#71 Closing a Speech!
Monday, August 16th 2010 @ 11:04 PM
In speaking it’s important how you start and finish your speech. The last thing you want is to go out with a whimper! So what can you do……
Lets remember that your final words do more than just repeat the main purpose of your speech and provide a basis for you to end your speech on. The final words of the speech are likely to be the most remembered part of your presentation, so please don’t say “thank you” and sit down. If you need convincing, film dramas involving courtroom summations and political debates, all end on powerful notes to keep you hooked well after the film is over!
So what tips do I have for closing your Presentation?
Let the audience know the end is coming! Regardless of your planned finish, let your audience know the end is near so they will pay attention, however, don’t just end it abruptly. A hasty “well, that’s it from me, thanks for coming,” and off you go is unprofessional and will show you are inexperienced and that you weren’t prepared.
Fit the ending to your topic - There are different ways to close your speech. The choice will depend on the mood of your topic and presentation. For example some speeches lend themselves to a humorous ending, while others require a more sobering finish. So if your topic was on a serious matter, you could finish with a thought-provoking quotation from somebody famous.
Call for action! - However you choose to end it, make it memorable and if you haven’t made it clear to your audience during your speech what further action was required of them, make sure you include it in your ending – because it will be your last opportunity and an appropriate time to remind them.
Appropriate humour! - I’m all for humorous endings, provided, of course, that it’s appropriate. There is something about humor that people remember more readily than solemnity. People love to laugh and they like to remember things that make them laugh. An appreciative and happy audience also provides a great backdrop for you to take your final bow and leave the stage. It makes you look good and it makes you feel good. So if your presentation was purely for entertainment value, you may well be expected to leave the audience laughing by delivering a great story with a punch line!
360% degrees - Tie your closing statements in with your opening statements. Brring them back to the beginning by perhaps referring to the first humorous story or quote you shared.
Start and end with a story - You can whet their appetite at the beginning by starting to tell a story and leave the rest of the story and the punchline for your ending.
Props are king - You can signal the end is near using your props. For example, if you’re walking around with a hand held mike you can replace it in the microphone stand
Get the audience involved - ask them to repeat something after you or maybe answer a call for action “are you with me??”
So you have been warned and educated, go out there now and end your speeches on a KILLER LINE!
