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:
| Don’t | Do |
| Salute the Audience (does not require a slide)Tell the audience how much you value your time getting to speak with them. Here is an example: “It’s been great fun being here. It’s been fascinating to see what you folks are doing. I’ve been stimulated and provoked by the questions you were asking. I look forward to coming back on many occasions in the future.” Notice the phrase “thank you” is not used, yet its gist is implied. | The ‘Questions’ Slide Chances are high that you have seen or even used some version of this slide at the end of a presentation. While it is not the end of the world, it is a missed opportunity. The last slide of a presentation is the slide your audience will spend a lot of time looking at. It’s valuable real estate that can be better used in ways we will explore. |
| The ‘Thank You’ Slide The ‘Thank You’ slide suggests everyone was present for your pitch out of politeness. Even if that may be the case, do yourself a favor and remove this slide from your presentation. Rather than thanking the audience, you should try to Salute the Audience instead. | Finish with a Joke It’s common knowledge that getting your audience to participate in your presentation will keep them engaged and attentive. Ending with a joke is a great way to keep that momentum in a discussion that may follow your pitch. Getting your audience to laugh at the end of your presentation will make people feel like they had fun the whole time. |
| The ‘The End’ SlideThe least appropriate way to end a pitch is with the words “The End”. It’s not the end. It’s not a story. It’s not a movie. If anything, a sales pitch is the beginning of something. It’s a start. Words like “end”, “conclusion”, “finish”, & “close” can all prematurely end a discussion. You may even prevent your audience from asking questions or having a discussion if you end this way. | Close with a Story or Testimonial: People remember stories better than facts. Conclude with a powerful customer testimonial or a short story that highlights the benefits of your product or service. This could be something like, “Let me leave you with a story of our client, XYZ Corp, who saw a 50% increase in efficiency after using our product. Imagine what it can do for your business.” This approach personalizes your presentation and makes it more relatable. |
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.