Concluding a presentation effectively is as important as delivering the main content. The ending sets the tone for how the audience remembers the message and the presenter. Equipping your team with effective presentation conclusion techniques can significantly impact your company’s communication and business outcomes. Let’s explore how to end a presentation with power, purpose, and lasting impact!
Summarize Key Points
The best way to end a presentation that leaves a lasting impression is to summarize key takeaways. Concluding a presentation with a strong ending reinforces the key points and seamlessly ties everything together, ensuring coherence and memorability.
Pro tip: Start the summary with a transition phrase. Use phrases like “To sum up,” “In conclusion,” or “Let’s recap” to signal you’re summarizing.
Here’s an example of how to end a presentation with a summary:
Scenario: Presenting a marketing strategy for a retail brand.
“In summary, we will focus on enhancing brand visibility via social media, optimizing our e-commerce platform to improve conversion rates, and launching targeted ad campaigns to boost customer engagement.”
Strong Call-to-Action
A business presentation often aims to drive action. The presentation conclusion allows the presenter to clearly state what they want the audience members to do next. A powerful call-to-action (CTA) motivates listeners to take specific steps based on information shared, whether an in-person or an online presentation. Want to see how to conclude a presentation using a strong CTA? Take a look at this example:
Scenario: Completing a presentation on enhancing remote team collaboration using a new project management software.
“I challenge the team to implement this software over the next two weeks. Create your first project board this Monday. Use it exclusively for team communication, and document your experience daily. At our next meeting, I’d like a brief report on your experience and your opinion on whether we can use it company-wide.”
Image Source: Shutterstock
Offer a Resource
Another impactful conclusion to use to enhance audience engagement and reinforce the core message is to offer a resource. Think guides, webinars, white papers, free trials, templates, or tools. This presentation conclusion can help the audience apply what they’ve learned and stay engaged with the presenter’s message after the last presentation slides fade.
Learn how to end a presentation with a resource offer below:
Scenario: Finishing an informational presentation on effective team management strategies to a group of managers:
“For an in-depth analysis of successful team management practices, download our latest white paper from the final slide. It’s packed with research-backed strategies and case studies.”
Return to the Opening
Many presenters like to connect the closing statement with the opening statement—and for good reason. This technique, often called “bookending,” or “The Loop,” brings their presentations full circle, and leaves the audience with a satisfying and impactful ending. Think of it as the cherry on top of the presentation sundae, sweet and unforgettable.
Presenters can do this in a few ways:
an inspirational quote
an inspiring story
a metaphor or analogy, a simple restatement of your thesis—make sure it ties back to your initial message
Review this example of how to conclude a presentation:
Opening Statement: How can we cut through the noise of a crowded market?
How many presentations have you attended where you wish the speaker had done more to captivate and engage the audience? Don’t let your team be the one that leaves your audience underwhelmed.
Closing Statement: With the strategies outlined today, we’re not just cutting through the noise—we’re making music. Let’s go out and turn up the volume.
Image Source: Shutterstock
Thank and Acknowledge
If your team members struggle with what to say at the end of a presentation, let them fall back on the classic: say thank you. It shows appreciation for the audience’s time and attention and helps create a positive and memorable impression. Plus, it lets them acknowledge the people who helped make the presentation possible.
Here’s how to end a presentation on a positive note:
Scenario: Presenting a pitch to a potential client or investor.
“Thank you for meeting with us today. We appreciate your interest and the chance to discuss collaboration. We’re eager to move forward and make our partnership successful.”
Offer a Preview of What’s Next
A glimpse into what’s next is a great way to keep the audience’s attention even after it’s over. This little teaser builds excitement and anticipation, making the audience hungry for more. Using this presentation ending will be most effective for business presentations where your team introduces new initiatives or products. Here’s how to end a PowerPoint presentation like a pro:
Scenario: Presenting a product demonstration.
“Our next presentation will showcase advanced product features and real-world applications. Watch for the invitation and join us to see how these innovations can transform your operations!”
Upgrade Your Presentation Skills With Talaera
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With our live masterclasses, your employees or colleagues will learn how to end a presentation, boost their confidence in English, or even manage teams across cultures. Materials will be provided after, so they can revisit and review their learnings.
Elevate your organization’s presentation skills—enroll your team in our upcoming masterclass, “Deliver Impactful Presentations” on September 18!
