Not sure how to end your presentation? Planning to default to a standard "Thank you" slide? Today I'm going to share with you why generic thank you slides are a bad idea - and what to replace them with in your presentation.

TRANSCRIPT:

Hi there and welcome to the Presentation Design Show. I'm your host, Adrienne Johnston.

Today we're going to be talking about how to end your presentation in a powerful way that helps advance your cause.

The practical reality is that we present information because we want something to be different at the end of the presentation, right? We want to inspire action.

• We want to raise money for a cause or product we believe in.
• We want to acquire a new client.
• We want to share inspirational ideas and technology that can change the world.

Whatever the purpose of your presentation, saying "thank you" and throwing up a slide with a large "thank you" on it, is not a meaningful close to a presentation.

Yet, it's one of the biggest mistakes most presenters make. And, it's certainly an opportunity lost to help advance your cause.

You need to start preparing for your presentation by getting very clear on what you want to achieve. What is the action that you want to inspire at the end of your presentation?

Now, honestly ask yourself, is the thank you slide supporting that goal?

In most cases, the answer is a firm no.

SO, HOW DO YOU END A PRESENTATION WITHOUT A THANK YOU SLIDE?

If you've done your job properly, your audience will never be more inspired to take action that right at the end of your presentation. It's essential that you find a way to capitalize on that motivation at that moment.

Before they leave and go to their next talk or meeting. While they're still focused on you - and pumped for the cause. This is when you make your ask. Have your Call-to-Action right up on the screen.

You're Call-to-Action (CTA) is providing clear instruction on what you're audience should do next. Here are some examples of what that might look like:

1. JOIN YOUR EMAIL LIST FOR MORE INFO

Instead of the thank you slide, you may opt to have your audience go to a special landing page that you have created just for the event. That landing page can say Thank you! and provide an offer of some sort to the audience that gets them on your email list and allows you to continue to build a relationship with them.

For instance, you could provide:

a free copy of your ebook on your presentation topic

provide access to your calendar to schedule a one-on-one discussion

a weekly newsletter update that keeps your audience up-to-date on your topic

Any of these are an opportunity continue building rapport with members of the audience - and advance your message beyond the confines of the time and space your presentation is taking place in.

You can continue to engage them in conversation on the topic or keep it at the forefront of their mind by connecting with them one-on-one or en masse via your newsletter.

2. KEEP IN TOUCH VIA SOCIAL MEDIA

You can ask your audience to keep in touch with you via your social media channels. Don't share all of your social channels, but one or two that you are active on and that help drive your ultimate goal forward.

3. MAKE A DONATION

Trying to raise money for a special cause? Give clear instruction on how to donate, and if possible, an incentive to donate while they are sitting at the table. You could even integrate a live view of the fundraising goals into the presentation/screen to create social proof and inspire each individual to participate.

Donation Call to Action Example

Donation Call to Action Example

4. CLEARLY DEFINE NEXT STEPS

Especially in the case of an investor meeting or sales meeting, it's important to be the one driving the process forward. If investors or prospective clients are interested in working with you, make it easy for them to understand what next steps are. Should they send you specific information? Do you need to send them a contract or proposal? Make it easy to say yes and keep the ball rolling.

Next Steps Example

Next Steps Example

Next Steps Example

IN CONCLUSION

In conclusion, your audience will never be more stoked about you and your presentation than they are as your content winds down. Don't waste a precious opportunity to capitalize on their enthusiasm by using a boring thank you slide. Instead replace that traditional thank you slide with an impactful call-to-action that motivates the audience to take action soon – if not immediately.

If you'd like to download some call-to-action templates, you can do so at adriennejohnston.com/thank-you-slide

Alternatively, if you still think a simple thank you slide is really the best way to end your presentation, there are also some template thank you slides available for download as well.

Thanks and catch you on the next episode!

For more information, visit my website at adriennejohnston.com

For free presentation templates and resources, you can also visit my free PowerPoint template gallery at slidesgallery.com.