Circling Back: The Advanced Presentation Closing Technique

Ever sat through a presentation that fizzled out like a damp sparkler? There’s great content, decent delivery, and then… nothing. No wrap-up, no “aha,” just an awkward shuffle to the exit / ‘End Meeting’ button.

Your presentation skills are measured by how to keep your audiences with you and whether you can incite or inspire and that’s unlikely to happen if people can’t remember the point of your message or how they felt about it.

A strong conclusion isn’t just a bonus point in when you present. It’s a vital element. Studies show that we need to hear something at least three times to remember it.

And if you want to be impactful as well as memorable, your message needs to stick long after the slides have disappeared.

This is where Circling back comes in.

Circling Back – What It Is:

Circling back, also called ‘Looping’ is a way of revisiting an earlier incomplete narrative or piece of information and revisiting it later on.

Take Dora, for example.

I once went to a lecture on happiness and longevity. The speaker opened with a photo of a sprightly 102-year-old named Dora. “Smoked all her life,” he said. “Still enjoys a tipple. Fit as a fiddle. Want to know her secret?” Of course we did. But first, he took us through the usual suspects—diet, exercise, social connection. Then, just as we were wondering if Dora was a statistical unicorn, he circled back.

At that point, he announced, “I bet you want to know what Dora’s secret was?” After a ‘hell, yes’ from the audience, he revealed Dora’s habits, which were surprisingly aligned with the research. Cue audience satisfaction.

The Science Behind It:

Why does Circling Back work so well?

Because our brains love a good loop. One study shows that closing a narrative thread boosts our sense of completion. Another explains how we’re wired to seek resolution—whether it’s a story, a stat, or a question. So when you’re crafting your next presentation, don’t just trail off. Loop back. Resolve. Deliver that final punch.

When public speaking, your ending isn’t just a full stop. It’s how you make your message stick, and inspire action.

Your Action Steps:

Make sure you end with a punch. As well as Circling Back, you have these options too:

1. Kick them into action – state a simple next step after ‘Any Questions’.
2. The Three-Part Nutshell – tie the message up in a bow with a simple three-part phrase.
3. The ‘So what?’ Statement – a TED favourite that’s like a mic drop moment.

Each one has its own flavour, so pick what suits your presentation style—and your audience’s appetite: your ending deserves more than a polite nod. It deserves applause.

If you’re looking to upgrade your credibility, have more impact and be more memorable, presentation skills training can make that happen – not any training, but mine specifically. Not to diss anyone else, but read those testimonials.  Contact me here for a free 15-minute Discovery Call. No strings attached. Just a chat to see if we can work together.

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