The following comes from TJ Walker’s upcoming book “The Wisdom of Your Audience”. Consistently, the worst advice speakers and presenters get, comes from everyone who is NOT your audience. The following gives examples of some of the WORST advice people are often given. It is followed by the advice of your audience. Listen to them. They are your true judge and jury.
How should I end my speech?
BAD ADVICE
Your Boss: “Once you have finished your main points, then shut up and sit down.”
Your Conference Organizer: “We are running behind schedule. Just sit down quickly after you’ve hit your main points.”
You: “I know I should end with some heart-warming, pithy story, but I can’t think of one. So I will quickly shut up and sit down.”
***
GOOD ADVICE
Your Audience: “Nothing is worse than a speaker who just quickly and abruptly finishes the last bullet point on a presentation and says ‘that’s-it-any-questions-thank-you-and-goodbye’ as they run off the stage. End with a purpose. End with finality in your voice. Don’t throw us off guard. Don’t be like a car that is going down the highway at 70 miles per hour and then suddenly runs out of gas. You don’t have to be funny or poignant, but at least re-state your main points, summarize, or ask us to do something. Leave us with one final thought—and that thought should NOT be that you are desperate to get out of the room!”
