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TJ's Insights
End With A Bang!
Many a good speech was ruined when the speaker just ran out of gas at the end and mumbled,
"Thanks you."
Or
"That's it."
Or
"That's all of my presentation."
What a letdown. The strongest impression you have on your audience is the first impression, your speech opening couple of minutes. But the second strongest impression you have on any audience is the final impression, the last thing you say and do in front of them.
"But TJ, isn't it rude not to thank my audience?"
Certainly you can thank your audience, just don't make those your final words. Thank people in the middle of the speech somewhere within the context of an important point. Don't just tack it on at the end because you can't think of anything else to say.
Part of the problem with ending a speech with a mere "thank you" is that is what your audience is expecting because that is what most boring speakers do. "Thank you" has become a cliché at the end of a speech.
If the last thing people hear out of your mouth is a cliché, then the only thing they will remember about you is that you speak clichés. How does that help you promote your message or your reputation?
There is no one perfect formula for the ideal closing of a speech. It doesn't have to involve a poignant story, a clever riddle, or a tie back to an opening theme (though all of those can be great devices).
The first requirement of a great closing is that it be INTERESTING.
The second requirement is that you leave your audience thinking about something they have learned.
And the final requirement is that you ask people to do something and they feel motivated to actually do it.
Once you do all of those things, then stop, smile and don't say a word. Not one "Thank you." Not one "You've been a great audience." Just keep silent, smile and look confident. Then your audience will know you are finished and they will likely start clapping.
Then, the only "thank you's" heard in the room will be from audience members telling that to you after your speech.
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TJ Walker
Media Training Worldwide
212-764-4955
Media Training Worldwide provides more media and presentation training workshops and seminars (54 separate courses) than any other company in the world. Media Training Worldwide also publishes more than 100 presentation training books, DVDs, CDs, and other information products and is the largest presentation/media training publisher in the world. For a product catalog or more information on training services call 800-755-7220 or visit http://mediatrainingworldwide.com/mediatrainingcatalogapril2004.pdf.
Media Training Worldwide
110 West 40th Street
Suite 203
New York, NY 10018
212-764-4955
www.mediatrainingworldwide.com