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You’ve spent hours creating your slides and perfecting your delivery, but when it comes to the final moment- how do you wrap it up in a way that makes your presentation stick? The way you end your presentation determines what people remember, how they feel about your message, and whether they take action.
A weak closing can make even the best presentations feel incomplete, while a strong conclusion can leave a great impression. So, let’s break down how to end your presentation effectively and memorably- without the awkward, “Uh, I guess that’s it?” moment.
One of the simplest yet most effective ways to conclude your presentation is by recapping the key points you covered. But this doesn’t mean just listing them like a bullet-point grocery list.
How to Do It Right:
1. Instead of saying, “So, in summary, we talked about A, B, and C,” try:
2. Use a story or analogy to reinforce your message.
For example, if your presentation was about leadership, you could close with:
"Great leaders don’t just give orders, but they inspire. If you remember nothing else from today, remember that leadership is more about the impact, than the authority."
This caters to what do you want your audience to do after your presentation?
How to Do It Right:
1. If you're pitching an idea:
2. If you’re in a business setting:
3. If you’re teaching a concept:
Pro tip from a presentation design agency: Make your CTA sound exciting, not like a chore. Instead of “Please fill out the feedback form,” say, “Tell us how we can make this even better for you!”
A great storytelling trick is to tie your conclusion back to your introduction. It creates a full-circle moment that makes your presentation feel cohesive.
How to Do It Right:
For Example, Let’s say you opened a sales presentation with: “What if I told you that 80% of businesses fail because of poor customer experience?”
Now, in your conclusion, say:
"Now you know the secret! Great customer experience is more than just a ‘nice-to-have’. So, what’s one thing you’ll do differently starting today?"
The human brain loves patterns, and the Rule of Three is one of the most effective ways to make your message memorable.
How to Do It Right:
1. Instead of saying, “There are several reasons why this is important,” say:
2. Instead of a long-winded explanation, simplify with three strong words:
Steve Jobs used this method constantly in his keynotes. Instead of saying, “The iPhone is a revolutionary device with many features,” he said:
"Today, Apple is going to reinvent the phone. It’s a phone, an iPod, and an internet communicator, three devices in one.”
Ending with a statement is a powerful way to make your audience think beyond your presentation.
How to Do It Right:
1. If you want them to reflect:
2. If you want them to visualize success:
3. If you want them to challenge their perspective:
Statements allow people to soak in the impact, and also makes audience feel that the presentation is more than just slides put on the screen.
Saying “thank you” is a great way to wrap up, but don’t make it sound like a throwaway line. Instead of a generic “Thank you for your time,” make it more meaningful.
How to Do It Right:
Gratitude goes a long way in leaving a warm, positive impression.
A common mistake is ending with a Q&A session. While answering questions is important, don’t let it be the last thing people remember.
How to Do It Right:
1. Take questions before your conclusion so you control the final moment.
2. After the Q&A, deliver your closing message, even if it’s just 30 seconds.
3. If possible, prepare a strong final remark in case there are no questions.
For Example, "That’s a great place to wrap up.”
This way, you end on your terms, not on a random question.
Ever walked out of a presentation and found yourself thinking about something the speaker said, hours or even days later? Chances are, they ended with a strong, thought-provoking quote that just hit differently.
A well-placed quote at the end of your presentation can:
1. Reinforce your main message in a fresh way
2. Add a sense of authority and credibility
3. Stick in your audience’s mind long after they leave
But here’s the catch- you can’t just slap a quote on the last slide and call it a day. The key is to choose the right quote and connect it to your message.
Not every quote will work. You want something that fits the theme of your presentation and leaves your audience with something meaningful to think about. Here’s how to do it:
If you’re giving a talk on leadership at an event, you want to leave people inspired and ready to take action.
“The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.” – Ralph Nader
How to connect it:
"Everything we talked about today boils down to this, true leaders create impact that outlasts them. So, as you walk out of here, ask yourself: How are you empowering others?"
Talking about innovation in a business presentation? You need a quote that pushes people to think differently.
“The ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” – Steve Jobs
How to connect it:
"Innovation isn’t about playing it safe. It’s about daring to think differently, take risks, and challenge the norm. Think about what bold move you’re making next"
If your keynote talk is about overcoming challenges and self-improvement, a mindset-shifting quote can be the perfect send-off.
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” – Theodore Roosevelt
How to connect it:
"There’s no perfect moment to start—there’s just right now. So, take one small action today that your future self will thank you for.”
Ending with a strong quote makes your message stick even better than it should. It’s like giving your audience something valuable to take home, not just words, but wisdom they can reflect on.
A good quote loses all its impact if you rush through it or read it off your slide like it’s a chore. That means delivering it in a presentation is just as important as putting it on the slide. Here’s how to nail it:
1. Pause before saying it – Let the audience anticipate something important.
2. Say it slowly and with meaning – Emphasize key words for impact.
3. Make eye contact – Don’t just read it off your screen. Connect with your audience.
4. Let it sink in – After saying the quote, pause for a second before wrapping up.
Your ending is your last chance to leave an impact, so don’t waste it. The best presentations don’t fade out without a proper ending, So next time you’re about to say, “That’s it, thanks,” pause and ask yourself: Is this the ending they’ll remember?
If not, now you know exactly how to fix it.
For more guides, tips and tricks on all things presentations, explore the Crappy Presentations Blog!
Q1. Should I include a 'Thank You' slide at the end of my presentation?
While it's common to end with a 'Thank You' slide, it's more impactful to conclude with a slide that reinforces your main message or call to action. This ensures your audience leaves with a clear understanding of your key points. If you choose to include a 'Thank You,' consider combining it with your contact information or a prompt for further engagement.
Q2. How can I handle the Q&A session without it overshadowing my closing remarks?
To maintain control over your presentation's conclusion, consider conducting the Q&A session before your final summary. This approach allows you to address audience questions and then end with your prepared closing remarks, ensuring your key message is the last thing the audience hears.
Q3. Is it appropriate to use humor in my closing remarks?
Using humor can be effective if it aligns with your presentation's tone and content. A light-hearted, relevant joke or anecdote can leave a positive impression. However, ensure the humor is appropriate for your audience and doesn't detract from your main message.
Q4. How can I make my closing remarks more memorable?
To leave a lasting impression, consider ending with a powerful quote, a compelling story, or a thought-provoking question. These techniques can resonate with your audience and reinforce your key points. Additionally, summarizing your main ideas succinctly can help solidify your message.
Q5. What should I avoid when concluding my presentation?
Avoid introducing new information in your closing remarks, as this can confuse your audience and dilute your main message. Also, steer clear of ending abruptly or apologetically. Ensure your conclusion is confident, concise, and reinforces the purpose of your presentation.
