“I’m just not sure how to wrap it up. Should I just say ‘thank you’ and call it a day?”
This was the question a client raised while working with our Creative Director on a major pitch deck for their product launch. As a remote presentation design agency, we often get these kinds of questions.
The client, a startup CEO, had worked tirelessly on crafting the content for his presentation, but as the final slide loomed, uncertainty crept in. “How do I end this thing? I don’t want it to feel like a flat stop, but I’m not sure how to leave a lasting impression either.”
Our Creative Director smiled and gently corrected the misconception. “Ending a presentation isn’t just about saying 'thank you.' That’s like telling a story and suddenly shouting ‘The End!’—it doesn’t honor the journey you’ve just taken your audience on. The conclusion should leave them with something to think about, something to act on. It's not just the final sentence; it's the feeling you want them to walk away with."
At Ink Narrates, all of our blogs are inspired by real client conversations like the one above. We understand that many of you, whether you’re presenting to potential investors or pitching a new idea to your team, often struggle with the conclusion. After all, the ending is crucial—it’s your last chance to drive your message home.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through the art of ending a presentation with style. We’ll discuss various techniques, provide examples, and offer some fresh perspectives on how to wrap up your talk so that it resonates long after the screen goes dark.
Want to see our past presentation design projects? Browse case studies here.
Why Does the End Matter?
When it comes to presentations, the beginning and the middle are essential, but the ending? That’s where the magic happens. Picture this: you’ve crafted a perfect narrative, delivered impactful data, and kept your audience engaged. But if the ending falls flat, everything that came before it risks losing its punch. Think of the ending as the bow on a beautifully wrapped gift—without it, your audience is left wondering why they’re still holding the box.
Ending a presentation well gives your audience something to walk away with—be it a powerful message, a call to action, or just a lingering thought that keeps them thinking about your content long after you’ve finished speaking. A well-constructed ending can also cement your credibility, reinforce your key points, and even inspire action, whether it’s making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or simply sharing your ideas with others.
How to end a presentation [11 Ideas]
1. End with a memorable quote related to your topic or message.
We all love a good quote, don’t we? There’s something about the power of words that can capture an audience’s attention and stick with them long after your presentation is over. If you’re looking for a surefire way to end your presentation with impact, consider using a memorable quote related to your topic or message.
For example, as the famous motivational speaker Tony Robbins once said, “Success is doing what you want to do, when you want, where you want, with whom you want, as much as you want.” This quote perfectly captures the essence of his message and leaves a lasting impression on his audience.
Just remember to keep it relevant and choose a quote that supports your message. And don’t be afraid to get creative — a well-chosen quote can be the perfect way to end your presentation with style!
2. Share a personal story or anecdote to create an emotional connection with your audience.
Let’s face it — presentations can be dry and boring. That’s why it’s important to inject some personality and emotion into your presentation ending, and one way to do that is by sharing a personal story or anecdote.
Think about a time when you faced a challenge or overcame an obstacle that’s relevant to your presentation. By sharing your personal experience, you’ll create a powerful emotional connection with your audience and demonstrate your authenticity and credibility.
As the renowned author and speaker Brene Brown once said, “Stories are just data with a soul.” In her TED Talk on vulnerability, she shared a personal story about her struggle to connect with others, which resonated deeply with her audience and helped her to convey her message in a powerful way.
So, don’t be afraid to get personal and share your own story. It can be the perfect way to end your presentation on a high note. Just remember to keep it relevant and concise, and practice your delivery to ensure that your story flows smoothly.
3. Ask a thought-provoking question that inspires further discussion or reflection.
Sometimes, the best way to end a presentation is not with a statement, but with a question. Asking a thought-provoking question can inspire your audience to think deeper about your topic and leave a lasting impression.
Think about a question that will leave your audience pondering and reflecting on what they’ve just heard. It can be a hypothetical scenario, a philosophical inquiry, or a practical challenge related to your presentation.
For example, “So, as we come to the end of this presentation, let me leave you with a question to ponder: What would happen if we all took one small step towards making a positive impact in our community, our workplace, or our world? Could it lead to a ripple effect of change and progress? I encourage you to think about this and take action, no matter how small, towards creating a better future for all of us.”
4. Offer a call to action, encouraging your audience to take specific steps related to your topic.
At the end of your presentation, you want to leave your audience with a clear sense of what to do next.
For example, your call to action could be as simple as encouraging your audience to visit your website, sign up for your newsletter, or follow your social media accounts. Or, it could be a more specific action related to your presentation topic, such as volunteering, donating, or attending an event.
5. Summarize your key points and highlight the main takeaways from your presentation.
As you wrap up your presentation, summarizing your key points can help drive home the most important aspects of your message and ensure that your audience remembers what you’ve shared.
Think of it like creating a highlight reel of your presentation. You want to showcase the best and most important moments, so your audience leaves feeling inspired and informed.
For example, in his 2005 Stanford Commencement Speech, Steve Jobs summarized his key points in a memorable way: “Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure — these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important.”
6. Use a powerful image or visual aid that reinforces your message.
As you reach the end of your presentation, you can leave your audience with a lasting image that captures the essence of your message. This image could be a photograph, a graph, or a visual representation of your main idea. Choose an image that resonates with your audience and stays in their minds long after the presentation is over.
For example, if you were giving a presentation about environmental sustainability, you could end with an image of a lush forest or a pristine beach, with the words “It’s up to us to protect this for future generations” displayed on the screen. This image will inspire your audience to take action and consider the impact of their actions on the environment.
7. Inject a bit of humor to end on a positive note.
Ending a presentation with a well-placed joke is a great way to leave your audience with a smile on their face. It’s important to keep in mind that humor is subjective, so you’ll want to make sure that your joke or story is appropriate for your audience and fits the tone of your presentation.
For example, if you’re giving a presentation on time management, you could end with a joke like: “Well, I hope I didn’t take up too much of your time today. But if I did, don’t worry — I’ve got some tips on how to make up for the lost time!”
This type of self-deprecating humor can help to break the tension in the room and leave your audience feeling more relaxed and engaged. Just be sure to keep it light and avoid any jokes that could be seen as offensive or insensitive.
8. Finish with a surprise twist or unexpected revelation.
Let’s consider this example…“Throughout this presentation, I’ve shared with you some common misconceptions about our industry and how we’ve been working to address them. But what if I told you that we’re not just working to address these issues — we’re also leading the charge in developing new technologies that will revolutionize the way we do business? That’s right, our team has been quietly working on a breakthrough innovation that will change everything. And I’m thrilled to announce that we’ll be launching it next month, so stay tuned. Thank you for your attention, and get ready for the future!”
This kind of ending is effective because it leaves the audience with a sense of excitement and anticipation for what’s to come. It also creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, which can help to make the presentation ending more memorable.
9. Use a powerful metaphor or analogy to drive home your message.
Let’s look at this example…“Imagine you’re standing on the shore of a vast ocean. You’ve spent your whole life standing in the same spot, watching the waves come and go. But what if I told you that beyond the horizon lies an entire world waiting to be explored? Just like the ocean, the possibilities for growth and learning are endless. So don’t let fear or complacency keep you anchored to the shore. Take the plunge and see where the currents of life take you.”
In this example, the analogy of the ocean is used to inspire the audience to take risks and embrace new opportunities. By comparing the vastness of the ocean to the endless possibilities of life, the speaker creates a powerful and memorable image that leaves a lasting impression on the audience.
10. Close with a bold statement that challenges conventional thinking or beliefs.
Here’s an example of how to close a presentation with a bold statement that challenges conventional thinking or beliefs,
“So, folks, let me leave you with this: we’ve been taught our whole lives that failure is something to be avoided at all costs. But what if I told you that failure is not the opposite of success, but rather a necessary step on the path to success? What if I told you that failure is not something to be feared, but something to be embraced because it teaches us more than success ever could? Think about it. Some of the greatest inventions, discoveries, and achievements in history were born out of failure. So, I challenge you to embrace failure, to learn from it, and to use it as a stepping stone to greatness.”
I hope this helps inspire you to come up with your own bold statement to end your presentation!
11. End with a rhetorical question that leaves your audience thinking.
Think about what you’ve just presented and consider what common assumptions or beliefs people might have about the topic. Then, craft a statement that challenges those assumptions head-on.
For example, let’s say you’ve just given a presentation about the importance of reducing carbon emissions to combat climate change. You could close with a bold statement like: “We have the power to save the planet, but only if we’re willing to make the hard choices and take action now. Our future depends on it.”
This statement challenges the assumption that climate change is an insurmountable problem and implies that taking action is within our control. It’s a powerful way to end a presentation that will leave your audience thinking long after they’ve left the room.
Want to work with our team?
Hope you found this article useful. By the way, just in case you didn’t know yet, we’re actually a presentation design agency. We’re passionate about helping our clients create compelling presentations with engaging narratives and killer designs. So, if you need any assistance with your next presentation, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’d love to work with you and take your presentations to the next level!
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