What Do a Speech Conclusion & a Killer Rabbit Have in Common?
The speech ending and an encounter with a killer rabbit both end with “Run Away! Run Away!”
If you have no idea what killer rabbit I am talking about, watch this clip and then go to amazon and immediately start watching Monty Python's Holy Grail. Then thank me later.
[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/XcxKIJTb3Hg”]
You don't need a holy hand grenade to slay your presentation ending. However, many speakers spend so much time crafting their introduction and the message of their speech, they don't think to put any thought into the ending. They blow their close.
As I mentioned in 5 Days of 5 Ways to Lose Your Audience's Attention, audiences remember what they hear first and LAST.
Imagine a speaker who worked so hard on their introduction and had a well crafted speech. The end is nigh. He shrugs his shoulders and says “Umm, well that's it.”
OR
Utters “In conclusion” then rambles on for another 5 minutes.
OR
Runs off the stage before the last word is even uttered – the great escape back to their seat!
These are all ways to blow the big close. The message forgotten. All that hard work for naughtten! (Ok that's not a word but it rhymes)
The speech ending is not as scary as a killer rabbit – there is no need to run away – just ask yourself these questions:
What's your point?
Ask yourself – what is the one thing I want my audience to remember? This is what you should end with! The statement should be short and sweet – typically 10 words or less. Telling the audience exactly what you want them to know is a surefire way of knowing that they got your take home message!
Remember your awesome introduction?
The introduction that you worked so very hard on? Yeah that – use it in your conclusion. For example, call back to the story that you used in the introduction. Use a cliff hanger in the introduction and resolve the story in the conclusion. Reminding the audience of the introduction is a nice way to wrap your presentation.
What do you want me to do?
I've listened to your stunning presentation, now what? Answering this question is particularly important for persuasive and inspirational presentations. Challenge your audience to do something, buy something or feel something. Issue a strong call of action so they know what you want them to do next.
A conclusion does not have “nasty, big, pointy teeth” and bloodlust for the Knights of the Roundtable. Do not run away. Be confident. End strong. Slay your presentation close.
Share your thoughts on how to end a presentation with bang and if you liked this post, please share it on Twitter or the Book of Face!
[ois skin=”Relationally Speaking”]
Always good to see a Monty Python reference. I think the notion of closings is incredible appropriate considering how abruptly the Holy Grail ends.
“What do you want me to do?” is a question that many competent speakers forget. I’ve seen a number of speeches that were compelling and entertaining and yet at the end I had no idea what the speaker wanted me to do. Say what you will about a sales pitch they’re always very clear about what their audience should do.
Scott, I forgot how abruptly that movie ends – I mean the knights get arrested for killing that reporter but still it is just so sudden. Probably why I blocked it from my memory!!
I think speakers avoid the what do you want me to do – they are worried about seeming pushy. If I like you and your message spoke to me, I want to know what to do next. Even if it is just something I should remember from the experience.