how to take over the presentation

30 Examples: How to Conclude a Presentation (Effective Closing Techniques)

By Status.net Editorial Team on March 4, 2024 — 9 minutes to read

Ending a presentation on a high note is a skill that can set you apart from the rest. It’s the final chance to leave an impact on your audience, ensuring they walk away with the key messages embedded in their minds. This moment is about driving your points home and making sure they resonate. Crafting a memorable closing isn’t just about summarizing key points, though that’s part of it, but also about providing value that sticks with your listeners long after they’ve left the room.

Crafting Your Core Message

To leave a lasting impression, your presentation’s conclusion should clearly reflect your core message. This is your chance to reinforce the takeaways and leave the audience thinking about your presentation long after it ends.

Identifying Key Points

Start by recognizing what you want your audience to remember. Think about the main ideas that shaped your talk. Make a list like this:

• The problem your presentation addresses.
• The evidence that supports your argument.
• The solution you propose or the action you want the audience to take.

These key points become the pillars of your core message.

Contextualizing the Presentation

Provide context by briefly relating back to the content of the whole presentation. For example:

• Reference a statistic you shared in the opening, and how it ties into the conclusion.
• Mention a case study that underlines the importance of your message.

Connecting these elements gives your message cohesion and makes your conclusion resonate with the framework of your presentation.

30 Example Phrases: How to Conclude a Presentation

• 1. “In summary, let’s revisit the key takeaways from today’s presentation.”
• 2. “Thank you for your attention. Let’s move forward together.”
• 3. “That brings us to the end. I’m open to any questions you may have.”
• 4. “I’ll leave you with this final thought to ponder as we conclude.”
• 5. “Let’s recap the main points before we wrap up.”
• 6. “I appreciate your engagement. Now, let’s turn these ideas into action.”
• 7. “We’ve covered a lot today. To conclude, remember these crucial points.”
• 8. “As we reach the end, I’d like to emphasize our call to action.”
• 9. “Before we close, let’s quickly review what we’ve learned.”
• 10. “Thank you for joining me on this journey. I look forward to our next steps.”
• 11. “In closing, I’d like to thank everyone for their participation.”
• 12. “Let’s conclude with a reminder of the impact we can make together.”
• 13. “To wrap up our session, here’s a brief summary of our discussion.”
• 14. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to present to you. Any final thoughts?”
• 15. “And that’s a wrap. I welcome any final questions or comments.”
• 16. “As we conclude, let’s remember the objectives we’ve set today.”
• 17. “Thank you for your time. Let’s apply these insights to achieve success.”
• 18. “In conclusion, your feedback is valuable, and I’m here to listen.”
• 19. “Before we part, let’s take a moment to reflect on our key messages.”
• 20. “I’ll end with an invitation for all of us to take the next step.”
• 21. “As we close, let’s commit to the goals we’ve outlined today.”
• 22. “Thank you for your attention. Let’s keep the conversation going.”
• 23. “In conclusion, let’s make a difference, starting now.”
• 24. “I’ll leave you with these final words to consider as we end our time together.”
• 25. “Before we conclude, remember that change starts with our actions today.”
• 26. “Thank you for the lively discussion. Let’s continue to build on these ideas.”
• 27. “As we wrap up, I encourage you to reach out with any further questions.”
• 28. “In closing, I’d like to express my gratitude for your valuable input.”
• 29. “Let’s conclude on a high note and take these learnings forward.”
• 30. “Thank you for your time today. Let’s end with a commitment to progress.”

Summarizing the Main Points

When you reach the end of your presentation, summarizing the main points helps your audience retain the important information you’ve shared. Crafting a memorable summary enables your listeners to walk away with a clear understanding of your message.

Effective Methods of Summarization

To effectively summarize your presentation, you need to distill complex information into concise, digestible pieces. Start by revisiting the overarching theme of your talk and then narrow down to the core messages. Use plain language and imagery to make the enduring ideas stick. Here are some examples of how to do this:

• Use analogies that relate to common experiences to recap complex concepts.
• Incorporate visuals or gestures that reinforce your main arguments.

The Rule of Three

The Rule of Three is a classic writing and communication principle. It means presenting ideas in a trio, which is a pattern that’s easy for people to understand and remember. For instance, you might say, “Our plan will save time, cut costs, and improve quality.” This structure has a pleasing rhythm and makes the content more memorable. Some examples include:

• “This software is fast, user-friendly, and secure.”
• Pointing out a product’s “durability, affordability, and eco-friendliness.”

Reiterating the Main Points

Finally, you want to circle back to the key takeaways of your presentation. Rephrase your main points without introducing new information. This reinforcement supports your audience’s memory and understanding of the material. You might summarize key takeaways like this:

• Mention the problem you addressed, the solution you propose, and the benefits of this solution.
• Highlighting the outcomes of adopting your strategy: higher efficiency, greater satisfaction, and increased revenue.

Creating a Strong Conclusion

The final moments of your presentation are your chance to leave your audience with a powerful lasting impression. A strong conclusion is more than just summarizing—it’s your opportunity to invoke thought, inspire action, and make your message memorable.

Incorporating a Call to Action

A call to action is your parting request to your audience. You want to inspire them to take a specific action or think differently as a result of what they’ve heard. To do this effectively:

• Be clear about what you’re asking.
• Explain why their action is needed.
• Make it as simple as possible for them to take the next steps.

Example Phrases:

• “Start making a difference today by…”
• “Join us in this effort by…”
• “Take the leap and commit to…”

Leaving a Lasting Impression

End your presentation with something memorable. This can be a powerful quote, an inspirational statement, or a compelling story that underscores your main points. The goal here is to resonate with your audience on an emotional level so that your message sticks with them long after they leave.

• “In the words of [Influential Person], ‘…'”
• “Imagine a world where…”
• “This is more than just [Topic]; it’s about…”

Enhancing Audience Engagement

To hold your audience’s attention and ensure they leave with a lasting impression of your presentation, fostering interaction is key.

Q&A Sessions

It’s important to integrate a Q&A session because it allows for direct communication between you and your audience. This interactive segment helps clarify any uncertainties and encourages active participation. Plan for this by designating a time slot towards the end of your presentation and invite questions that promote discussion.

• “I’d love to hear your thoughts; what questions do you have?”
• “Let’s dive into any questions you might have. Who would like to start?”
• “Feel free to ask any questions, whether they’re clarifications or deeper inquiries about the topic.”

Encouraging Audience Participation

Getting your audience involved can transform a good presentation into a great one. Use open-ended questions that provoke thought and allow audience members to reflect on how your content relates to them. Additionally, inviting volunteers to participate in a demonstration or share their experiences keeps everyone engaged and adds a personal touch to your talk.

• “Could someone give me an example of how you’ve encountered this in your work?”
• “I’d appreciate a volunteer to help demonstrate this concept. Who’s interested?”
• “How do you see this information impacting your daily tasks? Let’s discuss!”

Delivering a Persuasive Ending

At the end of your presentation, you have the power to leave a lasting impact on your audience. A persuasive ending can drive home your key message and encourage action.

Sales and Persuasion Tactics

When you’re concluding a presentation with the goal of selling a product or idea, employ carefully chosen sales and persuasion tactics. One method is to summarize the key benefits of your offering, reminding your audience why it’s important to act. For example, if you’ve just presented a new software tool, recap how it will save time and increase productivity. Another tactic is the ‘call to action’, which should be clear and direct, such as “Start your free trial today to experience the benefits first-hand!” Furthermore, using a touch of urgency, like “Offer expires soon!”, can nudge your audience to act promptly.

Final Impressions and Professionalism

Your closing statement is a chance to solidify your professional image and leave a positive impression. It’s important to display confidence and poise. Consider thanking your audience for their time and offering to answer any questions. Make sure to end on a high note by summarizing your message in a concise and memorable way. If your topic was on renewable energy, you might conclude by saying, “Let’s take a leap towards a greener future by adopting these solutions today.” This reinforces your main points and encourages your listeners to think or act differently when they leave.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some creative strategies for ending a presentation memorably.

To end your presentation in a memorable way, consider incorporating a call to action that engages your audience to take the next step. Another strategy is to finish with a thought-provoking question or a surprising fact that resonates with your listeners.

Can you suggest some powerful quotes suitable for concluding a presentation?

Yes, using a quote can be very effective. For example, Maya Angelou’s “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,” can reinforce the emotional impact of your presentation.

What is an effective way to write a conclusion that summarizes a presentation?

An effective conclusion should recap the main points succinctly, highlighting what you want your audience to remember. A good way to conclude is by restating your thesis and then briefly summarizing the supporting points you made.

As a student, how can I leave a strong impression with my presentation’s closing remarks?

To leave a strong impression, consider sharing a personal anecdote related to your topic that demonstrates passion and conviction. This helps humanize your content and makes the message more relatable to your audience.

How can I appropriately thank my audience at the close of my presentation?

A simple and sincere expression of gratitude is always appropriate. You might say, “Thank you for your attention and engagement today,” to convey appreciation while also acknowledging their participation.

What are some examples of a compelling closing sentence in a presentation?

A compelling closing sentence could be something like, “Together, let’s take the leap towards a greener future,” if you’re presenting on sustainability. This sentence is impactful, calls for united action, and leaves your audience with a clear message.

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How to Hand over the Presentation to Another Speaker

Last Updated: May 24, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Patrick Muñoz . Patrick is an internationally recognized Voice & Speech Coach, focusing on public speaking, vocal power, accent and dialects, accent reduction, voiceover, acting and speech therapy. He has worked with clients such as Penelope Cruz, Eva Longoria, and Roselyn Sanchez. He was voted LA's Favorite Voice and Dialect Coach by BACKSTAGE, is the voice and speech coach for Disney and Turner Classic Movies, and is a member of Voice and Speech Trainers Association. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 253,563 times.

Whether at work, school, or a professional conference or workshop, group presentations are something you might find yourself giving from time to time. Introductions are part of any public speaking , so it’s good to know a few guidelines for introducing the person who’s speaking after you in a presentation. We want to help you nail your next presentation , so we put together this list of tips to make transitional introductions a breeze!

Introducing a Speaker

Restate the main points in your section of the presentation, then ask a "what if" question related to what the next presenter is going to talk about. State the person's name, professional title, and any other background info. Make eye contact with the presenter and motion them on stage or say "Come on up!"

Summarize what you just talked about.

• For example, say something like: “So, in conclusion , if global warming continues at the current rate, more than 140 million people could be displaced by 2050.”
• Or, say something like: “Well, that was a brief introduction to the projected effects of carbon emissions over the next 3 decades.”

Set the audience up for the next topic with a question.

• For example, if the next speaker is going to talk about the implications of AI for future generations, ask something like: “What if by the year 2075 there was no longer any need for humans in manufacturing jobs?”
• Or, if the next presenter is there to talk about cloud computing security, ask something like: “How often do you worry about security when you save your files to the cloud?”

Say the upcoming speaker’s name.

• For example, say: “Up next is Robert Sandoval…”
• Or, say: “Here now is John Mando…”

State the next presenter’s title or profession.

• For example, say something like: “Up next is Alex Bando, Marketing Director.”
• Or, say something like: “Roger Stoney is a former philosophy professor at Washington State University.”

Tell the audience what the next person is there to talk about.

• For example, after you state the person’s name and background, say something like: “He’s going to talk to you about 5 tried-and-true time management techniques for success that you can start using today!”
• Or, say something like: “Jill is going to speak about an exciting discovery she made while researching the behaviors of the Puget Sound’s octopus population last year.”

Praise the next speaker as you introduce them.

• For example, say something like: “Sarah is truly one of the most brilliant minds I’ve met in the world of physics and I can’t wait for you to hear what she has to say.”
• Or, say something like: “Alexa has been a close colleague of mine for almost 6 years now and she’s a great public speaker, so I know you’re really going to enjoy this.”
• If you don't know the person personally, you could do a little research about their achievements and say something like: "John has won global recognition for his books and is a leading authority on economics."

Add a fun piece of information or a joke.

• For example, say something like: “Besides being a leading expert in marine biology, Jill speaks 5 languages fluently. But don’t worry, this presentation is only in 1!”

Keep the introduction short.

• For instance, your first sentence is a summary of what you said, your second sentence is a question to frame the upcoming topic, then you can fit the next speaker’s name, title, and topic all into the next 1-2 sentences. Finally, you can end with a fun fact about the next presenter in your fifth sentence.”

Give the next presenter a cue that it’s their time to speak.

• You could say something like: “Come on up, Sam!”
• Or, say: “Welcome, Rachel.”

Rehearse your entire presentation at least twice.

• If you can’t rehearse with the speaker you have to introduce, you can still practice your whole section of the presentation up to the end of the transitional intro. Just imagine that the next speaker is sitting off to the side somewhere.
• It can help to film yourself practicing in front of a mirror and then watching the video back. You can also practice in front of a friend.

Expert Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-conclude-a-presentation
• ↑ https://hbr.org/2016/10/how-to-memorably-introduce-another-speaker
• ↑ https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-publicspeaking/chapter/introducing-a-speaker/
• ↑ https://www.meetingsnet.com/speakers-entertainment/4-tips-introducing-your-next-keynote-speaker
• ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6Xa1fq-oPo&t=120s
• ↑ https://hbr.org/2019/09/how-to-rehearse-for-an-important-presentation

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How to Hand Over a Presentation to the Next Person

Shahid shahmiri.

Navigating the transition between speakers during a presentation is a pivotal moment that can significantly influence the flow and coherence of your message. Understanding “ how to hand over a presentation to the next person ” is not just about the mechanics of passing control but also about ensuring a smooth and professional transition that maintains audience engagement and preserves the continuity of the presentation. This guide offers strategic insights and practical tips to master the art of seamless presentation handovers.

Preparing for a Smooth Transition

1. Coordination and Rehearsal: Before the presentation, coordinate with the next speaker to discuss the transition point. Rehearsing this changeover can help both speakers feel more comfortable and ensure a smoother transition.

2. Clear Segmentation of Content: Ensure your research presentation is segmented between speakers. Each section should be self-contained to allow for a natural transition, yet cohesive enough to maintain the narrative flow.

3. Technical Setup and Familiarization: Familiarize yourselves with the technical setup, including how to switch slides and use the clicker. This avoids any awkward pauses or technical glitches during the handover.

Read More How To Start A Presentation Tips And Tricks – 22 Powerful Strategies

Executing the Handover with Finesse

1. Signposting the Transition: As you approach the end of your segment, signal the upcoming transition. A simple statement like, “Now, I’ll hand over to [Next Speaker’s Name], who will explore [Next Topic],” provides a clear cue to the audience and the next speaker.

2. Summarize and Connect: Briefly summarize your key points to reinforce your message and provide a smooth segue to the next section. Highlight how your segment sets the stage for what’s coming next, creating a logical link between the two parts.

3. Physical Handover: The physical act of handing over the presentation should be as smooth as the verbal transition. Whether it’s passing a clicker or moving aside to welcome the next speaker, ensure this action is rehearsed and executed gracefully.

Videos on Presentations Made Easy Schedule A FREE Demo With Us

Enhancing the transition experience.

1. Use Visual Cues: Incorporate a visual cue in the presentation slides to signify the transition, such as a “handover slide” with the next speaker’s name and topic. This visually prepares the audience for the change.

2. Maintain Engagement: During the handover, both speakers should engage with the audience. The departing speaker can introduce the next with a brief accolade, while the incoming speaker can express gratitude or a quick recap before diving into their segment.

3. Seamless Technological Transition: Ensure that any necessary technological switches, such as changing slide decks or adjusting microphones, are handled smoothly and quickly. Preparing these elements in advance minimizes disruption.

Read More Creating & Giving Presentations: Expert Tips from 10 Pros

Contingency Plans

1. Have a Backup Plan: Prepare for any surprises by having a backup plan for each speaker and segment. This could mean having a backup speaker ready or having notes and materials that someone else can easily pick up if needed.

2. Practice Common Issues: Practice how to handle common problems, like if a speaker is running late or can’t make it. Rehearse how to quickly adjust and keep things moving smoothly without disrupting the presentation.

3. Keep Everyone in the Loop: Make sure there’s a way to quickly communicate changes or issues to everyone involved. If something goes wrong, having a point person who can update both the team and the audience will help keep everything on track.

Read More How to make great presentations that engage audiences

Share Responsibility

To maintain the flow and the professionalism of the presentation, the next speaker must be also prepared to take the handover when it’s their turn.

 Being prepared means a few important things:

• Knowing When to Step In: The next speaker should be clear on the exact moment they’ll take over, whether it’s signaled by a slide change or a cue from the current speaker.
• Being in Sync: They should be familiar with what’s already been covered so they can easily pick up the thread and keep the flow going.
• Starting Strong: The next speaker should be ready to engage the audience right away, starting with confidence and energy.
• Being Technically Prepared: They need to be comfortable with the tools, like the clicker or slide transitions, to make sure everything goes off without a hitch.

Build Presentation Together

Combine Content: Merge individual sections into a unified presentation. Assign one person to standardize the slide design and format to ensure consistency.

Review and Edit: Meet to review the entire presentation, providing feedback and making necessary edits. This includes agreeing on the opening minute and ensuring that all speakers cover a similar amount of information.

Add Custom Navigation: Group presentations can be quite the maze with all the slides and sections involved. To make things easier, consider adding Custom Navigation to your slides.

Rather than sticking to the usual linear navigation, which can be limiting, custom navigation lets you set up specific paths for each speaker. This way, if a presenter needs to go back to a previous slide or jump to a different section, they can do so quickly and effortlessly.

CustomShow makes it easy to implement this kind of navigation, allowing you to customize the experience and even turn off the standard linear navigation if it doesn’t suit your needs. This feature helps keep your presentation organized and makes navigating through complex slide decks a breeze.

Check out the Sample CustomShow pre sentation

Conclusion: The Art of the Handover

Presentation handover is an art that enhances the professionalism and coherence of your presentation. By preparing thoroughly, executing the transition with clarity and finesse, and employing strategies to maintain audience engagement, you can ensure that the handover is not just a mere passing of the baton but a valuable component of a cohesive and compelling presentation narrative.

Discover the best tool for Group Presentations

Are you ready to convert your boring-looking presentation into a dynamic stunning presentation? Try out CustomShow for free

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How to Give a Killer Presentation

Lessons from TED by Chris Anderson

Summary .   

• Frame your story (figure out where to start and where to end).
• Plan your delivery (decide whether to memorize your speech word for word or develop bullet points and then rehearse it—over and over).
• Work on stage presence (but remember that your story matters more than how you stand or whether you’re visibly nervous).
• Plan the multimedia (whatever you do, don’t read from PowerPoint slides).
• Put it together (play to your strengths and be authentic).

A little more than a year ago, on a trip to Nairobi, Kenya, some colleagues and I met a 12-year-old Masai boy named Richard Turere, who told us a fascinating story. His family raises livestock on the edge of a vast national park, and one of the biggest challenges is protecting the animals from lions—especially at night. Richard had noticed that placing lamps in a field didn’t deter lion attacks, but when he walked the field with a torch, the lions stayed away. From a young age, he’d been interested in electronics, teaching himself by, for example, taking apart his parents’ radio. He used that experience to devise a system of lights that would turn on and off in sequence—using solar panels, a car battery, and a motorcycle indicator box—and thereby create a sense of movement that he hoped would scare off the lions. He installed the lights, and the lions stopped attacking. Soon villages elsewhere in Kenya began installing Richard’s “lion lights.”

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How to Start and End a Presentation: 10 Practical Tips to Grab Attention and Make an Impact

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By Al Boicheva

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No matter how well-crafted and planned the body of your presentation, its impact depends on its opening and ending.  On one hand, you have 30 seconds to grab your audience’s attention so people would be interested in hearing what you have to say. On the other, your ending is what your audience will be left with and will shape how they feel about your presentation and how they’ll remember it. This might be like a lot of pressure but the truth is, it’s easier than it sounds. This is why, in this article, we will help you achieve this and more with 10 practical tips on how to start and end a presentation effectively .

Article overview: The Opening: 5 Tips To Get Your Audience Invested  1. The Hook 2. Transition 3. Personal Story 4. Build Tension with Silence 5. Use Startling Statistics The Ending: 5 Tips To Make an Impact 1. The Rule of Three 2. Come Full Circle 3. Food for Thought Question Ending 4. Inspire with Personal Involvement 5. Make Your Audience Laugh

5 Practical Tips on How to Start a Presentation

Imagine you spent weeks preparing an amazing presentation with lots of valuable insight that you just can’t wait to share with your audience. Unfortunately, only a few minutes in, you notice that most of your viewers are on their phones scrolling and barely paying any attention to what you have to say. What happened?

Presenters and speakers often start with a long introduction. They introduce themselves, share how excited they are, thank the audience for attending, explain what they’re going to speak about in a minute, why the topic is important, etc. This might take only one or two minutes, however, when it comes to presentation,  two minutes without telling anything interesting might result in losing your audience. In fact, you only have 30 seconds to grab your audience’s attention .

This is why, no matter the topic and goal of your presentation, you must always captivate your audience’s attention first. Leave the introductions and summaries for later .

In this section, we’ll talk about ways to hook your audience in the first 30 seconds and get them invested in what you have to say in your presentation.

1. The Hook

Anything unpredictable that catches you off-guard, will get your attention.

This tactic, masterfully named as a metaphor for attracting fish with a juicy worm on a hook, refers to a few-second short story, metaphor, shocking fact, statistics, analogy, controversial statement, or anything unconventional and unexpected that will capture your viewer’s imagination. We’ll have a look at three examples for hooks.

1.1 Bold Claim

“Here’s all you have to know about men and women: women are crazy, men are stupid.” This opening line by stand-up comedy legend George Carlin is a great example of a hook in the form of a bold claim. If you’re confident enough with your presentation and you have a bold claim up to your sleeve, don’t save it for the end. Instead, shoot that bullet confidently the second you start your presentation. It will immediately catch your audience off-guard and you will have it paying attention to your every word after that.

Here are some examples for bold claim starters in presentations and public speaking.

• “What you’re doing right now at this very moment is killing you.” ( Nilofer Merchant )
• “Sadly, in the next 18 minutes when I do our chat, four Americans that are alive will be dead through the food that they eat.” ( Jamie Oliver )
• “I’m going to try to increase the lifespan of every single person in this room by seven and a half minutes. Literally, you will live seven and a half minutes longer than you would have otherwise just because you watched this talk.” ( Jane McGonagall )
• “I don’t want to alarm anybody in this room. However, it’s just come to my attention that the person to your right is a liar.” ( Pamela Meyer )

1.2 Imagine

One of the greatest ways to get attention and start strong is through storytelling. People love stories and are always interested in hearing one. In fact, many presentations may revolve around a story or just use small anecdotes to enhance their message. With this being said, amongst the best methods to create a compelling story is to get your audience involved. To do so, make them imagine themselves in the shoes of the main character. This attention-grabber invites your viewers to create a mental image and get emotionally invested.

Here are examples of speeches starting with the Imagine play:

• “I want you, guys, to imagine that you’re a soldier, running through the battlefield. Now, you’re shot in the leg with a bullet that severs your femoral artery. This bleed is extremely traumatic and can kill you in less than 3 minutes. Unfortunately, by the time a medic actually gets to you, what the medic has on his or her belt can take 5 minutes or more with the application of pressure to stop that type of bleed.” ( Joe Landolina )
• “Imagine a big explosion as you climb through 3000 feet. Imagine a plane full of smoke, imagine an engine going clack-clack-clack-clack-clack. Well, I had a unique seat that day.”( Ric Elias )

1.3. Humourous Twists

Great stories have unexpected plot twists. The best stories, however, have a funny plot twist. Depending on your topic, you can start by telling your story, get your audience in the mood for a serious talk, and then contradict all expectations with a hilarious spin.

• “I need to make a confession at the outset here. A little over 20 years ago I did something that I regret. Something that I’m not particularly proud of. Something that in many ways I wish no one would ever know. But here I feel kind of obliged to reveal. In the late 1980s, in a moment of youthful indiscretion, I went to law school.” ( Daniel Pink )

2. Transition

Your next step would be to make an organic transition between your hook and the main point of your presentation. You can do this seamlessly or by linking directly with “I tell you this, because”, “This brings us to…”. Mohammed Qahtani, for example, does this transition so smoothly, that you’ll never even catch it.

First, as a hook, he chooses to use a prop. He literally goes on stage and lights a cigarette, capitalizing on unpredictability, originality, bold statement, humor, and immediately uses the second hook in the form of a provocative question, asking the audience “You think smoking kills?”. The third thing he does is strike with shocking data that he immediately admits to being fake. He already has the audience on the tip of his fingers. Having accomplished that, Mohammed Qahtani is ready to finally move to the body of the presentation and reveal his actual message.

3. Personal Story

Another storytelling technique besides making people from your audience imagine themselves in a particular situation, is to start with your own personal story. One that is relevant to the topic of your presentation. Your personal involvement and experience give you credibility in the eyes of the viewers, and, as we mentioned, everyone loves to hear an interesting story. This is because stories are relatable, easy to identify with communicating honesty, openness, and connection.

4. Build Tension with Silence

Interestingly enough, saying nothing is also a very powerful option. In fact, standing in front of an audience and confidently keeping silent is as powerful as making a bold statement. Silence will definitely build tension and pique your audience’s curiosity about what you have to say. Be careful, however, as this technique requires knowing your timing.

5. Use Startling Statistics

Sometimes you just can’t think of a story, a joke, or a specific statement that is bold enough. And that’s okay. As a last resort, but also a pretty effective one, you can always rely on curious shocking statistics, related to your topic, to instantly gain people’s attention. Take your time researching curious statistics that will emphasize the seriousness of your topic or as a tool to start over the top.

To sum it up, your presentation opening follows 5 steps:

• Hook: You immediately strike your audience instantly with something interesting and unconventional they wouldn’t expect.
• Transition: You link your hook to your main point.
• Introduction: Once you already have your audience’s attention, you can finally make a very brief introduction with something relevant to your topic.
• Preview: Give your audience a brief preview of what you’re going to talk about.
• Benefits: Tell your audience how will they benefit from listening to your presentation. (ex. “By the end, you will already know how to…”)

Keep in mind, that your opening, consisting of these 5 steps, should be brief and ideally not exceed 2 minutes . If you manage to make a great hook, transition, introduction, review and list the benefits in 2 minutes, you already have your audience’s full attention and they will be listening to your every word throughout the body of your presentation.

5 Practical Tips on How to End a Presentation

Let’s consider this situation. You start watching a movie that instantly opens with a jaw-dropping suspenseful scene that raises questions and makes you want to unravel the mystery. This scene will certainly make your stay through the movie. You are very invested, you love the story, the build-up keeps you on the edge of your seat until the end when the reveal is so underwhelming, you feel disappointed. The ending doesn’t fit the intensity of the story and feels incomplete and rushed. How does this relate to your presentation?

Having a great start for your presentation is what will keep your audience interested in what you have to say. However, the end is what your audience will be left with and will shape how they feel about your presentation and how they’ll remember it.  In short, if you fail your opening, you will still be able to catch up with your presentation and capitalize with a great closing line. But an underwhelming conclusion can kill the velocity of a good presentation and ruin the overall experience.

Let’s look at some practical tips and examples by great presenters to get inspired and never let that happen.

1. The Rule of Three

This powerful technique in speech writing refers to the collection of three words, phrases, sentences, or lines. In photography, there’s a similar rule, known as the Rule of Thirds, that serves to divide an image into three. In writing, the Rule of Three combines a collection of thoughts into three entities with combined brevity and rhythm to create a pattern.

Information presented in a group of three sticks in our heads better than in other groups. This is why this principle presents your ideas in more enjoyable and memorable ways for your audience.  It also serves to divide up a speech or emphasize a certain message. Let’s see a couple of examples where the rule is applied in different forms.

Examples of the Rule of three in Speeches

• “ I came, I saw, I conquered .” (Veni, Vidi, Vici. ) by Julius Caesar in a letter to the Roman Senate
• “…this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people , shall not perish from the earth.” from Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address
• “ It means to try to tell your kids everything you thought you’d have the next 10 years to tell them in just a few months. lt means to make sure everything is buttoned up so that it will be as easy as possible for your family. It means to say your goodbyes.” from Steve Job’s Stanford Commencement Speech

In Veni Vidi Vici, the rule serves to divide the concept of Caesar’s victory into three parts to prolong the conclusion in order to give it more power. The “came” and “ saw” parts are technically obvious and unnecessary in terms of context. However, they serve to build up the conclusion of conquering, creating a story, rhythm, and, ultimately, a memorable and powerful line. A single “I conquered” wouldn’t impress the Senate that much, let alone become such a legendary phrase preserved in history.

Lincoln’s famous speech ending shows an excellent practice of the Rule of Three in the form of repetition to emphasize the new role of the Government.  “That Government of the people shaw not perish from the earth.” would still be a good line, however, the repetition makes it way more powerful and memorable.

And last, Steve Job uses the Rule of Three in the form of repetition to accomplish building up the conclusion and emphasizing what “it means”.  This repetition gives rhythm and helps the audience to be more receptive, stay focused, and follow the speaker to the final conclusion.

You can also use the Rule of Three to close your presentation by giving your audience two negatives and ending with a positive . Typical structures would be “This is not… this is not… but it is”; “You wouldn’t… you wouldn’t… but you would..”, etc.

For example, you can conclude a speech about self-growth with something similar to “Your future isn’t a matter of chance, it isn’t a matter of circumstances, it’s a matter of choice.”

2. Come Full Circle

In short, this means capitalizing  on your message by ending your presentation the exact way you started it . If done right, this is a powerful tool to make an impact. Usually, you begin your presentation with a statement that piques your audience’s curiosity. You use it to set the topic and start building on it. You take your audience on a journey, you make them start at one point, follow them through the entire journey, and make them end at the same point. By repeating the opening line as an ending, now the message makes more sense, it’s way more personal and makes a satisfying logical conclusion .

A good example of this comes from Yubing Zang in her speech “Life Begins at the End of Your Comfort Zone.” The speaker opens her TED talk with that same line to take you on a journey. You experience her story, you learn how fear is the biggest thief of dreams while comfort is a drug that keeps you from following them. After that strong message, she finishes with that same phrase. In the end, this phrase isn’t just an abstract quote, now it makes more sense and feels more real and personal.

You can also use the full circle method to start and finish your presentation with the same question. As an opening line, your question will make your audience think. It will compel them to listen to your presentation and learn the answers. As an ending, however, this same question will become rhetorical .

And speaking of questions…

3. Food for Thought Question Ending

The easiest way to end a speech on a good note is to leave your audience with a question. The kind of open-ended question that will inspire your audience to reflect on . Such questions can be so inviting, they will give your audience something exciting to think about and even think of throughout the day.

Examples of open-ended questions, depending on your topic, could sound like this.

• What if it doesn’t work out that way?
• What does this look like for you?
• If you could do it over again, what would you do differently?

Unlike close-ended questions that the viewers can answer immediately on the spot and forget about your speech later, interesting open-ended questions that give them food for thought will inevitably surface on occasion.

For example, Lera Boroditski closes her topic on “How Language Shapes the Way We Think” with ” And that gives you the opportunity to ask: why do I think the way that I do? How could I think differently? And also, what thoughts do I wish to create?”

In order for your open-ended question to become food for thought, make sure your presentation raises it organically . It should sound like a relevant and logical conclusion to what you’ve built during your speech. Otherwise, the question would be forced and would seem like coming from nowhere. The best way to think of such an open-ended question is to reflect on what is the question you wished to answer during your presentation but couldn’t. Something that doesn’t have a solution yet.

• Why do people fear losing things that they do not even have yet?
• Why do we strive for perfection if it is not attainable?
• How much control do you have over your life?
• When will we reach a point where terraforming Mars will be our only chance at human survival? How can you influence this deadline?

This will give a great puzzle for your audience to solve and something to remember your presentation with, for a long time.

4. Inspire with Personal Involvement

If you have a story to share, don’t hesitate to inspire your audience with it during your own presentations.

This method is most powerful when we share a personal story or experience . Our vulnerability and personal touch are what will help you inspire your audience without sounding insincere or forcing them a piece of advice out of nowhere. The key here is to have credibility and personal involvement . It might come from your degree, accomplishments, or from your life’s story. Also, make sure the story is relatable and encourages empathy from your audience.

Steve Jobs gave a commencement speech at Stanford University sharing his personal experiences in order to inspire change in his audience’s mindset. He uses his authority and credibility to shape the spirit of leadership and entrepreneurship in young people. He aims to inspire people that they should learn to color outside the lines instead of following the patterns and structure of society. And he serves as a great example with his own life story and accomplishments .

Which makes the ending memorable and impactful: “ Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary. Stay hungry. Stay foolish. ”

In conclusion, the entire speech builds up to this conclusion making it powerful as the personal involvement and experience make it sincere and inspirational.

5. Make Your Audience Laugh

If your topic allows it, one of the best ways to make your presentation memorable and a great experience for your audience is to end with a joke. Just make sure to craft a joke that relates to the main point of your presentation.

As an example for this tip, we chose the TED talk of webcartoonist Randall Munroe where he answers simple what-if questions using math, physics, logic, and -you guessed it- humor.

He ends by sharing an allegedly personal experience about receiving an email from a reader with a single subject line “Urgent”. “And this was the entire email: If people had wheels and could fly, how would we differentiate them from airplanes? Urgent. And I think that there are some questions math just cannot answer. ”

Final Words

In conclusion, the start and end of your presentation are crucial to its success. No matter the topic and goal of your presentation, you must always captivate your audience’s attention first, leaving the introductions and summaries for later. Having a great start for your presentation is what will keep your audience interested in what you have to say. However, the end is what your audience will be left with and will shape how they feel about your presentation and how they’ll remember it.  We hope we managed to inspire your inner public speaker to rock your presentation like a pro.

In the meantime, you could also check some more insights on related topics, gather inspiration, or simply grab a freebie?

• Digital Marketing Trends 2022: How To Win An Audience and Keep It
• 30 Free Marketing Presentation Templates with Modern Design
• 35+ Free Infographic PowerPoint Templates to Power Your Presentations

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Al Boicheva

Al is an illustrator at GraphicMama with out-of-the-box thinking and a passion for anything creative. In her free time, you will see her drooling over tattoo art, Manga, and horror movies.

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How to handover Presentation to next persona

Author: Sanskar Tiwari

Founder at MagicSlides

Published 26 August 2024

A seamless presentation handover ensures smooth transitions, maintaining audience engagement and presentation flow

How to handover Presentation to next person

Step 1: plan the handover point, step 2: introduce the next speaker.

Step 3: Transfer Control of the Presentation

Step 4: Ensure a Smooth Transition

Step 5: provide any necessary notes or instructions.

Step 6: Stay Available for Support

Step 7: conclude the presentation together.

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How to Make a Good Pitch Presentation

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Reminder: Avoid cluttering slides with too much text. Keep it clean and simple to ensure your audience stays focused on your message.

Use a Dynamic Voice

Studies show that speakers who use vocal variety can boost listener engagement by up to 20%. How? Dynamic voice modulation involves varying your pitch, tone, and speed to maintain audience engagement and highlight key points in your presentation.

To practice voice modulation:

• Select a passage from your presentation. Choose a section that includes a variety of points, like your main body—some that require emphasis and others that serve as supporting information.
• Mark where you want to change your pitch or tone. Highlight parts where you want to raise or lower your voice. This could be in the middle where people might drift off, or near the end when you want to give a powerful finish. You can add a pause or slow down for dramatic effect.
• Record yourself delivering the passage. Listen carefully to how changes in your voice affect the overall impact. Try speaking slower or faster, louder or quieter at certain parts to see how the dynamics change.
• Review and adjust as needed. Fine-tune your delivery based on feedback or rewatching your recordings.
• “Imagine a world without clean water…” Starting with a slightly slower and softer tone creates a contemplative mood.
• [Pause, lower voice] “It’s a reality for millions today.” The pause and lower pitch emphasize the seriousness of the issue.
• [Pause, return to normal tone] “But what if we could change that?” The pause here transitions to a more hopeful and engaging tone, inviting the audience to think about possibilities.
• [Increase pitch slightly] “What if each one of us took a small step to make a big difference?” The increased pitch conveys enthusiasm and optimism.
• [Pause] “Together, we can create a ripple effect that ensures clean water for all.” The pause before this statement adds weight to the collaborative effort.

Want to learn how to level up your voice?

Make Scanning Eye Contact

Research shows that making eye contact can boost engagement and trust. When you look someone in the eye, it shows you are focused and interested and also makes THEM focused and interested, too.

Action Step : During your presentation, make a conscious effort to maintain eye contact with different audience members. Here’s how:

• Scan the room : Shift your gaze every 5-10 seconds to include different sections of the audience. Look at people in different areas to ensure everyone feels included.
• Hold for a few seconds : When making eye contact, hold it for about 3-5 seconds before moving on. This shows confidence and helps keep individuals engaged.
• Balance your attention : Avoid staring at one person or section. Rotate your eye contact across the room, spending a few seconds on each person or group, ensuring no area is neglected.

Reminder: Keep your eye contact natural and relaxed. Overdoing it or staring can make people uncomfortable, so ensure it feels genuine.

For more helpful tips on how to master eye contact, read on: How to Read People’s Eye Direction and Behavior With 34 Cues

Be Authentic, Avoid Jargon

 Most of the time, you’ll probably want to use easy-to-understand language. Think high-school level. Jargon , on the other hand, can alienate listeners and create barriers to understanding. Try to lean towards simple unless your audience’s needs demand it.

Action Step: Review your presentation and replace complex terms with simpler words. Explain your ideas as if to someone unfamiliar with your field. For example, instead of saying, “utilize a customer-centric approach,” say, “focus on our customers.” Clear language makes your message easy to understand.

Here are some sample words to consider: Similar Words vs. Jargon

Engage with Direct Questions

Research shows that asking questions during a presentation can boost audience engagement by up to 30%. This suggests that using questions effectively can turn a passive presentation into an engaging, interactive experience that captivates your audience and reinforces your message.

To effectively use direct questions:

• Choose questions that are relevant to your topic and will prompt your audience to think critically or reflect on their experiences, such as “Have you ever considered how much water you use in a day?”
• Introduce questions at strategic points, like after presenting a key fact, to maintain flow and keep your audience engaged.
• Be open to audience responses, whether verbal or through a show of hands, and respond thoughtfully.
• Use questions to create a dialogue rather than a monologue, for example, “What small changes can each of us make to conserve water?”

Practice adding questions and watch how your audience responds. This will help you refine your approach and maximize engagement.

Use Interactive Polls

By inviting participation using polls, you create a two-way conversation instead of keeping things one-sided.

For example, take a look at how Simon Sinek 4 https://simonsinek.com/stories/simons-1-rule-of-public-speaking/ uses interactive polls in his presentations. Known for his work on leadership and motivation, Sinek uses real-time polls to get audience opinions and experiences. Gathering real-time opinions makes his talks engaging and more impactful.

Action Step: Integrate live polling tools like Mentimeter 5 https://www.mentimeter.com/ or Slido 6 https://www.slido.com/ into your presentation. Pose questions that relate directly to your topic to gauge your audience’s opinions or test their knowledge. For example, in a presentation on workplace productivity, you could ask, “What is your biggest productivity challenge?” and show the results in real-time to spark discussion.

Work on Your Stage Presence

Studies have shown that presenters who use deliberate and strategic movements can significantly boost audience engagement and retention.

While your tone and words can be the most impactful parts of your presentation, remember that body language plays a big role in keeping your audience engaged.

Jill Bolte Taylor, in her TED Talk episode My Stroke of Insight 7 https://www.ted.com/talks/jill_bolte_taylor_my_stroke_of_insight/transcript , used great body language to boost stage presence. Taylor uses deliberate movements and gestures to map out her content, making her points more engaging and memorable.

Here are some specific tips based on her approach and other TED speakers:

• Speak with open arms. Avoid crossing your arms; it can make you seem closed off. Open arms show confidence and make you look approachable.
• Keep moving. Don’t stand still. Move around the stage to keep your audience’s attention. Taylor pivots to face different parts of the audience, making everyone feel included.
• Use hand gestures. Use hand gestures to emphasize key points and make your message stick. Taylor’s expansive gestures reflect the scope of her topic, keeping the audience visually engaged.

To practice stage movement:

• Choose three main points. For example, move left for the beginning, center for the middle, and right for the end of a project timeline.
• Decide specific movements to help the audience visually map your content. For example, step forward and gesture when highlighting an important statistic.
• Rehearse with these moves, making sure your steps and gestures are smooth and confident.
• Film yourself with your phone or a camera. Watch the video to check if your movements enhance your message.
• If a move feels awkward, simplify it or adjust the timing to fit your speech better.

Tell Personal Stories And Anecdotes

Research shows that personal stories can really help people learn and remember your presentation. This emphasizes that when people hear a story, their brains sync up with the storyteller, creating a shared experience that makes it easier to understand and remember the information. 

Timing matters too. Share anecdotes at key points—like at the start to grab attention, to explain complex ideas, or to highlight important takeaways. Starting with one or two stories per main idea can make your key points stick better with your audience.

Action Step: When you’re presenting someone a new concept, personal stories can make a big difference. Here’s how you can do it effectively:

• Kick-off with a short tale about your first time using the software. Talk about the common problems you faced and how you solved them.
• Walk through the key steps of using the software, blending in your personal experience to make each step clear and relatable.
• Once you’ve covered the basics, tell another story about a specific issue you encountered and how you fixed it. This shows practical problem-solving.
• Finish with a story that connects all the steps, showing how mastering the software boosted your efficiency.

Use Silence Wisely

Ever noticed the power of silence in a conversation or when you’re trying to present something? When used right, silence can be your great tool. Misused, it can lead to awkwardness or miscommunication.

Smart communicators or presenters know when to stop talking. Silence can emphasize a point, give space for reflection, or let others speak.

For example: When you’re trying to convince them during your presentation, make your point and then give them a few seconds of silence. This can give them time to think and shows you’re confident.

Instead of filling every gap, think about who you’re talking to. Do they need time to process? Or will they see silence as disinterest?

When explaining something complex, a moment of silence can help your audience absorb the information. Ignoring silence can overwhelm your audience, rush conversations, and weaken your message.

Key Points with Props

Using props can make your presentation more engaging and memorable. Here’s how to do it effectively:

• Pick props that directly relate to your key points. For example, if you’re talking about old versus new technology, show an outdated gadget next to a modern one.
• Make sure everyone can see your props. If it’s small, either pass it around (if feasible) or use a camera to project it onto a screen.
• Don’t overload your presentation with too many props. One or two well-chosen items are far more effective than a cluttered table.
• Know exactly how and when you’ll use your props. Practice ahead of time to avoid any awkward moments.
• Make sure the prop reinforces your key point. For instance, if you’re explaining a concept, use a prop that clearly demonstrates it.

Example Scenario: Imagine you’re giving a presentation on the evolution of mobile phones. Start by showing a classic Nokia 3310 alongside the latest iPhone, holding them up for everyone to see or projecting the images onto a screen. Share a personal story about your first mobile phone experience with the Nokia 3310, describing how it felt to use it compared to using the latest iPhone today. This not only makes the topic more relatable but also highlights the dramatic changes in technology over the years.

Use the Nokia to highlight durability and simplicity, then contrast it with the iPhone to showcase modern advancements.

Use Analogies and Metaphors

Studies 8 https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0022-0663.75.3.450 have shown that using analogies and metaphors can improve understanding and memory by up to 30%. This means that these techniques can make your points clearer and help your audience remember them longer.

Here’s how to use them:

• Identify tough concepts. Find parts of your presentation where you need to explain something complicated, such as explaining what is a firewall.
• Then, find relatable comparisons. Think of everyday experiences or objects that are similar to the concept you’re explaining, such as saying, “A firewall is like a security guard at a building entrance.”
• Next, craft your analogy or metaphor.  Create a short, clear comparison that highlights the key points of your idea. You might say something like “A firewall is like a security guard checking everyone who enters to ensure they are authorized.”

Here’s an example scenario:

“Your computer’s hard drive is like a filing cabinet in your office. Each document and file is neatly stored in a specific drawer. But what happens when you run out of space in your cabinet? You’d need to get a bigger one or clear out some files.”

“Now, think of cloud storage as an infinite library. Instead of keeping your files in your limited filing cabinet, you send them to this library where there’s endless room. You can access your files anytime, from anywhere, just like borrowing a book from a library.”

Add a Touch of Humor

Studies 9 https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/advan.00030.2017 have shown that humor activates the brain’s dopamine reward system, stimulating goal-oriented motivation and long-term memory. It can increase retention by up to 50% and improve overall engagement. When people laugh, they relax and are more receptive to new information.

Our Science of People founder, Vanessa Van Edwards started her TEDx London talk with a joke and it now has over 4 million views!

Presentation Mistake : Delivering a presentation that is entirely serious, with no moments that change emotion or add humor.

Have you heard of the phrase, “Laughter is the best medicine” ? Think about how you can incorporate humor into your presentation to keep your audience engaged and make your message more memorable. Here are some ideas:

• Anecdotes: Share a funny story that relates to your topic. For example, “I once tweeted my grocery list instead of posting it privately. My followers were very curious about why I needed 15 avocados!”
• Visual Humor: Use amusing images or cartoons to highlight key points. You might try to display a cartoon of people rowing a boat in different directions with the caption, “Teamwork makes the dream work…unless you’re all dreaming different dreams.”
• Self-Deprecation : Lightly poke fun at yourself to build rapport with your audience, such as saying “In my first presentation, I said, Good afternoon, to a 9 AM audience. At least they laughed!”
• Interactive Humor : Engage the audience with humorous questions or activities. For example, “Raise your hand if you’ve ever sent an email to the wrong person. Keep it up if that email had a typo that changed the meaning completely. Looks like we have some fellow ‘oops!!!’ experts here!”

Remember , humor should be relevant and appropriate for your audience. Avoid controversial or offensive jokes. Instead, opt for universal themes and light-hearted moments that everyone can appreciate.

To be an expert on making your speech more fun, lively, and active, check this out on: Be an Expert at Witty Banter…How to Charm With Your Words

Use Data and Statistics (only if necessary and fascinating)

Using data and statistics in your presentation can make you look more credible and help get your point across. But it’s important to be picky about which numbers you use.

Go through your content and ask yourself: Does this statistic help my argument or explain something complicated? If it doesn’t, skip it.

For example, if you’re talking about the benefits of working from home, mentioning a study that shows a 13% boost in productivity for remote workers is powerful. But throwing in stats about the average number of emails sent daily might just clutter your message.

Reminder: Always double-check your data to make sure it’s accurate and from a trustworthy source. Wrong or misleading stats can hurt your credibility.

Use Technology

Adding technology to your presentations can really boost how engaged your audience is and how well they understand your message.

Interactive tools, like live polls or Q&A sessions , can turn a boring presentation into an exciting conversation.

If you’re explaining something complex, a short video or an animated diagram can simplify things, making it clearer for your audience. Try Powtoon or Animoto for creating engaging visuals and tp make tricky information easier to grasp

Presentation software like Prezi or Canva can make your slides more appealing with creative templates and transitions that can keep your audience’s attention.

For working with others, use tools like Google Slides 10 https://ipv4.google.com/slides/about/?hl=en_uk or Microsoft PowerPoint Online 11 https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/free-office-online-for-the-web?msockid=394b3de64098642d16b0296941f86512 . These allow multiple people to edit the same presentation at the same time, making it easier to combine different ideas and inputs.

The key to using technology effectively is to stay consistent and relevant. Pick tools that enhance your message and make your presentation better, not ones that distract from it.

Adapt to Audience Feedback

Adapting to audience feedback is key for effective teaching. This means being responsive to your audience’s needs without changing your entire plan.

Engaging with your audience and making real-time adjustments can greatly enhance their learning experience. Observing body language, answering questions, and picking up on cues helps make your teaching more impactful.

• Begin by asking, such as saying “What experience do you have with this topic?” This helps gauge their familiarity.
• Watch body language and expressions. If you notice puzzled looks or furrowed brows, pause and say, “It looks like this part might be confusing. Let me explain it another way.”
• Use a quick poll with a question like, “How comfortable are you with this concept?” to see where everyone stands.
• Create a welcoming environment for questions. You can say something like, “Feel free to ask questions at any time.” When someone asks a question, address it immediately to prevent misunderstandings.
• If feedback indicates unclear points, say, “Let’s go over that step again,” and provide more explanations or examples. Slow down if necessary.
• Conclude by asking, “What part of today’s session was most helpful? What could be improved?” Use this feedback to adapt in the moment and prepare for future presentations.

Recognize Audience Contributions

When someone asks a good question or makes a useful comment, don’t just brush it off. Take a moment to highlight their contribution and explain why it matters. This encourages more people to participate and keeps the energy up.

Action Step: Here’s how to do it:

• Be Specific: Point out exactly what they did. For example, “Thanks for asking about our new feature; it’s a key point.”
• Explain the Impact: Tell everyone how their input helped. “Your question shows how this feature can improve user experience by 20%.”
• Encourage More Input: Let them know their participation is valued. “Keep those questions coming; your insights are making this session better.”

Pro Tip : Use tools like live Slack or Teams to give real-time recognition. This can show appreciation and sets the tone for a more interactive and engaging presentation.

Seamless Transitions Between Topics

Consider how Brené Brown transitions in her TED Talk The Power of Vulnerability 12 https://www.bing.com/search?pglt=675&q=TED+TalkThe+Power+of+Vulnerability&cvid=a9f7b0b838bd4877908a76d65a24e624&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIGCAEQABhAMgYIAhAAGEAyBggDEAAYQDIGCAQQABhAMgYIBRAAGEAyBggGEAAYQDIGCAcQABhAMgYICBAAGEDSAQgyOTg3ajBqMagCALACAA&FORM=ANNTA1&PC=U531 . She connects ideas with personal stories and relevant examples, making the shift between topics feel natural and cohesive.

Here’s how to link different sections effectively:

• Preview and summarize : Before moving to a new topic, briefly recap what you’ve covered and preview what’s next. For example, if you’re shifting from workplace productivity to stress management, you might say, “We’ve talked about boosting productivity; now let’s see how managing stress can enhance it further.”
• Use transitional phrases : Phrases like “building on that idea,” “another key point,” or “similarly” help connect different topics. For example, “Building on our discussion about productivity tools, let’s now consider how time management techniques can support those tools.”
• Pose a question : Engage your audience by asking a question that leads into the next topic. You might ask something like “How does stress impact your productivity?” This creates a natural transition and encourages audience reflection.

Address All Senses

Want to make your presentation unforgettable? Engage all your audience’s senses. By appealing to sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell, you create a richer, more memorable experience that sticks with everyone.

Just take a look again on how Steve Jobs launched Apple products 13 https://www.forbes.com/sites/carminegallo/2022/06/30/steve-jobs-surprise-iphone-reveal-is-still-a-presentation-classic/ . Aside from talking and describing new releases of the iPhone, he is showing high-quality images, playing sounds, and letting the audience see and hear the device in action. This multisensory approach made his presentations powerful and memorable.

Here’s how you can do the same:

• Visuals : Use high-quality images, videos, and live demonstrations.
• Sound : Add sound effects, music, or audio clips that match your message.
• Touch : If you can, let your audience handle samples or prototypes.
• Taste and smell : For food presentations or sensory branding, offer samples that your audience can taste or smell. Or, just offer food anyway if you’d like.

For example, if you’re talking about a new coffee blend:

• Show great images of the coffee beans and brewing process.
• Play the sounds of coffee beans grinding and coffee brewing.
• Let the audience feel the texture of the coffee beans.
• Offer small samples for them to taste and smell the coffee.

Do Your Homework

When you’re given a topic for a presentation, it’s important to really understand it. First things first, dive deep into research .

• read articles and books
• watch videos
• or listen to podcasts related to your subject

End with a Call to Action

One of the best ways to wrap up your presentation is with a strong call to action (CTA). A CTA gives your audience clear next steps and encourages them to act on what they’ve just learned. 

Make sure your CTA is clear, specific, and relevant to your presentation.

• Direct and clear : After a marketing presentation, say, “Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated with the latest marketing trends.” At the end of a workshop on time management, say, “Download our time management app today and start organizing your schedule more efficiently.”
• Relevant to the content : If you’ve given a talk on healthy eating, end with, “Join our 30-day healthy eating challenge to kickstart your journey .” For a sales pitch, say, “Contact our sales team for a personalized demo and see how our product can benefit your business.”
• Create urgency : After a webinar on investment strategies, say, “Sign up for our investment course within the next 24 hours to receive a 20% discount.” At the end of a charity event, say, “Donate now and help us reach our goal by the end of the month.”
• Provide easy steps : After a presentation on career development, say, “Visit our website, sign up for our career coaching sessions, and take the first step towards your dream job. “

Pro Tip: Want to really know how to nail your ending? We got you covered:

How to End a Speech: My Favorite Closers

Do you know how to end on a high? Leave a lasting impression in your presentation? Science tells us that the first and last parts of your presentations are the most important. Get our FREE download to get our closer guide.

Things To Avoid During Presentation

A study 14 https://www.vumc.org/surgical-sciences/sites/default/files/HBR%20Guide%20To%20Persuasive%20Presentations.PDF by Harvard Business Review found that 69% of people said they find presentations boring if they lack engagement and clear messaging.

To have a great presentation, you have to connect with your audience and make your message stick, not just share the information.

Here are some things to avoid during your presentation to keep your audience interested and your message clear.

Reading Directly from Slides

• Why to Avoid: Reading from your slides makes your presentation boring and impersonal.
• What to Do Instead: Use slides as prompts and talk to your audience. Make eye contact and share personal stories.

For example: Instead of reading “ Our sales increased by 20% last quarter,” say, “Here’s how we boosted our sales by 20% last quarter…”

Overloading Slides with Text

• Why to Avoid : Too much text can overwhelm your audience and distract from your message.
• What to Do Instead : Keep slides simple with bullet points, key phrases, and visuals. Aim for no more than 5-6 lines per slide.

For example : Replace a text-heavy slide with “Strategies for Growth” and list 3-4 key points, each with an image or icon.

Ignoring the Audience

• Why to Avoid: Not engaging with your audience can make them lose interest.
• What to Do Instead: Ask questions, encourage participation, and respond to their reactions. Tailor your talk to their interests.

For example: Instead of just talking, pause to ask, “How many of you have faced this challenge?” and get some responses.

Speaking in a Monotone

• Why to Avoid: A flat voice can make even the best content seem dull.
• What to Do Instead: Vary your tone, pitch, and pace to keep your audience engaged. Practice emphasizing key points and using pauses.

For example: Instead of saying, “We saw an increase in customer satisfaction,” say, “We saw an amazing 30% increase in customer satisfaction! Isn’t that great?”

Poor Time Management

• Why to Avoid: Running over time or ending too early can mess up the flow and leave a bad impression.
• What to Do Instead: Practice your presentation to fit the allotted time. Use a timer to stay on track.

For example: If you have a 30-minute slot, plan for 25 minutes of content and 5 minutes for Q&A.

Technical Issues

• Why to Avoid: Tech problems can derail your presentation and frustrate your audience.
• What to Do Instead: Test all your equipment before you start. Have backups of your slides and be ready to present without tech if needed.

For example: Arrive early to set up your laptop, check the projector, and ensure your slides work. Have a printed version of your key points just in case.

Not Handling Questions Well

• Why to Avoid : Poorly handling questions can make you look bad and leave your audience unsatisfied.
• What to Do Instead : Prepare for common questions, listen carefully, and if you don’t know the answer, promise to follow up.

For example : If asked something unexpected, say, “That’s a great question. I’ll need to check the details and get back to you after this session.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on  Presentations

Feeling nervous is normal. Try deep breathing to calm your nerves. Visualize yourself giving a successful presentation. Practice a lot, and remind yourself that confidence comes from being prepared. Positive self-talk and remembering past successes can help too.

Be ready for questions by thinking about what might come up. Listen carefully, repeat the question for clarity, and give a short, honest answer. If you don’t know the answer, it’s okay to say so and offer to follow up later. Encouraging questions shows you’re open and knowledgeable.

Start with a strong hook to grab attention. Use stories, humor, and real-life examples. Ask questions, conduct quick polls, or get the audience involved in discussions. Change your tone and pace, and make eye contact to keep a connection.

Pause and take a breath to collect your thoughts. Refer to your notes or slides to get back on track. Recap your last point to buy some time. If necessary, acknowledge the moment with humor to ease the tension.

Always have a backup plan. Bring printed copies of your slides and notes. Get familiar with the presentation equipment before you start. Stay calm, apologize for the inconvenience, and keep going with your presentation while you troubleshoot or use your backups.

Master Your Next Presentation

Presenting like a pro can seriously up your game at work and beyond. Here’s a recap on some of the tips in the article:

• Start strong Hook them from the get-go. Use a killer quote, ask a juicy question, or kick off with a story that makes them sit up and listen.
• Practice makes perfect : Go through your presentation three times. First, read it out loud. Second, get your body language in check. Third, do a dress rehearsal. Don’t overdo it—stay fresh.
• Follow the 10-20-30 rule : Keep it tight with 10 slides, 20 minutes of talk, and 30-point font. Short and sweet keeps ‘em engaged.
• Know your audience : Tailor your talk to what they care about. Do a little homework on their interests and tweak your content to match.
• Pause for effect : Use strategic pauses to let key points sink in. Silence is golden and gives your audience a moment to digest.
• Body language rocks : Mirror your audience’s gestures and move with purpose. Your body language can say a lot more than words.
• Tell a visual story : Use cool images and minimal text to get your story across. Let your visuals do the heavy lifting.

Remember, a great presentation can open doors and make a lasting impact. Follow these tips to ensure you nail your next presentation!Whether you’re explaining something in front of your colleagues or presenting to a large audience, try to build your confidence. If you feel nervous or intimidated, it is important to maintain your stage presence. For more helpful tips on maintaining your stage presence, read on: Stage Presence: How to Improve Your Own And Win the Crowd

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How to give a good presentation that captivates any audience

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What are the main difficulties when giving presentations?

How to create an effective presentation, after that, how do i give a memorable presentation, how to connect with the audience when presenting.

If you’ve ever heard someone give a powerful presentation, you probably remember how it made you feel. Much like a composer, a good speaker knows precisely when each note should strike to captivate their audience’s attention and leave them with a lasting impression.

No one becomes a great public speaker or presenter without practice. And almost everyone can recall a time one of their presentations went badly — that’s a painful part of the learning process.

Whether you’re working within a small creative team or a large organization, public speaking and presentation skills are vital to communicating your ideas. Knowing how to present your vision can help you pitch concepts to clients, present ideas to your team, and develop the confidence to participate in team meetings.

If you have an upcoming presentation on the horizon and feel nervous, that’s normal. Around 15-30% of the general population experience a fear of public speaking . And, unfortunately, social anxiety is on the rise, with a 12% increase in adults over the last 20 years . 

Learning how to give a good presentation can dismantle your fears and break down these barriers, ensuring you’re ready to confidently share your point of view. 

It’s the week before your presentation, and you’re already feeling nervous . Maybe there’ll be an important mentor in the room you need to impress, or you’re looking for an opportunity to show your boss your value. Regardless of your countless past presentations, you still feel nervous. 

Sharing your vision and ideas with any sized group is intimidating. You’re likely worrying about how you’ll perform as a presenter and whether the audience will be interested in what you offer. But nerves aren’t inherently negative — you can actually use this feeling to fuel your preparation.

It’s helpful to identify where your worries are coming from and address your fears. Here are some common concerns when preparing for an upcoming presentation:

Fear of public speaking: When you share your ideas in front of a group, you’re placing yourself in a vulnerable position to be critiqued on your knowledge and communication skills . Maybe you feel confident in your content, but when you think about standing in front of an audience, you feel anxious and your mind goes blank.

It’s also not uncommon to have physical symptoms when presenting . Some people experience nausea and dizziness as the brain releases adrenaline to cope with the potentially stressful situation . Remember to take deep breaths to recenter yourself and be patient, even if you make a mistake.

Losing the audience’s attention: As a presenter, your main focus is to keep your audience engaged. They should feel like they’re learning valuable information or following a story that will improve them in life or business.

Highlight the most exciting pieces of knowledge and ensure you emphasize those points in your presentation. If you feel passionate about your content, it’s more likely that your audience will experience this excitement for themselves and become invested in what you have to say.

Not knowing what content to place on presentation slides: Overloading presentation slides is a fast way to lose your audience’s attention. Your slides should contain only the main talking points and limited text to ensure your audience focuses on what you have to say rather than becoming distracted by the content on your slides.

Discomfort incorporating nonverbal communication: It’s natural to feel stiff and frozen when you’re nervous. But maintaining effective body language helps your audience stay focused on you as you speak and encourages you to relax.

If you struggle to incorporate body language into your presentations, try starting small by making hand gestures toward your slides. If you’re working with a large audience, use different parts of the stage to ensure everyone feels included. 

Each presenter has their own personal brand and style. Some may use humor to break the ice, while others might appeal to the audience’s emotional side through inspiring storytelling. 

Watching online presentations, such as TED talks, is an excellent way to expose yourself to various presentation styles and develop your own. While observing others, you can note how they carry themselves on stage and learn new ways to keep your audience engaged.

Once you’ve addressed what’s causing your fears, it’s time to prepare for a great presentation. Use your past experience as inspiration and aim to outshine your former self by learning from your mistakes and employing new techniques. Here are five presentation tips to help you create a strong presentation and wow your audience:

1. Keep it simple

Simple means something different to everyone.

Before creating your presentation, take note of your intended audience and their knowledge level of your subject. You’ll want your content to be easy for your intended audience to follow.

Say you’re giving a presentation on improving your company’s operational structure. Entry-level workers will likely need a more straightforward overview of the content than C-suite leaders, who have significantly more experience. 

Ask yourself what you want your audience to take away from your presentation and emphasize those important points. Doing this ensures they remember the most vital information rather than less important supporting ideas. Try organizing these concepts into bullet points so viewers can quickly identify critical takeaways.

2. Create a compelling structure

Put yourself in your audience member’s shoes and determine the most compelling way to organize your information. Your presentation should be articulate , cohesive, and logical, and you must be sure to include all necessary supporting evidence to strengthen your main points.

If you give away all of your answers too quickly, your audience could lose interest. And if there isn’t enough supporting information, they could hit a roadblock of confusion. Try developing a compelling story that leads your audience through your thought processes so they can experience the ups and downs alongside you. 

By structuring your presentation to lead up to a final conclusion, you’re more likely to keep listeners’ attention. Once you’ve reached that conclusion, you can offer a Q&A period to put any of their questions or concerns to rest. 

3. Use visual aids

Appealing to various learning styles is a great way to keep everyone on the same page and ensure they absorb your content. Visual aids are necessary for visual learners and make it easier for people to picture your ideas.

Aim to incorporate a mixture of photos, videos, and props to engage your audience and convey your key points. For instance, if you’re giving a presentation on anthropology subject matter, you could show your audience an artifact to help them understand how exciting a discovery must have been. 

If your presentation is long, including a video for your audience to watch is an excellent way to give yourself a break and create new jumping-off points for your speech.

4. Be aware of design techniques and trends

Thanks to cutting-edge technology and tools, you have numerous platforms at your disposal to create a good presentation. But keep in mind that although color, images, and graphics liven things up, they can cause distraction when misused.

  Here are a few standard pointers for incorporating visuals on your slides: 

• Don’t place blocks of small text on a single slide
• Use a minimalistic background instead of a busy one
• Ensure text stands out against the background color
• Only use high-resolution photos
• Maintain a consistent font style and size throughout the presentation
• Don’t overuse transitions and effects

5. Try the 10-20-30 rule

Guy Kawasaki, a prominent venture capitalist and one of the original marketing specialists for Apple, said that the best slideshow presentations are less than 10 slides , last at most 20 minutes, and use a font size of 30. Following this strategy can help you condense your information, eliminate unnecessary ideas, and maintain your audience’s focus more efficiently.

Once you’re confident in creating a memorable presentation, it’s time to learn how to give one. Here are some valuable tips for keeping your audience invested during your talk: 

Tip #1: Tell stories

Sharing an anecdote from your life can improve your credibility and increase your relatability. And when an audience relates to you, they’re more likely to feel connected to who you are as a person and encouraged to give you their full attention, as they would want others to do the same.

Gill Hicks utilized this strategy well when she shared her powerful story, “ I survived a terrorist attack. Here’s what I learned .” In her harrowing tale, Hicks highlights the importance of compassion, unconditional love , and helping those in need.

If you feel uncomfortable sharing personal stories, that’s okay. You can use examples from famous individuals or create a fictional account to demonstrate your ideas.

Tip #2: Make eye contact with the audience

Maintaining eye contact is less intimidating than it sounds. In fact, you don’t have to look your audience members directly in their eyes — you can focus on their foreheads or noses if that’s easier.

Try making eye contact with as many people as possible for 3–5 seconds each. This timing ensures you don’t look away too quickly, making the audience member feel unimportant, or linger too long, making them feel uncomfortable.

If you’re presenting to a large group, direct your focus to each part of the room to ensure no section of the audience feels ignored. 

Tip #3: Work on your stage presence

Although your tone and words are the most impactful part of your presentation, recall that body language keeps your audience engaged. Use these tips to master a professional stage presence:

• Speak with open arms and avoid crossing them
• Keep a reasonable pace and try not to stand still
• Use hand gestures to highlight important information

Tip #4: Start strong

Like watching a movie trailer, the first seconds of your talk are critical for capturing your audience’s attention. How you start your speech sets the tone for the rest of your presentation and tells your audience whether or not they should pay attention. Here are some ways to start your presentation to leave a lasting impression:

• Use a quote from a well-known and likable influential person 
• Ask a rhetorical question to create intrigue
• Start with an anecdote to add context to your talk 
• Spark your audience’s curiosity by involving them in an interactive problem-solving puzzle or riddle

Tip #5: Show your passion

Don’t be afraid of being too enthusiastic. Everyone appreciates a speaker who’s genuinely excited about their field of expertise. 

In “ Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance ,” Angela Lee Duckworth discusses the importance of passion in research and delivery. She delivers her presentation excitedly to show the audience how excitement piques interest. 

Tip #6: Plan your delivery

How you decide to deliver your speech will shape your presentation. Will you be preparing a PowerPoint presentation and using a teleprompter? Or are you working within the constraints of the digital world and presenting over Zoom?

The best presentations are conducted by speakers who know their stuff and memorize their content. However, if you find this challenging, try creating notes to use as a safety net in case you lose track.

If you’re presenting online, you can keep notes beside your computer for each slide, highlighting your key points. This ensures you include all the necessary information and follow a logical order.

Tip #7: Practice

Practice doesn’t make perfect — it makes progress. There’s no way of preparing for unforeseen circumstances, but thorough practice means you’ve done everything you can to succeed.

Rehearse your speech in front of a mirror or to a trusted friend or family member. Take any feedback and use it as an opportunity to fine-tune your speech. But remember: who you practice your presentation in front of may differ from your intended audience. Consider their opinions through the lens of them occupying this different position.

Tip #8: Read the room

Whether you’re a keynote speaker at an event or presenting to a small group of clients, knowing how to read the room is vital for keeping your audience happy. Stay flexible and be willing to move on from topics quickly if your listeners are uninterested or displeased with a particular part of your speech.

Tip #9: Breathe

Try taking deep breaths before your presentation to calm your nerves. If you feel rushed, you’re more likely to feel nervous and stumble on your words.

The most important thing to consider when presenting is your audience’s feelings. When you approach your next presentation calmly, you’ll put your audience at ease and encourage them to feel comfortable in your presence.

Tip #10: Provide a call-to-action

When you end your presentation, your audience should feel compelled to take a specific action, whether that’s changing their habits or contacting you for your services.

If you’re presenting to clients, create a handout with key points and contact information so they can get in touch. You should provide your LinkedIn information, email address, and phone number so they have a variety of ways to reach you. 

There’s no one-size-fits-all template for an effective presentation, as your unique audience and subject matter play a role in shaping your speech. As a general rule, though, you should aim to connect with your audience through passion and excitement. Use strong eye contact and body language. Capture their interest through storytelling and their trust through relatability.

Learning how to give a good presentation can feel overwhelming — but remember, practice makes progress. Rehearse your presentation for someone you trust, collect their feedback , and revise. Practicing your presentation skills is helpful for any job, and every challenge is a chance to grow.

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Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

How to make a presentation interactive and exciting

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