What are the three distinct parts of your presentation?
They are the opening, body and close. The body is the major part of the presentation
The opening and close might only comprise 10 to 15% of the time, yet they are critical because they convey first and last impressions.
You’ve probably heard that first impressions are important. Did you know that last impressions are also important?
The last impression follows the law of recency. We have selective memory, and we tend to remember firsts and lasts. We also place more importance on firsts and lasts.
What does that mean to you as a presenter?
Spend more time and effort getting your opening and close right.
When creating your opening and close, consider the possibility that the audience might only remember these two parts. If that was true, would they have received your intended message? If not, revise your opening and close. The body is the detail, the opening and close provide the motivation and the direction.
Rehearse your opening and close separately so you can deliver them confidently and effectively. If you are using slides, blank the screen while you speak during the opening and closing because you want to be the focal point.
You want the audience focused on you during your opening and closing so your message is received, understood and remembered.
Don’t allow a slide to interfere with your messages during these key parts of the presentation.
When you speak, create and convey the first and last impressions that support your message.
Your first words are important because your audience is judging you. They are scrolling through questions in their mind:
Should I listen? How long will this take? Do I trust the person? How painful will this be? When will we get to the relevant part? What does this mean to me?
The purpose of your opening is to grab their attention, establish rapport and set the direction.
Most importantly – grab attention.
How might you do that?
First, be aware of silly phrases to avoid:
Instead, start with:
Study these suggested phrases for each opening method.
An enticing promise:
A bold statement:
An intriguing question:
An emotional trigger:
Review these opening phrases. Rehearse them out loud. Play with different endings that fit your circumstances. Get comfortable with these opening lines.
Imagine the power of your presentation when you grab their attention in the first few seconds with the right words.
The close to your presentation is important to the success of your message. Your close is the last impression. You can make it the lasting impression that resonates within their minds even after they leave the room.
How can you do that?
Prepare the precise words that you will end with. Don’t wing your close. There might have been some freeform parts during the body of your presentation. However, words in your close are precious. Chose them purposefully and deliver confidently.
Remember this guideline when creating your close. If they only remember the close, will they have the essence of your message?
First let’s identify the weak closes that you must discard.
*If you’re wondering why “Thank you” is a poor way to end, read this blog post.
Instead end proud and strong
Consider these options for your close
Summary
Briefly mention the top three points. You covered the detail in the presentation. By reminding them of the key points you reinforce these points and relative details.
Call to action
If the purpose of the presentation was to move people, you remind them in the close. In a good sales presentation, you highlighted the call to action earlier in the presentation. This is simply the final reminder of action required. A phase that works well is “the next steps are”.
Challenge
This is a variation of the call to action. Challenge them to act, start the process or achieve a goal.
Reflect the opening
Tie the close to what you said in the opening. You might repeat the opening line. If you opened with a question you might repeat the question or answer it or tell them the answer. This technique conveys closure to the opening dilemma.
I want to leave you with,,,
This is a warm close that can combine with the other options. I want to leave you with this challenge. I want to leave you with these three points. I want to leave you with this mantra.
I want to leave you with stronger choices to close your presentation.
PS: When you close – look and sound proud of the message you just delivered because we remember last impressions.
Now you know how to open and close your presentation for the best first and lasting impressions.