Often one can spend so much time writing and polishing the body of a presentation that the intro and conclusion get tacked on or even ad-libbed during the talk. It is key, however, to conclude one's talk with power and polish to have the most impact. Here are 4 hints on creating and delivering a great conclusion so you Present Like A Pro!

1. Write out your closing statement. Most demonstrations and talks are interrupted with questions. Know the final powerful thought you want to leave with your audience. Even if you have a question & answer session, be sure to wrap up your speech with your meaningful closing remark.

2. Be passionate to the end. When you come to the end of a talk, be conscious of having energy and enthusiasm in your voice and body language. Don't just keep your audience awake - show them your passion and conviction for your product and/or your message in your physical presence.

3. Focus on the audience. One of the best ways I have found to inspire a response from my audiences is by keeping my focus on them first. Of course I think about what I'm saying and how I'm saying it. Primarily, though, I keep my eyes on them. I talk to them. I let them see my passion and my sincerity, and that opens the door for them to respond authentically back to me.

4. Add human interest. It is important to conclude by summarizing the main ideas of your talk. To keep it from becoming too dry or redundant, add a simple story, quote, or anecdote to soften the end. Consider and communicate the value are you adding to the work and lives of your listeners. End with a meaningful and positive remark.

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Do you leave your listeners with a great lasting impression? Do you inspire change and action in your audiences? Working with a Presentation Coach will immediately add power and impact to your presentations. Contact Sara for more information at 303.439.4014 or sara@presentlikeapro.com.

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"In conclusion," may be a closing line that cues some to tune out. Often however it is very helpful to know when one is about to summarize a talk. If you have just given an presentation full of detailed information, help your audience retain the key points with a clear conclusion. Then, motivate them to action with a powerful final thought.

Do you give thought and time to your conclusions? A great closing includes your main idea, the highlights of your talk, and the final thought you wish you leave with your listeners. Prepare your closing remarks, practice delivering them with genuine excitement. Then, as you speak, focus on your listeners and give them a bit of human interest to connect with them one final time. When you conclude a talk with polish, power, and a personal touch, then you Present Like A Pro!

It is tempting to believe that our circumstances are our reality, when in truth, it is our response to them. For example, when we recently had two feet of snow followed by another storm that brought twelve more inches, my husband and I could have been crabby and complaining. Instead, he joyfully grabbed his camera to take pictures of the flocked trees while I snuggled up by the fireplace with a favorite book. It wasn't the weather that dictated the happiness of the day - it was our response to it.

In the circumstance of preparing and delivering a presentation, many emotions can surface - excitement, nervousness, passion, or even dread. The same talk to the same audience can be completely different depending upon our perspective and attitude, so it is important that we nurture positive emotions and eliminate the more negative feelings that come our way.

How do you control feelings or a mood? How do you alter your perspective and reality? They are managed and changed by our thoughts. When you have a presentation to give that is causing more stress than excitement, stop to address your thoughts. What are you thinking about?

Are you worried you may not communicate an interesting or relevant talk? Are you concerned about effectively delivering all the details? Worry and concern will not help to advance your preparation. Instead, interrupt your negative thoughts and start to think optimistically about your speech. Remember the great message you have to share and how it will enhance the lives of your listeners!

Whether during a presentation or a late spring blizzard, don't just react to your circumstances. Thoughtfully respond in a way that will help you enjoy life and further your dreams. You have the power to choose whether to see your situation as partly cloudy or mostly sunny. You have the an opportunity today to begin a new way of seeing things by changing the way you consider your circumstances. Just think about it!