The perfect pitch deck will persuade even the most sceptical among us. Making a strong first impression is crucial when meeting with new potential clients. pitch decks provide an opportunity to capture the audiences interest and lay the foundation for further discussions, it can be instrumental in effectively conveying the key points that the audience are interested in.
Our Pitch Deck Designers have pulled together tips to allow you to create a presentation that stands above the rest. Providing you with tips with wording, images and a structure.
Be clear and concise
In mathematics, the most elegant equations are the shortest. Richard Feynman, a Theoretical physicist is famous for saying “if you cannot explain something in simple terms, you don’t understand it”.
If you can refine your messages into short, digestible points, audiences will appreciate the clarity and be intrigued to continue reading.
Being organised and to the point has other advantages. If your pitch deck is well organised, clear and concise then the audience will associate these traits with your business. Making your product seem more trustworthy and reliable. Consider the alternative, a complex and confusing pitch deck is going to make people associate complexity and confusion with your brand. If we choose to overload a pitch deck with laborious detail people will switch off and stop engaging. They will associate your idea with complexity, confusion, and muddled thinking, these are not good associations to make.
A well-written deck is easy to follow and understand. Most readers won’t have the time to work out or try to understand complicated information. Make each sentence a meaningful piece of information that contributes to the overall understanding of your topic. The user will engage and take the time to read through the full presentation if the copy is easily digestible.
Keep titles short and snappy
Using a very short title allows the reader to get a rough grasp of the topic before diving into key information. Shorter titles create a lasting impression building a narrative throughout a pitch deck.
A recent study backs up this idea with evidence that shows scientific papers with short titles gain more citations.
You can learn a little about the research here.
Audiences adore simplicity, mainly because it’s easy to understand. Don’t overthink your pitch deck, your message will have more weight and impact if it is concise.
In simpler terms, it’s important to avoid treating your pitch deck like a lengthy research paper or case study. Unlike research papers, which typically contain extensive text with charts and graphs, a pitch deck should not be approached with the expectation of reading a substantial amount of information. People don’t expect to see a pitch deck filled with extensive text like they would when diving into a 50-page research paper.
What to include
The content of your pitch deck will be influenced by your industry and unique business, but there are essential elements that most readers will anticipate finding. These key points serve as the foundation of a comprehensive pitch deck and should be included to provide a clear understanding of your start-up.
Team
Introduce the members of your team, emphasizing their expertise, experience, and relevant backgrounds. Potential clients are keen to know who is driving the venture and what makes them qualified to succeed.
Problem and Solution
Clearly define the problem or pain point that your product or service addresses. Explain how your solution solves this problem effectively and stands out from existing alternatives.
Market Opportunity
Present a thorough analysis of the market opportunity, including its size, growth potential, and relevant trends. Showcase your understanding of the target market and demonstrate why it is an attractive space for your business.
Strategy
Outline your strategy to capitalize on the market opportunity. Explain your go-to-market approach, pricing strategy, distribution channels, and any competitive advantages that give your start-up an edge.
Business Model
Describe your business model and revenue generation strategy. Clearly articulate how you plan to monetize your product or service, including pricing, sales cycles, and customer acquisition and retention tactics.
Growth and Market Potential
Highlight your plans for business growth and scaling. Discuss your expansion strategy, target customer segments, and any partnerships or collaborations that can accelerate your growth trajectory.
Financial Projections
Provide realistic and data-driven financial projections that demonstrate the potential for revenue growth, profitability, and return on investment. Include key metrics such as revenue forecasts, cost structure, and projected milestones.
Competitive Analysis
Conduct a comprehensive analysis of your competitors, showcasing your understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. Differentiate your business by highlighting your unique value proposition and competitive advantages.
Call to Action
End your pitch deck with a clear call to action, inviting the viewer to engage in further discussions or take the next steps in the process.
Structure
For detailed guidance on structuring your pitch deck, check out the article “A Comprehensive Guide to Structuring an Investment Deck.” This article offers a flexible framework to help you create an effective presentation.
Illustrate your idea
Incorporating visuals into your pitch deck can be incredibly powerful, as pictures can often convey complex information more effectively than words alone. When you’re faced with the challenge of explaining intricate concepts or data, consider utilizing diagrams or infographics. These visual representations are excellent tools for communicating complex information in a format that is easily digestible for your audience.
By using infographics, you can capture the attention of your readers and keep them engaged throughout your presentation. The visual appeal of well-designed diagrams can make a significant impact, drawing the viewer’s focus and enhancing their understanding of the information you’re conveying. Infographics can simplify complex concepts, making them more accessible and easier to comprehend.
The advantage of infographics lies in their ability to present information in a concise and visually appealing manner. Instead of overwhelming your audience with lengthy paragraphs or dense data, you can present key insights and data points through visually compelling graphics. This approach not only saves time but also makes it easier for viewer to grasp the essence of your message.
When creating infographics for your pitch deck, strive for clarity and simplicity. Use appropriate colours, icons, and illustrations to enhance understanding and make the information more engaging. Focus on highlighting the most critical points and ensure that the visuals support the narrative of your presentation.
Remember, the purpose of incorporating infographics is to enhance communication, simplify complex ideas, and maintain the interest of your audience. Be strategic in selecting the types of visuals that best align with the information you’re trying to convey and use them as powerful aids in delivering your message effectively.
In summary, when faced with the challenge of explaining complex information, leverage the power of visuals such as diagrams and infographics. These tools can help you communicate intricate concepts in a digestible format, ultimately keeping your audience engaged and enhancing their understanding of your pitch.
Keep it on-brand
Maintaining a strong brand identity is an essential aspect of creating a pitch deck that effectively converts. By ensuring your pitch deck aligns with your brand, you can quickly establish trust and familiarity between your brand and the audience. An on-brand pitch deck reinforces the consistency and reliability of your graphics, positively influencing how your business is perceived. When your marketing collateral is cohesive and well-designed, it conveys a sense of organisation and stability, which are highly favourable associations to make.
Why is being on brand so crucial when it comes to your pitch deck?
Let’s explore the key reasons:
Establishing Trust
A pitch deck that reflects your brand identity helps build trust with the audience. When your brand elements, such as colours, fonts, and imagery, are consistent across your pitch deck and other marketing materials, it creates a cohesive and professional impression. This consistency signals that your business is reliable, focused, and pays attention to detail, which can significantly influence the audience’s perception of your credibility and competence.
Creating Familiarity
Consistency in branding helps create a sense of familiarity. When your pitch deck aligns with your existing brand presence, it allows audiences to recognise and recall your business more easily. This familiarity enhances the overall user experience and increases the chances of your key messages and value propositions resonating with the audience.
Reinforcing Brand Values
An on-brand pitch deck reinforces your brand values and messaging. It provides an opportunity to visually communicate your mission, vision, and unique selling propositions. By incorporating brand-specific visuals, language, and tone, you can effectively convey the essence of your brand and make a memorable impression on the viewer.
Enhancing Visual Appeal
Consistency in branding extends to the visual aspect of your pitch deck. A well-designed and visually appealing deck captures attention and creates a positive perception of your business. When your pitch deck is visually aligned with your brand guidelines, it reflects professionalism and attention to aesthetics, which can significantly enhance the overall user experience.
To ensure your pitch deck stays on brand, consider the following tips:
Consistent Visual Elements
Use your brand’s colours, fonts, and logo consistently throughout your pitch deck. This creates a cohesive and recognizable visual identity.
Reflect Brand Tone
Align your pitch deck’s language and tone with your brand’s personality. Whether it’s professional, friendly, or innovative, maintain consistency to reinforce your brand’s voice.
Clear Brand Messaging
Craft your pitch decks content to reflect your brand’s values, mission, and unique selling propositions. Ensure your messaging aligns with your overall brand strategy.
Professional Design
Invest in professional design or use design tools to create visually appealing slides. Pay attention to layout, typography, and the overall aesthetics to create a polished look.
Cohesive Storytelling
Weave your pitch decks narrative in a way that aligns with your brand story. Connect the dots between your brand’s purpose and the problem you’re solving, highlighting the value your business brings to the market.
In conclusion, being on brand is crucial when creating a pitch deck that converts. It establishes trust, creates familiarity, reinforces brand values, enhances visual appeal, and conveys stability. By aligning your pitch deck with your brand identity, you can make a strong and lasting impression, increasing your chances of success for your business.
Summary
Remember, the purpose of a pitch deck is to provide enough information to get the reader’s attention and entice them into a meeting or requesting further information. The goal here is to grab the reader’s attention and leave them craving more. So, resist the urge to overload them with a data dump. Keep your copy relevant and short. Brevity is the key to unlocking the curiosity and enthusiasm of your readers, give then just enough to spark their interest.
About FullSphere
FullSphere is an agency that prides itself on being the experts in presentations and document designs. Working across many brands and businesses, we love designing decks that look beautiful, and above all, meet your business goals. For more information on how our designers can help with your pitch deck, please get in touch.
