn’s Series B pitch deck by Reid Hoffman

As mentioned before,  here’s  an expanded final sendoff! Reid Hoffman is an established entrepreneur. As a venture capitalist and author, he’s earned quite a remarkable record in his career, acting as co-founder and executive chairman of LinkedIn. 

We’re highlighting LinkedIn’s series B pitch deck to Greylock Partners mainly because these slides managed to raise a $10 M funding round. Yet, moreover, we’re doing so because this deck is known to be well-rounded and overall highly successful. 

LinkedIn may be famous now for what it does, but back in 2004, when this deck made a difference, the company wasn’t a leader in a market with lots of attention. As Reid highlights on his website, they had no substantial organic growth or revenue. Yet, they still managed to raise a considerable amount. 

In Reid’s words for his last slide, “The reason we reused this slide from the beginning of the presentation was to indicate the end of presentation while returning to the high line of conceptualizing the business and reminding investors of the value proposition.” In his vision, “You should end on a slide that you want people to be paying attention to,” which he has tied with the recommendation that you “close with your investment thesis,” as well. A final note from him on this last slide of LinkedIn’s winning pitch is that “the end is when you should return to the most fundamental topic to discuss with your investors.” Quite a wrap-up from a stellar VC! Follow the linked site above to read more on the rest of his ending slides if you haven’t ever done so already.

The suggestions above are practical and proven ways to end a presentation effectively. Yet, remember, the real secret is knowing your audience so well you’ll learn how to grasp their attention for your production in the first place.

Focus on the bigger picture and add content to your conclusion slide that’s cohesive to your entire presentation. And then aim to make a lasting final impression that will secure what you need. There is a myriad of ways to achieve that and seek the perfect-suiting one.

Also, be bold if the area calls for it. As you see above, there is no shame, but an actual need to state the precise funding amount you need to make it through a specific stage of funding. Exercise whatever tools you have at your disposal to get the required attention.

Also, being sure about whatever decision you make will only make this an easier road to travel. If your head is transparent about what’s needed, you’ll be more confident to make a convincing case that points your audience in the right direction.

Check out our step-by-step guide on how to make a presentation .

Like this article? Please share

Business, Business Development, Business PowerPoint Templates, Business Presentations, Corporate Presentations, PowerPoint Tips, Presentation Approaches Filed under Presentation Ideas

Related Articles

Filed under Business • April 22nd, 2024

Setting SMART Goals – A Complete Guide (with Examples + Free Templates)

This guide on SMART goals introduces the concept, explains the definition and its meaning, along the main benefits of using the criteria for a business.

Filed under Design • March 27th, 2024

How to Make a Presentation Graph

Detailed step-by-step instructions to master the art of how to make a presentation graph in PowerPoint and Google Slides. Check it out!

Filed under PowerPoint Tutorials • March 26th, 2024

How to Translate in PowerPoint

Unlock the experience of PowerPoint translation! Learn methods, tools, and expert tips for smooth Spanish conversions. Make your presentations global.

Leave a Reply

Like what you're reading?

How to end a presentation in 10 memorable ways

Get your team on prezi – watch this on demand video.

Michael Lee August 28, 2019

You’ve just delivered a captivating presentation that had people hanging on your every word. Now you need to wrap it up and leave a lasting impression. After all, studies show people have an easier time recalling information presented at the beginning and end. So, you might be asking yourself: “How can I end my presentation in a memorable way?”

It’s common to field questions at the end, but this can make your presentation less memorable and derail your message. If you’re wondering how to end a presentation in a way that will engage your audience, try one of the 10 examples below.

Also, take notes on additional tips and tricks that can help you end your presentation with confidence and style.

1. Tell a compelling story

Offering a compelling story is a powerful way to end your presentation, especially if it’s a personal one. Personal stories help create empathy with the audience, which makes it easier to get your key message across. Also, it is a creative way to summarize your main points and make sure that your message has a personal feel to it.  As an example, health and wellness presenters will often wrap up presentations with a story about a personal health scare and how a change in their lifestyle helped them live a better life.

Try using Prezi — and in particular, the animations — to create a presentation that promotes storytelling and keeps your audience interested. By zooming in and out at specific points, you can visualize your story as you tell it, which will help people remember your presentation. Check out our previous Prezi Awards winners for great examples of visual storytelling in action.

2. Add a call to action

It’s not enough to assume your presentation will make people want to do something. Instead, you should be clear by including a call to action (CTA) at the end of your speech. Keep in mind that the CTA needs to be easily achievable and also relevant to your content. If people need to jump through hoops to do the action, then nobody will bother. Similarly, if you spent the entire time sharing a deeply personal story, then it wouldn’t be appropriate to ask people to buy your product. 

Some examples of captivating CTAs:

“Start your journey towards X today!” 

“Make a change with X!”

“Create a better tomorrow for yourself with X!”

“Sign up now & get exclusive insights!”

When crafting your CTA, think about what is the next step you want your audience to take and why they would want to take it. This way, you can tie an actionable step with compelling reasoning.

3. Drop a surprising fact

You’ve followed the science behind good public speaking and have been able to maintain eye contact with your audience during your presentation. Now consider finishing your presentation with a surprising fact. Facts with statistical numbers work well to engage your audience, and you’ll likely find a variety of facts related to your presentation topic if you search online.

By finishing your presentation off with a shocking number or fact, people will be more likely to remember your presentation. Also, if you incorporate a fact that can create some sort of emotion, whether positive or shocking or else, your presentation will become even more memorable. However, be aware to share something that creates an emotion you want your audience to be feeling. 

Tip: Be careful not to dump a bunch of numbers on the screen. Use the power of visuals to convey complex information in an impactful way. 

4. Share a quote

Using an interesting and relevant quote is a great way to end your presentation. However, to make sure the quote stays with your audience long after they leave the room, choose one they don’t hear all the time. You can ensure your quote is fresh by looking for one from a modern leader or personality rather than one from a historical figure.

Just make sure your quote goes with the theme of your presentation. Additionally, if you can tie the quote back to a personal story, you’ll leave your audience with a better grasp of the key points of your presentation.

Examples of powerful quotes you can leave your audience with:

“Don’t worry about failure. You only have to be right once.” – Drew Houston, co-founder, and CEO of Dropbox

 “Don’t ever make decisions based on fear. Make decisions based on hope and possibility.” – Michelle Obama, the former first lady of the United States

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” – Maya Angelou, writer

5. Use the rule of three

The rule of three is a simple and powerful way of communicating. The idea behind the rule of three is that it’s easier for the audience to remember concepts, ideas, and beliefs when they’re presented in patterns of three. You can find the rule of three almost everywhere you look.

As a real-life example of ending a presentation with the rule of three, Dianna Cohen, co-founder of the Plastic Pollution Coalition, wraps up her speeches on plastic pollution by stating, “We can save our oceans, save our planet, and save ourselves.”

6. Refer back to your opening statement

If you’re wondering how to end a presentation that’s long or includes complicated information, try referencing your opening statement. This is also a good way to signal to your audience that things are coming to a close. By coming back to the opening statement, your audience will have a better understanding of how the different arguments all tie in together, to sum up, the message you are trying to deliver. 

To make it more interesting, you can also try injecting some humor or adding some extra insight to your message. However, don’t just mention your opening statement but also show how your opening statement and the points you raised are linked to the closing argument.

7. Ask a rhetorical question

Just because you don’t want to end your presentation slide with the audience’s questions doesn’t mean you can’t finish your speech with any questions at all. Consider wrapping things up by asking your audience a rhetorical question. The key thing is to make sure the question is a strong one, as you want your audience to think about the question after they leave. 

At the end of your presentation, you can simply add, “is x the right answer to the question? That’s for you to answer.”

With a rhetorical question, your audience will leave your presentation thinking about their answer. Consequently, your presentation will stay in their minds a little bit longer and the question can even serve as a discussion starter later on. It’s a great way to make your presentation more memorable.  

8. Sum it up with a short, memorable statement

Sometimes the best way to end your presentation is with one statement that pulls everything together. To make sure the main points from your presentation stay with your audience, consider how you can condense everything into a short and memorable statement that will stick with people once they leave the room.

Ensure that your statement is relevant and concise. For instance, you can end your presentation by saying, “If you were to remember one thing after this presentation, it’s this … “ Or, “Let’s always … no matter how difficult/great/tragic/amazing it is.”

9. Close with a powerful visual

Sometimes, visuals can say much more than words. If you want to end your presentation with a powerful note, show an image, drawing, short video clip, or another type of visual that ties in with your message. 

Visuals can help your audience retain information. In fact, 90% of the information received by our brains is in visual form. That is why, in some cases, visuals can leave a greater impact than a written or spoken word. 

For instance, if your presentation is about a charity project, you can end your speech by showing a picture of the team that was involved. Also, if you want to create captivating visuals, make sure to check out Prezi Design where you can easily create compelling infographics and reports, and find a wide selection of images, stickers, and GIFs.

10. Thank your audience

A short and sweet way how to end your presentation speech is with acknowledgments and giving thanks. By thanking your audience for listening and paying attention, you will make clear that this is the end of your presentation and that you appreciate their input in whatever way they contributed. You can also acknowledge your team or another person if they have helped you with your presentation or in other ways that tie in with your message. 

Tip: Don’t just simply say “thank you” but truly express your gratitude in your own words. 

No matter how you end a presentation speech, the end goal is to have your audience remember your message. Use Prezi’s visual presentation format to your advantage, and emphasize the importance of your message when you choose how to end a presentation.

Give your team the tools they need to engage

Like what you’re reading join the mailing list..

• Prezi for Teams
• Top Presentations

ATLANTA, MAY 23-24 PUBLIC SPEAKING CLASS IS ALMOST FULL! RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW

• Public Speaking Classes
• Corporate Presentation Training
• Online Public Speaking Course
• Northeast Region
• Midwest Region
• Southeast Region
• Central Region
• Western Region
• Presentation Skills
• 101 Public Speaking Tips
• Fear of Public Speaking

How to End Your Presentation with a Bang

So you’ve spent days (maybe weeks) putting together a killer presentation. Now, you stand up with confidence, present every bullet point with poise, and then you get all the way to the end… and the presentation just fizzles.

It’s like a marathon runner who trains for months (maybe years), then just a half mile before the finish line, starts to cramps and can’t finish the race.

The last thing that you tell your audience will most likely be what they remember. So, you want to end your presentation with a bang!

In this post, we will cover three things that you should absolutely avoid when you close your presentation. In addition, we will also cover 6 killer ways to end on a positive note.

By the way, for more details about how to organize a good speech, see the following. 7 Foolproof Ways to Start a Presentation . | How to Design a Presentation Quickly .

Eliminate these “Show Stoppers” from Your Presentation Conclusion

Avoid Ending Your Presentation with a Question & Answer Period.

One of the things that drives me up the wall is ending a fantastic presentation with a Q & A session that has a high propensity to just flop.

It reminds me of some sage advice from my jr high school football coach. He was an old-school running game type of coach. He’d say,

“In football, when you pass the ball, only three things can happen and two of them are bad.”

I kind of feel the same way about Question & Answer periods. There are only three ways that Q & A sessions can end, and two of them are bad .

Yes, If your audience asks you great questions, you can end your presentation on a high note. However, if your audience asks you odd questions or uninteresting questions, you can end on a low note. Even worse than getting crappy questions, though is getting no questions. Now, the ending will just seem odd.

When I present, I encourage people to ask questions DURING my presentation . That way, I can use a more dynamic way to end my presentation with a bang.

Don’t End by Thanking the Audience for Their Time.

When you stand up to speak, you should have the attitude that your audience is there to hear from you because you have important information that they need. When you thank your audience for their time, you are conceding that their time is more important than your time.

Also Avoid an Abrupt Ending with No Conclusion.

This happened to me early in my career. The first time that I really bombed a speech, I made two really big mistakes. The first was that I sped through the information so quickly that I finished in less than half of the allotted time. Then, I just ran out of things to say, so I sat down. The people in the audience were confused. I had more time and the ending was so abrupt, that they weren’t sure if I was finished.

So, spend time preparing your conclusion. Practice it a few times, and you will end on a high note.

Bonus Tip: Warn Your Audience Ahead of Time that Your Speech is Coming to a Close.

Our brains are wired to look for structure in things. That’s why people get frustrated with cliffhangers in movies. Only in movies, there’s a sequel. In speeches and presentations, the end is the end.

Give a hint that you are nearing a close a couple of slides or paragraphs before you actually do. Saying something like, “So let’s review what we’ve discussed so far”, “As I wrap up this presentation” or “In conclusion”.

Signaling the close prepares your audience for the ending. Ironically, it also makes the ending more memorable.

Secrets to a Powerful Presentation Ending – 6 Ways to End Your Presentation with a Bang

Not that we have covered what NOT to do, let’s focus on a few, turnkey ways to end your presentation with a bang.

(1) End Your Presentation with a Brief Summary You Key Points.

This technique works really well because it allows you to repeat your key points a few times. This repetition helps your audience remember the content better.

An Example of Using a Summary to End Your Presentation with a Bang!

A couple of months ago, I had a class member that used this technique really well. She worked for a local TV station that was trying to attract new viewers. Here is the presentation outline that she created:

We Can Increase the Number of Young Viewers by Focusing More on Our Social Media Platforms Teens get most news from social media. Increase coverage w/ teens increases interest in station. Making social media selective will make us stand out against competition.

[Introduction] “My topic today is about how we can increase the number of young viewers by focusing more on social media. The things that we are going to cover are, how teens get most of their news from social media, that if we increase our coverage with teens there will also be a corresponding increase in interest in our TV station, and how making our social media selective will allow us to stand out from the competition.”

After the introduction, the speaker would then cover the “meat” of the presentation by going through each point with specific examples and evidence about how each of those points is true.

At the conclusion, the speaker could just recap by saying, “So in conclusion, since teens get most of their news via social media, if we increase our coverage with teens, we will also increase interest in our station, and if we make our social media selective we will stand out from the crowd, I believe that we can increase the number of young viewers by focusing more on social media.”

The summary technique is a very easy way to conclude your speech, and it will also increase the retention of your audience.

For additional examples, see How to Write a Speech in Just a few Steps .

(2) End with an Example, Story, or Anecdote.

I spoke for another 45 minutes, and then I finished the presentation by describing the success story of one of my class members. He had implemented the very content that I had just delivered to that breakout session group. However, he was delivering a very data-intense presentation for the Center for Disease Control. (So his content was even more boring than the type of content the audience had to deliver.) The story showed the group how a speaker can take even boring, data-filled material and deliver it well.

Those contrasting stories — the one at the start of my presentation, and the one at the end, work really well together. They bookend the entire presentation.

An Easy Way to Find a Funny Anecdote to End Your Presentation.

Sometimes a good anecdote or funny story can be a good way to end on a positive as well. A good place to get funny anecdotes is from Reader’s Digest . (RD has a great book published that has just funny work-related stories. You can purchase it here: Laughter the Best Medicine @ Work: America’s Funniest Jokes, Quotes, and Cartoons )

This is kind of an embarrassing incident, but it shows that if you get a little creative, any type of story can be a great ending.

I was training an instructor years ago, and I had her just pick a random funny anecdote from Reader’s Digest. I told her that, no matter what the story was about, I’d find some way to insert the funny story into our class. Here is the story that she picked…

A woman went to her boss saying that she was going to go home early because she was feeling sick. The boss, having just gotten over a cold said that he hoped it wasn’t something that he had given to her. A coworker overhearing the conversation said, ‘I hope not. She has morning sickness.'”

(Obviously, this instructor-in-training also had a sense of humor, as well.) I thought about it a while, and I just ended the session with, “So, in summary, one of the most important parts of the presentation design process is knowing your audience. In fact, that reminds me of a story…” I then just added the anecdote word-for-word, and I got a big laugh.

I created a whole series of posts on storytelling starting with Storytelling in Public Speaking .

(3) Finish Your Speech by Telling the End of an Earlier Story.

Then, I finished the presentation by telling how, just a year later, after a little outside training, I had to stand in front of over 400 people to give an acceptance speech for an award. This time, I was calm, and I used my humor to win over the audience, and I killed it. By continuing the story and providing a positive result at the end, it makes for a pretty nice presentation ending.

So start with a story where you had a challenge and end with a success story about how you overcame that challenge.

(4) End Your Presentation with an Open-Ended Question.

That’s why people are drawn to thought-provoking questions. So a great way to end your speech is with a well-designed, thought-provoking question.

When I teach a class, I use this technique before almost every break. For instance, if I teach an hour-long session, it will be easy for the audience to forget a lot of the content if it isn’t reinforced right away. So, by asking a thought-provoking question about the content, it stimulates the content in the minds of the audience.

When you ask questions, though, avoid easy questions where the answer is an obvious “yes” or “no.” Instead, ask open-ended questions. The easiest way to do this is to ask for the audience members’ opinions.

For instance, if my title is “Starting with a 3-Point Outline Will Help You Save Time When You Design Presentations,” I could end the speech with a question like, “Based on what we’ve talked about today, how can you see starting with a three-point outline helping you save time?”

Any answers that the audience provides will help me prove my point. The more the better.

(5) Give the Audience a Call-to-Action at the End of Your Speech.

Just as an FYI, here, though, if you ask them to do a single thing, they are more likely to do it. If you ask them to do a second thing, they are more likely to do neither. Sp, to prevent that and to inspire your audience, challenge them to do one specific thing from your speech.

If your presentation is about why your company should invest in advertising, make your call to action very specific. “So, my suggestion is that we increase our advertising budget by 10% and use that budget for additional re-targeting ads.”

The thing to keep in mind here is that the more calls to action that you have, the less likely they will do anything. So, make your call to action just a single item. And make the item easy to implement.

(6) The Echo Close Is an Inspirational Way to End Your Speech with a Bang.

A wise man once said, “The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.” So, when you present, kindle the fire of knowledge. Kindle the fire of enthusiasm. Kindle the fire of humor. Kindle the fire of empathy. And you will kindle the fire of learning from your audience.

Another example might be.

So, in conclusion, brevity in public speaking is pretty important. In fact, George Orwell once said, “If it is possible to cut a word out of your speech, always cut it out.” So, when you create a presentation, cut the fluff. Cut the repetitive bullets. Cut the platitudes. And when you do, you will cut the confusion from your audience.

It is an easy technique if you prepare the ending and practice it a few times.

So that concludes the six ways that you can end your presentation with a bang. However… There is…

“One More Thing”

Steve Jobs was famous for concluding his keynotes with “One more thing…” then following it up with a surprising fact, feature, or innovation.

Why is this effective? Because it leaves people talking.

Regardless of how you choose to end your presentation, spend a little time on the ending. Make it flawless, and you will leave your audience wanting more! If you do, you will end your presentation with a bang!

Choose the Best Presentation Ending for Your Presentation Purpose

With all of the great choices, how do we know which presentation ending to use? Luckily, we have created a free handout to help you pick the best presentation ending. Although many of the tips above will work in many different types of speeches, the handout will help you identify which ending will accomplish specific purposes for your specific presentation.

For instance, if your goal is to help your audience retain the content, then summarizing your key points is a great choice. If your purpose is to inspire the audience, you might try the Call to Action or Echo technique instead. Just complete the form below for instant access!

Download the Free “How to End Your Presentation” Handout!

Podcasts , presentation skills

View More Posts By Category: Free Public Speaking Tips | leadership tips | Online Courses | Past Fearless Presentations ® Classes | Podcasts | presentation skills | Uncategorized

• Slidesgo School
• Presentation Tips

How to End Your Presentation: Tips for Your Grand Finale

You have just created the most amazing presentation ever. You have written a touching speech and you are designing your last slides… Oh, wait. How to end your pitch? Sometimes people get distracted.   Don’t panic. You don’t need to read Aristotle’s Rhetoric to close your presentation in an effective way. In this tutorial, we will teach you some tips to influence your listeners and to get new clients, investors, students… They’ll love you and your product or service! 

Summarize and show a sneak peek

Make a lasting impact: quotes, use emotions to persuade your audience, involve your audience, add a “thanks” slide.

Just before saying “thanks” and “goodbye”, it’s time to summarize the contents of your presentation… and give something new to your audience.   Repetition can be a good idea! In this case, it will help your listeners. Thanks to it, they will manage to understand the global structure of your speech, if they didn’t before! In addition, if they had doubts or didn’t understand a section properly, their questions will be immediately answered.  Before or after talking about the main points of your presentation, give your audience something that will make them want to know more about your product or service.   In this respect you give them an opportunity to see something before it is officially available.  

This is a sneak peek. In Slidesgo, we add a special template in some of our Marketing themes .  You could, for example, add a video showing the features of your product. Make it visual, interesting and you will thrill your audience!  → Are you fascinated by the smart design of this News Agency Template yet? Give it a go! 

It’s usual to add a quote to your presentation. Recalling the perfect sentence by an authority is great when you want to persuade or to make a great impact in your listeners.   By authority, we refer to someone who is a specialist in an area or to someone who is pretty famous for his or her work, intelligence…   In the same way, you can also use closing lines of books or movies. They also have a great impact! Have you ever watched Some Like It Hot? The very last sentence pronounced in this movie, became one of the most well known and quoted lines in history. When Jerry confesses that he is a man, Osgood states: “Well, nobody’s perfect.”  Let’s use a famous quote in your presentation. Choose a sentence that represents your passion and that triggers a pleasant feeling in your audience. Talking about effort is always a good idea. The same can be applied to optimism, as it is a contagious emotion! 

Get this quote as an example. It is short, concise and it was pronounced by someone who is famous and successful!  → Did you like this energetic World After Coronavirus Template ? Get it for free!  

You have explained all the technical details of your company and your product or service. Now, let's add some emotive touches to what you want to say.   Of course, it’s something that you can use during the whole presentation, but ending in an emotional way will be very effective.   Our memory works better when emotions are around. We remember quite clearly moments of pure joy, moments of adventure or periods of grief, but you may not remember what you ate a week ago. There were no feelings attached to food (usually!).  Let’s have a look at the following slide: 

It clearly evokes a feeling of strength, self-improvement and self-realization. It seems that the girl can achieve anything she wants! It’s warm, lovely. This image tells a story related to feelings.  Use this sort of image, and match it with your words. Talk about the importance of diversity and how this will result in a better society, for example.  Talking about words themselves, don’t forget to use inclusive pronouns: we, us, our. Make yourself part of your audience. This way, they will feel as part of your team!  → Use now this Girls in Science Template ! 

If you don’t allow your audience to take part in your presentation, in what you say, they can get easily distracted.   Remember that you prepare your presentation or you give a speech having your listeners, clients or potential investors in mind. It’s not something that you prepare for you!  What should you do to involve your audience? We have talked about using “we” in the previous section. Employ “you” as well! This way, they’ll feel that you are directing your attention to them, that you want them to take part in what you are saying.  OK, linguistically speaking it’s a good tip. But… Is there anything else that we can do? Of course!  Asking them questions or rising a challenge can be great for doing so. Imagine this situation: you are just finishing and some of them have stopped paying attention… but you have a question ready for them!  You can use interactive templates in such cases. They are pretty uncommon and funny, so your presentation will turn into a game!

→ Use this Social-Emotional Learning Template now!   

It may seem trivial, but saying thanks at the end of your presentation is important. Why? Well, this serves as a clear indicator that tells your audience that you have finished. If you try to end, for example, with a summary, without any “thanks” slide, it can be confusing.   This is a customary thing to do. We all understand that, with “thanks”, the presentation is over. There are, of course, other important reasons to use this magical word!  Always remember that your listeners have devoted part of their valuable time listening to you and paying attention to your message. Saying thanks is a time-honoured practice. In fact, being polite is the way to persuade your listeners. 

Try using a slide to say “thanks”. Make use of a beautiful theme font and make the word stand out! Apart from that, you could also use this slide to provide your contact details.    They know that your presentation is coming to an end, so they will surely write down your email or your telephone number to contact you!  → Do you like this Wedding Template ? Download and edit it now, it’s free!  The key to have a grand finale is letting your audience understand that you care about them: say thanks, summarize the contents so they are easier to understand. Connect with their emotions! Practice, practice and practice. These tips will help you become as good as Martin Luther King in public speaking!   If you need more free Google Slides themes and PowerPoint templates , you can visit our website! We have beautiful and useful designs for you!    

Do you find this article useful?

Related tutorials.

Work faster, teach better: boost your skills with Slidesgo Academy

We truly believe that every educator has what it takes to be a fantastic presenter, but we’re also aware of the time it takes to hone these skills. Enter Slidesgo with a great, fast solution: Slidesgo Academy.At this empowering and encouraging platform, we’ve partnered with veteran classroom educators to compile the best tips that will enable you to create engaging, eye-catching, and top-quality presentations for your students and fellow educators. You’ll surprise yourself with how quickly you can craft lessons that engage and excite. Join us as a student, and become the best teacher you can be!

7 tips to create a positive classroom culture

No matter if it's been ages since you last stepped into a classroom or just a long time ago―there’s probably a particular learning experience you often find yourself thinking about. Maybe it was a passionate teacher who kept the whole class engaged, or perhaps a classmate who lent you a hand with a tricky topic. Positive classroom experiences do leave a lasting mark on us, so it makes perfect sense that people leading a classroom aim to create the finest possible learning setting. In this article, we’ll share some tips to help you turn a regular classroom into a positive space.

How to create a word cloud in Google Slides

There are many ways to improve your Google Slides presentation. From choosing the right font to finding the right template, good presentations keep an audience engaged and convey a message in a clear way.Knowing how to visualize data in a slideshow is one of those actions that have a huge impact on the success of a presentation. At the end of the day, plain data fails to motivate decisions as effectively as clear insights do. This is when powerful visual tools like word clouds step in. Let us tell you all about them. 

How to create a word cloud in PowerPoint

In the age of information, showing data has become as important as collecting it. Those who are able to turn big amounts of data into easy-to-understand ideas, are the ones pushing the game forward.At the end of the day, plain data fails to motivate decisions as much as clear insights do. That’s where powerful visual tools such as word clouds step in. We’re here to tell you all about them.

Critical PowerPoint Shortcuts – Claim Your FREE Training Module and Get Your Time Back!

How to End a Presentation with Punch (17 Techniques)

• PowerPoint Tutorials
• Presentation Design
• March 5, 2019

In this post you’ll learn 17 different ways for how to end a presentation that you can test out.

Why worry about the ending?

Because how you end your presentation is just as important as how you start your presentation ( details here ).

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.

1. Call to action

2. Skip the Q&A at the end your presentation

3. End your presentation with a rhetorical Question

You are currently viewing a placeholder content from Youtube . To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.

4. Conclude your speech with a story

As you can learn in our post on the best ways to start a presentation ( details here ), 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, like Heather Lanier does here:

You are currently viewing a placeholder content from Default . To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.

5. The power of 3 for your conclusion

6. Come full circle at the end of your presentation

• 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 work especially well with powerful images or quotes

7. Demonstrate your product

8. End with an either / or scenario

9. End your presentation on a high note

10. A sound bite

11. End with a provocative question

12. Use the title close technique

13. A quick presentation recap

14. End with a powerful quote

15. End with a strong visual image

16. Close with a clear cut ending

17. End your presentation on time

What’s Next?

Related articles, about the author.

Popular Tutorials

• How to Strikethrough Text (l̶i̶k̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶s̶) in Word, Excel & PowerPoint
• How to Make Animated Fireworks in PowerPoint (Step-by-Step)
• Strikethrough Shortcut (l̶i̶k̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶s̶) for Word, Excel & PowerPoint
• How to Create a Flash Card Memory Game in PowerPoint (Like Jeopardy)
• Keyboard Shortcuts Not Working: Solved

PowerPoint Tutorial Categories

• Strategies & Opinions
• Shortcuts & Hacks
• Pictures, Icons, Videos, Etc.
• New Features
• Miscellaneous
• Charts & Data Viz

We help busy professionals save hours and gain peace of mind, with corporate workshops, self-paced courses and tutorials for PowerPoint and Word.

Work With Us

• Corporate Training
• Presentation & Template Design
• Courses & Downloads
• PowerPoint Articles
• Word Articles
• Productivity Resources

Find a Tutorial

• Free Training
• For Businesses

We help busy office workers save hours and gain peace of mind, with tips, training and tutorials for Microsoft PowerPoint and Word.

Master Critical PowerPoint Shortcuts – Secure Your FREE Training Module and Save Valuable Time!

⌛ Master time-saving expert techniques.

🔥 Create powerful presentations.

🚀 Propel your career to new heights.

We value your privacy – we keep your info safe.

Discover PowerPoint Hacks Loved by Industry Giants - KKR, AmEx, HSBC!

Over 114,880 professionals in finance, marketing and sales have revolutionized their PPT skills with our proven methods. 

Gain FREE access to a full module of our premium PowerPoint training program – Get started today!

We hate spam too and promise to keep your information safe.

You are currently viewing a placeholder content from Facebook . To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.

How to End a Business Presentation & Get People to Act

Learn how to conclude a digital presentation with impact. Discover what should be on the last slide of the presentation and ditch the "Thank you" slide forever.

Dominika Krukowska

8 minute read

Short answer

What should be the last slide of a presentation?

The last slide of your presentation should be a next step slide with a call-to-action, not a thank-you slide. It should direct readers to act on what they have learned - by trying a product, donating, visiting a place, etc.

It’s also an opportunity to build a relationship with your audience by inviting them to connect with you on social media or book a call.

Concluding your presentation with a thank-you slide is a bad idea

Imagine a general addressing his knights before a battle. He gives a moving speech that gets the men fired up. He describes the great purpose of their sacrifice and the glory of victory. The warriors are roaring and raising their swords.

Then the general tells them he thanks them for coming, turns, and goes.

With no idea where the enemy is or when the battle will take place the men take their gear and go home. The end.

That’s what happens when you end with a thank you slide. Your audience was hooked. They identified with your ideas, they were moved by your story, and they wanted more. But they didn’t know where to get it. You left them hanging.

This is where many presentations miss the mark.

What this means is that ending with a thank-you may leave potential connections, collaborations, or sales to simply drift away.

So contrary to common belief that is not how to conclude a presentation.

This blog post will show you how to use the last slide of your presentation to guide your audience toward meaningful actions for them and for you.

Let’s dive in!

What to say on the last page of a presentation?

You should end your presentation by saying what your audience should do with what you’ve told them. Whatever it is, make it immediate and easy to do.

Get them to take a small next step so that they will be more likely to be on their way toward a beneficial outcome for them and for you.

What you say at the conclusion of your presentation should guide your audience toward a clear next step.

Ask for something like booking a demo, signing up for a newsletter, or leaving their email for further communication, anything that starts them in the direction you’re aiming for.

Our analysis of 100K presentation sessions revealed an unignorable fact:

Presentations that contained a singular, clear next step had a conversion rate 27% higher than those that simply ended with "thank you".

Impact of adding next steps on avg. deck conversion rate for a demo call:

What are the main types of slides to end a presentation?

The final slide of a presentation is more than just a conclusion; it's your last chance to engage your audience and guide them toward action.

6 types of final slides:

• Thank you slide: A traditional ending, but often a missed opportunity.
• Quotes slide: Inspires your audience with a thought-provoking quote.
• Pricing slide: Clearly presents your product or service’s cost.
• Benefits slide: Summarizes the key advantages of your proposition.
• FAQ slide: Addresses common questions and resolves doubts.
• Next step slide: The most impactful type, guides your audience toward a clear action.

Now, let’s dive deeper into what goes into each of these presentation slides and see some real-life examples.

Best examples of how to end a presentation

The last slide you use to conclude your presentation should be gauged towards the original purpose for which it was made.

Ask yourself what was the goal for making the presentation in the first place, and choose the slide that best serves that goal.

Note: all of the slides examples on our list are interactive, as opposed to static PPTs, and were created using Storydoc's presentation maker .

Here are some of the most common examples of how to end a presentation:

Thank you slide

It's a common practice to end a presentation with a simple "Thank you" slide . It's polite, it's traditional, and it seems like the perfect way to wrap up. In reality, however, it can often be a missed opportunity.

When you end with a "Thank you" slide, you're essentially closing the conversation. You're not giving your audience any direction on what they should do next. This can lead to lost opportunities for both you and your audience.

Instead of a "Thank you" slide, consider using your final slide to guide your audience toward a specific action.

Whether it's trying a product, joining a cause, or connecting with you, a clear call-to-action can make a world of difference. It will turn a passive audience into active participants, and an informative presentation into an actionable one.

Here’s what a passive ‘Thank you’ slide looks like versus an actionable one:

Quotes slide

Knowing how to end your presentation with a powerful quote can leave your audience thinking about your message long after it ends, change their perspective, and even occasionally inspire someone to act.

The type of quote you choose should align with your presentation's purpose and audience.

Here are a few quote types to consider:

Inspirational quotes: These are great for motivating your audience or sparking creativity. Choose a quote from a well-known figure that aligns with your presentation's theme.

Industry expert quotes: Quotes from respected industry experts can add credibility to your presentation and reinforce your points.

Customer testimonials: If you're presenting a product or service, a positive quote from a satisfied customer can be very persuasive.

Company founders quotes: A quote from a company leader can provide insight into the company's values and mission.

Here’s an example of a quotes slide :

NOTE: A quote is good to help carry your message for longer, but it is not a good way to generate a desired behavior. If you want to influence behavior, your last slide must be clear and concrete with what you want your audience to do. A quote doesn’t provide such a clear path for action.

Pricing slide

This last slide is particularly useful for proposals, RFPs, SaaS decks, or big-ticket items.

A pricing slide should provide a clear, transparent breakdown of your product or service's cost. Ensure the pricing structure is easy to understand, and highlight any special offers or discounts.

To make it more effective, consider using data visualization components like tables or charts to present your pricing information.

Here’s an example of a pricing slide:

Benefits slide

A benefits slide is your chance to remind your audience of the value you're offering. It's about reinforcing your key message and making sure your audience understands what they stand to gain.

Use bullet points for clarity and emphasis, and try to tailor the benefits to the specific needs or pain points of your audience.

Remember, benefits are not just features; they're the positive outcomes your audience can expect. So make them clear, make them relevant, and make them compelling.

A benefits slide can be paired with a next step slide to use the benefits in order to spark the motivation to take the next step.

Here’s an example of a benefits slide:

A FAQ slide is the equivalent of ending your presentation speech with a Q&A session. It's about addressing common questions or concerns your audience might have.

This resolves doubts and saves you or your team the hassle of clearing some of these questions personally. It also shows that you understand and care about your audience's concerns.

Don't overdo your FAQs to the point that you're drowning your audience in information - keep it light and engaging and consider grouping related questions together.

Here’s an example of a FAQ slide:

Next step slide

A next step slide is your chance to guide your audience to the next step in your relationship, be it to advance in your buyer journey, get active in your community, or donate to your cause.

Here are the most common types of next step slides:

Contact slide: Make it easy for your audience to reach out to you. Make sure to provide your email, website, and social media details. Double-check that your contact information is up-to-date.

Calendar slide: If you want your audience to schedule a meeting, you can embed your calendar directly in your deck to make the process as seamless as possible.

Further reading slide: It’s particularly useful for white papers and case studies, as you can include links to external resources. This can help your audience understand your topic in greater depth and see the research or data behind your presentation.

Signup slide: If you're selling a product or service, invite your audience to sign up. Make the signup process simple and quick. This can be a great way to convert interested audience members into customers or subscribers directly from your sales presentation or product one-pager .

Sign document slide: For proposals and RFPs, provide a clear path for your audience to sign the necessary documents. Use secure and user-friendly digital signing tools. This can help you close deals more quickly and efficiently.

Subscribe slide: Invite your audience to subscribe to your newsletter, e-magazine, or e-learning platform. To make it more compelling, consider highlighting the benefits of subscribing or offering a freebie for new subscribers.

Donate slide: If you're representing an NGO or political campaign, guide your audience toward making a donation. To make it more effective, consider sharing how their donation will be used or telling a story that resonates with your cause.

Here’s an example of a next step slide:

What to avoid when concluding a digital presentation?

Don’t be vague: Be clear about the next steps or actions you want your audience to take.

Don’t overload them with Information: Don't drown your audience in details at the end.

Don’t conclude with a passive statement: Thanking your audience or giving a Tl;Dr style conclusion will leave your audience passive. Activate and engage them by making your final slide actionable. Don't forget to invite questions or further interaction.

No personal touch: Tailor your ending to your audience for a lasting impact.

How to encourage engagement at the end of my presentation?

To encourage engagement at the end of your presentation, prompt your audience to interact. Do this by including a call-to-action, like signing up for a newsletter, booking a demo, or following you on social media. Make it easy and enticing for them to stay connected.

How long should the conclusion of my presentation be?

The conclusion of your presentation should be concise yet impactful. Aim for 1-2 slides that summarize key points, inspire action, and leave a lasting impression on your audience. A great slide duo to conclude with is your Benefits slide followed by your Next step slide.

Create your presentation from a template

Your digital presentation is your ticket to impactful communication. Instead of grappling with static, uninspiring slides, why not transform your presentation into an engaging experience?

Turn your key messages into an immersive journey, captivating your audience from the first slide to the last with our interactive last slide templates .

Grab a template and end your presentation with a bang!

Hi, I'm Dominika, Content Specialist at Storydoc. As a creative professional with experience in fashion, I'm here to show you how to amplify your brand message through the power of storytelling and eye-catching visuals.

Found this post useful?

Subscribe to our monthly newsletter.

Get notified as more awesome content goes live.

(No spam, no ads, opt-out whenever)

You've just joined an elite group of people that make the top performing 1% of sales and marketing collateral.

Create your best presentation to date

Try Storydoc interactive presentation maker for 14 days free (keep any presentation you make forever!)

How to End a Presentation and Leave a Lasting Impression 👏

• Remote Working & Freelancing

Discover how to end a presentation with impact with this helpful guide. Get practical tips for crafting memorable, message-reinforcing conclusions.

Have you ever wondered how to end a presentation in a way that leaves your audience not just impressed but also compelled to action? It's about more than just a neat wrap-up — you want to craft a lasting impression that reinforces your message. Below, we'll take a deep dive into strategies and tips for transforming your closing remarks into impactful takeaways. 

Why is the ending of a presentation important? 📈

The ending of a presentation, whether it's an overview of your digital portfolio or your pitch deck , leaves a lasting impression on your audience. It's the culmination of the points you've made, the stories you've told, and the connections you've established. A powerful conclusion reinforces your message and communicates vital takeaways for your potential client to reflect on. 

This is where confident body language comes into play. To come across as a more confident public speaker, stand tall, maintain eye contact, and use open gestures. This helps you exude credibility and fosters an environment of trust and connection. Confident body language underscores your words with assurance and conviction, making your closing remarks more impactful and memorable. 

6 ways to end a presentation like a pro 👍

To leave a powerful impression and reinforce your message effectively, consider employing one of the following strategies. Each technique offers a unique approach to concluding your presentation, allowing you to choose one that aligns with your style and topic and helps facilitate audience understanding.

Include a solid call-to-action 💪

Encourage your audience to act upon what they've learned. For example, if you're presenting your new product or service to a potential client, you could ask them to schedule a follow-up call to discuss pricing. This reinforces your key message and leads them in the right direction. Additional CTA presentation examples include asking for sign-ups, sales, or newsletter subscriptions. 

Recap key points 🔑

The rule of three works for crafting a strong ending. Briefly summarize your three main points and reinforce them with a visual aid. If you've presented about healthier lifestyle choices, you might say something like: "So remember, a balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep are important for leading a healthier life."

Repeat your opening message 🎤

Bring everything full circle by revisiting the beginning of your presentation. Let’s say you begin a business strategy presentation by asking, "How can we increase our market share?" Conclude by rephrasing the question and summarizing the answer. This is the best time to clearly reiterate the most crucial point of the presentation. 

Leave the audience with a question❓

Keep the conversation with your audience open by ending the presentation with a question. This grabs your prospective client's attention and requires them to use their critical thinking skills. Ask an open-ended or rhetorical question to have them pondering your products or services long after you've left. 

Capture the audience with a story or example 📚

Conclude with a compelling story or example to create an emotional connection with your audience and make your presentation more memorable. For instance, if you're presenting about teamwork, you could share a story about a successful sports team that exemplified great teamwork. Avoid dry statistics in favor of more interesting case studies, and you can also consider including a thought-provoking, surprising fact or powerful quote.

Provide contact information📱

Similarly to including a call to action, give your audience a clear direction forward by providing your contact details. This lets them know you care about their needs and opinions and are happy to discuss things more thoroughly after the presentation. List these details in your visual aides, like your hand-out or on the last slide of your PowerPoint presentation, if you're using them. 

8 tips for making the best presentation 💥

As you strive to perfect the art of ending a presentation well, several key tips can help enhance your delivery and make sure you land the job . Incorporate these ideas to ensure that your ending — and your entire presentation — are impactful and memorable for your potential client. 

Know your audience 👪

Understanding who you're speaking to makes your presentation more effective and relatable. Research your audience's interests, pain points, and needs ahead of time to tailor your content and delivery style accordingly. Consider the current trends and news in their industry, if applicable. 

Plan in advance 📓

A well-structured presentation guides your audience through your content. Start with an engaging introduction, follow with a clear and organized body, and end with a powerful conclusion. Remember, every part of your presentation should help drive home your main message.

Use visual aids for speech enhancement 👀

Uses images, graphs, infographics, and videos to illustrate your points and make your presentation more eye-catching and engaging. Visual aids should be relevant, high quality, and never distract from your overall message. Brochures, hand-outs, and posters are also helpful, but keep them simple if you use paper hand-outs. 

Rehearse your delivery 📦

Practice makes perfect. Run through your presentation multiple times to get comfortable with your content and timing. Do this alone and in front of your colleagues, family, or friends for constructive criticism. This helps flag any sections that might need work and also identifies what you're already doing well.

Speak clearly and confidently 🎭

Your voice is a powerful tool for presenting. Speak at a pace that's easy to follow, and use a tone that reflects your message. Confidence in your voice comes from knowing your material well, which comes from practice. 

Engage your audience 🎭

Interactive presentations make your audience feel involved and attentive. Ask questions, encourage discussion, or use interactive polls to keep them interested. Aim to team them something — after all, aren't they there to learn something from you?

Consider your body language 🏃

Non-verbal cues speak volumes. Your body language plays a critical role in communicating with potential clients, so avoid slouching and slumped shoulders in favor of eye contact and excellent posture. Confident body language boosts your credibility and enables audiences to better connect with you. To see your body language in action, film yourself practicing. 

Don't exceed your time limit ⏰

Respecting your audience's attention and time is crucial — no one likes it when a presenter drags past the scheduled end time. Practice, practice, practice to ensure your presentation fits within the allotted time frame, leaving room for key takeaways and questions at the end. Just in case it doesn't go without saying, you should always start on time, too. 

Ending on a high note 🎵

One last thing — your ending carries as much weight as your content in the world of effective public speaking and business presentations. The final brushstroke that completes your masterpiece, a strong presentation conclusion leaves a lasting impression on your audience, reinforces your central message, and ties all the elements together cohesively. Crafting a compelling ending is not an afterthought but an integral part of your overall strategy.

As you continue to refine your presentation skills, consider sharing your expertise on Contra. The commission-free Contra platform is a space for Independents to showcase their services and for clients to find the perfect match for their needs. Whether you want to share your knowledge or find expert advice , Contra's the ideal place to connect, collaborate, and grow.

Need Investors? Here’s How to Make a Winning Pitch Deck 💯

Related articles.

Unlocking Your Potential With Public Speaking Skills 🗣️

How to Do Voice-Overs on Google Slides Like a Pro 🎙️

• Design & Creative

How to Write a Winning Argumentative Essay Conclusion ✒️📃

The Art of Persuasion: Mastering the Perfect Sales Pitch 🗣️

5 Ways to Improve Client Communication ☎️

Start your independent journey.

Hire top independents

• Copy Anyleads in white label with your own logo, pricing and colors . Create your own lead generation software and generate revenue.

Closing Your Sales Pitch with Examples and Tips

• 27th Sep '23

• 21 minutes read

Do you want to end your sales pitch presentation with a bang? Knowing how and when to close the sale is essential for sales pitch success. With a winning conclusion, you can turn the tide of a business meeting and leave the client feeling impressed and willing to make a decision. Read on to learn how to end your sales pitch like a pro with examples and helpful tips on success.

What to Include in Your Final Sales Pitch Summary

Your final sales pitch summary should be concise yet comprehensive enough to provide the key details of your sales pitch in a brief overview. A few things to include in your summary are: 1. A description of the product or service that you are proposing: What is it and how does it benefit your customer? What are the features and benefits that are unique to your product or service? 2. Your pricing strategy for the product or service: What is the cost to the customer for your goods or services? What discounts and offers will you make available? 3. An explanation of your sales process: Will you handle all aspects of the sale? Do you need a team to assist you in certain parts of the sale process? 4. Information regarding your expected timeline: When will the product or service be delivered? Are there any deadlines for the customer to be aware of? 5. Any customer service requests: How will you respond to customer inquiries and issues post-sale? What kind of customer support policies do you have in place for your goods or services? 6. Testimonials or proof of your reputation: What has your customer base said about your services or products? Do you have any awards or recognition that shows others have trusted you? By including these elements in your final sales pitch summary, you will provide a comprehensive overview of your proposal and everything that it entails. This will help ensure that both you and your customer have a clear understanding of what is expected and how the sale will proceed.

Sales Pitch Closing Remarks that Seal the Deal

Closing your sales pitch with the right words can determine whether you’ll land the deal or not. When it comes to delivering an effective sales pitch closing, there’s a few key points you should remember. First and foremost, finish strong. Leave your prospect with a clear, concise and passionate summary of your main key points. Also, try to drive home the urgency of the deal. This could be because of a limitation of resources, a time-sensitive offer, or a limited-time special price. Then, be sure to reiterate the advantages of their decision to your product. Outline the value your offering brings to the prospect, rather than repeating what other people might think of your product or services. Finally, address any objections that have been raised throughout your call. Present a solution to the objections your prospect has stated. Ultimately, your goal in the closing sequence of your sales pitch is to show your prospect a solid solution. Connect your solution to your prospects' needs and goals. As you speak, remind them how your solution will help them and why your offer is the best one available. At the end of your sales pitch, reiterate the call to action. Specifically tell them what the next steps should be, and what will happen after they take that step. Then, ask some type of closing question that will help to ensure the prospect is taking the right steps. Giving an effective sales pitch closing is essential if you want your sales pitch to be successful. Using these tips, you can deliver a powerful and effective closing that leaves your prospect feeling more confident in their decision to purchase.

Closing Strategies for Your Closing Statements

At the end of any presentation, your closing remarks are a chance to sum up your message, create a lasting impression, and inspire your audience to take action. Though the body of your presentation should have already swayed your audience to your opinion, there are several effective closing strategies you can use to make sure the message resonates. A memorable story is one way to leave your audience with a lasting impression. Select a story that summarizes your overall message and resonates with your audience. Eliminate any distractions and draw people in with the story, as it gives them a concrete example to which they can relate. The Rule of Three is an effective strategy to create structure in your closing remarks. Summarize the main points of your presentation in three brief, powerful statements. For example, if you’re a consultant talking about marketing strategy, you can use the Rule of Three to summarize new research, the benefits of the strategy, and the next steps to implementation. You can leave people on a positive note and with a plan of action. Summarize the main points of your presentation and emphasize the most important aspects of your proposal. Invite your audience members to ask questions and offer their feedback. Finally, be sure to thank your audience for their time and attention. By following a few simple strategies and using your closing remarks to summarize your proposal, you can provide a powerful conclusion to your presentation. Through storytelling, the Rule of Three, and a plan of action, you can create a lasting impression and inspire your audience to take action.

End With a Clear and Bold Call-To-Action

As the popular saying goes, "all's well that ends well." When it comes to marketing, this means that sales and conversions are driven by having a clear and bold call to action at the end of your message. A call-to-action (CTA) is a piece of marketing phrasing that encourages people to take a desired action. It is a powerful way of prompting customers to take the next step to purchase your product, engage more deeply with your brand, and ultimately convert. A well-crafted call to action should be straightforward and should contain the main benefit that the customer will receive. It should be clearly communicated what you want the customer to do, such as sign up, buy now, and so on. Additionally, using powerful language such as "get" and "start" can also be used to grab the customer’s attention. For example, if you’re running an offer for a discount sign-up to your newsletter, you could use a call-to-action such as “Get 20% off when you sign up for our newsletter today.” This clearly communicates to the customer what they get and what they should do. Moreover, you should strive to make your call-to-action stand out by using prominent design elements. Whether you use buttons, colors, bolded phrases, or other design elements to make your CTA noticed, it should be easily discoverable to the customer. By having a clear and bold call-to-action, you are creating an opportunity for customers to take the next step to either engage with your brands or purchase your products. Ultimately, the call-to-action should be tailored to drive conversion and ensure your customers take the desired action. So, end your message with a call-to-action today and start driving conversions and revenue for your business!

With careful and targeted strategy, a clear and bold call-to-action can be an extremely effective way to influence customer decision and increase conversion rates. Here are a few pointers which can help businesses create a powerful call-to-action:

• Clearly Define Goals and Intentions
• Understand Your Audience and Segment Accordingly
• Utilize Short, Concise and Action-Oriented Messaging
• Include Color, Fonts, and Visuals To Support Your Message
• Test Different Variations to Optimize Performance Over Time

Tips for How to End a Sales Pitch

Sales pitches are an essential part of selling. When done right, they can be successful in helping businesses close sales and secure leads. However, there are certain key components that must be included in your presentation strategy to make it effective, and the ending of the pitch is just as important as the beginning. Here are a few tips to make sure your sales pitch ends with the desired outcome. First, make sure to end the presentation with a strong call to action. This can be in the form of making an offer, asking for an appointment or quickly summarising the benefits of your product or service. Be sure to verbalise your desired result at the end of the pitch and ask your buyer for a response. Make the buyer feel special and valued. It’s important to thank the buyer for taking the time to listen to you and for their consideration. In some cases, you may want to consider offering the buyer bonus incentives like discounts or giveaways as a way to show them you value their commitment. This can be a great way to sweeten the deal and help to move the sale forward. If you have a sample of your product or service you can offer to the buyer, consider presenting it in full at the end of the pitch. This will give the buyer an idea of the value they are getting should they decide to purchase. It is also an opportunity to demonstrate the craftsmanship and quality of your offering. When the buyer does commit to buying your product or services, it is important to reiterate in the closing all the details of the deal. Be sure to include the agreed pricing, the timeline and the discount or bonuses provided. In conclusion, a successful sales pitch does not end until you receive a positive response from the buyer. Use these tips and incorporate them into your sales pitch to make sure it ends with a satisfying outcome and you close the sale successfully.

3 Closing Questions to Ask a Prospective Client

If you’re on a sales call with a potential client, you need to ask the right questions in order to close the sale. Asking questions can help build relationships, increase customer understanding and trust, and provide you with valuable information to help you close the sale. Here are 3 closing questions to ask a prospective client that can increase your success rate. 1. What Is Your Budget for This Project? Knowing the client's budget for a particular project gives you a better understanding of their expectations and whether or not you can meet them. If the budget is not within your capabilities, it can help you avoid wasting time on a project that may not be profitable for your business. 2. What Is Your Timeline for This Project? Knowing the timeline for a particular project can help ensure that you meet deadlines and that your services are provided on time. It’s important to understand if there is a fixed start date or if the timeline is flexible so that you can plan accordingly. 3. What Is Your Decision-Making Process? Understanding the client's decision-making process gives you a better understanding of who will ultimately decide whether or not to move forward with the project. Knowing the timeline and process for getting to the final decision will help you navigate the sales process and close the sale. Asking closing questions can be a vital part of the sales process. Questions such as “What is your budget for this project?”, “What is your timeline for this project?”, and “What is your decision-making process?” can help you better understand the client's needs and provide valuable insight to increase your success rate.

What Repetition Can do for Your Closing Comments

When it comes to closing comments in a speech or presentation, effective use of repetition can be an incredibly powerful tool. Repetition can create strong emotional ties to an idea and create an effective, lasting impression. This is key for closing a speech or presentation because it leaves the audience with the main message. Repeating keywords and phrases helps drive the lesson home and has the potential to stick in the audience’s memories. For example, if the main takeaway message of your presentation is about the need to help the environment, you could end with a powerful phrase like: “Let’s all work together towards a more sustainable future.” This phrase repeats the idea of helping the environment and can easily be remembered. Repetition can also be used to remind the audience of what they’ve just heard, reinforcing the key points. If you have discussed a few ideas within your speech and the audience has only learned a few main points from them, you can use repetition to reinforce these points. For example, “Don’t forget, renewable energy sources, energy efficient appliances, and transportation alternatives can all play an important role in helping the environment.” Maintaining a consistent tone of voice and showing enthusiasm is an important element to consider when repeating closing comments. If your voice is upbeat and enthusiastic, it’s likely that the audience will remember the content better. Repetition can also be used to express a sense of positivity and motivation; try ending your presentation or speech with a statement like, “Let’s make a difference for the environment and leave this world better than we found it.” Effective use of repetition helps convey the key message of a speech or presentation and leave the audience with a memorable impression. Using positive, motivational language and repeating phrases throughout your closing comments can create an emotional connection and foster understanding of the main message. If used properly, repetition can be an incredibly powerful tool for closing a speech or presentation.

Repetition is one of the most effective ways to close a conversation or conference. Repetition can help create a lasting impression as well as emphasize key points that you want the audience to longer remember. Here are five key advantages of repeating your points when closing:

• Reinforce Key Messages
• Builds Sympathy
• Provide Closure
• Enhance Retention
• Strengthen Call to Action

How Vocal Tone Can Enhance Your Closing Paragraphs

In English composition, the closing paragraph plays an essential role, summing up the essay's main ideas and giving readers a lasting impression. To really make your ending stand out, it's important to use vocal tone — the writer's emotion and emphasis in the words — to enhance it. Start with a reflection of the essay's main ideas. This will serve as an effective conclusion to your essay. Take time to pause and create emphasis, allowing readers to fully absorb what you are saying. Reflect back on what has been discussed throughout the piece, and make sure to tie it all together within the closing sentence. Vocal tone can make your closing paragraph seem more sincere and meaningful, thus making it stronger. Softening your voice at the end can evoke feelings of understanding and completion, and adding a hint of enthusiasm to your voice can inspire readers to take action. Similarly, using a firm structure, and perhaps even raising your voice, will empower readers to stay in control and maintain the topics discussed. Remember to make sure that your closing paragraph is polite and kind. Readers don't want to receive orders or criticism; they want to feel respected and inspired. Use an appropriate tone to give readers the feeling that their time and attention has been worth it. One of the most effective ways to make your essay stand out is to create a powerful closing paragraph. Writing with vocal tone in mind will help you convey your ideas in a meaningful way. Take some time to reflect on the essay's main ideas, use vocal emphasis in a polite and kind manner, and maintain a firm structure to empower your readers. Doing this will help you enhance your closing paragraph and inspire readers to take action after they finish your essay.

9 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Closing the Sale

Closing a sale is a great feeling; however, it is important to ensure that everyone’s needs have been met before finalizing the deal. Consider asking yourself the following questions to make sure you and your customer are completely satisfied. 1. Have all questions been answered? One of the biggest mistakes you can make when closing the sale is forgetting to answer any lingering questions the customer has. Ensure you have thoroughly gone through every query to ensure the customer is not left with anything unresolved. 2. Is now the best time to close? This depends on the situation and the customer’s needs. If the customer was at first interested but needs more time to make a decision, wait for them to come around. Forcing the customer into a purchase could hinder the sale. 3. Is the customer aware of all costs? Make sure you have gone over every additional fee or charge associated with the product or service. This will avoid any surprises on the customer’s end. 4. Have you offered the customer more than one option? This gives the customer more freedom to decide which route is best for them. By providing more than one way to make the purchase, you increase the chances of the customer closing the sale. 5. Have you recommended additional products or services? If there are any other products or services that could complement what the customer is buying, suggest them. This could lead to the customer buying more, resulting in a larger sale and more commission for you. 6. Is the customer’s budget considered? One of the most important aspects in the sale is understanding what the customer is willing to spend. Be mindful of this throughout the sale process. 7. Have you expressed your appreciation? Let the customer know that you appreciate their business by expressing your gratitude. This will likely make them feel welcome and respected, making them more likely to proceed. 8. Are payment plans available? Not everyone pays in full immediately. Offer payment plans and other payment methods to ensure the customer can make the purchase in the desired manner. 9. Is the customer’s satisfaction guaranteed? Most customers are comforted by the assurance of a good return policy. Promote the security this provides them and make sure the customer has all the information they need in the event of a product or service not meeting their expectations. Asking yourself the above questions will ensure everyone involved is at ease when closing the sale. Taking the time to ensure all aspects of the deal have been considered will save you time in the long run.

Check Your Ego at the Door Before the Close

When it comes to closing a deal, it’s important to recognize the value of the relationship and remain humble throughout the process. Having confidence in you and your abilities is important, however, when it comes to business, it’s important to check your ego at the door. Ego can get in the way of making the right deals for everyone involved. It can lead to a competitive nature where each party is focused on “winning” the negotiation rather than achieving an outcome that is beneficial for both parties. It can also make it difficult to listen to feedback, and can lead to decisions that are less than ideal. It's important to remember that the art of negotiation is about compromise and finding the best solution for everyone- not about trying to best the other party. Keep in mind that having genuine respect for your negotiating partner will lead to a better outcome and create a better working relationship. To avoid ego-driven mistakes, it’s essential to maintain a professional attitude throughout the negotiation process. If you show respect to the person you’re bargaining with, then you’re more likely to come to an agreement. Putting your own wants and needs aside, can help you focus on the mutual needs of the parties involved. Staying focused on the facts at hand during a negotiation can also help keep emotion and egotistical feelings from clouding your judgement. Keep an open mind, be ready to listen and be willing to compromise. At the end of the day, a solid business deal is based on respect and understanding, not on ego. Keeping your ego at bay and having respect for the other party involved are key elements for a successful negotiation and close.

Start Your Close With An Acknowledgement

Starting your close with an acknowledgement is a great way to signal the end of your conversation and show your appreciation for the person you’re speaking with. An acknowledgement isn’t a formal goodbye, but a way of expressively conveying your thanks and your eagerness for future engagements. Whether you’re in a business meeting, concluding a conversation with a colleague or friend, a proper acknowledgement is always a good idea. An effective close should reflect the respect you have for the person and the importance of the relationship. It’s important to remember that it’s a way of showing your appreciation and gratitude for the opportunity to speak. Acknowledging someone with sincerity can create a positive emotional response and can help to build trust within the relationship. The best acknowledgement should be personalized to the specific conversation you’ve just had. Begin by thanking the person for their time, mentioning any specific topics that were discussed and expressing your desire to work together in the future. For example, if you were in a business meeting, you could start off with an expression of gratitude “Thank you for taking the time to meet today, I really appreciate your insights and all your help.” In addition, you can mention promises made during the conversation or actions to be taken afterwards. For example, “I can’t wait to begin working on the project and keep you updated with my progress.” Make sure to close by saying goodbye with enthusiasm and a smile. It’s important to keep in mind that to make sure that your acknowledgement is sincere in order to ensure that it has its desired effect. An expression of gratitude may seem small, but it can have a powerful impact on your relationship. Starting your close with an acknowledgement the right way is sure to leave a good impression.

In the age of online business, closing is an essential and often overlooked step in creating a successful customer experience. Whether you are completing a customer service call, sending a purchase order or closing a meeting, it is essential to properly thank your customer and show your appreciation for their business. In this article, we will look at two methods for starting a close and how to best acknowledge your customers.

Powerful Silence as a Closing Strategy

The importance of powerful silence as a closing strategy in a various situations cannot be overstated. Oftentimes, the simple act of staying silent can be the catalyst to a productive and successful conversation or meeting. First and foremost, a extended period of silence serves as a signal to evoke attention from the other individuals in the conversation. Keeping quiet can indicate to others that you are open to hear what they are saying or that you may have an important statement you are about to make. Using this tactic can also be a useful when two opposing parties are involved in a discussion and a resolution is nowhere in sight. The silence can pivot the conversation in a new direction and take it to a new level. The power of words has a tendency to capture the attention, and sometimes this attention might not always be good. By using silence, you can allow the importance of what you have said to sink-in with your listeners without diluting its effect because of too much talking. Furthermore, prolonged silent strategically communicates that you are in control and are making the caller think seriously about the conversation. It also reflects that you respect the other person’s points of view, as well as gives them the time to reflect upon your ideas. The effective use of powerful silence can be an effective tool in arguments, conversations, and generally in any sort of meeting. Keeping calm and juxtaposing it with silence can add a whole new dynamic to a discussion. Utilizing it the right way can be extremely advantageous as it is a non-confrontational and non-aggressive tactic, that can be used to get your point across in the best way possible.

We are the leading marketing automation platform serving more than 100,000 businesses daily. We operate in 3 countries, based in San Francisco, New York, Paris & London.

CONTINUE READING..

• 02nd Feb '24

10 Best Customer Service Companies: 2023 Support Heroes

• 17th Jan '24

Getting More Leads With ROI Focused Digital Marketing Agencies

• 14th Dec '23

Equipping Your Team with a Digital Toolset for Maximizing Lead Generation

• 13th Dec '23

Strategies for Keeping Your Inbox Spacious for Lead Conversations

How to Do Social Media Customer Service the Right Way

Whole product sequence (cadence) / newsletter campaigns tool.

Send newsletter or sales emails with automatic follow ups.

• Create unlimited campaigns and connect unlimited senders.
• Warm up feature to increase your deliverability.
• Send personalized images with our image personalization tool.
• Send events to your CRM such as opens, clicks and replies.
• Generate more sales meeting with automatic follow ups.

Whole product Extract B2B emails from B2B social media

Extract emails and contact from B2B social media. Find new leads in one click and create targeted lists.

• Create unlimted lists, filter by country, industry, size and job title.
• Hyper targeted lead generation.
• Generate B2B and B2C lists in one click.
• Super fast emails generation.
• Send leads to your CRM or other software.

Whole product API to prevent fake emails registration on your service

Each time someone registers to your service, ping this API to verify if the email is correct.

• Verify if an email exists to prevent fake emails.
• Export results into Excel or CSV.
• Ping in real time our API or plug it in your system.
• Instant email verification.
• Send collected data to your CRM or other software.

Whole product Enrichment data software to find emails

The perfect product to generate high quality leads from B2B to B2C.

• Access / extract from more than +15M B2B companies.
• Extact local businesses from Google Maps.
• Find company domains from names.
• Get all employees emails from a list of domains.
• Send all the data to your CRM via Zapier.

Whole product Email, phone & social media extractor

Extract emails, phones on the page of websites and download it to Excel or CSV.

• Upload a list of websites to extract emails.
• Export phone numbers from landing page.
• Export social media urls (Facebook, Instagram ..) from pages.
• Export to CSV or Excel in one click.
• Send the data to your CRM or other software.

Whole product Find emails from first name, last name and company name

Discover emails from a CSV from 3 columns (first name, last name, and company name).

• Upload big batch of CSV online to find emails.
• Email discovery is fast and build emails from patterns.
• Find valid emails from 3 data points.
• Send the data collected to your CRM or any software.

Whole product Chatbot solution to capture and convert visitors into leads

Transform your visitors into leads by capturing information from them.

• Install unlimited chatbot to capture unlimited leads.
• Customize the scenario of your chatbot.
• Customize the color, position and the widget.
• Export the leads into Excel or CSV.
• Send directly the leads captured to your CRM or any software.

Whole product Daily registered domains with leads information

Discover each day thousands of new companies registered on Internet.

• Prospect new businesses registered on Internet.
• Transfer leads to campaigns to send emails on it.
• Thousands of new leads uploaded each day.
• Export all the leads into Excel or CSV.

Whole product Online review management to get more online reviews

Capture reviews from visitors, and increase your reviews on Google and Facebook pages.

• Install and customize the widget on your website.
• Collect more reviews, increase your SEO position.
• Grow your Facebook page and Google page.
• Export reviews into Excel or CSV.
• Send reviews directly to your CRM.

Whole product Social proof notification widget tool

Generate and display notifications on your website to show random messages to your visitors. This will increase your sales and credibility.

• Add unlimited websites.
• Add unlimited notifications.
• Create geo-targeted notifications.
• Display random fake notifications.

Create your account and start your 7 day free trial!

We offer multiple products for your lead generation, discover them below!

>> Unlimited access to all products with one single license check our pricing.

LIKE WHAT YOU’VE READ? WHY NOT SHARE

Tips on How to End A Pitch Deck: Closing Strong in 2023

If you want to know how to end a pitch deck strongly, you are in a good place!

As a business owner or entrepreneur, a well-crafted pitch deck is an essential tool in your arsenal. Whether you’re seeking investment from investors, trying to win over potential clients, or presenting your ideas to stakeholders, a pitch deck can significantly impact your chances of success. One crucial aspect of a pitch deck is the conclusion, and knowing how to end it in the right way is crucial for leaving a memorable impression on your audience. In this article, we will provide valuable insights and practical tips on how to effectively end your pitch deck with confidence, leaving a lasting impression that captivates your audience and helps you achieve your pitching goals. Let’s dive in and discover how you can close your pitch deck with confidence and leave a lasting impression on your audience.

What is a Pitch Deck?

Identifying potential investors, researching potential investors, tailoring your pitch deck to your audience, importance of end a pitch deck strongly, use a powerful call to action, tell a compelling story, address potential concerns, offer a memorable closing remark, use visual aids effectively, practice and rehearse (end a pitch deck), leave room for questions and discussion, customize the ending for your audience, common mistakes to avoid, 1. how long should the ending of my pitch deck be, 2. should i include a call to action at the end of my pitch, 3. how can i address potential objections at the end a pitch deck, 4. is it necessary to use visual aids at the end a pitch deck, 5. how can i customize the end a pitch deck for my specific audience.

In terms of end a pitch deck, you should know that the pitch deck first, it is a visual presentation that provides an overview of your business, product, or idea in a concise and visually appealing manner. It typically consists of a series of slides that highlight key points, visuals, and data to support your pitch. A pitch deck serves as a visual aid to help you communicate your message effectively and engage your audience.

The Elements of a Pitch Deck

To effectively craft a pitch deck that resonates with your target audience, it is essential to comprehend and tailor it according to their needs. Before you commence preparing your pitch deck, conduct thorough research to apprehend your audience’s persona, preferences, and requirements. This involves identifying and exploring potential investors such as venture capitalists, angel investors, crowdfunding platforms, and even acquaintances.

Also, you can read about pitch deck writing . It will teach you more about compelling storytelling in the pitch deck.

To identify the best-suited investors, it is crucial to consider your funding requirements and the developmental stage of your business. For instance, if you are a pre-seed startup, angel investors or crowdfunding platforms may be an appropriate choice, while venture capitalists may be more suitable for later-stage startups. Also, the trust level in global financial services by investor type increased in the past 5 years.

In-depth research is paramount once you have identified potential investors. Delve into their investment background, the portfolio of companies they have invested in, and their areas of interest. This information will enable you to customize your pitch deck to cater to their specific interests and needs. Personalizing your pitch according to the investor’s preferences and using the research you’ve gathered can significantly increase your likelihood of securing funding.

This concept involves creating a compelling narrative that addresses their specific interests and requirements. If, for instance, you have determined that the investor is keenly interested in environmentally friendly and sustainable products, ensure that your pitch deck highlights any eco-friendly features of your business. This includes emphasizing the materials you use, your manufacturing process, and the product certifications you have earned. Moreover, using the information you have researched to tailor your pitch deck according to the investor’s specific interests can make it more likely for you to secure funding.

End a pitch deck correctly is your last chance to convey your key messages, summarize your main points, and leave a lasting impression. A weak or abrupt end a pitch deck can leave your audience confused or uninterested, which may result in missed opportunities. On the other hand, a strong and memorable ending can leave your audience motivated and excited about your proposition. It’s crucial to plan and execute the ending of your pitch deck strategically to maximize its impact.

Continue reading to get the key features of end a pitch deck.

Ready to take your pitch deck to the next level and secure the funding you need to grow your business? Contact Easycapraise today, and let us help you find the right investors and fundraising opportunities to bring your vision to life.

A call to action (CTA) is a critical element of any pitch deck ending. It’s the moment when you tell your audience what you want them to do next. Your CTA should be powerful, persuasive, and aligned with your overall pitch objective. Whether it’s asking for an investment, scheduling a follow-up meeting, or signing up for a free trial, make sure your CTA is clear, compelling, and easy to follow.

Storytelling is a powerful technique to engage your audience emotionally and make your pitch memorable. As you approach the end of a pitch deck, consider telling a compelling story that relates to your proposition. This story could be a case study of a successful implementation, a testimonial from a satisfied customer, or a personal anecdote that illustrates the benefits of your proposition. Make sure your story is relevant, authentic, and resonates with your audience.

In any pitch, there may be potential concerns or objections that your audience may have. It’s essential to address these concerns head-on, especially during the closing of your pitch. By acknowledging and addressing potential objections, you show that you have thoroughly considered your proposition and have solutions in place. This builds trust and credibility with your audience. Anticipate potential concerns and prepare concise and convincing responses to address them during the closing of your pitch.

End pitch deck should be memorable and impactful. It’s your last chance to leave a lasting impression on your audience. Consider using a memorable quote, a powerful statement, or a thought-provoking question that reinforces your key messages and resonates with your audience. Make sure your closing remark is authentic, aligned with your pitch objective, and leaves a lasting impression.

Visual aids, such as slides, charts, and diagrams, can enhance the effectiveness of your end a pitch deck. Use visual aids strategically to support your key messages, summarize your main points, and make complex information more accessible and engaging. However, avoid overloading your pitch with too many visuals, as it can be distracting. Use visual aids sparingly and ensure they are visually appealing, easy to understand, and aligned with your overall pitch objective.

End a pitch deck deserves as much attention as the rest of your presentation. Practice and rehearse the ending to ensure that you deliver it confidently, smoothly, and with the right tone and pace. Pay attention to your body language, tone of voice, and overall presence during the closing of your pitch. A well-rehearsed ending demonstrates your professionalism, confidence, and expertise, which can significantly impact your audience’s perception of your pitch.

After delivering your closing remark, it’s important to leave room for questions and discussion. Encourage your audience to ask questions, share their thoughts, and engage in a conversation. This allows you to address any remaining concerns, provide further information, and deepen the engagement with your audience. Be attentive, responsive, and open to feedback during this discussion, as it shows your willingness to listen and collaborate.

Every pitch is unique, and it’s essential to customize the ending based on your specific audience. Consider the demographics, preferences, and interests of your audience when crafting the ending of your pitch. Tailor your key messages, language, and tone to resonate with your audience and make the pitch more relevant and compelling to them. This customization shows that you have taken the time to understand your audience’s needs and interests, and it can significantly impact their receptiveness to your pitch.

In addition to the tips mentioned above, it’s important to be aware of common mistakes that can undermine the effectiveness of your pitch deck ending. Avoid the following pitfalls:

Rushing through the ending: Avoid rushing through the end a pitch deck. It’s a critical moment that deserves your full attention and should not be hurried.

Being too vague: Make sure your closing messages are clear, concise, and specific. Avoid being too vague or ambiguous, as it can leave your audience confused or uninterested.

Neglecting visual aids: If you use visual aids, ensure they are visually appealing, relevant, and aligned with your overall pitch objective. Neglecting visual aids or using them haphazardly can undermine the effectiveness of your pitch deck ending.

Overloading the audience with information: Be mindful of not overloading your pitch with too much information. Keep your closing messages focused, relevant, and easy to understand.

Neglecting audience engagement: The ending of your pitch is an opportunity to engage with your audience. Avoid neglecting audience engagement during the closing of your pitch and instead encourage questions, discussion, and feedback, and be responsive to your audience’s needs.

End a pitch deck should be concise and to the point. Avoid dragging it out too long, and aim to keep it within a few minutes.

Including a call to action at the end of your pitch can be effective, depending on your objective. Make sure it’s relevant and aligned with your pitch’s overall message and goal.

Be proactive in addressing potential objections during the ending of your pitch. Acknowledge and provide concise and convincing responses to potential concerns to build trust and credibility with your audience.

Using visual aids can enhance the effectiveness of your pitch deck ending, but it’s not mandatory. Use visual aids strategically and ensure they are visually appealing, relevant, and aligned with your pitch’s overall objective.

Consider the demographics, preferences, and interests of your audience when customizing the ending of your pitch. Tailor your key messages, language, and tone to resonate with your audience and make the pitch more relevant and compelling to them.

Overall, the end of a pitch deck is a crucial moment that can leave a lasting impression on your audience. By following these tips, you can effectively close your pitch and leave a positive impact on your audience. Remember to summarize your key messages, address potential objections, offer a memorable closing remark, use visual aids effectively, practice and rehearse the ending, leave room for questions and discussion, customize the ending for your audience, and avoid common mistakes. With a well-crafted and engaging ending, you can increase your chances of success and leave your audience impressed and interested in your proposition.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Post Comment

Related Articles

Good to have you here! If you have any queries, please leave your message. Our team will reach out soon:)

Subscribe to Easy Capraise newsletter: Stay up to date with the latest capital raising trends from Easy Capraise!

[quform id=”6″ name=”sub222″]

• DEALMAKERS PODCAST
• BUSINESS TEMPLATES
• M&A ADVISOR
• BOOK A CALL

I hope you enjoy reading this blog post.

If you want help with your fundraising or acquisition, just book a call click here .

How To End A Pitch Deck Presentation

by Alejandro Cremades

How to end a pitch deck presentation? What’s the best way to end your pitch to leave a lasting impression on investors?

There have been volumes of new information coming out on how to get started with the right framework for a winning pitch deck, as well as how to get started trying to find investors to fund your startup.

In comparison, there seems to be almost little to nothing about how to finish a pitch deck presentation strong.

*FREE DOWNLOAD*

The ultimate guide to pitch decks.

Here is the content that we will cover in this post. Let’s get started.

• 1. It’s All About A Strong Finish
• 2. What’s The Purpose Of A Pitch Deck Presentation?
• 3. Set It Up Well From The Start
• 4. Use A Strong Recap
• 5. Open Up A Q&A Session
• 6. A Strong Closing Slide
• 7. Ask For The Sale
• 8. Be Clear About What You Want
• 9. Explain The Fit
• 10. Explain Why Now Is So Important
• 11. Ask For Advice
• 12. Get A Commitment
• 13. Anticipate The Sale
• 14. Follow Up, Follow Up, Follow Up
• 15. Make Sure That You Are Really Listening
• 16. Get Professional Help

It’s All About A Strong Finish

A great start is important. First impressions really do matter.

They can definitely set up and influence the rest of this opportunity. Though how you finish is even more important.

You can start out fantastically, but if you bomb at the close it is all for nothing.

How you end your deck and presentation can make all of the difference in the outcome of that pitch.

In fact, you might get off to a rocky start, but be able to finish even better.

You might be late to the pitch, spill coffee on yourself on the way there, have your tech glitch and laptop and backup crash , or even stutter and lose your place mid-pitch.

With the right ending, you can still nail it and get the funding. Don’t underestimate the importance and power of the end of your pitch.

What’s The Purpose Of A Pitch Deck Presentation?

Always start with the end in mind.

Crafting a pitch and deck should not just be about filling in blanks or other formats because you think you are supposed to or saw someone else do it that way.

In fact, instead of working chronologically focusing only on your first slide and introduction through to the end, and end up trying to squeeze in or rush the finish, you might benefit from looking at it in reverse order.

What is the outcome you really want to see most from this presentation?

Reverse engineer that from your close backward to ensure you have all the bases covered to lead to that.

It’s also worth considering your second or third ideal outcomes from this as well to set those up as options.

What are your priorities? Are they:

• Learning as much as you can from your audience?
• Getting the money? And if so what for?
• Enrolling more experienced people as backers and ambassadors ?
• Increasing your credibility and visibility?
• Letting the world know about your product?

See How I Can Help You With Your Fundraising Or Acquisition Efforts

• Fundraising or Acquisition Process: get guidance from A to Z.
• Materials: our team creates epic pitch decks and financial models.
• Investor and Buyer Access: connect with the right investors or buyers for your business and close them.

Book a Call

If you walk out with a signed, proposed term sheet, that is often as close to walking out with a check as you’ll get in most scenarios.

Though it is always good to believe and think big and bold too. Still, if the ideal outcome is a meeting or term sheet, that is what everything should be focused on achieving.

So you see, figuring out how to end a pitch deck presentation is critical for success.

Set It Up Well From The Start

Fundraising is about strategy. We’ve already touched on reverse engineering your pitch deck and presentation.

So, from beginning to end your deck and verbal pitch should be setting up a smooth finish.

From the introduction through to your closing slide your visuals, words, tone, and body language should all be leaving your audience with the same outcome in mind as you.

The battle is won before you even get to the close or ask.

This is done through subconscious branding with your color and font choices . How you present your team, and your financial projections.

Your slides should be checking off the investors’ boxes one by one, and overcoming their objections in advance.

In their minds it should be “check, check, check, okay we better get in and fund this thing before someone else does. We need to get them in for a real meeting to finalize the details and lock this up asap.”

That’s the goal to have in mind when planning how to end a pitch deck presentation.

Whether you’re planning a robust conclusion at the start or developing the final slide as you start at the top, you’ll need to know how to create a pitch deck. Check out this video I have created explaining how it’s done.

Use A Strong Recap

A pitch audience is only going to be able to remember one to three things from your presentation. That’s it.

Not only does this reinforce the importance of using a very short deck of slides and verbal pitch, but staying focused on those ones to three major points that will pivot them to taking the action you want them to.

Use your wrap-up time to quickly recap those stand-out points that put you ahead of the rest of the crowd.

Be sure you’ve covered the essentials for making a sale. The what, who, why, and why right now.

Open Up A Q&A Session

If you’ve been disciplined with your timing then you should have already budgeted time for questions and answers.

This is just as, if not more essential than the time you spend actively pitching and selling. There are three main purposes to the Q&A time.

• Learning from your audience and what is really important to them
• Overcoming their objections on the spot
• Building personal rapport, likability, and trust

Before walking into any pitch presentation you should already have a list of the most common questions your investors are going to ask.

As well as your answers and rebuttals to any outstanding objections.

A Strong Closing Slide

It is common to either have the financial ask  or a thank you as the last slide.

These are both acceptable options. Though it is probably most important to ensure you have your contact information prominently displayed on your final pitch deck slide.

Someone in your audience may have to rush out and leave. They could be in the back and unable to hear you well.

Or they may want to follow up privately. Whatever the case, having your contact information big and front and center means it can be captured with a screenshot, snapped with a mobile phone camera, or jotted down in a hurry.

It is also super easy for them to find your contact information if they have a link to your pitch deck hosted online.

The last thing you want to happen here is to fail simply because the convinced investors who really wanted to invest in your startup didn’t have your contact info handy.

That would be tragic. Especially, if they fund your competition instead, just due to this one factor.

Make sure to add this information when working out how to end a pitch deck presentation.

Ask For The Sale

You’ve got to ask for the sale. Everyone in the room knows the purpose of your pitching is to raise money.

They are there to invest their money that is burning a hole in their pockets. Be sure to ask for the sale.

Far too often in both formal and casual sales settings from car dealerships to retail stores, websites, and social and networking the bulk of sales are missed because of a lack of call to action.

You miss all of the shots you don’t take. Be sure to end your pitch deck presentation with a strong call to action and to buy in.

Be Clear About What You Want

Your pitch deck presentation should make it pretty clear how much money you need for your venture, as well as any other resources and help you are seeking.

However, you also need to end your pitch by being clear about what you want them to do as the next step.

This applies to having emailed out your pitch deck, as well as presenting it live in person or online .

What’s the next step they should take right now? Is it to send you funds on the spot?

Is it to use your calendar link to set an appointment for a more private investor meeting?

Or is it to simply pick up the phone, email, or text you? Be sure about the action you’re expecting when figuring out how to end a pitch deck presentation.

Explain The Fit

There are countless investment opportunities for startup investors, as well as sources of financing for entrepreneurs.

What makes the difference is the alignment and fit between a specific set of investors and founders.

Explain why you are the best fit, and how you are aligned better than the other options. From your own research, why have you chosen them as investment partners over others?

This can be more important than the amount you are raising, the terms of funding, and even the product.

Explain Why Now Is So Important

There are endless nice business ideas and investment opportunities. The difference between those that are just nice, and those that investors will take action on is the ability to confer a sense of urgency, and why this is the moment they must act.

This may be market timing, or your round becoming oversubscribed. Show them the pain of failing to act right now.

Ask For Advice

If you are afraid to ask for the sale or don’t feel your pitch has gone well, then ask for their advice. Most people like to share their opinions and to help.

Ask open-ended questions to get their feedback. Catalog that data and use it to tweak and improve your venture, pitch deck, and presentation for your next meeting.

Keep in mind that in fundraising storytelling is everything. In this regard for a winning pitch deck to help you here, take a look at the template created by Silicon Valley legend, Peter Thiel ( see it here ) that I recently covered. Thiel was the first angel investor in Facebook with a $500K check that turned into more than $1 billion in cash.

Remember to unlock the pitch deck template that is being used by founders around the world to raise millions below.

Unlock the pitch deck template used by founders to raise millions. Just enter your email below.

Get A Commitment

It is easy for people to say that they like your invention or mission, and will buy or invest. Nailing them down to actually doing it can be something entirely different.

Don’t just take feeble and vague compliments. Don’t leave without a specific commitment to taking the next step.

That may be as bold as wiring you a certain amount of funds by 11 am on Monday morning, setting a follow-up call for tomorrow afternoon at 4 pm, or an investor meeting with other partners next Wednesday at 3 pm at their office.

Make sure to snag that commitment when working out how to end a pitch deck presentation.

Anticipate The Sale

If you are doubting yourself, your company, and your presentation it is going to show up in your pitch and closing.

It is going to be weak. You will self-sabotage yourself with your own words and body language.

Instead, exude confidence in having closed the deal. The next step is just nailing down the specifics or the mechanics of sending the funding and executing the paperwork.

Your attitude and projected confidence will make all of the difference in getting the results you really want.

Follow Up, Follow Up, Follow Up

90% of selling is in the follow-up. Get those commitments and then follow through.

Show up on time for those calls and meetings and with your updates or answers to questions, you said you would provide.

You have nothing to lose by continually following up until you get a yes.

In fact, the one difference between getting funded or not may be the startup that follows up that one more time after their competition gives up.

Make Sure That You Are Really Listening

Typically, the number one thing standing between you and the money your startup venture needs is you listening.

Investors will tell you what they want and how to get their money, or at least give you clues at a minimum. At least if you really listen.

Get Professional Help

If you are presenting and still coming up empty-handed, or just don’t want to blow important investment opportunities and presentations, invest in expert help.

It can pay the best dividends of anything you’ll do. It will show investors that you are serious about doing the best with their money too.

This can include getting pro copywriting help with your pitch script and supporting materials, expert deck design, and getting a pitch coach to help you with your verbal delivery.

You may find interesting as well our free library of business templates. There you will find every single template you will need when building and scaling your business completely for free. See it here .

Facebook Comments

Do You Want More Funding Or Get Acquired?

Get a custom action plan and all the help you need to start raising more capital or to get your company acquired.

About the Author

Alejandro Cremades leads the vision and execution for Panthera Advisors as its Co-Founder and…

Recent Posts

• Peer-to-Peer Funding For Early-Stage Ventures: How To Get Capital From Individual Investors
• Leor Catalan On Rolling Revenues Worth $100 Million Back Into His Company To Streamline Insurance Coverage
• This Entrepreneur Rolled Revenues Worth $100 Million Back Into His Company To Streamline Insurance Coverage
• From Trash To Treasure: Why Circular Economy Startups Are Fast Gaining Investor Traction
• Bridging The Gap: Exploring Hybrid Funding Models For Early-Stage Startups

If you want help with your fundraising or acquisition, just book a call

Swipe Up To Get More Funding!

See How I Can Help You With Your Fundraising Or Acquisition Effort

Book a call

Want To Raise Millions?

Get the FREE bundle used by over 160,000 entrepreneurs showing you exactly what you need to do to get more funding.

Improve your practice.

Enhance your soft skills with a range of award-winning courses.

How to Structure your Presentation, with Examples

August 3, 2018 - Dom Barnard

For many people the thought of delivering a presentation is a daunting task and brings about a  great deal of nerves . However, if you take some time to understand how effective presentations are structured and then apply this structure to your own presentation, you’ll appear much more confident and relaxed.

Here is our complete guide for structuring your presentation, with examples at the end of the article to demonstrate these points.

Why is structuring a presentation so important?

If you’ve ever sat through a great presentation, you’ll have left feeling either inspired or informed on a given topic. This isn’t because the speaker was the most knowledgeable or motivating person in the world. Instead, it’s because they know how to structure presentations – they have crafted their message in a logical and simple way that has allowed the audience can keep up with them and take away key messages.

Research has supported this, with studies showing that audiences retain structured information  40% more accurately  than unstructured information.

In fact, not only is structuring a presentation important for the benefit of the audience’s understanding, it’s also important for you as the speaker. A good structure helps you remain calm, stay on topic, and avoid any awkward silences.

What will affect your presentation structure?

Generally speaking, there is a natural flow that any decent presentation will follow which we will go into shortly. However, you should be aware that all presentation structures will be different in their own unique way and this will be due to a number of factors, including:

• Whether you need to deliver any demonstrations
• How  knowledgeable the audience  already is on the given subject
• How much interaction you want from the audience
• Any time constraints there are for your talk
• What setting you are in
• Your ability to use any kinds of visual assistance

Before choosing the presentation’s structure answer these questions first:

• What is your presentation’s aim?
• Who are the audience?
• What are the main points your audience should remember afterwards?

When reading the points below, think critically about what things may cause your presentation structure to be slightly different. You can add in certain elements and add more focus to certain moments if that works better for your speech.

What is the typical presentation structure?

This is the usual flow of a presentation, which covers all the vital sections and is a good starting point for yours. It allows your audience to easily follow along and sets out a solid structure you can add your content to.

1. Greet the audience and introduce yourself

Before you start delivering your talk, introduce yourself to the audience and clarify who you are and your relevant expertise. This does not need to be long or incredibly detailed, but will help build an immediate relationship between you and the audience. It gives you the chance to briefly clarify your expertise and why you are worth listening to. This will help establish your ethos so the audience will trust you more and think you’re credible.

Read our tips on  How to Start a Presentation Effectively

2. Introduction

In the introduction you need to explain the subject and purpose of your presentation whilst gaining the audience’s interest and confidence. It’s sometimes helpful to think of your introduction as funnel-shaped to help filter down your topic:

• Introduce your general topic
• Explain your topic area
• State the issues/challenges in this area you will be exploring
• State your presentation’s purpose – this is the basis of your presentation so ensure that you provide a statement explaining how the topic will be treated, for example, “I will argue that…” or maybe you will “compare”, “analyse”, “evaluate”, “describe” etc.
• Provide a statement of what you’re hoping the outcome of the presentation will be, for example, “I’m hoping this will be provide you with…”
• Show a preview of the organisation of your presentation

In this section also explain:

• The length of the talk.
• Signal whether you want audience interaction – some presenters prefer the audience to ask questions throughout whereas others allocate a specific section for this.
• If it applies, inform the audience whether to take notes or whether you will be providing handouts.

The way you structure your introduction can depend on the amount of time you have been given to present: a  sales pitch  may consist of a quick presentation so you may begin with your conclusion and then provide the evidence. Conversely, a speaker presenting their idea for change in the world would be better suited to start with the evidence and then conclude what this means for the audience.

Keep in mind that the main aim of the introduction is to grab the audience’s attention and connect with them.

3. The main body of your talk

The main body of your talk needs to meet the promises you made in the introduction. Depending on the nature of your presentation, clearly segment the different topics you will be discussing, and then work your way through them one at a time – it’s important for everything to be organised logically for the audience to fully understand. There are many different ways to organise your main points, such as, by priority, theme, chronologically etc.

• Main points should be addressed one by one with supporting evidence and examples.
• Before moving on to the next point you should provide a mini-summary.
• Links should be clearly stated between ideas and you must make it clear when you’re moving onto the next point.
• Allow time for people to take relevant notes and stick to the topics you have prepared beforehand rather than straying too far off topic.

When planning your presentation write a list of main points you want to make and ask yourself “What I am telling the audience? What should they understand from this?” refining your answers this way will help you produce clear messages.

4. Conclusion

In presentations the conclusion is frequently underdeveloped and lacks purpose which is a shame as it’s the best place to reinforce your messages. Typically, your presentation has a specific goal – that could be to convert a number of the audience members into customers, lead to a certain number of enquiries to make people knowledgeable on specific key points, or to motivate them towards a shared goal.

Regardless of what that goal is, be sure to summarise your main points and their implications. This clarifies the overall purpose of your talk and reinforces your reason for being there.

Follow these steps:

• Signal that it’s nearly the end of your presentation, for example, “As we wrap up/as we wind down the talk…”
• Restate the topic and purpose of your presentation – “In this speech I wanted to compare…”
• Summarise the main points, including their implications and conclusions
• Indicate what is next/a call to action/a thought-provoking takeaway
• Move on to the last section

5. Thank the audience and invite questions

Conclude your talk by thanking the audience for their time and invite them to  ask any questions  they may have. As mentioned earlier, personal circumstances will affect the structure of your presentation.

Many presenters prefer to make the Q&A session the key part of their talk and try to speed through the main body of the presentation. This is totally fine, but it is still best to focus on delivering some sort of initial presentation to set the tone and topics for discussion in the Q&A.

Other common presentation structures

The above was a description of a basic presentation, here are some more specific presentation layouts:

Demonstration

Use the demonstration structure when you have something useful to show. This is usually used when you want to show how a product works. Steve Jobs frequently used this technique in his presentations.

• Explain why the product is valuable.
• Describe why the product is necessary.
• Explain what problems it can solve for the audience.
• Demonstrate the product  to support what you’ve been saying.
• Make suggestions of other things it can do to make the audience curious.

Problem-solution

This structure is particularly useful in persuading the audience.

• Briefly frame the issue.
• Go into the issue in detail showing why it ‘s such a problem. Use logos and pathos for this – the logical and emotional appeals.
• Provide the solution and explain why this would also help the audience.
• Call to action – something you want the audience to do which is straightforward and pertinent to the solution.

Storytelling

As well as incorporating  stories in your presentation , you can organise your whole presentation as a story. There are lots of different type of story structures you can use – a popular choice is the monomyth – the hero’s journey. In a monomyth, a hero goes on a difficult journey or takes on a challenge – they move from the familiar into the unknown. After facing obstacles and ultimately succeeding the hero returns home, transformed and with newfound wisdom.

Storytelling for Business Success  webinar , where well-know storyteller Javier Bernad shares strategies for crafting compelling narratives.

Another popular choice for using a story to structure your presentation is in media ras (in the middle of thing). In this type of story you launch right into the action by providing a snippet/teaser of what’s happening and then you start explaining the events that led to that event. This is engaging because you’re starting your story at the most exciting part which will make the audience curious – they’ll want to know how you got there.

• Great storytelling: Examples from Alibaba Founder, Jack Ma

Remaining method

The remaining method structure is good for situations where you’re presenting your perspective on a controversial topic which has split people’s opinions.

• Go into the issue in detail showing why it’s such a problem – use logos and pathos.
• Rebut your opponents’ solutions  – explain why their solutions could be useful because the audience will see this as fair and will therefore think you’re trustworthy, and then explain why you think these solutions are not valid.
• After you’ve presented all the alternatives provide your solution, the remaining solution. This is very persuasive because it looks like the winning idea, especially with the audience believing that you’re fair and trustworthy.

Transitions

When delivering presentations it’s important for your words and ideas to flow so your audience can understand how everything links together and why it’s all relevant. This can be done  using speech transitions  which are words and phrases that allow you to smoothly move from one point to another so that your speech flows and your presentation is unified.

Transitions can be one word, a phrase or a full sentence – there are many different forms, here are some examples:

Moving from the introduction to the first point

Signify to the audience that you will now begin discussing the first main point:

• Now that you’re aware of the overview, let’s begin with…
• First, let’s begin with…
• I will first cover…
• My first point covers…
• To get started, let’s look at…

Shifting between similar points

Move from one point to a similar one:

• In the same way…
• Likewise…
• Equally…
• This is similar to…
• Similarly…

Internal summaries

Internal summarising consists of summarising before moving on to the next point. You must inform the audience:

• What part of the presentation you covered – “In the first part of this speech we’ve covered…”
• What the key points were – “Precisely how…”
• How this links in with the overall presentation – “So that’s the context…”
• What you’re moving on to – “Now I’d like to move on to the second part of presentation which looks at…”

Physical movement

You can move your body and your standing location when you transition to another point. The audience find it easier to follow your presentation and movement will increase their interest.

A common technique for incorporating movement into your presentation is to:

• Start your introduction by standing in the centre of the stage.
• For your first point you stand on the left side of the stage.
• You discuss your second point from the centre again.
• You stand on the right side of the stage for your third point.
• The conclusion occurs in the centre.

Key slides for your presentation

Slides are a useful tool for most presentations: they can greatly assist in the delivery of your message and help the audience follow along with what you are saying. Key slides include:

• An intro slide outlining your ideas
• A  summary slide  with core points to remember
• High quality image slides to supplement what you are saying

There are some presenters who choose not to use slides at all, though this is more of a rarity. Slides can be a powerful tool if used properly, but the problem is that many fail to do just that. Here are some golden rules to follow when using slides in a presentation:

• Don’t over fill them  – your slides are there to assist your speech, rather than be the focal point. They should have as little information as possible, to avoid distracting people from your talk.
• A picture says a thousand words  – instead of filling a slide with text, instead, focus on one or two images or diagrams to help support and explain the point you are discussing at that time.
• Make them readable  – depending on the size of your audience, some may not be able to see small text or images, so make everything large enough to fill the space.
• Don’t rush through slides  – give the audience enough time to digest each slide.

Guy Kawasaki, an entrepreneur and author, suggests that slideshows should follow a  10-20-30 rule :

• There should be a maximum of 10 slides – people rarely remember more than one concept afterwards so there’s no point overwhelming them with unnecessary information.
• The presentation should last no longer than 20 minutes as this will leave time for questions and discussion.
• The font size should be a minimum of 30pt because the audience reads faster than you talk so less information on the slides means that there is less chance of the audience being distracted.

Here are some additional resources for slide design:

• 7 design tips for effective, beautiful PowerPoint presentations
• 11 design tips for beautiful presentations
• 10 tips on how to make slides that communicate your idea

Group Presentations

Group presentations are structured in the same way as presentations with one speaker but usually require more rehearsal and practices.  Clean transitioning between speakers  is very important in producing a presentation that flows well. One way of doing this consists of:

• Briefly recap on what you covered in your section: “So that was a brief introduction on what health anxiety is and how it can affect somebody”
• Introduce the next speaker in the team and explain what they will discuss: “Now Elnaz will talk about the prevalence of health anxiety.”
• Then end by looking at the next speaker, gesturing towards them and saying their name: “Elnaz”.
• The next speaker should acknowledge this with a quick: “Thank you Joe.”

From this example you can see how the different sections of the presentations link which makes it easier for the audience to follow and remain engaged.

Example of great presentation structure and delivery

Having examples of great presentations will help inspire your own structures, here are a few such examples, each unique and inspiring in their own way.

How Google Works – by Eric Schmidt

This presentation by ex-Google CEO  Eric Schmidt  demonstrates some of the most important lessons he and his team have learnt with regards to working with some of the most talented individuals they hired. The simplistic yet cohesive style of all of the slides is something to be appreciated. They are relatively straightforward, yet add power and clarity to the narrative of the presentation.

Start with why – by Simon Sinek

Since being released in 2009, this presentation has been viewed almost four million times all around the world. The message itself is very powerful, however, it’s not an idea that hasn’t been heard before. What makes this presentation so powerful is the simple message he is getting across, and the straightforward and understandable manner in which he delivers it. Also note that he doesn’t use any slides, just a whiteboard where he creates a simple diagram of his opinion.

The Wisdom of a Third Grade Dropout – by Rick Rigsby

Here’s an example of a presentation given by a relatively unknown individual looking to inspire the next generation of graduates. Rick’s presentation is unique in many ways compared to the two above. Notably, he uses no visual prompts and includes a great deal of humour.

However, what is similar is the structure he uses. He first introduces his message that the wisest man he knew was a third-grade dropout. He then proceeds to deliver his main body of argument, and in the end, concludes with his message. This powerful speech keeps the viewer engaged throughout, through a mixture of heart-warming sentiment, powerful life advice and engaging humour.

As you can see from the examples above, and as it has been expressed throughout, a great presentation structure means analysing the core message of your presentation. Decide on a key message you want to impart the audience with, and then craft an engaging way of delivering it.

By preparing a solid structure, and  practising your talk  beforehand, you can walk into the presentation with confidence and deliver a meaningful message to an interested audience.

It’s important for a presentation to be well-structured so it can have the most impact on your audience. An unstructured presentation can be difficult to follow and even frustrating to listen to. The heart of your speech are your main points supported by evidence and your transitions should assist the movement between points and clarify how everything is linked.

Research suggests that the audience remember the first and last things you say so your introduction and conclusion are vital for reinforcing your points. Essentially, ensure you spend the time structuring your presentation and addressing all of the sections.

End your pitch the right way

We’ve touched on the topic of how to end your pitch in regards to how you make it memorable before, but there’s another thing to consider with the ending of your pitch. It’s actually pretty straightforward when you think of it – you need to remember, that usually, the end of your pitch is not the end of the conversation.

This means that you want to make sure not to “close up” with the ending of your pitch. On the contrary, you want to open a door and try your best to invite the one(s) you’re pitching to a dialogue or conversation.

The aim of the pitch is to get a response of some kind. It could be a sale, an investment, feedback, a contact or a bunch of other things. But you want some kind of reaction from your pitch, and the end of your pitch should reflect that.

Now, the goals, the audience, and the circumstances can be a million different things, so it’s hard for us to give you rock solid advice, but keep these two things in mind:

Keep it open

Open, inviting questions often start with ‘wh’ in the form of ‘what’, ‘who’, ‘which’ and so on. This type of question is an opener because it’s hard to shut down your question with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’. It takes more words to answer these questions, and that gives you a better chance of keeping the conversation going.

An example could be the following, which allows your audience to dream and imagine themselves choosing between an ineffective solution and a better, albeit fictitious, alternative:

“The next time you’re at Walmart, ask yourself: Why do even need this plastic bag now that I know that BioBag is a better alternative? Thanks.”

The open questions also include the audience into your pitch, or it gives them the feeling, that they’re welcome, and that you’re interested in them. Just about any purpose, you have with the pitch would benefit from this approach. The employer wants to know why you picked them for a reason, and the same goes for the investor, who wants to know why you want to work with them.

Keep it safe

When I say keep it safe, I could also have said keep it non-committing. Being too aggressive can make the one(s) you’re pitching to back off, so don’t go asking for that million dollar funding right off the bat! Mostly there will be questions about elements of your pitch, and by asking a question and inviting to a dialogue you’re sending the signal that you’re looking for the right fit. That sound a lot more positive and constructive than just looking for a sale or an investment, right? An example on the more cautious side could sound like this:

“Now that you’ve heard a bit about me, I’d love to know: If you find me interesting, when would it be possible for us to have our next meeting together?”

Not looking for a commitment to anything right away is also a courtesy to the one(s) you’re pitching to. Maybe they aren’t in a position to make that commitment right away, and asking for that commitment will only give them one real option – to say no to you. Giving them a chance to find out what they need – from you or others afterward – means they get the chance to see, how well you fit in their plans. And that’s hopefully really well!

Related Articles

There is more to pitching than good content When creating your pitch, don't forget that…

You use slides to illustrate your point, right? So why would you make the slides…

Mikkel Guldbjerg Jensen

Mikkel’s goal is to spread the Pitcherific-tool as far and wide as possible to allow startups to get off to a good start. Mikkel roams the communication channels and organizes the communications effort of Pitcherific.

• Blog Details
• Business Proposal
• Presentation Coaching
• Presentation Design
• Presentation Software
• Presentations
• Press Release
• Sales Engagement
• Sales Productivity
• Uncategorized

How to End a Presentation – 3 Do’s and Don’ts.

Shahid shahmiri.

In this guide, How to End a Presentation – we will navigate the art of concluding your presentation with finesse. We’ll explore essential strategies to ensure your closing words are not only memorable but also drive home your key messages effectively. From powerful calls to action to avoiding common pitfalls that could undermine your presentation’s impact, we’ll provide you with practical tips and insights to enhance your concluding remarks.

Here are 3 Do’s and Don’t when ending your presentation:

There are several ways to effectively end a sales presentation . These include summarizing the main points of the dynamic presentation , usage of the best fonts , highlighting the key benefits of the product or service, addressing any remaining questions or concerns, and thanking the audience for their time and consideration.

It is also important to leave a strong and positive final impression, such as by offering a special deal or incentive for taking action. By following these steps, you can effectively close your sales and virtual presentation and increase the likelihood of making a successful sale.

Take a look at how  CustomShow could help  in your sales presentations.

Ready for a demo?

Let us show you how customshow does so much more than powerpoint & google slides for your business presentations..

Be a Freelance Blogger

Make REAL money blogging for hire.

By Sophie Lizard

7 Winning Ways to End Your Pitch, Query or LOI

Do you know what editors and potential clients do when they reach the end of your email?

You should.

How? Because they should be doing whatever you just told them to do!

The process of winning new clients through direct marketing is simple:

• Identify your ideal clients
• Get the right contact information
• Send them a message to introduce yourself as a freelance blogger
• If you’ve got an interesting idea for their blog, give them a brief description or outline at the same time
• They send you a message back if they’re interested (and the nicest people get back to you even if they’re not interested)

Do you see the yawning abyss there between Step 4 and Step 5?

That’s where you forgot to make shit happen .

Write Your Happy Ending

It’s not just you.

More than half of the bloggers I mentor say that they don’t know how to close an email when they’re seeking work.

If you don’t know how to close the email, then you don’t know how to close the deal .

Whether you think of your message as a pitch, a query or an LOI (letter of introduction), you need to include a call to action. So *ta-da!* here’s a list of successful ways to wind up your email…

1: “Does that suit your needs and budget?”

This is one of my favourite ways to wrap up a proposal (a service offer that includes pricing information). It’s straightforward, practical, and prompts the prospect to let me know if there’s anything they’d like me to change about the proposal –vital information for me if I want to win the gig.

2: “What do you think? Shall I send you a draft?”

This works well for guest post pitches as it’s low pressure, yet direct and focused on the recipient’s opinion.

3: “Shall I send you a more detailed proposal?”

If you’re emailing a potential client to outline what you can do for them, this is a good way to get a response from anyone who’s curious about your services or your rates.

4: “May I write this post for you?”

Keeping it this simple often works well at the end of a detailed, well-researched query.

5: “Let me know if you’re interested in any of these ideas and I’d be happy to write up a fully-fleshed pitch for you.”

Linda Formichelli suggests this call to action for hybrid query/LOI messages that include only brief descriptions of your ideas.

6: “If that sounds like a good fit for your blog, hit reply and let me know.”

An informal approach like this means you can be even more specific in your call to action, without sounding like a cheesy salesperson. Instead of just asking a question or saying “let me know”, your chatty “hit reply” tells the recipient exactly what you’d like them to do next.

7: “May I send you some clips?”

This is one of Carol Tice’s  tips for a winning LOI , because it gives your prospect a question that’s easy to say yes to.

Now, I don’t know if you remember the Underpants Gnomes from South Park… so here’s a distracting video. Don’t worry, it’s only 10 seconds long.

Sound familiar? “Phase 1: Send email. Phase 2: ??? Phase 3: Profit.”

If you don’t know what you want your prospect to do, then they don’t know either. 

Figure out the one thing you’d most like them to do. What will increase your chance of winning this gig?

It can be as simple as getting your prospect’s permission to send them something more, or something more complex like inviting them to Skype with you. That’s your call; research your prospects and try to find out what’s most likely to get a favourable response.

Now you know what you want them to do. So at the end of your email…

Then add your regards, thanks, or whatever signoff you normally use, and your name.

That’s it. Your email’s all wrapped up like bait on a hook a lovely gift with a bow on top. 😉

Featured image: Theresa Thompson

Share this:

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

About Sophie Lizard

Founder of Be a Freelance Blogger, creator of the free Ultimate List of Better-Paid Blogging Gigs and the Freelance Blogger's Client Hunting Masterclass . Hello!

June 9, 2013 at 4:49 pm

Your timing with this is so perfect! I just began Linda Formacelli’s “Writing for Magazines” course today. Nothing like being in the right place at the right time. I will add this to my course info.

Thanks for the reminder that the ending is the last thing readers see and so it had better be damn good. It is so easy to spend so much time on the lede and the rest of the pitch that the ending becomes an afterthought. Seems so obvious now that you’ve pointed it out:)

June 9, 2013 at 5:34 pm

Yep, that call to action is vital. The stronger it is, the better your chance of getting a reply, so don’t leave the recipient in any doubt about what to do next!

June 9, 2013 at 4:59 pm

What I like here, Sophie, is the fact that nearly all of your call-to-action suggestions are questions.

People pretty well feel obliged to answer if you them ask a question.

And because most of the above are also closed questions, requiring little more than a yes or no, you’re making it a doodle for your prospect to take things further.

So, too true: Ask them!

And make it a closed question while you’re at it.

June 9, 2013 at 5:37 pm

Exactly –if all they need to do is say “Yes, go ahead” then you’ve made it easy on them *and* guided them into the specific next step you want.

June 14, 2013 at 5:32 am

Yes, I too agree that clients often respond to close questions because it saves their time and they don’t bother that much while replying to such closed call to action letters.

Now, when it comes to pitching a prospective client then I must say Sophie that I love the very 1st call that you have suggested and it really works often – “Does that suit your needs and budget?”

The best thing about this call is that there is always a scope for negotiation about the rates and negotiation means that chances for winning a project increases manifold provided someone knows how to win negotiations in self favor without losing client.

In fact I have won lots of good clients through negotiation and all the rate deal was in my favor and I have even wrote some tips too on effective negotiation on my blog.

But the very important step of triggering these process is knowing the proper way of – how to close your pitch effectively to make the client say YES and Sophie, you really deserve more than thanks for sharing lots of effective ways that will help every freelancer.

Thanks again

June 9, 2013 at 5:09 pm

Great post and great examples of CTAs to close an email with! Bonus points for the South Park reference…that’s one of my all time favorite episodes. I *love* the gnomes “plan”!!!

June 9, 2013 at 5:39 pm

South Park is the bomb for random-but-true lessons in life and business. 😀

June 9, 2013 at 5:47 pm

Sophie, I must say this is a very useful article. While writing pitches, I usually use points 1, 2 and 6 . Most of the times, the person replies in positive tone.

June 9, 2013 at 9:06 pm

Glad to hear it! If you’re skilled at nudging your prospects into action, then you’ll rarely be short of work.

June 9, 2013 at 6:09 pm

Good post. I’ve used #7 for years and just about every response I get asks to see clips. I like 1 and 6 too. I’m trying to think up a way I can incorporate the 3 of them into the final couple sentences of my email. Hmmm. Gave me something to think about today!

June 9, 2013 at 9:01 pm

Ooh, love to hear what kind of triple-slam closers you come up with!

June 9, 2013 at 6:29 pm

This post is gold! Thanks Sophie. Making it easy to say yes = half the battle in closing the deal, right?

Right, Esther. Make *everything* as easy on your prospect as you can, and they’ll keep hiring you time after time. 😉

June 9, 2013 at 8:34 pm

Thanks for the mention, Sophie! But that tagline really originates with Linda Formichelli of The Renegade Writer.

June 9, 2013 at 8:58 pm

Thanks, Carol – I saw that you both suggested it in different blog posts, but I didn’t know which of you came up with it first. Linda kicks query ass!

June 10, 2013 at 2:32 am

Thanks, Carol, and thanks to you, Sophie, for the mention!

June 9, 2013 at 10:00 pm

Thank you for this, Sophie. It’s exactly what I needed. I use LOIs a lot in my marketing and the one thing I always struggle with is how to close the email. Now I can go back to my template and tweak it this week. 🙂

June 10, 2013 at 8:16 am

You’re welcome, Savannah. If you struggle with the closing, that means you’re over-thinking it. Sometimes the best thing to do is 1) step away from the email so that you’re not fretting over your words anymore 2) say aloud, “All I want you to do is…” and finish the sentence as quickly and simply as you can. For example, “…agree to read a full draft,” or “…confirm your budget will cover this.” 3) take the second part of what you just said and put it at the end of your email, tweaking the wording to keep it clear and polite

June 10, 2014 at 8:22 pm

Thanks for that specific “how to write your CTA” response, Sophie! I’m a champion over-thinker, and “step back and fill in your own blank” is a great end-around for it! 🙂

June 10, 2014 at 10:50 pm

You’re welcome! “Workaround” ought to be my middle name. I have a million silly tricks for getting past these mental blockages. 😉

June 9, 2013 at 11:55 pm

Your blog post confirms two universal truths, Sophie:

1. The simplest solutions are usually the best ones. 2. The easiest way to get what you want is to ask for it.

Having said the above, let me say this:

Even if we do close properly, some editors will go out of their way to leave us hanging. Just because they can.

There will always be rude and unprofessional people in the world who choose not to respond no matter what we do. But that’s no reason for us to conduct ourselves that way. How we do what we do says the most about us as freelance writers. Clear, concise and straight-to-the-point calls to action show decision makers that we know what we want and how to get it. A great way to prove that is by posing a simple question that requires a simple answer.

So ask and ye shall receive. But if you don’t ask, chances are pretty good that editors will give you what you didn’t ask for…

Stellar job as always, Sophie! 🙂

June 11, 2013 at 12:18 pm

Yep, editors are human. They just want to know what you’ve got and what it’s going to do for them!

June 10, 2013 at 12:12 am

Great tips, Sophie! Thanks for sharing.

You’re welcome, Larry. 🙂

June 10, 2013 at 12:42 am

Being honest about it Sophie, when I sent you my query, I just went ahead and asked you–Do you like this idea?

Then I attached my simple outline.

This was my call to action.–“Do you like this idea?”

Question: May I know why you allowed me to guest post on your blog?

[Dying to know your answer.:)]

June 11, 2013 at 12:24 pm

Because I liked your idea, Anthony. 😉

It was a good, low-pressure call to action: you weren’t asking me to give you anything more than a “yes, that sounds interesting”, and I wanted to see what you’d make of the idea.

Plus I’d only seen one post before that linked Gangnam Style with freelance writing attitude [that was on Carol Tice’s blog] so it was a relatively unique post rather than a generic “10 reasons to become a freelance writer” type of pitch. Like you said in the post, being different enough to stand out is important!

June 11, 2013 at 2:10 pm

Thanks Sophie! Now the reasons are clear to me. I can go and apply those principles I have used on my query. I’m positive, I’ll have bigger chances of clinching more opportunities to guest post on other big blogs.

Again, thanks for the awesome break.:)

June 10, 2013 at 4:56 am

Great advice! As someone who has spent many (many) years coaching salespeople, I’ve always said that if you’ve done all the right things throughout the process, the close should be a simple, non-event at the end. A logical next step of the process.

And as you said above… “Keeping it this simple often works well at the end of a detailed, well-researched query.”

You’ve given seven straight-forward ways to “just ask” at the end of a pitch. And the South Park clip made me laugh out loud – which is weird because I’m sitting here all alone. 🙂

June 11, 2013 at 12:46 pm

Thanks! As someone who’s learned by trial and error how to sell my services, it’s good to hear a sales pro supports my thinking.

P.S. The video is a test, Gary. You passed. 😉

June 10, 2013 at 5:43 am

Sophie, your posts always seem so timely. Great stuff here!

I find when I’m deciding how to end a pitch, I sum up what I was trying to accomplish in writing the pitch in the first place. I simply ask, “Are you interested? Do you want it? Can I send it? Does this sound good to you?” I ask myself, “What do you want to know?” and then I ask. Kind of like the tips in this post. 🙂

Always great stuff!

June 11, 2013 at 12:48 pm

Keep on doing that, Leslie, and you’ll be fine. You’re a natural closer!

June 10, 2013 at 8:06 am

Such great examples. I think we sometimes feel like we have to be clever or crafty when a simple, direct question works the best. I follow this practice in the rest of my life, now I just need to use it in my work life…thanks for the reminder.

Clear and easy beats clever. Every time. And you’re welcome!

June 10, 2013 at 10:23 am

When I study a good resource on how to send a great query, I pay a lot of attention to how to finish the email, and I have learned some nice tips. But I really like it that you’ve dedicated an entire post to it, because “writer’s block” does tend to creep up right towards the end. Thanks for this one!!! 🙂

June 11, 2013 at 4:44 pm

I know how that goes! It’s one of the most common problems people without sales experience have when they start trying to market freelance services.

June 10, 2013 at 10:29 am

I think there are three widely acclaimed approaches for writing last sentence in your marketing email; Offering something further Prompting to take decision Giving an impression that recipient will buy the product (it is quite tricky)

June 11, 2013 at 4:45 pm

Thanks Edson–love to hear more about how you tackle that third point!

June 10, 2013 at 3:07 pm

Hello Sophie, Thanks so much for this useful post. Often times I believe I have lost many opportunities because I failed to end my blog post or pitch the way I should have ended it. One of the major actions i will start implementing in my emails, posts and other communications is to concluded in a way that will compel my audience to take an action.

June 11, 2013 at 5:26 pm

Excellent, Joseph. Hope you’ll share your success stories with us!

June 10, 2013 at 7:32 pm

Thx so much, Sophie! These are wonderful examples, and this is the piece of the LOI or query that I often struggle with the most. My husband is always telling me that I stink at ‘asking for the sale’ — these closers will be great to help me do that eloquently and effectively. Thx!

June 11, 2013 at 5:30 pm

You’re welcome, Lori! Just think of it like you’re serving them tea and cake. 🙂 Find out what they like and then offer it to them without pressure (on you or them).

June 10, 2013 at 8:05 pm

I try to make my closing not just as a call to action, but also personalized for the magazine/website/business I’m interested in. For example, when I pitched print gaming trade magazines, I ended with “If you’re interested, I can send you some clips as fast as Mario zooms around the track in a cart.”

I didn’t do the work to see if it was an effective approach, but I’d say that with every 10 LOIs I sent out, I got at least 3 responses telling me “we don’t have room,” “we’ll keep your info,” or “yes, here’s an assignment.”

June 11, 2013 at 5:31 pm

Nice idea, Bree! I might give that a try.

June 10, 2013 at 11:42 pm

These are awesome ideas — I never really thought about how to “close” my email to people I’m trying to pitch even though I teach a writing class and always tell them to make sure they do a call to action in their cover letters.

June 11, 2013 at 5:33 pm

It’s always easier to spot other people’s weaknesses than our own, MaryBeth. 😉 That’s what makes your writer friends so invaluable!

June 11, 2013 at 3:04 am

These are great points Sophie. You definitely need a call to action at the end of every email. Your pitch is a marketing message and needs to be treated as such! I usually offer my contact information and suggest a Skype conversation or phone call to discuss in more detail.

June 13, 2013 at 11:53 pm

Live communication is always good if you can get it. You often have a better chance of winning the gig if you’ve spoken with the person doing the hiring, instead of just emailing them. Sounds like you’ve got this one nailed!

June 11, 2013 at 12:14 pm

Thanks so much for this, Sophie. Something so simple and obvious – yet so important. I can see that I’ve not always been super clear with my pitches and I’m sure this advice will help.

I’m going to check out Danny’s and Carol’s courses as well. Having just made the transition to full-time blogger and musician, I need all the help I can get on productivity! 🙂

June 14, 2013 at 2:18 am

Thanks, Leanne! Check out LiveHacked and Lifehack for a bunch of productivity tips (for writers, and for life in general). They’re good people.

June 14, 2013 at 2:20 pm

Good advice, Sophie. I am terrible at calls to action, both in pitches and in posts. I suppose something in me rebels at the idea of telling people what to do. But I agree, it’s so much more effective, and the way people read/skim online, they need something clear and unambiguous. I usually end with something vague like “I look forward to hearing from you”, but I’ll aim to be more direct next time!

June 15, 2013 at 6:18 pm

Glad to hear it, Andrew. 🙂 It’s much more effective to ask than to hope…

June 17, 2013 at 1:16 pm

These tips are really amazing and it is important for us to have a happy ending instead of losing the readers. Thanks for sharing.

July 8, 2013 at 5:10 pm

I have been referring back to this post repeatedly. Very helpful. P.S. Soon, I will have to track which ending was most helpful in landing assignments

July 17, 2013 at 7:20 am

Glad you found it so useful, Larry! 🙂

I have a ton of BAFB posts bookmarked as well. They’re timeless!

Thank you for commenting.

December 24, 2013 at 7:29 am

Amazing closings. I have chose a few that I would like to try out. I have been asking for a posting time frame at the end: Please let me know if you have time in your posting schedule to publish this article in the next week or two?

It has been working 🙂

January 14, 2014 at 2:27 am

I agree that the ending is as important as the rest of the query. In many ways it summarizes the reason for the query; which, in the form of a question, prods a reply from the potential client.

September 6, 2015 at 9:50 pm

Excellent tips, great post – like all BAFB posts, of course 🙂 I used #6 a while ago in an email and it helped land me an interview for the blogging job the same day (they replied 2 hrs later) 🙂

May 5, 2016 at 10:03 am

I find this post really helpful as getting better at queries/LOI’s is one of my main focuses right now, and this makes it so clear. Well done.

I couldn’t help but get distracted and start laughing at the Southpark scene, though. I’ve been referencing that scene randomly for however many years its been since the episode first aired. Any situation where I have an idea and outcome but no idea how to get there… I recite the 3 phases. Hahaha. 😉

June 6, 2016 at 5:47 pm

Thank you Sophie, I never thought of the ending as a continuation. I would have used, ” thank you for your time.” I realize now that would be an ending in itself. You options keep the conversation going.

It looks like there hasn’t been a response to these comments in a while. I want to respond to them anyway. I need to get in the habit of writing and actually hitting post.

Good luck to us all, Sandi

June 22, 2019 at 8:04 pm

death of porn

September 3, 2022 at 6:56 am

I wonder why such simple things are made so complicated. Is it needed? Pitching has become a model, robot-like. Pitching turned out to be some kind of trick; editors know it and like it. Otherwise, they would not feel so important. All these examples are nothing but puffing editors’ egos. And the readers they claim to care so much about are their last concern.

[email protected]

Click to copy

Email copied!

How to Start a Presentation with Impact + 12 Examples!

December 1, 2023

In the world of snooze-worthy presentations, your opening is your moment of truth. Knowing how to start a presentation—be it a sales presentation, an investor pitch, a conference keynote, or an internal team update—sets the tone for everything that follows. The best way to open your presentation? Forget about overly complicated introductions, because you’ll want to use your initial seconds to pique genuine curiosity and capture attention. 

Whether it's through a thought-provoking quote, a stunning visual, a brief yet impactful video, an engaging question, or an interactive poll, the goal is to make your audience sit up and take notice, avoiding the common pitfall of starting with an 'about me' narrative. Remember, in these moments, your story is less about you and more about resonating with your audience. Wondering how you can craft an opening that not only grabs attention but also holds it? Here’s how to make sure your message sticks the landing.

How to Start Your Sales Presentation with Impact

The opening of a sales presentation is crucial in setting the stage for what you're offering. It’s your chance to grab the audience's attention and make them eager to hear more about your product or service. We might specialize in PowerPoint design services, but we’re also suckers for punchy openings and clever wordsmithing. Here are five dynamic ways to start your sales presentation to engage your audience effectively. After all, who’s going to buy from you if your presentation isn’t engaging?

Interesting Statistics

Begin your presentation with a statistic that highlights a problem or opportunity relevant to your audience. For instance, if you’re selling a cybersecurity solution, you might start with, "Did you know that cyber attacks are increasing at an alarming rate of 30% per year?" This kind of opening not only grabs attention but also establishes the importance of your product or service. The more attention-grabbing, the better!

Compelling Questions

Asking a thought-provoking question can immediately engage your audience. It encourages them to think and become active participants. For example, "Have you ever considered how much time we waste on inefficient processes?" This approach works well in highlighting the pain points that your product or service can address.

Presentation Storytelling

Stories are powerful tools for connection, no doubt. Start with a short, relatable story that illustrates the need for your product or service. A narrative about a common challenge and how your product provided a solution can be very effective. For instance, "Let me tell you about a client who was struggling with..."

Visual Impact

Using a striking visual can be a great way to start a sales presentation. A compelling image or a brief video that gets your message across can make a strong impression. This could be as simple as a before-and-after scenario, showcasing the effectiveness of your product.

Bold Statements

Kick off with a bold, intriguing statement that makes the audience sit up and take notice. It should be directly related to the benefits of your product or service. For example, "We're not just changing the game–we're redefining it." This kind of opening sets a confident tone for the rest of your presentation.

How to Start Your Investor Pitch Presentation

Presenting to investors is a unique challenge. You need to quickly establish credibility and capture their interest. Here are five effective strategies for opening your investor presentation to ensure you make a lasting impression.

Visionary Opening

Begin with a powerful vision statement that encapsulates the essence and ambition of your business. This could be a glimpse into the future that your company is striving to create. For example, "At the heart of our company lies a vision to revolutionize sustainable energy for generations to come." This approach instantly sets a high-level tone and shows investors the potential impact of your business.

Compelling Problem Statement

Start with a clear and compelling description of the problem your business aims to solve. This not only highlights the need for your solution but also demonstrates your understanding of the market. For instance, "In a world where over 30% of produced food is wasted, our solution offers an innovative way to reduce this drastically."

Success Story

Share a brief story of a significant milestone or success that your company has achieved. This could be about landing a major client, a breakthrough in your technology, or a notable growth milestone. This kind of opening underlines your company's potential and track record.

Surprising Fact or Stat

Kick off with a surprising fact related to your industry that sets the stage for your presentation. This should be something that highlights the market opportunity or the need for your solution. For instance, "In the $2.2 trillion food industry, a shocking 30% of produce goes to waste. Our solution tackles this inefficiency head-on."

Personal Journey

Starting with a brief narrative about why you founded the company can be a powerful way to connect with investors on a more personal level. It adds a human element to your presentation, allowing investors to understand your passion and commitment. For example, "My journey to founding this company began five years ago when I encountered..."

How to Start a Keynote Presentation

Keynote talks are an opportunity to inspire, influence, and leave a lasting impression on your audience. The opening of your talk is critical in setting the stage for your message. These are our favorite ways to hook your audience from the get-go.

Inspirational Quote

Open with a quote that resonates with the theme of your talk. Choose a saying from a well known person that gets the basic idea of your message across. For instance, "As Nelson Mandela once said, 'It always seems impossible until it’s done.' Today, we explore the 'impossible'." This approach connects your audience to something that feels familiar and sets a reflective tone for the rest of the presentation.

Intriguing Question

Pose an intriguing question to your audience that provokes thought and relates directly to your topic. This could be a rhetorical question or one that challenges common perceptions. For example, "Have you ever wondered what truly drives innovation in our fast-paced world?" This strategy engages your audience’s curiosity right from the start.

Personal Anecdote

Sharing a personal story that relates to your keynote theme can create an immediate emotional connection with your audience. It adds a personal touch and makes your message more relatable. Begin with, "Let me share a personal experience that profoundly changed my perspective on..." Remember to avoid going on about yourself, and instead focus on how the experience relates to the rest of your presentation.

These are all effective ways to make presentation storytelling lots more engaging. You can also use the previous suggestions of beginning the presentation with a visual hook or surprising fact to hook your audience from the start.

How to Start Your Internal Team Meeting Presentation

Nobody wants their internal updates to prompt “couldn’t this be an email?” comments from their colleagues. For internal updates, the approach should be distinctively different, focusing on team engagement, shared goals, and collective progress. Here’s what we suggest for your presentation to ensure your team is attentive and motivated.

Celebratory Kick-Off

Begin with a celebration of a recent achievement or milestone. This could be team-centric, like reaching a project goal, or company-wide, such as a notable business success. For example, "I am thrilled to start today by celebrating our team's achievement in surpassing our quarterly targets."

Progress Highlight

Start by highlighting progress on key projects or initiatives. This could be a brief overview of where things stand or a specific success story. It’s a great way to show the team that their efforts are leading to tangible results. For instance, "Let's kick off by looking at the incredible progress we've made on the X project in the last month."

Team Member Spotlight

Open by spotlighting a team member's contribution or achievement. This not only recognizes individual efforts but also fosters a culture of appreciation and motivation. For example, "I want to begin today's meeting by highlighting James' outstanding contribution to our client project last week."

Industry News or Trends

Start with a brief discussion on relevant industry news or trends that might impact your team or company. This keeps the team informed and can start discussions on how these developments might affect your work. For example, "Let's start with some interesting developments in our industry that could present new opportunities for us."

Each of these approaches is designed to create an engaging and inclusive atmosphere for internal updates. The focus is on building team morale, encouraging participation, and keeping everyone aligned with the company’s goals and achievements.

Recap: 12 Examples for Starting Your Presentation with Impact

To wrap up, let's compile three actionable examples for each type of presentation we've discussed. These examples are designed to be directly applicable, giving you a practical blueprint for engaging your audience right from the beginning of your presentation.

Sales Presentations

Statistic-based .

"Every year, businesses lose approximately $1.7 trillion due to inefficiencies in communication. Today, we introduce a solution that turns this challenge into an opportunity."

Question-Based

 "How many of you have experienced frustration due to delayed flights? Our app is here to change your travel experience forever."

"Last year, a small business owner faced a daunting challenge with their supply chain. Our software transformed their process, resulting in a 40% increase in efficiency."

Investor Presentations

Vision statement.

"We envision a future where renewable energy is not a luxury, but a norm for every household. Our technology is the key to this future."

Problem Statement

"In a world where online privacy is constantly under threat, our platform provides an unbreachable shield, safeguarding digital identities."

"Just six months ago, our prototype caught the attention of industry giants, leading to a groundbreaking partnership that sets us on a path to revolutionize our field."

Keynote Talks

"Margaret Mead famously said, 'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.' This idea is at the core of our discussion today."

"What if I told you that the biggest barrier to innovation is not a lack of ideas, but a lack of action? Let’s explore this further."

Visual Display

"This image [showing a powerful photograph] represents the drastic change our industry has undergone in the last decade. Let's dive into what this means for us."

Internal Updates

"I'm excited to announce that thanks to our team's efforts, customer satisfaction has hit an all-time high this quarter!"

Interactive Element

"To get us started, I'd like everyone to share one word that describes their current project experience."

Industry News

"Recent developments in AI technology have opened new avenues for our projects. Let's discuss how we can integrate these into our workflow."

These examples offer a versatile range of strategies to effectively start your presentations, tailored to the specific context and audience of your talk. Whether it’s a sales presentation, an investor pitch, a conference keynote, or an internal team update, using these examples as a guide can help you grab your audience's attention and keep them engaged throughout. Presenting is not easy, but a good opening will give you the confidence boost that can help you throughout your talk. Here’s to less-boring presentations!

Recent articles

View all articles

Our founder Damon is speaking at Present to Succeed 2024 in Bulgaria

Our client Delphina raises $7.5M in seed funding

Customer stories