How to Effectively Close Any Speech or Presentation Part 2

Keep in mind that a good speaker doesn't just talk to his audience. If he isn't there strictly to entertain, he is there to inspire, motivate, or lead. If your talk hasn't achieved much of that, you have only your closing statements left... so make the most of them.

Here are some tips to help you:

• Whet your audience's appetite at the beginning by starting to tell a story. But leave the rest of the story -- and the punch line -- for your big finish.

• The title of your speech should summarize your main point in a memorable, catchy way. So if you can incorporate the title into your closing words, that will reinforce your message.

• End with a humorous or meaningful quotation from somebody famous. There are many quotation websites on the Internet, and you will have no trouble finding something suitable.

• Don't end abruptly. A hasty "Well, that's it from me, thanks for coming" and off you go is unprofessional. It tells your audience that you are inexperienced and/or unprepared.

• Give your audience a signal that the end is near so they will pay attention to what you are about to say. If you were walking around with a hand-held mike, for instance, you could replace it in the stand. If you were reading from a book on the podium, you could shut it.

• Involve your audience. Ask them to repeat something after you -- maybe a simple "commitment oath" you have written.

• Congratulate your audience and wish them future success. Ask them to stand and applaud themselves for their achievements. (They may not be applauding you as you leave the stage, but it's still applause, at the right moment. And it will still make you look good and feel good.)

• Issue your call to action. Tell your audience what you want them to do next and ask them to do it.

• Lead them to whatever it is that you're selling. You might say, for example, "In about 10 minutes, you will find me at the back of the room, where I will be answering any questions you may have and autographing copies of my books and CDs."

Don't forget to thank your audience and the organizers of the event, of course -- but don't let your thank you be the last thing you say before leaving the stage. Choose your final words carefully. Like I said, that's what your audience is going to remember.