If you want to raise funding for your business or attract potential clients, then using a pitch deck is one of the best ways to do it.
Pitch decks are short presentations that cover what your business offers and how it works. Effective presentations need to be concise, clear, and memorable. This is not a detailed business plan, but rather a short presentation that provides all of the essential information investors need to know.
As a start up, having a great pitch deck is crucial. Let’s explore some of the most important elements and considerations you need for creating your own.
What Your Pitch Deck Should Include
The first step in creating an effective document is including the right elements. Regardless of what your business does, here are the most important sections you need to cover.
Problem and Opportunity
Outline the main problem or pain point that your customers face and explain how you plan to solve this. The bigger and more common the problem is, the greater your business opportunity will be.
Product and Solution
Clearly explain the product or solution that your business offers. Highlight what makes this product unique, why your customers will love it, and why it stands apart from the competition.
Your Competitive Advantage
A good pitch deck needs to clearly outline what makes your business the best option for bringing your specific product to market successfully. Explain what skills or advantages you have that other potential competitors lack.
Business Model
Of course, you’ll need to explain how your business plans to operate and how you plan to generate revenue. Break down things like the cost structure, value propositions, revenue streams, key partners, and key activities your business will be involved in. The more detailed you get about your business model and operational structure, the more compelling your pitch deck will be.
Tips for Creating a Document That Stands Out
Now that you know the fundamental elements that your pitch deck should include, it’s time to create a pitch deck that stands out to potential investors. Here are some of the most important considerations to keep in mind.
Keep it Short
While you want your pitch deck to cover every important detail, you don’t want to make it difficult to read and understand. Keep it short and to-the-point, so that potential investors can instantly understand what your business is about and what you have to offer.
Make it Visually Appealing
Make sure you include images to make it easier for people to read and understand your pitch deck. Consider embedding videos into your digital pitch deck too. As investors are faced with hundreds of pitch decks, you want to make sure yours stands out, looks professional, and grabs their attention.
Keep Text Short
Use short blocks of text that are easy to read and easy to skim. Make sure you break long sections of text up with images to easily convey your message.
Personalise Your Pitch Deck
Personalising your pitch deck for each potential investor is a good practice. This is pretty easy to achieve with online documents that follow a clear template. Just swap out some names and logos in the presentation, ensuring you provide a personalised presentation to each reader. This can make your document more compelling.
Tell a Story
Try to incorporate an element of storytelling in your pitch deck – presenting a clear narrative that flows from one section to the next. This makes your pitch more relatable and more memorable.
Practice Your Delivery
You might have a great pitch deck, but it’s equally important that you know how to deliver a compelling pitch that aligns with it. Practice your pitch multiple times to ensure you can confidently and articulately present your business.
Seek Feedback
You can always work on and improve your pitch deck. Seek feedback from colleagues and mentors to help refine it. Gaining feedback from people you trust and respect can help you create a far more compelling pitch.
By including the right information, and keeping it brief, your pitch deck will grab attention and perfectly convey what your business is about. Make sure this is presented in a visually appealing, and easily understandable format.
A great pitch deck can be the secret to your business’s success, so be sure to take your time carefully crafting a presentation stands out. Without this, you’ll struggle to attract the attention of any investors.
