The success of the speech is determined by the effect on the people who have just listened to it. It is in the conclusion that the speaker can make sure that he was fully understood.
A speech conclusion should be moving and powerful enough to make people do what you want them to do. It should seal the deal.
The main goals of the speech conclusion:
Making sure that everything was clear
It is the point where you are summarizing to the audience what you have just told spoken about in the the body of your speech, making sure the audience is caught up with your key points.
People can have very fleeting attentions. They easily forget things. Even the things you may have explained in your speech. Therefore in your conclusions, remind the audience of your key points.
Reminding them the things you have shared and promised in your introduction will give the audience an impression that you are a man if your words. You have delivered what you have promised and the audience will feel grateful.
Motivate the audience to action
The content of the speech can be very stimulating and the points can be emotionally riveting and convincing. Hence, in the conclusion, the speaker should make the audience relive those powerful feelings they had felt. That way the speaker can get off the stage leaving the audience with refreshed sentiments.
As what I have stated above the conclusion addresses the audience on a thinking level, but to motivate the audience, you must address them on an emotional level. We are all emotional beings and the actions we take are based on emotions.
However, there must be a sufficient rationale to elicit emotions. As a speaker, you have already done that in the middle of your speech - giving powerful insights causing stirring emotions. It is these feelings that push them to take action. So, let me say it again, make them relive those feelings in the end of your speech.
Telling the audience the exact and immediate actions to take
Okay, the audience fully understands what you were saying and they are feeling motivated to do something about it. What next?
Tell them what to do.
You have created a need as a result of your speech and you already made the audience 'feel' this need. Now, is the best time to instruct the audience how to attend to these needs. Like for example, tell them to buy your book or visit your site.
It is best to give detailed information, like explaining that they can buy the book just outside the room or give the address of the site and tell them to acquire membership for more useful resources. Make sure to be clear with the actions you'd like them to take.
