The end of your sales pitch is a key moment. You have put in a lot of energy into delivering the best possible pitch. Now it’s time to give way to healthy and fruitful conversations.
Here are 3 Do’s and Don’t when ending your presentation:
| Don’t | Do |
| The ‘Questions’ Slide Chances are high that you have seen or even used some version of this slide at the end of a presentation. While it is not the end of the world, it is a missed opportunity. The last slide of a presentation is the slide your audience will spend a lot of time looking at. It’s valuable real-estate that can be better used in ways we will explore. | The ‘Team’ SlideThe last slide of your presentation oftens gets seen by your audience for the longest period of time. End your presentation with information reminding your audience who you are and who your team members are. This helps your audience direct questions towards the right individuals, and helps them remember who you are since they will be staring at the slide for some time. |
| The ‘Thank You’ Slide The ‘Thank You’ slide suggests everyone was present for your pitch out of politeness. Even if that may be the case, do yourself a favor and remove this slide from your presentation. Rather than thanking the audience, you should try to Salute the Audience instead. | Salute the Audience (does not require a slide)Tell the audience how much you value your time getting to speak with them. Here is an example: “It’s been great fun being here. It’s been fascinating to see what you folks are doing. I’ve been stimulated and provoked by the questions you were asking. I look forward to coming back on many occasions in the future.” Notice the phrase “thank you” is not used, yet it’s gist is implied. |
| The ‘The End’ SlideThe least appropriate way to end a pitch is with the words “The End”. It’s not the end. It’s not a story. It’s not a movie. If anything, a sales pitch is the beginning of something. It’s a start. Words like “end”, “conclusion”, “finish”, & “close” can all prematurely end a discussion. You may even prevent your audience from asking questions or having a discussion if you end this way. | Finish with a Joke It’s common knowledge that getting your audience to participate in your presentation will keep them engaged and attentive. Ending with a joke is a great way to keep that momentum into a discussion that may follow your pitch. Getting your audience to laugh at the end of your presentation will make people feel like they had fun the whole time. |
In conclusion, there are several ways to effectively end a sales presentation. These include summarizing the main points of the presentation, highlighting the key benefits of the product or service, addressing any remaining questions or concerns, and thanking the audience for their time and consideration.
It is also important to leave a strong and positive final impression, such as by offering a special deal or incentive for taking action. By following these steps, you can effectively close your sales presentation and increase the likelihood of making a successful sale.