What elite speakers do in their final 60 seconds

Read Time: 3 minutes
Have you ever sat through a presentation that ended with "...and that's all I have" or "Any questions?" These weak endings leave your audience underwhelmed and your message diluted. The impact you worked so hard to build throughout your presentation evaporates in those final moments.
Today, I want to share a powerful framework that will help you conclude your presentations with impact and memorability. In The Impromptu Speakers Academy, we call this the ARA Framework. It's one of the techniques our students use to leave lasting impressions on their audiences.
Let's dive into how you can use ARA to make sure your message sticks with your audience long after you've finished speaking.
What is the ARA Framework?
ARA stands for:
- Attention
- Remember
- Application
This simple three-part structure helps you craft conclusions that resonate with your audience. Let's break down each component:
Attention
Start your conclusion by grabbing your audience's attention with something unexpected. This could be:
- A personal story
- An interesting prop or object
- A powerful metaphor or analogy
- A thought-provoking question
The key is to break the pattern of what came before. This signals to your audience that something important is coming.
Remember
After you've captured attention, deliver your key message—the ONE thing you want your audience to remember. This should be:
- Simple and clear
- Directly related to your main point
- Repeated for emphasis
Your audience is most likely to remember what they hear last, so make this your most important point.
Application
Finally, help your audience understand how to apply your message in their own lives or work. Show them:
- What this means for them personally
- How they can use this information
- What specific actions they can take
This creates a bridge from your presentation to their world, making your message relevant and actionable.
The ARA Framework in Action
Let me share a real example from a coaching session with Claire, one of our Impromptu Speakers Academy students. She was preparing to present findings about Don Julio tequila's market performance to her team.
Here's how we crafted her conclusion using ARA:
Attention: "Before I wrap up today, I want to redirect your attention to this bottle of Don Julio." (She held up the bottle.) "Look closely at the label design, the bottle shape, the way it feels premium."
Remember: "If there's one thing I hope you take away from this presentation, it's that our success isn't just about the product inside. It's about the complete experience we create—from design to story to taste. That complete experience is what differentiates us in this competitive market."
Application: "As we plan our strategy for next quarter, I encourage each of you to think beyond just the numbers. How can your department enhance this complete experience for our customers? That's how we'll maintain our growth despite market challenges."
Notice how this conclusion:
- Used a prop to grab attention
- Delivered a clear takeaway
- Gave the audience something specific to think about going forward
When to Use the ARA Framework
The ARA Framework works especially well for speeches, sales presentations, and training sessions. But, if you want to apply ARA to your specific speaking situations, The Impromptu Speakers Academy can help.
👉 Join The Impromptu Speakers Academy HERE. This is my live bootcamp with hands-on coaching from me to transform your speaking skills. Limited space will be available.
In our comprehensive program, you'll learn how to adapt this framework (and many others) to any speaking scenario.
Your ideas deserve to be remembered. Learn how to deliver them in a way that sticks.
Best,
Preston
Preston Chin
Find me on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, or Book a 1:1 Call