Closing a presentation can feel even more challenging than opening one. We all understand the importance of making a strong first impression, but the last impression is just as critical, and far too many presenters overlook it.
Some of the best presentations are weakened by a few moments of hesitation at the end. A great presentation should feel like a brilliant firework show. We all look forward to the grand finale, so don’t let your message fizzle out like a damp sparkler.
Avoiding these six common mistakes will help you close with confidence and clarity.
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Don’t Step Back — Step Forward
Many presenters unconsciously retreat at the end, physically, verbally, and mentally. They step backwards, soften their voice, or shrink their presence.
Your final words are the moment to step forward and up.
– Take a small step toward your audience
– Maintain steady eye contact
– Leave them with a confident, assured smile
A strong conclusion demands clear projection, pitch, tone, and volume that convey confidence.
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Avoid the “Dustcart” Moment
There’s an old saying: “After the Lord Mayor’s show comes the dustcart.”
You’ve prepared well, you’ve delivered with energy, and then you immediately start packing up your laptop, gathering papers, and dismantling the room.
That’s the dustcart.
Your behaviour at the very end still communicates who you are. Instead of rushing to tidy up, stay present. Chat with people, be available and approachable.
Save the dustcart for after the audience has left.
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Don’t Let Q&A Steal Your Finale
Many presentations end like this: “Thank you very much — any questions?”
The questions come, the energy shifts, and your carefully crafted close is forgotten. The audience walks away remembering the last two questions, not your message.
The best presenters treat their talks as conversations and welcome questions at any time. If someone has a burning question, they must hold until the end; they’ll struggle to focus, just like needing the toilet on a long car journey with no service station in sight.
If you must have a formal Q&A at the end, follow it with a final, compelling close.
Make sure your words, not someone’s question, are the last thing they hear.
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Close the “Black Hole”
Have you ever sat through a presentation and wondered, what exactly am I supposed to do with this information?
That’s the black hole, the moment where the message collapses into confusion.
Your audience should never leave guessing so be explicit about what you want them to do:
– “Buy our product/service.”
– “Approve the budget.”
– “Donate today.”
– “Support this initiative.”
– “Recommend us.”
Clarity is influence.
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Signal the Ending
My son once sat through a long school assembly. After ten minutes of the Head’s energy-draining speech, he leaned over and whispered, “What time does this story end? It’s giving me a headache.”
Even strong presentations need a clear signal that the end is near; don’t leave your audience wondering whether you’ve finished.
Use simple, honest cues:
– “I’m going to close with…”
– “In conclusion…”
– “In summary…”
And once you signal the end, honour it. Don’t wander off into new territory.
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Choose a Close Worth Remembering
J.K. Rowling once wrote, “It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
Most presentations that close today are forgettable; polite, predictable, and lacking imagination.
You have a choice.
You can end with the usual, “Thank you very much, any questions?”, or you can close with intention and creativity:
– Tell a relevant, compelling story
– Share an unusual but powerful quote
– Show a thought-provoking image
– Link back to your opening
– Reveal something authentic, a little humility goes a long way
– Use the rule of three: “Here are the three things I want you to remember…”
– Ask a provocative question
– Share a surprising fact
– Leave them with a final thought that lingers
Decide how you want your audience to feel the moment you begin and the moment you finish. Then close in a way that makes that feeling real.
If you need help closing a presentation with confidence:
– Book yourself onto a powerful public speaking course.
– Invest in some really good one to one public speaking coaching.
– Get yourself some excellent presentation training
Image: Courtesy of canva.com
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