The stage ask: what to say so the room texts in

Most calls to action at the end of a presentation fail for the same reason: the speaker puts a QR code on the last slide, says "connect with me," and moves on to questions. A few people scan. Everyone else meant to.

The fix fits in about 20 seconds. Name what they'll get, tell them exactly how to get it, then stop talking long enough for them to do it. This post gives you the words, the timing, and the slide.

The script

Here's the full version, said just before Q&A:

"Before we get to your questions: I'll send everyone today's slides, plus the checklist I mentioned. Text the word DEMO to 33777, or scan the code on screen. It takes about ten seconds. Go ahead and do it now, and I'll wait."

Then wait. Count to ten in your head. It will feel long, and it's the part that does the most work.

Each line does one job:

1. "Before we get to your questions" tells people this is a pause, so they don't feel they're missing anything by looking at their phone.
2. "I'll send everyone today's slides" is the offer. It comes first, because it's the reason to act.
3. "Text the word DEMO to 33777" is the instruction, said slowly. Say "the word" so nobody types it as a sentence, and say the number in pairs if it helps: "three-three, seven-seven-seven."
4. "Or scan the code on screen" is for the people close enough to scan.
5. "Go ahead and do it now, and I'll wait" gives them permission. Without it, most people plan to do it later, and later doesn't happen.

Say it twice

Mention it once near the start, after you've introduced yourself:

"Don't worry about taking photos of the slides. I'll send you all of them at the end."

That does two things. People stop photographing slides and start listening, and when the full ask comes later, they're expecting it.

Then make the full ask before Q&A. Once questions start, the room's attention is on whoever's holding the microphone, and by the end of Q&A people are packing up.

If you have a long Q&A, repeat a short version at the very end: "One more time: DEMO to 33777 for the slides."

Put it on one slide, and leave it up

Make the ask slide the last slide before Q&A, and leave it on screen until you've finished. The slide should say the same thing you say:

Get today's slides. Text DEMO to 33777, or scan the code.

Put the offer first, make the keyword the largest text after it, and put the QR code beside it, large. How to design a QR code sign people actually scan covers sizing.

Skip the footer on every slide. It trains people to ignore it.

Variations for other rooms

A workshop or training. You have more time and a smaller room, so make it part of the session: "Grab your phone. Text WORKBOOK to 33777 and you'll get the exercise file we're about to use." People do it because they need the file in the next five minutes.

A panel. You get one turn. Use your closing comment: "If you want the framework I mentioned, text FRAMEWORK to 33777." Ask the moderator to repeat it at the end.

A webinar or livestream. Put the keyword in the slide and in the chat, and say it out loud. Viewers can scan a code on their screen with their phone, or type the word. Remote audiences are more likely to be on a laptop, so the keyword does more work.

No slides at all. Say the keyword and the number clearly, twice, and pick a word that's easy to spell when people only hear it. SLIDES is easier than ACCELERATE.

A booth or a table. There's no stage, so the ask is the first line you say: "Want the product sheet? Scan this and it'll text it to you." Point at the sign while you say it.

A church service. Use the welcome: "If you're new today, text WELCOME to 33777 and we'll send you a few next steps. We'd love to say hello." Put it in the bulletin and on the screen before and after the service.

A concert. Between songs, not at the very end, when people are heading for the door: "We've got a track that isn't out yet. Text MERCH to 33777 and it's yours."

When nobody moves

If you said it and almost nobody reached for their phone, it's usually one of these:

• The offer was weak. "Stay in touch" or "join my newsletter" gives people very little. Swap it for the slides, a recording, a checklist, or a giveaway entry. 15 offers that get an audience to sign up has ideas by audience.
• You didn't pause. If you kept talking, people stayed listening. Next time, stop and wait.
• The room couldn't see it. A small QR code on a dim projector is unreadable past the first few rows. Say the keyword so the back of the room has a way in.
• The timing was off. Asking as people stand up, or during the applause, leaves them no time.

Asking more often or more loudly rarely helps. A better offer, said clearly, with a real pause, does.

What happens after they text

Someone texts DEMO to 33777. They get a reply asking for their email. They type it, and the slides arrive by email or as a link in a text before you've finished the next question. Their contact lands in your email tool, tagged with the event.

The next step is your follow-up. Write it before the talk so it goes out the same day; What to send event leads in the first 24 hours has templates. The whole process, from offer to follow-up, is in the event lead capture playbook.

How Textiful helps

Textiful gives you a keyword on 33777 or 55444 and free QR codes for the same flow. The "Send my slide deck" template asks for an email and sends your handout the moment they reply.

Try it at your next talk → Start a free trial