How can you create an engaging opening and closing to your business communications?

1 Why openings and closings matter

The opening and closing of your communication are the most critical parts, as they set the tone and the main takeaway for your audience. The opening should grab your audience's interest, establish your credibility, and preview your purpose and main points. The closing should reinforce your key message, summarize your main points, and end with a call to action or a compelling statement. If you neglect these parts, you risk losing your audience's attention, interest, and trust.

2 How to create an engaging opening

When it comes to creating an engaging opening, there are many options depending on your context, audience, and goal. You could start with a surprising fact or statistic that relates to your topic and sparks curiosity, tell a relevant story or anecdote that illustrates your point and connects with emotions, use a quote or analogy that resonates with values, make a bold claim or promise to provoke interest, or even use humor, irony, or sarcasm to lighten the mood. However, it's important to ensure whatever method you choose is appropriate for your situation, audience, and tone. Avoid clichés, jargon, or irrelevant information that could confuse or bore your audience.

3 How to create an engaging closing

The closing of your communication is your final opportunity to make an impression on your audience and convince them to take action or remember your message. To create an engaging closing, consider ending with a clear and strong call to action that explains what you want them to do next and why it matters. You could also repeat or restate your key message in a concise and memorable way that reaffirms your argument. Additionally, you could use a rhetorical question, a challenge, or a prediction that encourages your audience's thinking and invites them to reflect on your message. Furthermore, you can refer back to your opening and connect it to your closing in a circular or surprising way that creates a sense of closure and coherence. Lastly, you could employ a quote, a story, or a statistic that summarizes your message and leaves a lasting impression on your audience. No matter which method you choose, make sure it is consistent with your purpose, tone, and style. Avoid introducing new information, apologizing, or ending abruptly as these might weaken your message or confuse your audience.

4 How to practice and refine your openings and closings

Crafting effective openings and closings is not a simple task. To improve your skills, you should take the time to write out your opening and closing before delivering or sending your communication. Have a friend, colleague, or mentor review them and provide feedback. Record yourself delivering or reading them and then listen to the recording. Based on the feedback, recording, and self-evaluation, revise and edit your opening and closing to ensure they are aligned with your main message and points. By following these tips, you can create engaging openings and closings that will make your business communications more persuasive and effective.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?