The beginning and ending of your presentation are the most important.

The beginning is where you grab

the audience’s attention and ensure they listen to the rest of your speech. The conclusion gives you a
chance to leave a lasting impression that listeners take away with them.

Studies show that when people are tasked with recalling information, they "best performance at the
beginning and end". It’s therefore essential you leave an impact with your closing statement. A strong
ending motivates, empowers and encourages people to take action.

The power of three

The rule of three is a simple yet powerful method of communication and we use it often in both written
and verbal communication. Using information in patterns of three makes it more memorable for the
audience.

Examples of the power of three being used:

This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning -
Winston Churchill

Blood, sweat and tears - General Patton

I came, I saw, I conquered - Julius Caesar

A compelling story

Ending your presentation on a short story, especially if that story is personal or illustrates how the
content presented affects others is the best way to conclude.

If you want to talk about a customer experience or successful case study, think about how you can turn
it into a meaningful story which the audience will remember and even relate to. Creating empathy with
your audience and tying the story back to points made throughout the presentation ensures your
presentation will be well received by the audience.

A surprising fact
A surprising fact has the power to re-engage the audience's attention, which is most likely to wane by
the end of a presentation. Facts with statistical numbers in them work well – you can easily search
online for facts related to your speech topic. Just make use you remember the source for the fact in case
you are questioned about it.

A running clock

Marketing and advertising executive Dietmar Dahmen ends his Create Your Own Change talk with a
running clock to accompany his last statement. "Users rule," he says, "so stop waiting and start doing.
And you have to do that now because time is running out."

If you're delivering a time-sensitive message, where you want to urge your listeners to move quickly,
you can have a background slide with a running timer to add emphasis to your last statement.