Closing a presentation properly and effectively is an important skill a presenter should master. The Presentation’s Closing is as Important as The Opening
The aim of the opening of a presentation is to attract the audience and make them have a good impression about the presentation. While the aim of the closing of a presentation is to persuade the audience to remember and do the message you deliver in your presentation.
As I explained in my book, people tend to remember more the last thing the listen or see. It could happen because the very recent information people get is still new and linger in people’s mind. This thing is called Recency Effect.
A great presenter will think very hard about the idea that the audiences have to bring from his presentation. The audiences should remember just one thing that will help them understand the whole presentation the presenter has delivered.
Unfortunately, many presenters don’t close their presentations properly, effectively and persuasively. It cause the audiences could not remember the content of the presentation that has been delivered after the last session is over.
In this article you will learn about the function of the presentation’s closing, how to close a presentation properly and how to compose a proper closing sentences in a presentation,
The Function of a Presentation
There are 3 functions of a closing in a presentation:
1. To summarize the whole material you deliver,
2. To make the audience remember the main idea of your presentation, and
3. To persuade the audiences to take an action.
How to Close a Presentation Properly
After we know the functions of the closing of a presentation, now I will show you several example and proper presentation’s closing technique.
1. Summarizing the main message
This is the easiest add fastest way to close your presentation.
Each presentation must have a main message. In this way, you summarize the main points of your presentation you have delivered. “As a closing, I want you to have the main skill a manager should have.
First, communication. As a manager, you will be judged by how you communicate. Make sure you communicate coherently and clearly so that people understand what you deliver.
Second, motivation. A good manager needs to master motivation techniques. If your employee is well motivated, it is easy to direct each employee to the common goal.
Third, delegation. Remember! A manager is not a superman. You need to learn to delegate task to the most proper person. By that way, the result will be multiply.
And the last, building. A good manager can create a better leader. Teach your team, know the their talents and weaknesses and help them to progress well.
If you master those four skills, I am sure you will be a great manager who can direct a great team.”
2. Using statements or quotations
A statement or a quotation is very good to use for closing your presentation. Arrange a good statement which fits to the main idea of your presentation. You can also quote sentences from the famous figure who is well known to your audiences.
In a presentation in TEDx Jakarta with topic “How to Read 52 Books in a Year” I used the quotation technique to close my presentation.
Here is the closing sentences.
“And if you are a learner in life, fast reading will help you to love reading activities. It will help you learn so many new skills and you will finally become a excellent person.
By that way, you will become a person who will develop our beloved Indonesia now and in the future.
Therefore, if one day there is someone asks you how man books you read in a year, you will proudly answer, ‘I read 52 books in a year because I am a fast reader.’”
3. Using call to action
Call to action is an invitation to command an act.
Remember, the audiences don’t always understand what you expect from them. That is why in call to action, you deliver what action the audiences need to take.
Call to action is very important especially for the persuasive presentation where you want to sell some products, services, or in order your idea be approved and affirmed by the audiences.
This is the examples:
“You all know that family cars are diverse. But, only few cars can answer all your questions. Family car must be comfortable and fit to be used by all family members. That car must be economical so that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to refill the gas. And lastly, the price of your car must be fit with the benefits you will get from the car you buy. And that car is now right in front of you.
I invite you all to register and do the test drive.
Don’t miss it! Because the test drive activity is held only today. Feel the greatness and the comfort of this car and be clever Indonesian family who buy the right family car.”
Those are 3 ways to close a presentation properly.
If you use one of them well, the audiences will remember your main idea. Besides, they will probably take an action as you expect they to do.
Therefore, you will be successful delivering an effective and impressive presentation.
