To be successful with a new business or product launch, you have to be committed and willing to keep going even when things get hard, like getting money or people. Hence, by making a compelling pitch deck, you can effectively convey the essence of your business or product, increasing its perceived value and making it more likely that potential stakeholders will support you. This article explains everything you need to know about pitch decks, what makes them successful, and how to make one that fits your business presentations.
What Is a Pitch Deck?
A pitch deck, also referred to as an investor or startup pitch deck, is a comprehensive business overview that serves the purpose of raising capital or acquiring clients or customers. Typically, a verbal presentation and a set of presentations on a display screen or in PowerPoint make up the pitch deck. Pitch decks are most effective when presented in face-to-face or virtual meetings, as they allow the audience to view the slides while paying attention to the presentation. The slides enable the presenter to showcase their ideas to individuals outside of their organization with the hope of generating interest that will result in investment or customer service. A well-crafted pitch deck should be professional, create a strong first impression, and be both creative and well-researched.
What Is a Pitch Deck Presentation?
A pitch deck presentation typically comprises multiple slides that aid in creating a persuasive narrative about your enterprise. One option for creating a presentation is to utilize standard software, such as PowerPoint. Alternatively, you may opt for a more contemporary tool like Visme to produce a unique and innovative presentation.
10 Elements to Include in a Pitch Deck Presentation
The 10 elements to include in a pitch deck presentation include the following:
#1. Introduction
The first slide of your pitch deck should introduce your company and its offerings. Most companies use the opening slide of their presentation to highlight the benefits of buying from them rather than a competitor.
#2. Problem
A problem that the company’s target market faces must be outlined in the pitch deck. You can use this data to prove that the market needs your product or service.
#3. Target Market
The term “target market” refers to a specific demographic. Your presentation deck should highlight the target demographic for your service or product. You should describe the market potential and the competitive context in which your company operates. How big is the market for the company’s services or products?
#4. Solution
On the solution slide, explain how your company offers answers to the issues faced by your target audience. The most effective method of communicating this is through narratives highlighting the positive impact these goods have had on the lives of actual customers. Back up your claims with details and images about the product or service itself, such as photos, screenshots, or even a video demonstration.
#5. Traction
This slide verifies the viability of the company’s business plan by documenting initial earnings and assistance increases from month to month. The objective is to ease the concerns of would-be financiers. The number of users, yearly revenue payback rate, and profit margins are just some examples of milestones that might be listed in bullet point format on this slide.
#6. A Sales and Marketing Plan
Specifying the advertising and sales strategy for the product is crucial. Investors will use this data to assess the company’s grasp of the market and its ability to differentiate itself from rivals through marketing.
#7. Competition
Using the data gleaned from your competitive analysis, describe the features that set your product or service apart from the competition.
#8. Team
A company’s management team’s marketing and sales prowess might be highlighted on a team slide. Identify the company’s key players (and co-founders, if any) and explain how their skills and experience will provide the company with an edge in the market.
#9. Financials
Typically, investors will want to examine financial statements, growth projections, and details about the business plan for the next three to five years. Instead of just stating numbers, infographics like pie charts and bar graphs will do a much better job of conveying the data. The data on the traction slide could provide support for assumed values.
#10. Money and Investments
When creating a pitch deck, entrepreneurs may overlook crucial details, such as the total amount of funding required. Include that information and specify how the money will be used to advance the company’s mission. Investor confidence will be greatly bolstered by this explanation.
Read also: 8 Steps In Choosing Photos For Your Pitch Deck
Benefits of a Good Pitch Deck
The benefits of a good pitch deck include the following:
#1. Increasing Awareness of the Brand
It’s a chance to leave an impression long after the presentation is over by creating a memorable brand for your product or project. You may also gain insight into how to better market your business to a wider audience. Your pitch deck might become the standard presentation for all future corporate and public gatherings. Include it in the company’s online portfolio or on its website.
#2. Awakening Awareness
You can use a pitch deck to interest the media in your product or idea. If your presentation is well received, potential backers may want to learn more about your product and your role at the company by reading articles and viewing videos. As a result, more individuals will be exposed to the problem your idea solves and the benefits your concept offers. A wider audience means more potential customers and business allies, which is great for expanding your business.
#3. Aiding with Fund-Raising
A well-polished pitch deck can be a useful tool for attracting investors and securing funding. If you want to get funding for your product or project, you should put up a deck that does a good job of explaining it. If you can show that you know how to advertise your product, you may have an easier time securing funding.
#4. Creating an Appeal
Potential investors, clients, or business partners will be more intrigued if you put effort into the layout and clarity with which you explain your value proposition and market potential. Sharing your presentation is another great way to get feedback on your business plan from potential customers. If you want your product or project to be successful, learning from the feedback of others is essential.
#5. Having a Significant Impact
To create an effective pitch deck, you may need to distill your business proposition down to its barest essentials. In most cases, this will serve as the foundation for future advertising campaigns, company videos, and profiles on social networking platforms. It can be useful while interacting with clients and investors, as well as when pitching ideas to coworkers. This information could be useful in conveying the organization’s priorities to others.
Tips for Creating a Good Pitch Deck
Creating a compelling pitch deck requires careful consideration of several key factors. Here are some essential tips to keep in mind as you create your own presentation:
#1. Don’t Sugarcoat Anything
While it’s tempting for startups to include every possible detail in their initial pitch deck, it’s usually best to keep things lean. Ideas presented in bullet points and infographics are easier to digest and more likely to inspire further inquiry and even follow-up meetings than lengthy blocks of text.
#2. Put Narrative Over Data
A pitch meeting’s goal is to attract the attention of possible investors. Less effective than a narrative approach would be a list of facts and statistics. Also, to attract investors, business owners should share anecdotes about the positive impacts their products and services have had on customers.
#3. Create an Individual Deck From It
After hearing your presentation, a possible investor may want to review your pitch deck. Make sure the deck has the most important information they need in hard copy or a downloadable PDF.
#4. Keep It Current
It’s common practice for businesses to make multiple investment pitches before finally finding a willing backer. Before each pitch, double-check that the deck has been updated with the most recent information, such as key metrics and recent milestones, to avoid looking unprofessional and to prevent presenting outdated data.
#5. Check That All the Cards Are Out of the Deck
If a PDF of your pitch is shared with someone who wasn’t present at the actual presentation, you’ll want to make sure they can understand it without your verbal presentation.
#6. Provide Any Necessary Evidence
In-depth market research that backs up the idea’s viability, a prototype of the product, technical data for subsequent evaluation, an executive summary that explains your proposal, and financial facts about your pitch
Things to Leave Out of a Pitch Deck
Although pitch decks supplement oral presentations, they should contain sufficient information for a potential investor or client to understand your firm even without hearing you speak. The following should not be included in your presentation deck:
#1. Lengthy First Shot
The first slide of your presentation should be dedicated to outlining your company’s mission. Include your company’s logo or a picture of the product you’re selling, along with a description of what it is that you do. Neither bullet points nor paragraphs outlining your company’s offerings are required.
#2. Informational Specifics
While it’s helpful to include some technical specifics, don’t give too much away, or your readers might get lost in the weeds. Your target market cares more about the benefits of your product than they do about the technical details of how it operates. If investors want more technical details, they will ask you for them during your pitch.
#3. Animation
Animated elements have the potential to divert your audience’s attention. The presentation should center on you and your product, not random slides.
#4. Full-on Layouts
Choose an easy-to-understand and professional-looking pitch deck layout. Too many bells and whistles on the template could detract from your presentation.
#5. Surplus Slides
Your pitch deck should be concise and easy to read. Make sure your audience has enough information to feel confident in your product or company, but don’t bog them down with unnecessary details.
#6. Lack of Visuals
Your pitch deck should consist of relevant visuals, charts, and graphs to back up your claims. Always choose high-quality photographs that are directly related to the topic at hand.
What Is the Purpose of a Pitch Deck?
Pitch decks, commonly referred to as marketing decks, serve as a powerful tool for businesses seeking to persuade potential clients or investors to collaborate with them. They are concise and informative presentations that aim to provide a quick overview of your business to others.
What Does a Pitch Deck Consist Of?
A pitch deck contains slides that offer a concise overview of your company, its business plan, objectives, and vision. However, the matter is far more intricate than meets the eye. Although you may possess a wealth of knowledge about your enterprise and the benefits of collaborating with you, it is imperative to keep your pitch decks concise.
What Is the Difference Between a Pitch Deck and a Presentation?
In the realm of sales, it’s important to understand the difference between a Presentation deck and a Pitch deck. While both serve a similar purpose of showcasing your business, they have distinct differences in their approach and content. The Presentation deck is designed to provide specific information during a sales meeting, whereas the Pitch deck is intended to pique interest in your business and initiate the sales process.
Is a Pitch Deck a PowerPoint?
A Pitch Deck is a concise and visually appealing PowerPoint presentation consisting of 10 to 20 slides. Its primary purpose is to persuade and captivate potential investors in your project. The presentation typically lasts no more than 15 minutes and relies solely on visual aids to convey its message.
Is the Pitch Deck and Powerpoint the Same?
One notable differentiation between a PowerPoint and a deck lies in the fact that a “deck” is essentially a compilation of slides, while the term “PowerPoint” typically pertains to the ultimate presentation that can be conveyed through spoken word, video, or other media.
References
- indeed.com
- visme.com
- masterclass.com
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