A Strong Closing is a Spark
You know that feeling when...
You open a novel, stream a new series, or settle into your seat at the theater. The story pulls you in: drama, tension, heartache, maybe even hope. You're hooked… until the ending fizzles. It falls flat. It feels unfinished, like the writer put down the pen and never came back.
Speakers do the same with a speech.
“Well, I think that’s all the time I have,” was a speaker's last statement before exciting the stage.
Fiz.
Thud.
I feel like Rose on the Titanic: Wait! Come back!
Here’s the thing: your closing isn’t just a summary. It’s your moment to send the message soaring.
I call speech closings, "A Vision with Wings."
Talk Tip
Everything in your speech aligns with your purpose and core message. Here are some closing tactics to consider using:
1.) Circle back to your opening story.
Sharing a story in your opening and concluding with the end of that story creates a sense of completion, satisfaction, and closure.
2.) Offer a quote that encapsulates your core idea.
You might choose to open and close with the same quote, bookending your speech and taking advantage of the power of repetition.
3.) Set out the promise your core message holds.
What future becomes possible because of what you’ve said, for your audience, their community, or the world? Let's hear it, loud and clear, hearts full and momentum sparking.
Your closing is not the end — it’s the beginning of what your audience will do next. Peak your audiences curiosity. Turn on their light! Lift them off their seat, ready to follow your calling. Let's hear that awesome speech, start to finish.
With intention,
— Barrie
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