I have had some great feedback from my last article about speaking and was asked to drop in some other tips. I Read an article recently about "Closing Your Speech" as I have included elements of it below together with my comments.
Closing the presentation is extremely important as it leaves a lasting impression. The last thing you say may be the most remembered. You must put as much time into selecting and practicing your closing as you put into any other part of your presentation. Just like your opening, your closing does not have to be humorous. It could be motivational, challenging, thoughtful, respectful of the length of the presentation, or it could restate your point in a different way. This ending segment will have a strong influence on what the audience takes home with them when you are done. Please, at sometime during your talk ask the audience to do something. If you haven't ask them to do something by now, the closing is your last chance.
If the subject is appropriate, it is powerful to leave with them laughter or a deep message – just don’t leave it bland! If you leave them laughing and applauding an extremely positive impression about you will remain. Another good reason to leave them laughing is that the room will not be deadly silent as you are walking back to your seat. Most speakers experience a great feeling when the audience is laughing.
Finally, if the subject is not appropriate to end with laughter, you could end with a touching story or quotation that leaves the audience thoughtful and quiet. Even the most serious public speaking subjects can benefit from humor, but the humor should be sprinkled throughout the body of the presentation. Don't put it at the end because closings are powerful and the audience will think your overall attitude toward the subject is flippant.
