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What Makes a Great Pitch

• Michael Quinn

It’s all about reading the room.

A good pitch is a balancing act that can be adjusted to the currents in the room. A recent survey of HBR readers found — at least in this community — how important it is to understand not just what you are pitching, but who you are pitching to. The reason? The more senior your audience, the less you should rely on your deck and the more you should expect your pitch to be a conversation, showing your team’s authentic passion for the challenge or problem and their resilience for solving it creatively, together.

Pitching for new business is a make-or-break moment for many teams. You want to win the pitch, and so you develop a detailed slide deck, tout your credentials, capabilities and successes (case studies), and select your strongest presenter – possibly the leader of your team or company — to do all the talking. Right? Wrong.

• MQ Michael Quinn is the founder of Minor Nobles, the NYC-based consultancy offering workshops, webinars, rehearsals and 1:1 training to help teams and leaders update their behavior to win more pitches for new business and investment. He is also a faculty instructor for the Association of National Advertisers and host of the podcast, “Own The Room,” where top executives discuss their own experiences pitching and what they wish people would do more often, or avoid altogether, in pitches to them.

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How to create a successful pitch presentation

Get your team on prezi – watch this on demand video.

Anete Ezera December 18, 2023

When it comes to startups and entrepreneurs, getting that first big deal can be tricky. It can be hard to put your business idea forward in a way that’s going to convince potential investors or partners. This is where pitch deck presentations come in handy as they are often short and precise. The goal is to explain your idea in a way that gets straight to the point and is easy to understand. These quick, punchy presentations are critical for those looking to make a strong first impression and secure funding for their business venture. Let’s talk about what a pitch presentation is and how you can create one with the help of Prezi. 

What is a pitch presentation? 

To get a better understanding of what a pitch presentation really is, let’s look at some of the important elements that make one: 

Conciseness: It’s typically short, usually 10-20 slides. This fast pace enables the presenter to captivate the audience and maintain attention. 

Clarity: The aim is to keep the content clear and straightforward, avoiding complicated jargon so that the message is understood. 

Powerful storytelling: It will often tell an interesting story about the problem being solved, the solution offered, and the potential market opportunity. 

Key information: Because of its fast-paced nature, it will often be packed with vital information like the business model, financial projections, and the unique value proposition of the product or service being pitched. 

Appealing visuals: Like other styles of presentation, having visuals that can draw in the audience is a must. Pitch deck presentations will often use graphics and minimal text to convey information better. 

To get a visual understanding of what a pitch presentation is, explore the following pitch presentation:

The evolution of pitch presentations: a look back and ahead

Ever wondered how pitch presentations became such a big deal? They started as simple PowerPoint slides but have evolved into something much more dynamic. This journey reflects changes in business, technology, and what investors look for. In the early days, pitch decks were pretty straightforward – just a few slides outlining a business idea. But as technology advanced, so did the expectations. Now, we see pitch presentations with interactive elements, attractive visuals, and even storytelling elements. This evolution shows how we’ve learned to communicate complex ideas more effectively. Understanding this history helps us understand how pitch decks have evolved into what they are today. 

Is a pitch deck the right presentation style for me? 

A pitch deck is perfect if you’re looking to present a business idea, especially if you’re aiming to attract investors or partners. It’s designed to be concise yet impactful, focusing on the key aspects of your business or project. Think of it as showcasing your business- you’ve got a limited amount of time to make a strong impression. So, if you’re in the early stages of a startup, seeking funding, or trying to win over some stakeholders with a clear, compelling story about your business or idea, a pitch presentation could be just what you need.

People who might also benefit from pitch presentations 

Pitch presentations are a versatile tool that can greatly benefit a wide range of individuals and organizations. We’ve discussed the role of pitch decks for startups and entrepreneurs, so let’s look at some other instances where these presentations might be particularly useful: 

• Business executives: Established business owners can use pitch decks to propose new projects or strategies to stakeholders, boards, and investors. 
• Sales and marketing professionals: To pitch products or services to potential clients or partners, highlighting their unique selling points.
• Non-profit organizations: For presenting their mission, impact, and funding needs to donors, sponsors, or grant agencies.
• Researchers and academics: To secure funding or collaboration for research projects, especially when presenting to funding bodies or at academic conferences.
• Inventors and innovators: To attract investors, partners, or attention to their new inventions or innovations. 
• Freelancers and consultants: To pitch their services and unique value proposition to potential clients or agencies.

What makes a good pitch deck presentation?

When we talk about pitch presentations, it’s important to compare the differences between a great pitch deck and the ones that just don’t hit the mark. 

What a pitch deck should look like 

A successful pitch deck should have a clean, uncluttered design . This way your audience can take in the information without being distracted by over complicated slides. Any images used should be of high quality, and be relevant to the text. A pitch presentation should flow logically , so the information provided tells a story about what you’re aiming to achieve. 

The colors used should match that of your brand, often logos and fonts will correspond with the theme of the brand, organization, or company. This is a great way to reinforce who you are and what you stand for. A good pitch presentation will captivate the audience by using each slide to convey a single key point, this way, the message is concise and easily absorbed. 

Pitfalls to avoid 

Now, let’s talk about what a pitch presentation shouldn’t look like. If you want to entice your audience, don’t cram too much information onto your slides . This is going to overwhelm your audience and make their attention span drop. Don’t stray away from key points by including irrelevant information. You want your pitch deck to persuade people to take action and have faith in you and your product, so don’t go off on a tandem.

Use a language tone that’s relatable to everyone – don’t use overly technical terms or industry-specific jargon. This can be off-putting for potential investors who don’t work in your field. One of the biggest mistakes you could make is to be inconsistent with your theme, color, and fonts. Remember, the idea is to appear professional, and inconsistency screams amateur. 

Things to consider when preparing to create your pitch presentation

Although it might be appealing to dive straight into making your presentation, there are certain points you should consider to get the best out of your pitch. Here are some things to think about when planning: 

Know your audience

Consider who you’re presenting to and include criteria that are going to be appealing to them. For instance, what resonates with venture capitalists may be different from what appeals to potential partners or customers. 

Engaging storyline

You want to hold your audience’s attention throughout the whole presentation, so tell your story in a way that builds anticipation and makes them want more. 

Keep each slide simple. Your audience will respond better to clear, concise content that’s not too busy and complicated. Keep text easily readable and appropriate for all levels of knowledge. 

Key messages

Plan out the purpose of each slide beforehand, that way you can be sure the key messages come across well. 

You can include things like graphs or charts to simplify complex data, but do this in a way that doesn’t overcrowd the slides. Remember to stay consistent with colors and fonts to reinforce clarity. 

Data and validation

Do your research when preparing to make your pitch presentation. It’s crucial to back up your claims, such as market research, growth projections, or case studies. Using real-world examples is a good way to back up your credibility. 

Business model

Think about how you’re going to explain your business model in a way that comes across clearly. Always be honest about your revenue streams, pricing strategies, and your position in the market. 

Investors often invest in people as much as they do ideas, so think about how you can highlight the strengths of yourself and your team. 

You need to clearly state what you’re asking for. Whether it’s funding, support, or a partnership, make sure your audience knows what you need from them. 

Practice your pitch so that it flows well and fits with the time constraints. Rehearsals are great for realizing flaws, which means you can rectify where needed to ensure the best possible pitch on the day. Be prepared to answer questions and address potential concerns- you can do this by listing some possible queries and preparing an adequate answer. 

Beginning and ending

How can you draw the audience in from the minute you start speaking? A successful pitch presentation often starts with a bang, such as a powerful punch line, a vibrant image, or a brain teaser. When it comes to ending your pitch, summarize the main points and offer a chance for discussion. 

Discover other crucial and noteworthy tips on creating and delivering pitch presentations by watching the following video:

Presenting your pitch deck presentation

Your presenting skills must be just as effective as the pitch presentation you’ve created. Imagine spending all that time and effort on making each slide perfect, to go and blow your opportunity by poorly presenting it. Here are some tips to help you own the stage for your pitch: 

Body language

• Posture: Stand tall and proud. A good posture reflects confidence and keeps you physically engaged. 
• Gestures: Gestures should be natural and purposeful. For example, you might use hand gestures to emphasize important points. Avoid being overly dramatic with gestures as this can be distracting. 
•  Movement: Moving can add energy to your presentation, but be careful not to pace around the stage, as this can make you appear nervous. A simple step forward when you’re reaching the punchline of your story can elevate impact. Similarly, turning your body to face different sections of the audience can make everyone feel included. 

Facial expressions

• Eye contact: Make eye contact with your audience, and maintain it. Don’t just focus on one area, move your gaze around the room to add a personal element to your presentation. This is going to help you build a connection and keep them engaged. 
• Smiling: Smile where appropriate. This is going to make you seem approachable and passionate about your subject. However, you don’t want to unnerve your audience by wearing a forced smile throughout the whole presentation. 
• Expressiveness: Your facial expressions should match the tone of what you’re saying. They can be a powerful way of transporting emotions from the screen onto the audience. 

Voice control

• Volume: You want everyone in the room to hear you, so speak loudly, but avoid shouting. 
• Pace: Remember that your audience needs to clearly hear every word for maximum impact, you can do this by keeping a moderate pace throughout. Speaking too fast can be hard to keep up with, and talking too slowly can become boring. 
• Tone: Use a varied tone to maintain interest, as monotone speech can be disengaging. For instance, you could change the pitch and intensity of your tone when discussing something positive or exciting. 
• Duration: Stick to the allotted time for your pitch presentation. Running too long can lose your audience’s interest, while cutting it too short may not deliver enough information. 
• Pauses: Pauses are handy for creating suspense, or allowing key points to sink in. They can also be helpful for a smooth transformation from one topic to another. 

Dealing with nerves

• Practice: The more familiar you are with your content, the less nervous you’re going to be. Practice your body language cues, speaking clearly, and using the right facial expressions. 
• Visualization: Envision a successful pitch presentation. It’s when we worry about the things that could go wrong that causes anxiety to kick in. 
• Relaxation techniques: Before taking the stage, simple techniques can help with nerves, such as mindfulness practices and progressive muscle relaxation. 
• Deep breathing: Practice deep breathing to control nerves and keep a steady voice. This helps in delivering a calm and confident pitch. 

If you’re struggling with nerves, watch the following video on how to not be nervous for a presentation:

Audience interaction

• Question prompts: To make your pitch presentation more interactive, encourage audience participation and questions. 
• Read the room: Always be aware of the audience’s reactions and adjust accordingly. If they seem disinterested, you might need to change your approach or pace.

As a pitch deck presenter, your role is to deliver your content in a way that makes an impact. Mastery of body language, voice, and timing all play a crucial role in yielding the results you want. 

Prezi: Your tool for creating pitch presentation

If you’re aiming to create a pitch presentation that sets you apart from competitors, Prezi is the tool for you. Here’s why: 

Unique presentation style

Unlike traditional slide-by-slide presentations, Prezi allows you to create a more fluid and dynamic pitch deck. You can move freely around the canvas, zooming in on details and out to the bigger picture. This helps in structuring your pitch presentation in a way that best suits your story, making it more engaging for your audience.

Zooming user interface

This is one of Prezi’s signature features. You can zoom in to focus on specific details and zoom out to show the overall context of your idea. Since pitch presentations are all about emphasizing key points, this feature is essential. 

Visual storytelling

The best way to tell a story through your pitch presentation is to turn complicated information into digestible parts. With Prezi, you can use appealing visuals to simplify ideas and make data easier to interpret. Prezi supports images, visuals, graphics, and animations, so you can create a pitch that captivates your audience. 

Experience visual storytelling in action in a Prezi presentation:

Templates and customization 

Prezi offers a variety of templates , which can be a great starting point for your pitch presentation. These templates are fully customizable, meaning you can align the design with your brand’s look and feel. 

As an example, take a look at this product launch template by Prezi. This would be a solid choice for a pitch deck presentation, particularly if you’re about to launch a new product or service. It provides a structured layout that guides you through the essential elements of a pitch. If you’re hoping to make a good impression, the design of this template looks clean and professional while focusing on key points. It allows you to highlight what sets your product apart in a compelling way. 

Like most Prezi templates, it offers customization options. You can tweak colors, add your images, and moderate the content to align with your brand and product. These are all essential elements for creating a personalized and relevant pitch. 

Collaboration tools

Prezi’s collaboration features come in handy when you’re working with a team. Multiple people can work on the pitch presentation at the same time, offering valuable inputs and different ideas. This way, your pitch deck presentation can reach its full potential. If you like to delegate tasks and give each team member a role in the creation, this feature is great for coordinating efforts. 

Prezi Video

For remote pitching, Prezi Video is the perfect solution as it allows you to add a video of yourself presenting alongside your content. This enables you to make your pitch just as personal as it would be in person. 

To explore how Prezi Video works, watch the following video:

Path tool for story flow

To help create a natural flow for your story, Prezi lets you set paths to move between topics. This easily guides your audience through your presentation in a logical way, which is crucial when it comes to pitch decks. 

Prezi is keeping up with the AI revolution by bringing you a set of AI presentation tools: AI text editing and layout features. These features give you text and layout suggestions, so you don’t need to stress about finding the right words or structure. It can adjust to your writing style, keeping your pitch personal to you but with added clarity and relevance. Discover more about Prezi AI features here .

Successful business pitch presentation examples

Many well-known companies famously used pitch decks in their early stages to secure funding and partnerships. Here’s some you may know: 

Back in 2008, Airbnb was just starting out and needed funding, so they created a pitch deck. This wasn’t just any pitch deck—it was really clear and straightforward, showing off their business model and what they hoped to achieve. They ended up raising $600k from an angel investment round. Their pitch presentation was so successful that people still talk about it today. It’s a classic example of how a good pitch can really set a company on the path to success.

Did you know about Uber’s beginnings? On their ninth anniversary, Garrett Camp, one of the co-founders, shared their first pitch deck. It was a 25-slide presentation that they used way back when they were just starting out. This pitch presentation was a major part of their strategy and really helped in the company’s early growth and evolution. It’s pretty impressive to think how those early slides contributed to making Uber the giant it is today. 

We all know how significant Facebook is when it comes to social media platforms, but it’s all down to their original pitch presentation back in 2004 that propelled them into such success. The pitch deck contained mix-and-match slides for summarizing Facebook’s value proposition, key metrics, and audience demographics. Shortly after the launch of facebook.com, Eduardo Saverin, who was 21 at the time, took their presentation to New York. He was there to pitch Facebook’s Ad platform to potential clients. Now, fast forward to today, Facebook for Business has grown massively. It’s the second biggest digital advertising platform, just behind Google, and holds more than 25% of the market share.

These examples are not only inspirational but show just how important pitch presentations are. A strong pitch is critical for making a good first impression, forming business relations, and opening up opportunities for scaling your business. 

Final thoughts on pitch deck presentations

To wrap up, pitch decks are more than just presentations; they’re your chance to make an impact. They’re vital for anyone looking to get their idea off the ground, especially in the startup world. So when you’re putting one together, keep it straightforward, focus on your key points, and make sure it reflects what you and your business are all about. A well-crafted pitch presentation can open doors, attract investment, and set the stage for your future success. Remember, simplicity and clarity are your best tools. Good luck, and here’s to making your ideas shine!

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Blog Marketing What is a Pitch Deck? Meaning, Characteristics and Templates

What is a Pitch Deck? Meaning, Characteristics and Templates

Written by: Aditya Rana Jun 07, 2024

If you’re an entrepreneur or startup founder, you’ll know that a good idea alone isn’t enough. You also need to secure funding from investors.

And a great way to convince investors is to use a pitch deck.

Pitch decks help you communicate ideas in a way that can get investors excited about your business. But you need to know a few tricks.

In this blog, I’ll dive deep into everything pitch decks — from what is a pitch deck to how to make one. I’ll also share real-life examples of pitch decks that have helped startups secure funding over the years.

By the way, you can create effective pitch decks in minutes using our Presentation Maker or by editing pitch deck templates.

Click to jump ahead:

What is a pitch deck?

• Elements of a pitch deck

What makes a good pitch deck?

• How to create a pitch deck

The dos and don’ts of pitch decks

Pitch deck examples.

A pitch deck is a concise presentation that helps investors and/or clients better understand a business plan, product/service, and/or growth strategy.

Pitch decks enable entrepreneurs to secure funding, but they can also be used to build partnerships and drive growth.

Here’s a great example of a pitch deck that shows the business case of YouTube.

Related: 30+ Best Pitch Deck Examples, Tips & Templates Creating a Pitch Deck? 5 Ways to Design a Winner

Pitch deck presentation vs investor deck

An investor deck is a more comprehensive version of the pitch deck (concise summary of a business plan) and includes information on financial details, market analysis, competitive landscape, and strategy.

Here’s a brief comparison of pitch decks vs investor decks.

• Purpose: Pitch decks provide a high-level overview while investor decks are more thorough and detailed.
• Depth: Pitch decks are brief (10-20 slides) whereas investor decks go in-depth and focus on information like financial projections (20-30 slides).
• Audience: Pitch decks are meant for investors, customers, and the media, but investor decks are for investors who require a deeper understanding.

What does a pitch deck typically include?

Title slide.

As the name suggests, the title slide in a pitch deck names the presentation and also usually includes the business name and a logo.

Problem and solution

The problem and solution slide in a pitch deck identifies a problem in the market and (sometimes) lays out how the business will solve it.

Market opportunity and size

This slide is all about the market — data about its size, growth potential and trends.

This is your opportunity to grab an investor’s attention and convince them how your business will succeed in a thriving market.

Product/service description

The product/service description is your opportunity to present the USP, features, and benefits your business will provide.

This is your chance to show investors how your product or service solves a problem.

Competitive landscape

The competitive landscape slide is an opportunity focus on the existing competitors.

A great way to do this is use comparison charts to highlight strengths and weaknesses, differentiation points, market positioning, and barriers to entry.

Go-to-market strategy

The go-to-market strategy slide in your pitch deck is all about action.

Here, you’ll want to transition from explaining the problem and opportunity to outlining the concrete steps you’ll take to reach your target audience and turn them into loyal customers.

Team introduction

The team introduction slide is your opportunity to put a human face behind your idea.

Use this slide to showcase the individuals driving your startup or idea forward to convince investors you have the right people in place to turn a vision into reality.

This slide is yet another transition point from your strategy to the numbers.

In this part of your pitch deck, you’ll want to convince investors that your business model is financially sound and has the potential to generate significant returns.

Call to action

The call to action (CTA) slide is the culmination of your pitch deck.

This is where you transition from informing and inspiring investors to prompting them to take concrete action (usually to fund your idea or business).

Traction and achievements

This slide is all about showcasing your achievements either as an individual or a business.

Here, you’ll want to provide concrete evidence that your business model is gaining traction and has the potential for future success.

Exit strategy

The exit strategy slide outlines how investors will ultimately realize a return on their investment.

This is important because you want to demonstrate a clear exit strategy (besides growth) which highlights your understanding of the investment landscape.

Storytelling

Your pitch deck should reveal a real business problem and your plan to solve it in a format that’s fun and easy to consume.

Use strong verbs and avoid technical jargon. Also, remember to focus on the human element to connect at an emotional level with investors rather than only focusing on facts and figures.

Clarity and concision

Remember, investors are busy people so respect their time.

Focus on the most important information and avoid cramming too much text onto each slide. Ideally, use bullet points to highlight key takeaways whenever possible.

Visual appeal

First impressions matter, so invest in design that is clean, modern, and visually appealing.

Good pitch decks have a consistent color scheme, font style, and high-quality images, charts, and graphs to enhance the message.

Data-driven

Facts and figures add credibility to your claims, so use data from reputable sources to showcase the market size, growth potential, and validation for your product or service.

Don’t overwhelm your audience with complex data sets though. Just focus on the most relevant metrics that support your narrative.

Compelling call to action

End your pitch deck on a strong note by telling your audience exactly what you want them to do next, whether it’s a request for funding, scheduling a follow-up meeting, or signing up for your service.

How to create a pitch deck?

Step 1: sign up for venngage.

Sign up  for a free Venngage account using your email, Gmail, or Facebook account.

Step 2: Choose a pitch deck template

Go to our  templates page and look for pitch deck templates under the presentations category.

Step 3: Customize and proofread your pitch deck

Once you find a pitch deck template from our library, click on the “Create” button to open our editor (you’ll be asked to sign in or sign up if you haven’t already).

Here are some cool things you can do within the Venngage editor.

• Change the text, icons, layout, or graphics using a drag-and-drop interface.
• Add your  brand colors  to a pitch deck in a single click using  My Brand Kit  (only for  Business  users).

Step 4: Download or share

Once you’re happy with your pitch deck, download it as a PPT or PDF (Business users only) or share a link to it for free.

When making a pitch deck, there’s several dos and don’ts to keep in mind to create and give an effective presentation.

Dos of pitch deck design:

• Keep it concise: Focus on key points and keep content to a minimum.
• Use high-quality visuals: Use professional images, graphics, and fonts to make your pitch deck visually appealing.
• Tell a story: Structure your pitch deck to guide viewers through the problem, solution, and impact.

Don’ts of pitch deck design:

• Don’t overload with text: Avoid cluttering slides with too much text. Instead, use bullet points and brief statements.
• Don’t use technical jargon: Use simple language wherever possible.
• Don’t ignore design consistency: Ensure fonts, colors, and styles are consistent throughout the pitch deck.

Great pitch deck design is only half the effort of an effective pitch deck — you also need to present it well.

Dos of pitch deck presentations:

• Practice beforehand: Rehearse your presentation to ensure smooth delivery.
• Engage you audience: Maintain eye contact, use expressive body language, and encourage interaction.
• Highlight key points: Emphasize critical information and insights to reinforce your pitch.

Don’ts of pitch deck presentations:

• Don’t read from the slides: Avoid reading directly from your slides. Instead, speak naturally.
• Don’t overwhelm with information: Keep information digestible and avoid overloading your audience with details.
• Don’t use filler words: Minimize the use of “um” and “like” to maintain a professional tone.

Pitch deck FAQs

How long should a pitch deck be?

A pitch deck should generally be 10-12 slides in length and delivered within 15-20 minutes.

What software should I use to create a pitch deck?

Popular software options to create a pitch deck include PowerPoint, Keynote, and online tools like Canva and Venngage. Choose one you’re comfortable with.

What’s the difference between a pitch deck and a business plan?

The difference between a pitch deck and a business plan is that the former is a concise presentation for a specific audience while the latter is a detailed document outlining your entire business strategy.

What are some common pitch deck mistakes to avoid?

Some common pitch deck mistakes to avoid include overloading slides with text, weak visuals, lack of storytelling, unclear target audience, and a weak call to action.

How much financial information should I include?

The amount of financial information included in a pitch deck depends on your audience. For investors, you’ll want to focus heavily on projections while pitch decks for clients should focus on the value proposition.

Should I include a lot of data and charts?

Yes, you should include data and charts in pitch decks but do so data strategically. Also, ensure your charts are clear and easy to understand.

How can I practice my pitch deck delivery?

To practice your pitch deck delivery, rehearse in front of a mirror, record yourself, or present to trusted advisors for feedback.

How can I tailor my pitch deck to different audiences?

To tailor your pitch deck to different audiences, understand their needs and challenges and highlight how your solution addresses their specific pain points.

What should I do if I get a question I can’t answer?

IF you get asked a question you don’t know how to answer during your pitch deck presentation, be honest and transparent. Offer to follow up with the answer later.

Where can I find more resources on creating a pitch deck?

For more resources on creating pitch decks, pitch deck templates, tips, and examples, look for articles by reputable publications and venture capital firms.

Conclusion: Create effective pitch decks in minutes and win investors over

If you want to close deals, use pitch deck templates to improve your odds. There’s no better way to make compelling and comprehensive pitches quickly and efficiently.

Head over to our pitch deck templates page today and get started!

In this bonus section, I’ll sample through through examples of effective real-world pitch decks to serve as inspiration.

AirBnb pitch deck

The Airbnb pitch deck was clear and simple. It presented a compelling problem-solution narrative, strong market opportunity, and realistic financial projections

Tinder pitch deck

The Tinder pitch deck is a prime example of pitch deck that uses effective storytelling.

TransferWise

The Wise pitch deck is a great example of using visuals to illustrate market opportunity and traction.

The snapchat pitch deck was effective because it was able to highlight likelihood of rapid user growth and strong market potential.

The Coinbase pitch deck was able to present straightforward financial projections and the backing of a capable team.

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Table of contents

What is a pitch deck?

What is a pitch deck a quick guide.

A pitch deck is a presentation that provides an overview of a business, startup, or project to potential investors, partners, or stakeholders. It is typically a concise and visually engaging document that outlines key information — with the goal to communicate a compelling story about a project or new business and convince the audience of its viability and potential for success.

Pitch deck basics

A pitch deck, often considered the cornerstone of entrepreneur and investor communication, is a brief and visually compelling way to create a presentation that overviews your business. This invaluable tool provides a snapshot of your company's value proposition, market analysis, product details, and more. It's your golden ticket to securing the interest and backing of potential investors.

Understanding how a pitch deck works

Think of your pitch deck as your company's story condensed into a powerful narrative, the quintessence of your venture told through compelling visuals and concise text. This tool communicates the "what" and the "why" behind your business. It conveys your mission, vision, and strategy in an easily digestible format, ideally leaving investors intrigued and keen to know more.

What are the components of a typical pitch deck?

An effective pitch deck typically consists of the following elements:

Introduction : The essence of your company — what it is and what it does.

Team : Details about the skilled people driving your venture.

Problem : The issue your product or service aims to address.

Solution : Your unique value proposition.

Market analysis : Your target audience and market size.

Product : In-depth details about your product or service.

Business model : How you intend to make money.

Marketing and sales strategy : Your plan to attract and retain customers.

Financials : Current performance and future projections.

Ask : Your request from investors, whether it's funding, advice, or partnerships.

Advantages of making a pitch deck

The overall goal is to capture the audience's interest and generate enough enthusiasm for them to want to learn more or potentially invest in the business. A well-constructed pitch deck offers multiple benefits:

Clarity : By distilling your business into a pitch deck, you understand your venture more clearly, helping you articulate your vision effectively.

Investor attraction : An engaging pitch deck is a magnet for investors. It communicates critical details about your business and demonstrates your professionalism and commitment.

Guidance : A pitch deck provides a roadmap for investor presentations, guiding the flow of conversation and ensuring key points are addressed.

Successful pitch deck examples

To better understand how a good pitch deck should look, here are examples of 3 successful SaaS companies with great pitch decks:

Airbnb : Airbnb's original pitch deck succinctly outlined its unique value proposition, market analysis, and growth strategy. It effectively showcased their novel solution to a widespread problem, capturing investor interest.

Slack : Slack's pitch deck focused heavily on their product, using powerful visuals and simple explanations to communicate their platform's benefits. They underscored their unique selling points, clearly differentiating themselves from competitors.

Zendesk : Zendesk's pitch deck is a testament to the power of storytelling. They successfully used a narrative approach to guide potential investors through their customer service solution, making their proposition highly relatable.

How to make a pitch deck

Creating a compelling pitch deck involves thoughtful design, clear writing, and strategic storytelling. Here are some steps to guide you:

Understand your audience : Understand your potential investors' interests and concerns to tailor your pitch deck effectively.

Define your structure : Outline your deck using the key components mentioned earlier. This will serve as your pitch deck template .

Create your content : Keep your text succinct and impactful. Use data to support your statements and weave a compelling story around your business.

Design your slides : Use a clean, professional design. Leverage visuals and infographics to communicate complex information.

Refine and practice : Revise your deck, seek feedback, and practice your delivery. Remember, your pitch deck is not just a document — it's a presentation.

Tips and best practices when making a pitch deck

Less is more : Avoid cluttering your slides with text. Stick to key points and let your oral presentation fill in the details.

Consistency is key : Maintain a consistent design throughout your deck. This includes colors, fonts, visuals, and tone of voice.

Data-driven : Back your claims with relevant data. This demonstrates market understanding and adds credibility to your statements.

Tell a story : People connect with stories. Weave a narrative around your business journey, from the problem you're solving to the solution you're offering and your vision for the future.

Call to action : Make sure to include a clear 'ask'. Whether you're seeking funding, partnerships, or advice, be specific about what you want from your audience.

Creating a pitch deck might initially seem daunting, but with the right approach and tools, you can craft a compelling presentation that captures your audience's attention and leaves a lasting impression. Remember, your pitch deck reflects your business vision — it should not just inform but also inspire. Happy crafting!

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How to do a Pitch Deck Presentation (plus free templates!)

If you are in any kind of business or enterprise, you’re probably looking for every chance to make your company grow. Sadly, such opportunities don’t usually just fall from the sky. You need to convince your potential investors, clients, or partners to get the resources you need. And how do you convince them? With a Pitch Deck Presentation .

Here you can find a step by step guide on what your Pitch Deck should include. But since it is not always easy to do everything from scratch, here you can also find amazing templates, completely free. Their amazing visuals and diagrams will assure that you don’t only get your point across, but that you also stay on the mind of your audience after the presentation has already ended.

What is a Pitch Deck Presentation?

To get the funding you need for your company, you should look for investors. Now, there are thousands and thousands of businesses looking for wealthy investors. The way to stand out among all those other competitors is making them aware of your business potential. And how do you do this? Through a Pitch Deck.

A Pitch Deck is a brief presentation that you give to potential investors to convince them to bet their money in your company. It can be used face-to-face, or online. You can make a Pitch Deck presentation for a customer, or a client, or even a partner. The objective is to showcase your business plan, your product, and your over-all growth projections. In other words, you have to sell to your audience not only what your product is, but also what it could be .

You should plan carefully your Pitch Deck presentation. For a truly great presentation you’ll need a good understanding of both your own business and your potential investors. Consider the things that could be interesting for them. Maybe it is something that shows your business’ stability. Maybe it is the business model you’re going to implement. Or the expected ROI. But also consider the things about your company that are astounding and that differentiate it from the competition.

What to include in a Pitch Deck Presentation

There is some debate on how long a Pitch Deck presentation should be. Some say 10 slides should be more than enough to give a brief look over your business. Some say it should be 12. Others say 20 slides should be the absolute limit. So, which one is it?

One thing is for certain, it should not feel long. After all, you can have 40 slides and go through them faster than a 7-slide presentation filled with text. But, most likely, if anyone sees a 40-slide presentation their reaction will be of complete dread.  Boring your public even before you start is the worst idea, so try to keep it short and sweet as much as possible.

I suggest a 12-sections for an ideal Pitch Deck. This will allow you to give a complete overview of your business without being overwhelming. Ideally, each of these sections should have each one slide. However, this is not a rule written in stone. Maybe it is worth to expand a little more on a specific topic. The golden rule is to keep one idea per slide , even if that means making more slides. This way it will clearer for your audience, and it will be easier to keep their attention right where you want it.

On the opposite side, you don’t need to make a slide for every single one of these sections. Maybe some of these won’t apply to your business. Consider these sections more as a guideline of what you can use to show your company’s potential. Take, for example, the famous early Facebook Pitch Deck .

Early Facebook Pitch Deck from Ilya Friedman, CFA

As you can see, this Pitch Deck has no “Problem” or “Solution” sections. This is because Facebook wasn’t tackling any existing problems, but creating a new necessity. Focusing on a non-existing problem would have been useless to justify its importance. Instead, what they do is focus on what it does have: market validation. They expend several slides going through media data that shows how incredibly popular they are and their users’ demographics.

1- Introduction

Your introduction should be able to catch your audience’s attention from the get-go. Look at the Facebook Pitch Deck. Their introduction is just a quote. But it is a quote that presents them as a revolutionary idea that is changing the way people interact. This is what you should look for an introduction. A short way to present your business in a forward way, while also leaving your public wanting more. Storytelling can be a great tool for this.

Not every Pitch Deck includes a Team slide, but it can be extremely useful. Presenting the people making the decisions and showcasing their previous achievements can make investors more at ease. If you have members in your team that add a plus on how execution will be managed in your business, it can certainly be a good idea to dedicate a slide to it. Of course, it is up to you to decide if it’s useful or not. You can even change where exactly the slide should go, depending on which topic you feel it connects better.

This is a vital slide in (almost) any Pitch Deck Presentation. As Forbes mentions, it is more likely for an investor to bet on you if he can relate to the problem you are putting on the table. Or, in any case, if you can explain it well enough so he can understand its importance. The more inescapable a problem is, the more likely a solution for it will have a big demand.

4- Solution

This slide needs to be as concise and clear as possible. It should answer directly to the problem. Try to avoid offering different solutions. Even if you have a multi-faceted project, simplifying the solution you’re offering will make you look more focused and more trustworthy. Afterward, in the product description or the business model, you can elaborate on what else makes your product or services so special, but here, try to keep it as straightforward as possible.

There is also the possibility to join the problem and the solution in just one slide. You can see that in some of the templates below. This can be useful to show the direct relationship between the two of them. You can always do that, just remember that the priority is to be as clear as possible.

5- Product/Service

Here you can show your product in action. Show how it implements your solution and its effectiveness. The Facebook Pitch Deck is a great example of that. Even if there is no solution in this presentation, it makes an awesome job of portraying its product uniqueness. From its users’ profile to the networking value it offers, it gives the public a short but complete overview of what the product is about.

6- Traction and Market

This slide should also be straight to the point and data-based. There is nothing speaks better of growth and traction than a data-based graph. Slides such as this one are great to show everything you need with very few words. This is the moment to show your business is already successful, and that, with enough resources, it can become even bigger.

You should have done a good in-depth research on your target market before your Pitch Deck presentation.  Your market can determine your potential exit with investors. The market’s size, its willingness to expend their money can be a key factor when deciding where to invest. Showing statistics and customer feedback can be very useful to show how successful your product already is. Just check out the Facebook Pitch Deck. Many of its slides are focused on showing their popularity and reach. This is, after all, what attracts investors.

7- Business Model

This slide is not a requirement, but if done well, it can be a huge plus in your presentation. Show your audience how you are planning to make money. Proving that you have a concrete idea of how your whole business will operate will give you a great image in front of investors and clients. For this, slides with graphs such as funnels can be a great option to display how you plan your business to work.

8- Financial Forecasting

This section is where you show your projections to where you see your business going in the future. For example, you can present the expected growth in 3 or 5 years. Sometimes this section can be directly related to the investment section and how would you invest the money to make your company grow.  As always, this depends on your own presentation and the order you want to give it. Just remember that having a realistic, transparent approach to what to expect in the future can really make a difference for your audience.

9- Competition

Even if your idea is great, it is highly unlikely that you are the very first person who came up with something like that. In most cases, you’ll have to deal with some competitors offering similar products or services to the same target market. It is important that you have a deep understanding of your business and its differential value. Only then you can really show investors what makes your business unique and why they should be on you instead of any of the others. Yo need to know where you are standing on compared to your competitors and diagrams are a great way to showcase that. SWOT analyses are also a great way to convey both yours and your competition’s strengths and weaknesses.

10- Desired Investment

Even if everything else is great, your Pitch Deck won’t be really successful until you actually get the fundraising you need. And to get it, you have to eventually ask for it. Presenting a plan of what you expect to do with it and how it will be used to grow the business will show your audience how grounded the management is.

11- Closure/Contact

Finally, you should invest some time in making a good closure for your presentation. In Facebook’s Pitch Deck, is another great quote, that makes the presentation end at a high note. You should certainly aim for that. But even if it’s not possible, you should at least have a slide dedicated to contact information. After hearing your presentation, your audience should be completely clear on how to invest and what would be the next steps. At the bare minimum, they should know how to contact you again. After all, the whole purpose of the Pitch Deck is to build relationships with potential investors.

The 4 Best Pitch Deck Templates Online

Here you can download for free some of our best Pitch Deck Templates. Some are long, up to 24 slides. Others are sample slides that you can add in even if you are already halfway through your presentation. As always, all of these are easy to edit, so you can pick which fits better with what you’re trying to convey.  These templates will give you that little extra that will take your presentation to the next step.

If you need any help editing these templates, you can always check our Ultimate PowerPoint Template Guide .

Start-up Pitch Deck PowerPoint Template

As its title says, this template is ideal for start-ups. You will find anything you’ll ever need for your Pitch presentation in this 19-slide pack. It has slides for showcasing your product, from the ideation process, to the prototype, all the way to the finance planning stages. This template has all kinds of diagrams that will help you make a consistent case to get your investors’ attention. It starts with an overview slide that will allow your audience to know exactly where they are standing on each part of the presentation. Or, you can also use the overview slide as a closing summary. As always, your imagination is the limit of what you can do with these templates.

This pack includes Venn diagrams to show innovation and start-up ecosystems, maps in case you’re aiming for a worldwide plan, pyramid visuals, and much more. It also includes a target audience slide that you can use to showcase your market analysis and several charts.

You can also find this template’s version for Google Slides here.

Copywriter Pitch Deck PowerPoint Template

This template is ideal for those looking to get their services as a copywriter in the spotlight. It will help you showcase your strengths and abilities as a professional, while also exposing the different types of services you offer. While this is a pack focused on copywriting it can also be edited and used for any kind of service you offer. Slides for topics such as your portfolio and your working process will be useful even if copywriting isn’t exactly what you do.

For those that do copywrite, the slide of the content writing cycle is amazing. It will allow you to show your audience in a really thorough way what is exactly what you do and how you do it. This will help your potential clients to understand your work better. But it is also a great way to showcase where you think your value is and what differentiates you from other professionals.

This template also includes slides ideal to show the Competition section of your Pitch Deck presentation. It has charts and graphs to showcase the differences between you and others. It also helps you connect pricing to the value of the services you offer.

For this one there is also a Google Slides version you can download here.

Playful Pitch Deck PowerPoint Template

This 10 slide Pitch Deck template will give you the tools to make a straight-to-the-point presentation, but without losing your playful side. It has great tools that will make you able to show every part of your business and get your point across. This presentation template is data-based, so you’ll find graphs and diagrams that could be useful to convince potential investors.

This slide, for example, is great for showing your business growth. Investors are more likely to bet on a business with good and stable growth. This slide could help you not only show off your financial milestones, but also your growth expectations and financial forecasting.

The playful visuals of this pack will certainly stay in your audience’s minds for a while. Take this puzzle slide, for example. It is great to connect the problems you have identified with the solution your business brings forward. It will make a memorable way to represent your solution and make sure it stands out from others.

We also have a Google Slides Template for this design.

Ultimate Product Hunt Pitch Deck PowerPoint Template

This megapack of 24 slides has a little bit of everything. Circle graphs? You got it. Process diagram? You got it. Bar graphs? That too. You can pick from the amazing assortment of types of slides on this pack, and use those that will showcase your business better. With this template, it is up to you to show the best and to cause a great impression on your audience.

With slides such as this, you will be able to convey what you think will give a better idea of what your business really is about. For example, this great SWOT analysis template. By showing you know you are aware of both your strengths and weaknesses, you’ll show potential investors or clients that aware of your surroundings and your own shortcomings.

This Pitch Deck pack comes with over a dozen slides of different graphs, diagrams, and visual aids. It has maps if you want to show your worldwide reach, it has different types of pyramid graphs, process diagrams, and more. It really has everything you could need for an outstanding Pitch Deck presentation.

Independent slides

These templates, while they are not enough on their own to make a complete presentation, they can be a great complement for others. All of these bring different things to the table you can take advantage of and make a better-rounded Pitch Deck.

Pitch Deck Presentation Templates

This template pack has 3 incredible slides that would fit perfectly into any Pitch Deck. First, its vision and mission slide will allow you to give your audience a more in-depth look at what your business is really about. It also has a great geometrical process diagram. And finally, it has a roadmap slide, that will allow you to showcase the steps to be taken to achieve a specific goal. All these slides have beautiful bright colors that will assure that your audience’s attention remains exactly where you want it: In your presentation.

Investor Relations Presentation Template

Even if this pack is not directly a Pitch Deck template, its slides can be extremely useful as part of one. Its slides are great to convey what kind of investment would you be interested in, and what they would get from the partnership. It has an Investing Strategy Slide that is useful for the “Desired Investment” section of your Pitch Deck. If your audiences are aware of what their resources could be used for and the impact they could have, they will be more likely to consider making an investment.

This template also includes a Company Strategy slide, which is great to show the overall workings inside your enterprise. This template is great for showing your business model and introducing your audience to your goals and objectives.

Pitch Deck 3

This is another 3-slide pack with great visual aids that would fit amazingly into any Pitch Deck. It has an introduction slide that could be used to present your company or your product. But it also has a really eye-catching business model slide. This one is a vital part of your Pitch Deck since it will allow your audience to understand how your business works and make them feel more confident in investing. It also includes a Problem-Solution slide. This will allow you to present the relationship between the two points, rather than presenting each by their own side.

Pitch Deck PowerPoint Template

Here you can find some more amazing independent slides, ready to be used in a Pitch Deck. You can use the Start-up Project Timeline to show the steps required to complete a specific task or goal. The introduction slide is great to give a general overview of your business or your product. It includes several icons, so you can showcase different aspects of your company. Finally, this template pack also has a Market Slide. A slide like this one is vital in any Pitch Deck, since being able to prove your knowledge of your market is a big step for being trusted by investors.

Creative Pitch Deck PowerPoint Template

Finally, you can use this creative Pitch Deck Slides pack to complement any presentation you want, whether it’s one of the above or one completely of your own. It has a market segmentation slide, great to introduce your segment to your traction/market section. There are many different aspects that can be part of your differential value. One thing that can distinguish yourself from other competitors can be the way you present yourself to your potential customers. That is why a slide for your Marketing Strategy can be so important.

Making Your Own Pitch Deck

So, which one should you use? Sadly, there is no easy answer to this question. How long your presentation should be, and what slides you should use for your Pitch Deck depends entirely on you. It depends on what you believe are your strengths, what do you think your differential value is, and so on. It depends on what numbers you have that could be eye-catching for potential investors.

Good thing is, there is no wrong answer either. Think carefully about what you want your audience to get out of it, and what specific information will convey this idea the best. Do you think one of the best things your business has is its stability? Then showing a graph of steady growth might be a good idea. Or maybe the best aspect is that there is a huge market to tap on. Then making an extra effort in the market slide is a must. Really, really knowing your business is the only way to make a truly great Pitch Deck presentation.

And, as always, remember that the slides are just a tool. There is a limit on how much a good presentation design can do when the speaker is not at their best. The delivery is a vital part of every presentation, and even more in this kind of presentations. A Pitch Deck should be highly persuasive. Whether it is to an investor, a client, or a partner, the challenge is to convince them of the potential of your business. To make them see not only what the company is but what it can become (with their help). This is why the speaker should be someone who believes in the product and is passionate about it.

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What Is a Pitch Deck? (And How to Make One)

It’s a tool that every startup business or entrepreneur needs – a great pitch deck . A pitch deck is a presentation that you’ll use to help explain or showcase your product or service and potentially drives sales or investment. It needs to be polished and professional to do the job well.

Today, we’ll take a look at what a pitch deck is, how to make one, and how to establish a design that will wow people who come in contact with your new business.

We’ll also feature a few stunning pitch deck templates along the way, to help you get started fast.

19+ Million PowerPoint Templates, Themes, Graphics + More

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Startup pitch deck.

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What Is a Pitch Deck?

A pitch deck is a short presentation that startups or entrepreneurs put together to help explain a business concept or idea in hopes of getting funding from investors. A pitch deck needs to be simple and easy to understand, professionally designed and include a distinct action for users (potential investors) to take.

According to Forbes , the average pitch deck has just 19 slides (so there’s no need to overthink it) and include three keys: clear and simple, compelling and easy to act on.

Further, a pitch desk should explain why your startup is important. You should outline a problem and potential solution to investors. Then back it up with information about your product and market, how you will use funding, financial information for investors and a clear call to invest.

While you don’t have a lot of room in 19 slides to show everything about your company, think of this is a quick sales opportunity. You may or may not present the pitch deck in person. Remembering that users have limited attention spans, it is best to keep it short with just the most pertinent information.

5 Things Every Pitch Deck Needs

When it comes to creating the perfect pitch deck, where do you start? Great pitch decks have several things in common:

• Consistent and error-free design : Slides in the pitch deck must look like they belong together with a professional look and design that is free of errors. (Proofread it twice!)
• Something to hook the audience : Tell a story with words and visuals that engage people and make them want to be a part of your startup. You need to inspire them.
• Value proposition : What makes your company special, unique and valuable? What should investors expect as a return? Spell it out.
• Personality : A pitch deck should reflect your brand identity and personality.
• Template : Don’t reinvent the wheel every time you need to tweak or give your presentation to someone else. Create a template for your pitch deck (we have a few ideas below to help you get started and throughout this article) so that it’s quick and easy to prepare a presentation on the fly. You never know where the right opportunity might be waiting.

How to Create a Pitch Deck Design

When it comes to creating a pitch deck, the design rules are pretty simple and consistent with many of the design concepts you’re probably already familiar with:

• Pick a consistent set of elements to use throughout the design. This includes a color palette, two to three typography choices and an icon set. Set styles and hierarchies for slides so that headers are the same throughout as are body text, photo use and other design elements.
• Limit the number of slides and feature one thing on each slide. Think of a slide as a single idea with an image and small text element. That’s all.
• Pick a design that works where you will be presenting. Will it be on a screen in a dark room? Or on a computer monitor at a desk? Or on an iPad with just one person looking on? Ensure that the design works in the place where you will show it.
• Save slides in a universal format, such as PDF, that will look and open like you expect.

Slides Every Pitch Deck Needs

While every startup is different, there are a few slide types that almost every pitch deck needs to include. (Even if you aren’t using them all right now, it’s a good idea to plan for them as you grow and seek more funding.)

• Intro with company name/logo
• Vision and value proposition
• Problem that needs a solution
• How your company is that solution
• Target market and opportunities for growth
• Business model and roadmap
• Financials (with charts or graphs)
• Team members and bios
• Call for investment with how it will be used and benefits for investors

10 Pitch Deck Templates to Try

One of the quickest ways to do all of this – and create a stellar pitch deck – is with a template. Just pick a design that you like and customize it. Streamline the number of slides to just what you need and adjust colors, fonts and images to match your content.

A template can save you a lot of time, and there are so many professional and well-designed options out there, that there’s no reason not to try one. (Plus, the best pitch deck templates include slides for charts and graphs. Just fill in your data and share.)

Here are ten we like as inspiration for your pitch deck design.

Manola Presentation

BISC Keynote Template

Business Pitch Deck Keynote

Startup Pitch Deck Template

Corporate Business Plan

Union Keynote Template

Pitch Deck Google Slides

Secret: It’s Really Just a PowerPoint Template

If you haven’t figure it out yet, here’s the secret about pitch decks. They are really just PowerPoint (or Keynote) templates with a specific type of content included.

Need more inspiration? We have plenty more ideas for developing great presentations here .

Pitch Deck Essentials: What is a Pitch Deck and How to Craft a Winning Investor Presentation

Craft a pitch deck that helps secure funding Discover essential elements for winning investor pitch decks!

January 25, 2024

What's Inside?

Starting a business startup isn't just about having a great idea; it's about sharing that idea convincingly. That's where a good pitch deck comes in handy. Whether you're new to entrepreneurship or a start-up pro, understanding the basics of pitch decks is crucial.

In this easy-to-follow guide, we'll break down the essentials of pitch decks, giving you simple steps to create a powerful presentation. Join us as we explore the key elements, dos and don'ts, and practical tips for mastering pitch decks. Let's make the process straightforward and empower you to confidently present your vision.

What is a Pitch Deck

A pitch deck is a brief presentation that entrepreneurs use to introduce their business idea to potential investors, partners, or stakeholders. It's a visual roadmap that highlights key aspects of the business, such as the problem it solves, the solution it offers, market opportunities, the business model, and the team behind it.

Typically consisting of a series of slides, a pitch deck is designed to convey information concisely and persuasively.

The goal of a pitch deck is to spark interest and secure support for the business. It serves as a tool for entrepreneurs to communicate their vision, showcase the potential for success, and demonstrate why their venture is worth investing in.

A well-crafted pitch deck can make a lasting impression and open doors to crucial opportunities for a start-up.

Importance of a Pitch Deck

Pitch Deck Contents: What to Include

Let's break down the elements that constitute an effective pitch deck, using visuals inspired by the Airbnb Pitch Deck Template from Decktopus .

1) Pitch Deck Introduction and One-Liner:

Start with a captivating introduction that sparks interest. Include a concise one-liner that encapsulates your business idea, addressing the fundamental value proposition. Make it memorable to capture the attention of your audience.

2) The Problem:

Provide a deeper understanding of the problem you are addressing. Use real-world examples, statistics, or anecdotes to illustrate the pain points that your target audience is currently facing. Make it relatable to your audience.

3) The Solution:

Elaborate on how your product or service uniquely solves the identified problem. Dive into the key features and functionalities that make your solution stand out. Use visuals, such as product demos or prototypes, to enhance clarity.

4) Market Validation:

Present any tangible evidence that validates the demand for your solution. This could include positive feedback from early users, successful pilot programs, or case studies showcasing positive outcomes. Highlight any awards or recognition received.

5) Market Size:

Provide a thorough analysis of the target market, including its size, growth potential, and key trends. Use data and market research to support your claims. Clearly articulate why your target market is attractive and how it aligns with your business goals.

6) How It Works:

Offer a detailed explanation of the functionality and user experience of your product or service. Break down complex concepts into digestible components using visuals and straightforward language. Allow your audience to envision the traction and the user journey.

7) Business Model:

Provide a comprehensive overview of your business model. Detail your revenue streams, pricing strategy, and customer acquisition tactics. If relevant, highlight any key partnerships or collaborations that contribute to your revenue model.

8) Target Events Monthly for Market Adoption:

Outline a roadmap of key events and milestones that your company aims to achieve on a monthly basis. This could include product launches, marketing campaigns, user acquisition targets, or expansion plans. Show a clear path to market adoption.

9) Partnerships:

Elaborate on existing or potential partnerships that can enhance your business. Explain how these partnerships contribute to the growth and success of your company. Highlight any strategic alliances that validate your market positioning.

10) Competitors:

Conduct a thorough analysis of your main competitors. Showcase your understanding of the competitive landscape, and explain how your product or service stands out. Identify opportunities and challenges in the market and position your company strategically

11) Competitive Advantages:

Emphasize and elaborate on the unique selling points that give your company a competitive edge. This could include proprietary technology, intellectual property, a strong brand presence, or any other factors that set you apart in the market.

Provide detailed profiles of key team members, highlighting their relevant skills, expertise, and previous successes. Showcase the collective strength of your team and their ability to execute the business plan successfully.

13) Media and User Testimonials:

Showcase positive media coverage, reviews, or user testimonials that reinforce the credibility and reliability of your product or service. Use compelling quotes or statistics to build trust and confidence in your offering.

14) Financial Ask:

Clearly articulate the amount of funding you are seeking and the allocation of funds. Break down the financial ask into key areas such as product development, marketing, sales, and operations. Provide a realistic and well-justified financial plan.

15) Contact Information:

Include comprehensive contact details with email and such information for key team members, making it easy for potential investors or partners to reach out. Invite questions and discussions, and express openness to further engagement.

Best Pitch Deck Examples and Sample Pitch Deck Templates For Pitching Deck with Successes

For a comprehensive showcase and curation of successful pitch decks and sample templates, visit our blog on pitch deck examples . Learn from these examples to craft a compelling pitch for your business

Do's and Don'ts of Pitch Decks:

Here we have highlight the key do's and don'ts to help you craft a compelling presentation that captures attention, drives your message home, and increases your chances of success. Let's dive in.

• Clearly Define the Problem and Solution: Open your pitch deck by explicitly defining the problem your product addresses. Present a compelling narrative that vividly illustrates the pain points your target audience faces. Subsequently, articulate your solution, emphasizing not only what you offer but also why it's a critical and effective response to the identified problem.
• Concise and Focused Content: Strike a balance between providing sufficient information and avoiding unnecessary details. Keep your pitch concise and focused, ensuring each slide contributes directly to the narrative. A well-structured and streamlined presentation enhances clarity, preventing information overload and maintaining engagement.
• Visual Appeal: Elevate your pitch deck's visual appeal with captivating elements like charts, graphs, and images. Visual aids enhance the presentation's aesthetic and effectively convey complex information. Leverage visuals to illustrate key points, showcase data trends, and provide a visually compelling representation of your product or service.
• Tell a Compelling Story: Craft a narrative that resonates with your audience. A compelling story makes your pitch memorable and impactful, fostering a deeper connection with potential investors or partners.
• Highlight Market Opportunities: Clearly demonstrate market opportunities and potential for growth. Showcase a thorough understanding of your target audience and emphasize how your product or service meets their needs.
• Practice and Rehearse: Thoroughly practice your pitch to ensure a smooth and confident delivery. Anticipate potential questions or concerns, demonstrating preparedness and professionalism.
• Financial Projections: Include realistic and well-researched financial projections. Provide a clear roadmap for future growth, giving investors confidence in the business's financial viability.
• Utilize Testimonials or Case Studies: If applicable, incorporate testimonials or case studies that highlight positive experiences or successful implementations of your product or service.
• End with a Clear Call to Action: Conclude your pitch deck with a clear call to action, specifying the next steps you want your audience to take. Whether it's scheduling a follow-up meeting or investing, guide them towards the desired action.
• Leverage Advanced Technology: Simplify your pitch deck creation with Decktopus AI . Choose from a range of smart templates for a professional and consistent look. Customize these templates easily to match your style and branding. With pre-designed options , Decktopus AI accelerates the pitch deck creation process, allowing you to concentrate on refining your content for an impactful presentation.

Don'ts

• Overwhelming Amount of Information: Avoid overwhelming your audience with excessive information. Focus on key points, maintaining a clear and concise presentation
• Neglecting Competition: Acknowledge and address the competition. Avoid downplaying competitors and clearly showcase what sets your solution apart in the market.
• Complex Jargon: Steer clear of overly technical jargon. Aim for clarity and simplicity in language to ensure everyone in your audience can understand your pitch.
• Lack of Passion: Avoid presenting without passion. Investors are not just investing in the idea; they are investing in the enthusiasm and commitment of the team behind it.
• Ignoring Design Aesthetics: Pay attention to design aesthetics. A cluttered or poorly designed pitch deck can create a negative impression.
• Inconsistencies in Data: Avoid inconsistencies in data or unrealistic projections. Ensure all information presented is accurate and supported by evidence.
• Excessive Slides: Keep the pitch deck concise, typically within the range of 10-15 slides. Avoid unnecessary slides that may dilute the main message.
• Ambiguous Ask: Clearly state what you are asking for – whether it's funding, partnership, or support. Avoid leaving the audience uncertain about your expectations.
• Neglecting Audience Engagement: Don't overlook audience engagement. Ensure that your pitch is not just informative but also captivating, keeping the audience interested throughout.

Technical Aspects of Pitch Decks

Choosing the right software for your pitch deck.

Creating a sucssesful pitch deck creation requires the right software, and Decktopus AI stands out as a top choice for streamlining this essential process. With a focus on user-friendly functionality and a rich array of smart templates, Decktopus empowers you to effortlessly craft a pitch deck that captivates your audience.

The platform's intuitive interface ensures a seamless experience as you explore and select templates tailored to your industry and presentation goals. Moreover, customization becomes a breeze, allowing you to adapt layouts, colors, and fonts with ease, ensuring a cohesive and professional visual identity that aligns with your brand.

Startup founders looking for a way to create an impactful pitch presentation should use Decktopus, which is perfect because it's easy and powerful. The template allows you input different types of content into slides that will impress investors- all without any complicated tools or tutorials! Looking to create an impactful pitch presentation?

Decktopus is the perfect tool for startup founders! With this powerful template, you'll be able to easily create slides that impress investors and get the interactions you need to take your business to the next level.

How to Easily Create a Pitch Deck - Step-by-Step Guide with Decktopus

Step 1: Create a Decktopus Account

Start by creating an account on decktopus.com . The account setup process is quick and straightforward.

Try Decktopus AI now!

Step 2: Launch a New Project

After logging in, select "Start a New Project." This step allows you to initiate a new pitch deck project.

Step 3: Choose a Template

Choose the most suitable template from Decktopus's rich collection, tailored to your industry and presentation needs. This makes the beginning of both design and content creation easy.

Step 4: Add Title and Basic Information

After selecting your template, add the title and basic information. This step helps viewers quickly grasp the main points of your project.

With the template in place, add your project's title and basic information. This step provides an initial structure for your pitch deck.

Step 5: AI-Enhanced Content Integration

Utilize Decktopus AI 's user-friendly interface to seamlessly integrate key points into each slide. Let the AI do the heavy lifting, ensuring your content flows cohesively.

Step 6: Design Customization

Personalize the design by adjusting colors and fonts to match your brand. Decktopus AI simplifies this process, allowing you to effortlessly achieve a professional and visually appealing look.

Step 7: Review and Edit

Review your pitch deck and make edits as needed. Collaborate with ease using Decktopus's real-time editing features.

Step 8: Share and Present

Share or download your created pitch deck via Decktopus. Additionally, with Decktopus's integration feature, you can instantly share your presentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) how long should a pitch deck typically be.

A pitch deck typically ranges from 10 to 20 slides, with the ideal length falling around 15 slides. The goal is to convey essential information concisely and maintain the audience's attention.

It's crucial to strike a balance between providing enough information to make a compelling case and keeping the presentation concise to avoid overwhelming your audience.

2) What is the difference between a pitch deck and an investor deck?

The terms "pitch deck" and "investor deck" are often used interchangeably, both referring to a presentation that outlines a business idea, its value proposition, and key details.

While there might not be a strict delineation, some may use "pitch deck" in a broader sense, encompassing presentations for various stakeholders, while "investor deck" specifically targets potential investors.

3) What is the best software for creating a pitch deck?

When it comes to creating a standout pitch deck, Decktopus AI emerges as a top-tier solution. This user-friendly AI-powered software not only streamlines the design process but also provides a range of professionally crafted templates.

With Decktopus, you can effortlessly transform your ideas into visually stunning presentations, ensuring your pitch captivates and persuades your audience.

4) What should you avoid in a pitch deck?

In a pitch deck, avoid overwhelming details, acknowledge your competition, use simple language, present with passion, and prioritize clean design. These key elements help ensure a focused, engaging, and impactful pitch presentation.

5) What is the purpose of using a pitch deck?

A pitch deck is like a captivating story told through slides, each one revealing a crucial aspect of a business idea. It's a tool to share the excitement, potential, and strategy behind a venture with potential investors or partners. The aim is to present a clear, compelling case that leaves the audience wanting to be a part of the journey.

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July 30, 2024

Alright, so you’ve got a brilliant business idea and now want to ask yourself the question “What is a pitch deck”. Pitch deck presentations are essential tools for introducing your business idea to potential investors. A pitch deck presentation is like your business’s first impression, and we all know how important those are.

Key Takeaways

• What is a Pitch Deck? : A pitch deck is your visual sales pitch. It’s where you lay out your big idea, showing off your business model , market potential, and those juicy financial projections . Basically, it’s your story—told with some flair—to convince investors you’re the real deal.
• Why It’s Crucial : The main goal of a startup pitch deck? To secure that all-important funding. It’s not just about the money, though. You’re also looking for support, mentorship, and those golden connections to help your business grow.

Pitch Deck Design Example made by spectup

Key components : ‍.

• Introduction Slide : Who are you, and what’s your big idea? ‍
• Problem Statement : Highlight the issue that needs fixing. ‍
• Solution Overview : Introduce your product or service as the hero. ‍
• Market Opportunity : Show the demand for your solution. ‍
• Product/Service Overview : Detail what makes your offer stand out. ‍
• Business Model : Explain how you’ll make money. ‍
• Traction and Milestones : Share your achievements and progress. ‍
• Marketing and Sales Strategy : How you’ll reach and sell to your audience. ‍
• Competitive Analysis : Prove you know your competitors and your edge. ‍
• Team : Showcase your team’s strengths. ‍
• Financial Projections : Offer realistic and compelling financial forecasts. ‍
• Investment Plan : Specify how much funding you need and its purpose.

Adapting Your Pitch Deck

So, what is a pitch deck? You’ve got to tweak your investor deck depending on where you are in the funding cycle—whether you’re at the seed stage, Series A, or Series B. And don’t forget, different types of pitch decks (like email, presentation, and sales pitch decks) require different approaches. Nail these, and you’ll significantly boost your chances of snagging investment and building valuable partnerships.

Creating a killer pitch deck isn’t just about pretty slides—it’s about telling a compelling story. At spectup, we know how to help you turn your vision into something investors can’t resist. So, let’s get that pitch deck polished and ready to dazzle!

Introduction: What is a Pitch Deck

A pitch deck can make or break your chance at securing funding, and in the competitive startup landscape, there’s no room for second-guesses. Imagine you’re in a room full of investors, and your pitch deck is your only shot at making a lasting impression. You’re about to dive into what makes a pitch deck not just good, but great. From understanding its core components to dissecting examples from celebrated unicorns, this blog post is your ultimate guide to mastering the pitch deck.

Get ready to uncover key insights that will elevate your presentation from ordinary to extraordinary and to get an answer on the question “what is a pitch deck”. By the end, you'll be equipped to create your own pitch deck using customizable templates and adding your unique content.

Understanding a Pitch Deck Presentation

A pitch deck is like the Swiss Army knife of your startup toolkit. It’s a storyteller, a strategist, and your business’s best advocate all rolled into one. It’s a visual narrative that guides potential investors through your business concept, market potential, and long-term vision. Understanding what a pitch deck is also involves recognizing the importance of the slide deck format, which includes the design, content, and layout to effectively convey your story.

As we peel back the layers, we’ll delve into how a pitch deck works, why it’s a crucial fundraising tool, and the main objectives that a successful startup pitch deck aims to achieve.

Definition and Purpose of a Investor Presentation

Think of a pitch deck as the highlight reel of your business journey. It’s a visual presentation designed to capture the essence of your venture in a way that resonates with potential investors. It’s the storyboard of your company’s journey, showcasing the challenges and opportunities that define your market space. Its purpose isn’t just to look pretty; a pitch deck is key to securing follow-up meetings, building relationships with investors, and communicating the vision and potential of your startup.

Imagine it as the executive summary of your business plan , but punchier, more impactful, and sure to turn heads. Here are some compelling reasons why:

• Securing Follow-Up Meetings : A well-crafted pitch deck can increase your chances of getting a follow-up meeting by up to 80%.
• Building Investor Relationships : Over 70% of successful startups cite strong investor relationships as a critical factor in their growth.
• Communicating Vision and Potential : A clear and compelling pitch deck can help articulate your startup’s vision to investors, with 60% of investors stating that a strong vision is a key decision-making factor.

By incorporating these elements, your pitch deck becomes more than just a presentation—it becomes a powerful tool for driving your startup’s success

When and Why You Need a Pitch Deck

So, when does a pitch deck become your entrepreneurial ally? Here are some key situations:

• Seeking External Capital : Whether you're approaching angel investors , venture capitalists, or other funding sources, a well-crafted pitch deck is essential.
• Applying for Accelerator Programs : Many accelerator programs require a pitch deck as part of their application process.
• Negotiating Client Contracts : A pitch deck can help articulate your business ideas succinctly and powerfully to potential clients.

It’s your chance to turn your data and dreams into a cohesive, compelling argument for why your business deserves to be the next big thing.

Key Components of a Pitch Deck

Alright, let’s dive in and break down the pitch deck anatomy , slide by slide. Think of it like the body’s organs – each one’s got a job, and together, they keep the whole show running smoothly. Your pitch deck? It’s the lifeblood of your business, and every slide is a pulse beat. Successful startup pitch decks from companies like Airbnb, Uber, and Facebook can serve as excellent examples. We'll show their decks later in this post.

1. Introduction Slide

Picture this: the lights dim, and the curtain rises. This is your opening act, the first glance that can hook your audience or make them yawn. You’ve got your company name, logo, and tagline up there, right? Great. Now, add a sprinkle of something unforgettable—a jaw-dropping stat or a one-liner that nails what you do with flair. Make them sit up straight and think, "Now, this is interesting."

Pro Tip: Start with a compelling story or a shocking statistic that immediately grabs attention.

Design Suggestion: Use bold, high-contrast colors for your company name and logo to ensure they stand out.

2. Problem Statement

Next up, we hit the problem statement. Think of it as showing a crack in the foundation that only you know how to fix. Be blunt, be clear. Toss in a relatable story or a vivid image to make them feel that crack deep in their bones. You’re not just pointing out a gap; you’re making them see the chasm.

Pro Tip: Use real-life examples or statistics to make the problem more tangible and relatable.

Design Suggestion: Incorporate a high-quality image or infographic that visually represents the problem.

3. Solution Overview

Now, you’re the hero swooping in to save the day. This is where you reveal your secret sauce. Lay out your unique selling points and make them pop. Use sharp visuals and crisp descriptions to show how your product isn’t just a band-aid, but a game-changer.

Pro Tip: Highlight the unique aspects of your solution that differentiate you from competitors.

Design Suggestion: Use icons or short video clips to illustrate key features of your solution.

4. Market Opportunity

Now, this is where investors start leaning forward. They want to see the gold at the end of the rainbow. Spell out the market size, break it into chunks, and show forecasts. Paint a picture of a market that’s ripe and ready for picking. It’s not just about big numbers; it’s about showing you’ve done your homework and know where to dig for treasure.

• Define the market size and potential
• Segment your target market
• Provide forecasts
• Paint a picture of a market ripe for the taking

Pro Tip: Use credible sources and data to back up your market size and potential.

Design Suggestion: Utilize bar graphs and pie charts to visually break down market segments and forecasts.

5. Product or Service Overview

Here’s your chance to shine. Go all out on the details—features, benefits, how it fits in the market. Don’t just tell; show. Use demos, screenshots, or testimonials. Make your product leap off the screen and into their hands.

Pro Tip: Use customer testimonials or case studies to add credibility to your claims.

Design Suggestion: Incorporate high-resolution screenshots or demo videos to showcase your product in action.

Pitch Deck Design Example 2 - made by spectup

6. business model.

This is the nitty-gritty—how you’re gonna make bank. Break down your revenue streams, pricing, and anything unique about your model. Make it simple and clear. Investors want to see a well-oiled machine, not a jumbled mess.

Pro Tip: Clearly outline each revenue stream and its potential impact on your overall business.

Design Suggestion: Use flowcharts or diagrams to visually explain your business model.

7. Traction and Milestones

Here’s your proof in the pudding. Show them you’re not just talking the talk. Highlight your achievements, and back them with data. This slide is where your past wins set the stage for future glory.

Pro Tip: Use metrics that are most relevant to your business, such as user growth, revenue, or partnerships.

Design Suggestion: Include a timeline graphic to visually represent key milestones and achievements.

8. Marketing and Sales Strategy

How will you reach your customers? Your marketing and sales strategy slide should detail:

• Your go-to-market plan
• Sales channels
• Marketing tactics
• CRM plan to show investors you’re not just about attracting customers, but keeping them too.

This slide is your roadmap for turning prospects into profits, and it should be as detailed and strategic as your business plan itself.

Pro Tip: Highlight any unique or innovative marketing tactics that set you apart from competitors.

Design Suggestion: Use icons and flowcharts to depict different stages of your marketing and sales funnel.

9. Competitive Analysis

Acknowledge the battlefield. Show who’s out there and, more importantly, how you stand out. Use sharp comparisons and data to highlight your edge. Make it clear why you’re not just another face in the crowd.

Pro Tip: Use a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) to provide a comprehensive view of your competitive landscape.

Design Suggestion: Create a comparison table that highlights your advantages over competitors.

Show off your dream team. Highlight their experience, skills, and what makes them perfect for your venture. It’s not just about resumes; it’s about showing investors that you’ve got the right crew to navigate the stormy seas of business.

Pro Tip: Focus on team members’ past successes and how their expertise directly benefits your startup.

Design Suggestion: Use professional headshots and brief bios to introduce each key team member.

11. Financial Projections

Now, let’s talk numbers. Forecast your financial future and map out your path to profitability. Be realistic, but optimistic. This slide should tell a story of growth and stability, backed by solid figures.

Pro Tip: Use conservative estimates to build trust with investors and avoid overpromising.

Design Suggestion: Incorporate line graphs and bar charts to visually represent your financial forecasts, making it easier for investors to grasp your projections at a glance.

And there you have it—the anatomy of a pitch deck, brought to life. At spectup, we’re all about helping you make these slides not just functional, but unforgettable. Let’s get out there and make some waves.

Adapting the Pitch Deck for Different Funding Stages

Alright folks, let’s talk pitch decks. Think of it like tailoring a suit—it’s got to fit just right depending on the occasion. Investors at different stages have different expectations. So, how do you tweak your pitch deck as your startup grows? Let’s dive in.

When you’re at the seed stage, your pitch deck should be like a grand vision board. Investors are all about the potential. They want to see the problem you’re solving and any early wins that hint at a bright future. It’s your time to shine with big ideas and the promise of what’s to come.

• Highlight the problem and your innovative solution
• Showcase any early traction or user feedback
• Outline the market opportunity and potential growth
• Introduce your founding team and their expertise
• Provide a high-level overview of your business model

By the time you’re eyeing Series A, it’s go time. Investors are no longer satisfied with just ideas—they want proof. Your pitch presentation needs to show solid traction, a clear growth path, and a business model that screams profitability. This is your moment to prove you’re not just a dreamer, but a doer with numbers to back it up.

• Present detailed traction and user metrics
• Highlight significant milestones and achievements
• Provide in-depth market analysis and competitive landscape
• Demonstrate a scalable and profitable business model
• Share financial projections and funding requirements

Series B and Beyond

Heading into Series B and beyond? Now, your deck should be a powerhouse of financials and growth metrics. Investors want to see scalability, market expansion strategies, and a team that knows its stuff. Here’s what they’re looking for:

• Present in-depth financials, including detailed revenue and expense projections
• Highlight growth metrics that prove you’re ready to dominate the market
• Demonstrate a rock-solid business model that shows sustainable profitability
• Showcase a seasoned, capable team with experience and expertise
• Articulate a vision that’s both clear and expansive, outlining future growth and market penetration strategies

Types of Pitch Decks

Pitch decks aren’t one-size-fits-all. Different types serve different purposes. Let’s break them down.

E-Mail Pitch Decks

E-mail pitch decks are the detailed blueprints, full of key metrics and explanations. They’re designed to be read at an investor’s leisure, packed with information to stand on their own without you presenting.

Presentation Pitch Decks

When it’s time for a live show, your presentation pitch deck is your sidekick. Visually engaging with high-quality images and minimal text, these decks are made to complement your in-person pitch. Each slide should spark conversation and keep investors hooked.

Elevator Pitch Decks

Got just a minute? An elevator pitch deck distills your business into a few punchy slides. It’s all about making a big impact in a short time, focusing on your core message and value proposition.

Sales Pitch Decks

A sales pitch deck is your secret weapon to convert interest into action. It leads the audience through a narrative that includes:

• Problem statements
• Your solution
• Value proposition
• Key features
• Pricing information

This deck is crafted to turn curiosity into commitment, and eventually, sales.

Product Pitch Decks

Launching a new product? Your product pitch deck should be thorough, laying out the go-to-market strategy and benefits to customers. It’s your chance to show off detailed descriptions, feature highlights, development timelines, and future updates.

Competition Pitch Decks

In the arena of startup competitions, your competition pitch deck is your sword and shield. It’s designed to spotlight innovation, scalability, and market impact. Successful decks in this category emphasize your unique selling points and competitive edge, using visuals and data to captivate judges and investors alike.

And there you have it! Tailoring your pitch deck to the right stage and type can make all the difference. It’s about showing investors not just where you are, but where you’re going—and making them want to come along for the ride. So, keep it fresh, keep it engaging, and most importantly, keep it you.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Crafting a pitch deck is like walking a tightrope. One wrong step and, whoops, you’re tumbling down. Here are some common mistakes to steer clear of:

• Overloading slides with information: Less is more, my friends.
• Neglecting the visual design: Pretty matters. It really does.
• A lack of focus on the key message: Keep your eyes on the prize.
• Using too many slides: Quality over quantity.

Avoid these pitfalls to keep your pitch clear and punchy, ensuring your audience gets your message without feeling lost or overwhelmed.

Best Practices for Creating a Pitch Deck

Want your pitch deck to shine like a diamond? Here’s the secret sauce:

• Keep it concise
• Use visuals effectively
• Weave a compelling story
• Always personalize your pitch

These principles are your north star, guiding you to craft a pitch deck that’s not just informative but irresistible. Let’s unpack these best practices and see how they can transform your pitch into a memorable presentation.

Keep it Concise

Ever heard the saying, “Brevity is the soul of wit”? Well, it’s also the heart of a killer pitch deck. Aim for 10-15 slides, each with a single, sharp focus. Too much text or cluttered slides? Kiss your audience’s attention goodbye.

Every word should pull its weight, adding to your narrative without bogging it down. Make each slide a powerhouse of clarity and impact.

Use Visuals Effectively

A picture’s worth a thousand words, right? So, make those visuals work for you. Use images, charts, and graphs that not only catch the eye but also drive your point home. Strike a balance between text and visuals to keep your deck digestible and memorable.

Remember, visuals aren’t just for decoration. They should clarify and amplify your message, making complex ideas easy to grasp.

Tell a Compelling Story

Storytelling isn’t just for bedtime. It’s the heartbeat of engagement. Start with a hook that grabs your audience by the imagination and doesn’t let go. Build your narrative around the problem you’re solving and how your solution is the game-changer.

A good story makes your business pitch more than a stack of numbers—it turns it into an experience investors can’t resist being part of.

Personalize Your Pitch

Every investor is unique, and a one-size-fits-all approach won’t cut it. Tailor your pitch to reflect each investor’s interests and concerns. Show them you’ve done your homework and are committed to building a partnership that values their unique contributions.

By aligning your pitch with the investor’s perspective, you demonstrate not just business savvy, but a genuine interest in collaboration.

And there you have it! Avoid the common mistakes, embrace these best practices, and watch your pitch deck transform into a persuasive powerhouse. With a little finesse and a lot of passion, you’ll not only share your vision but sell it. So, go out there and make it happen, and remember, spectup's got your back every step of the way.

Learning from the Best: Masterclass Pitch Decks

Ever tried following a recipe from a top chef? Sometimes, seeing how the pros do it makes all the difference. The same goes for pitch decks. Some of the biggest names—Airbnb, Uber, Buffer, WeWork—nailed their presentations and have a lot to teach us.

Airbnb's pitch deck is like the Cinderella story of startups. They zeroed in on the high cost of hotels, presenting affordable lodging with local hosts as the perfect slipper. Their solution was simple yet game-changing, catering to a massive travel market. By showcasing rapid user adoption, they clearly highlighted a solid market fit. The result? Investors saw the immense opportunity waiting to be seized.

Conclusion : Airbnb's success lay in identifying a universal problem and presenting a straightforward, scalable solution.

Pro Tip : Focus on how your solution addresses a widespread issue and make sure your market fit is crystal clear.

Uber tackled a universal headache: unreliable and pricey transportation. Their on-demand ride-sharing model was a breath of fresh air. The pitch deck laid out a huge urban transportation market just waiting for disruption. By illustrating their expansion into multiple cities and a growing user base, Uber painted a vivid picture of a service the public was eager to embrace. They didn’t just promise change—they proved it was happening.

Conclusion : Uber's pitch deck effectively communicated their disruptive potential and rapid market adoption.

Pro Tip : Demonstrate how your business is already making an impact and show clear evidence of market demand.

Dropbox’s deck was all about solving the chaos of managing and sharing files across devices. Their efficient tool struck a chord with businesses and individuals overwhelmed by scattered documents. Highlighting strong user growth and engagement stats, Dropbox’s pitch deck showed clear traction and potential. It wasn’t just about the tool—it was about making file management less of a headache for everyone.

Conclusion : Dropbox’s pitch deck highlighted a specific pain point and showcased strong user engagement and growth.

Pro Tip : Use real user data and growth metrics to back up your claims and show your product's effectiveness.

Buffer’s pitch deck zeroed in on a pain point many businesses face: managing social media efficiently. They offered a streamlined solution for scheduling posts, analyzing performance, and engaging with audiences. Their deck highlighted impressive user growth and retention metrics, proving that their tool was not just useful but essential for modern businesses. By presenting clear benefits and a strong market need, Buffer effectively demonstrated their value proposition.

Conclusion : Buffer’s success lay in addressing a common business challenge with a practical, user-friendly solution and backing it up with solid metrics.

Pro Tip : Focus on clear, tangible benefits and use data to support your claims, showcasing your product's indispensability.

Hiring Pitch Deck Consultants

Sometimes, even the best need a bit of help. That’s where pitch deck consultants come in. These experts can add a layer of polish and professionalism that might just give your deck the edge it needs. Let’s look at when to call in the pros, the benefits they bring, and how to pick the right one.

When to Consider Hiring a Consultant

Knowing when to bring in a pitch deck consultant is crucial. If you’re wrestling with a lack of in-house expertise, running short on time, or facing a high-stakes investor pitch, a consultant can step in. They’re particularly handy when you’ve got investor pitches lined up but your deck still needs that professional touch.

Benefits of Professional Assistance

Here’s what a good consultant brings to the table:

• Expert design and storytelling skills
• Enhanced credibility for your pitch deck
• Comprehensive market research
• Refined brand messaging
• Accurate financial projections
• Tailored strategies for different funding stages

These elements make your deck more persuasive, boosting your chances of securing investment.

How to Choose the Right Consultant

Picking the right consultant isn’t just about fancy titles. Look for:

• Experience in your industry
• A portfolio of successful pitch decks
• An understanding of your business and industry
• Positive references and client testimonials
• A good reputation
• Clear terms for revisions, pricing, and confidentiality

Make sure you also agree on clear terms for revisions, pricing, and confidentiality. This ensures a smooth collaboration and a pitch deck that truly shines.

Tools and Resources for Creating Pitch Decks

Alright, folks, let’s talk about making your pitch deck as smooth as butter. With the right tools and resources, this daunting task can actually become pretty manageable. Here’s the lowdown on some fantastic options to help you craft a pitch deck that’ll wow any investor.

Presentation Software

Your pitch deck’s backbone is good presentation software. Here are a few you might want to consider:

• PowerPoint : This one's the granddaddy of them all. Robust features, easy to use, and versatile.
• Google Slides : Perfect for collaborative work. It’s cloud-based, so you can work from anywhere and with anyone.
• Beautiful.ai : Uses AI to help design, making your slides look professional with minimal effort.
• Prezi : Offers dynamic, non-linear presentations that can captivate your audience.
• Pitch : Focused on team collaboration, making it easy to work together on your deck.
• Mentimeter : Keeps your audience engaged with interactive elements like polls and quizzes.

Picking the right software can take your pitch deck from “meh” to marvelous.

Template Libraries

Sometimes you need a little jumpstart. That’s where template libraries come in. Here are some platforms offering a ton of customizable designs:

• Canva : User-friendly with a wide range of professional templates.
• Visme : Packed with customizable templates and design elements.
• SlidesCarnival : Offers free, high-quality templates for various presentation needs.
• Envato Elements : Provides access to a vast library of premium templates and design assets.
• Template.net : Features a variety of templates for different business needs.

These tools are user-friendly and packed with professional templates, letting you create a stunning pitch deck without needing a design degree.

Design Services

Not feeling the DIY route? No worries. Design services can take the reins. Here are some options:

• spectup : Offers comprehensive services beyond just design, including market research, copywriting, and storytelling expertise.
• Slidebean : Provides ready-made templates and design assistance, making the process even smoother.
• Haiku Deck : Focuses on creating beautiful, simple presentations quickly.
• Killer Infographics : Specializes in creating visually striking infographics and presentations.
• 24Slides : Offers custom presentation design services tailored to your needs.

These services can help you create a pitch deck that’s not just functional, but unforgettable.

Conclusion: What is a Investor Deck

So, what’s the big takeaway here? Your pitch deck is more than just a bunch of slides—it’s a strategic tool that captures your business's essence and potential. By mastering the key components, tailoring your deck for different funding stages, and sidestepping common pitfalls, you can create a pitch that stands out. And don’t forget to leverage the right tools, resources, or even professional consultants to refine your presentation.

Now, with these insights in your toolkit, you’re ready to craft a pitch deck that not only tells your story but turns listeners into believers and believers into investors.

What is a Pitch Deck

Purpose of a Pitch Deck: It's a visual sales pitch to introduce your business idea, showcasing your business model, market potential, and financial projections.

Key Components: Essential slides include the Introduction, Problem Statement, Solution Overview, Market Opportunity, and Financial Projections.

Adapting for Funding Stages: Tailor your pitch deck depending on whether you're at the seed stage, Series A, or Series B, focusing on relevant metrics and growth.

Common Mistakes: Avoid overloading slides with information, neglecting visual design, and losing focus on the key message.

Best Practices: Keep it concise, use visuals effectively, tell a compelling story, and personalize your pitch for each investor.

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Pitch Presentation: How to Make the Case for Your Idea in Minutes!

You’ll probably have heard the word “pitch” in connection with PowerPoint and business ideas – but what exactly does it mean, and why is it so important in business?

This article will explain why pitch presentations are so vital , how to create a pitch presentation and what type of pitch might be suitable for your presentation goal.

So what does pitching, or a pitch, actually mean?

The basic meaning of pitching is throwing an idea at your audience, hoping to score a hit, as in baseball.  It can also be thought of in terms of music (like a pitch change), or electronics/science. In the context of PowerPoint presentations, a pitch is a special type of sales presentation. Read on!

What is a pitch presentation?

A pitch presentation is a short presentation in which you introduce your company, product or idea . You only have a few minutes to convince your audience and attract potential investors. So you need to plan what you want to say really carefully.

First impressions matter . While you’re preparing your pitch presentation, keep the time constraint firmly in mind. Pay special attention to getting your key messages across clearly and precisely, to achieve your goals.

Read more about this in our articles on Preparing a Presentation and Goal Setting . 

We at PresentationLoad have a range of professionally designed PowerPoint pitch presentation slides for you to use!

Your goal is to attract direct investment , or to be invited to further talks with investors.

Investors are looking for businesses that have growth potential. They want to see that your company is able to grow quickly, making profits. So when you prepare your pitch, you need to focus on your growth potential. Show investors why and how your company will grow quickly in the future, and why it is worth investing in.

To present your company vision and growth, we recommend slides from PresentationLoad !

How do I make a pitch presentation?

The most important thing is to keep your presentation simple . Investors don’t have time for complex presentations and explanations. They want facts, and to grasp what your company has to offer.

Keep your presentation as short and simple as possible and focus on the core elements that make up your company, market and product. The following structure is great for covering all the important information in your pitch presentation in the short time available:

Slide 1:  Title slide (Short, snappy dsecription of your business idea)

Slide 2:  The team (Who does what)

Slide 3:  Initial situation (What’s the problem?) Slide 4: Solution (What you are offering!)

Slide 5:  Your product / service (What exactly are you proposing?)

Slide 6:  The market (Is the market environment / target audience big enough?)

Slide 7: Added value / USP (Why is your solution better than others?)

Slide 8:  The competition (Who are the competitors? How do you differ from them?) 

Slide 9:  Your business model (What do the financials look like? How will sales be generated?) 

Slide 10:  Your business plan (How would the business model be implemented?)

Slide 11:  Funding requirements (How much money is needed, and for what?)

Slide 12:  Contact data  A good pitch presentation needs to be clear and concise, while getting the most important information over. Introduce your idea and the team briefly at the beginning. Follow this up with the most important facts and figures , as well as information on how you intend to implement your business plan.

BELIEVE in your business idea , and you’ll be effortlessly persuasive. If you believe in your company and its potential, so will your investors. Convince them that you are the next big thing, and that they should definitely invest in your company right now!

Types of pitch

• Elevator pitch

As the name suggests, this is one where you only have a very short time to get your ideas across . In an elevator ride, you only have a few minutes to talk to fellow passengers.

So an elevator pitch should be a meaningful, brief introduction to your idea. Be prepared for how little time you have! Introduce yourself, your company and your business idea. Your goal should be make a brilliant first impression in minutes.

Find more informations in our blog elevator pitch .

• Start-up pitch / business plan pitch

This sort of pitch presentation allows you to set out not only your business idea or product, but your business plan too. Good figures and future potential attract potential investors, particularly for start-ups. Make a convincing pitch, and you’re so much more likely to get the investment you need.

• Speed-pitching essions

Speed pitching is basically a fixed event where speakers have something like five minutes each to convince investors of their idea. You get the opportunity to present your idea to several potential investors. This concept is similar to speed dating.

• Sales pitch

As the name suggests, a sales pitch is about selling a product . Potential investors and customers need to be persuaded to buy. A good sales pitch is tailored to individual customers or small groups and should focus, for best effect, on what benefits your product will give them.

• Agency pitch

An agency pitch is a competition on a level playing field, putting marketing or new business ideas to a potential client . The goal of the pitch is for you to win the contract . This form of pitch is often seen in the architecture business.

A company will invite potential contractors to an agency pitch for a particular job, giving them a briefing. Proposals which appeal to the client are then developed into presentations.

The winner gets the job; everyone else goes away empty-handed. So if you’re participating in an agency pitch, keep in mind that you could also lose, using up time, money and resources. Tip: Weigh the pros and cons of the pitch, and read the briefing carefully.

• Job planning / production pitch

This sort of pitch is about smoothly linking phases of a job . In order to efficiently produce goods, without a hiatus, there need to be skilled workers, machines available, and sufficient raw material.

Timing everything appropriately can be highly complex, so your pitch needs to emphasize your company’s efficiency and experience.

Side note: Pitching like in Hollywood – The Pixar Pitch

Pixar is known worldwide for its mega successful movies. But how do they always stay at the top? It’s simple: they’ve found the perfect marketing formula. It’s not complicated, but punchy and unique – just like their movies.

Pixar movies are just incredible, keeping us spellbound from start to finish . Who doesn’t remember Marlin’s desperate search for his son Nemo, or Buzz Lightyear’s famous line, “To infinity and beyond…”?

They all follow the same, time-tested formula – the secret of their success. Every screenplay, every movie, and every good investor pitch can be put together following simple but archetypal story structures.

How does the Pixar pitch work?

And why on earth are we talking about a success formula for animated films here? Because, as Daniel Pink explains in his book “To Sell is Human”, the Pixar success formula can be applied to your business as well . And we’ll tell you how to use this technique to improve your pitches. The Pixar pitch is strongly grounded in storytelling . Nowadays, all the best TED Talks, Apple keynote speeches, and successful pitches use the storytelling principle to get their ideas across effectively.

This is because stories matter . They’ve been used since time immemorial to pass on facts and knowledge, from generation to generation. Why are we so captivated by stories? Because they evoke emotions in us, inspiring people to action, conveying values, virtues, humanity and morals. So we can use storytelling to create emotions that inspire customers and win their trust.

The structure of the Pixar pitch

The Pixar pitch consists basically of six consecutive sentences:

1. “Once upon a time…” …lets you start with a general description of the situation.

2. “Every day… ” …presents what is happening on the ground, letting you show what the problem is.  This is where you can elaborate on the habits, expectations, and general way of doing things of the user or consumer, adding statistics or evidence for them as needed.

3. “One day…” …this is the climactic, decisive moment. This is the catalyst. This is the reason that change is needed (the reason for what you’re proposing).

4. “Because of this…” … What happened? What started to be done differently?

5. “That’s why…” …. What changed as a result of this? What has the change done for the user or consumer?

6. “Until at last…” …this rounds up and highlights the essence of your message. A successful solution!

The Pixar pitch, using “Finding Nemo” as an example

1. “ Once upon a time … there was a fish named Marlin, who loved and wanted to protect his only son, Nemo.”

2. “ Every day … Marlin warned Nemo about the dangers of the ocean, and begged him to stay close when swimming.”

3. “ One day … Nemo ignored his father’s warnings and swam out into the open water.”

4. “ Because of this …. he was captured by a diver, ending up in a Sydney dentist’s aquarium.”

5. “ That’s why … Marlin set in motion a plan to rescue Nemo, enlisting the help of other sea creatures.”

6 . “ Until at last … Marlin and Nemo found each other again, learning that love depends on trust.”

Why is the Pixar pitch so effective?

Telling a story like this really helps to focus on the key points of your topic, attracting your target audience’s interest by playing to their innate human reaction to storytelling.

The vivid images you can create with this method allow you to present your audience with a short, dynamic pitch that will leave them wanting more!

Perfection is achieved, not wehen there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away. – Antoine De Saint-Exupéry

How will the Pixar pitch work for me?

The Pixar pitch is an effective way to s tructure short, relevant stories . Its framework makes it easy to set out ideas and develop them.

Presenting a pitch in this way is really effective because it works with the way our brain pays attention to and processes information.

Studies show that we can only remember a maximum of six items of information at a time – that’s why the Pixar pitch, with its six sentences, is so effective.

Conclusion: Pitch successfully to your audience

How about creating a Pixar pitch for your company, product, service or problem solving? It would be a great way to draw attention to your company and attract new customers! In just a few minutes, you can present the problem, introduce your solution and explain what makes it so special.

Before creating any pitch presentation, make sure you’re clear exactly what your goals are, and which type of presentation is needed.

Our tips for creating a great pitch presentation will ensure you’re well prepared and ready to face your audience with confidence.

Got more questions about pitch presentations or PowerPoint in general? Get in touch with us [email protected] and we’ll be more than happy to help!

You might also be interested in the following articles:

• Prepare PowerPoint Presentations: 11 Tips
• Define Your Presentation Goal
• Call-to-action for Your Presentations
• Storytelling in Presentations

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How to Make a Successful Business Pitch: 9 Tips From Experts

You’ve just had your lunch, and you’re about to get back to work. 

While making your post-lunch tea (or coffee), you can’t stop thinking about being your own boss. 

You wonder if it’s about time for you to turn your side hustle into a full-time business and become an entrepreneur. 

Or perhaps you want to propose the idea of a four-day workweek to your CEO. 

If you want to introduce investors and prospects to your business idea and convince them to take the plunge with you,  you need a strong and persuasive business pitch. 

How to create a persuasive business pitch according to experts 

The good news — it’s possible to craft a convincing and successful business pitch. 

Even better news: This Piktochart business pitch guide shows you how. 

Grab your drink of choice and take notes as we explore the different ways to pitch business ideas (from a sales-style elevator pitch to an innovative workplace pitch), as well as understand what makes a great business pitch. You’ll also get a glimpse into our business pitch templates, and learn expert advice from those who have pitched their way to success (and failure too). 

You can also watch the video below if you don’t have time to go over this guide. It’s also easier to follow along if you sign up for a free Piktochart account and edit the templates yourself (learning by doing).

What is a business pitch? 

A business pitch is a presentation of a business idea to a group of people who can help turn your idea into a reality.

You can pitch to: 

• Investors who can help fund your idea
• Potential customers who will pay for your product or service
• Advocates who will support your idea

In some cases, a business pitch doesn’t have to be all about presenting a new idea. You could be asking for more funding or continued support for an already established business venture. 

Whether through an investment, purchase, or advocacy, a business pitch becomes successful if you can convince people to believe in your idea or pique their interest and get them to learn more. 

Now that you understand what a business pitch is, let’s take a closer look at the different types of business pitches. 

Types of pitches in business

Your business pitch can be narrowed down to the following five types of presentations: 

1. Investor pitch

In this type of business pitch, you present a  persuasive presentation or pitch deck to a group of potential business partners and/or investors. 

Sign up for a free Piktochart account to get started on creating professional-looking pitch deck templates that you can edit in minutes.

An investor business pitch should typically last for 45 minutes . The best practice for this type of pitch is 20-30 minutes of presentation followed by discussion or a Q&A afterward.

Alternatively, business pitch competitions follow a different best practice. These presentations should last around five to 10 minutes and focus on pitching to investors.

Lastly, the most stringent type of business pitch is most commonly referred to as an ‘elevator pitch’, and should only last around 30-60 seconds.

Let’s dive in so you can learn how to make the perfect business pitch!

2. Sales pitch 

The goal of a sales pitch is to answer the question “What’s in it for me?” from the lens of the potential customer. 

The best and most effective salespeople can make a sales pitch in as short as one minute. Also known as the ‘ elevator pitch ‘, this type of business pitch should be able to be delivered in a single elevator ride (30-60 seconds on average). In this format, a short sales pitch should include four key components:

• Your unique product name and category
• The specific problem you are trying to solve
• The innovative solution you offer
• the unique selling point of benefit to your solution

3. Product pitch 

A product pitch is similar to a sales pitch, however, the spotlight should be on the product and/or solution itself. 

For example, a sales pitch for an email automation software will highlight one or two of its benefits. Meanwhile, a product pitch of the same automation software will focus more on its features, how it works, and how you can integrate the software into your existing setup. 

In a product pitch, you should aim to:

• Explain your product or offering clearly and concisely
• Identify and address the target audience and/or industry your product supports
• Specify the problem the aforementioned faces and how your solution can solve it
• Provide a realistic example of your solution in action
• Make sure to use accurate facts backed up by relevant and recent data

4. Job pitch 

If you’re applying for a job or internship and you’re wondering how you can stand out from the crowd (consisting of your peers and other qualified applicants), consider pitching yourself to a prospective employer. 

Applying the same logic used for a sales or product pitch deck; sell yourself!

A job pitch or personal summary pitch should be concise, personalized, and consistent. In a job pitch you should include:

• A brief introduction to you
• An explanation as to why you’re a great fit for the company and role
• Relevant experience and achievements
• Your goals and career aspirations

“It’s not about bragging or showing off — it’s about giving the other person evidence that you can actually do what you say you can do,” assures Starla Sampaco , TV news anchor at KCTS 9 and founder of Career Survival Guide .

5. Workplace pitching 

Do you have an idea or initiative that will help your colleagues and help boost the company’s profitability?  Pitch it internally within your workplace, to your team or boss! 

For example, you can pitch a  remote-first culture  or the four-day workweek to your HR, and/or the rest of the leadership team.

Another workplace pitch example? Maybe you might want to propose the creation of a new role in your team which can help advance your career and address a challenge in the organization at the same time. 

To do this, simply create a pitch deck including your main points, the benefits, and proposed next steps to turn your idea into a reality. Piktochart’s workplace pitch decks can help you get your point across through our workplace templates.

The structure of a successful business pitch 

If creating a business pitch sounds intimidating, the team at Piktochart has your back. 

You can address this worry by making sure that you have a business pitch structure that is sure to succeed, using our tips & templates. 

When you have a formulated pitch deck structure, template, and agenda, you’ll know exactly what you’re going to say next, taking the bulk of the stress out of presenting. Additionally, these best practice presentation structures make your business pitch more memorable to your audience and leave a lasting impression. Statistically, it turns out that people retain structured information up to  40 percent more accurately  than information presented in freeform. 

The WHAC Method

Whether you’re pitching to a group of potential investors or you’re selling real estate, use the WHAC method when structuring your perfect business pitch. 

The WHAC method is introduced in  The 3 Minute Rule   by Brandt Pividic, an award-winning film director and television producer. He wrote the book to detail his experience and tips as he made hundreds of pitches in Hollywood. 

This well-known WHAC method stands for: 

What is it and what do you offer? 

You start your business pitch by answering the questions: what is it, and what do you offer? This information is often found in the executive summary of business plan templates .

At this point, you share your business plan and quickly outline the problem and solution you offer. For example, let’s say that you want to pitch the idea of having a UX researcher on your product team. 

You list down existing problems and challenges that your team and/or organization are currently experiencing without a dedicated UX researcher. Afterward, you propose your solution — hiring someone who can step in and do user research. 

How does it work? 

Next, explain your proposal. Provide a quick summary of the benefits of your solution. In our example, share how the UX researcher will help the product team accomplish its objectives.

It can be tricky explaining how your business idea works. Figuring out how to deliver this information in an entertaining and simple manner can turn potential investors into partners, as we’ve seen from some of the best startup pitch decks .

Since you don’t have much time and attention spans are short, the key is to boil down how your idea works into a few key points. Explain how it works from a high-level overview and weave this in as part of your compelling story.

Are you sure? 

Once you have provided the solution, the people listening to your elevator pitch are likely saying to themselves, “will it really work?”

This is the point where you have to provide solid proof in your pitch. You can use testimonials, a short case study, or statistics.

You should also mention financial projections in order to leave a positive impression. If your manager or potential investors will provide funding for your idea, they’ll want to know what the ROI is.

Can you do it? 

The final part of your pitch should answer this question.

Now that your audience has heard you talk about the problem, solution, and proof that it works, you need to show them how you’re going to implement the solution. Think of this point as the “actionable” part of your pitch. You can even provide steps to break down how this can be achieved in a certain timeframe.

“Show how you have thought about how to turn your idea into a commercial outcome or true partnership. This is really an opportunity to start or continue building trust and showing that you care about creating real value for the people in the room is the best way to put you on the right foot,” shares Michael Rosenbaum , CEO of Spacer ,  one of the biggest parking marketplaces in the U.S. 

Like any good sales pitch, you need to show how achievable the results are. At this particular stage, you need to tie in any additional information to show what resources or specific and unique skills are required to make it happen.

Being transparent about what’s required can build trust with potential investors.

How to persuade your audience with your business pitch 

Now that you know the best practice structure of a successful business pitch, take note of the following tips to help make your business pitch more interesting, relatable, and most of all, convince your audience to say “yes”. 

1. Understand what your audience wants from you 

It’s standard advice across all facets of industry to “know your audience”.  

However, if you’d like to become better at your business pitches, go the extra mile by understanding what your audience wants from you. 

There’s a  difference between understanding and knowing  your audience. Instead of just  knowing  where your client comes from, try to  understand  their pain points, goals, and motivation. 

How do you do this? 

Talk to them in advance, read about the things they publish online (tweets, blog posts), and understand what excites them. By doing so, you’ll be able to tailor your business pitch to their needs, wants, and preferences. 

For example, if you’re pitching to potential clients and investors who are eco-conscious at the same time, it makes sense to highlight how your idea can positively impact the environment. 

Stephen Keighery , CEO of Home Buyer Louisiana and Founder of Bald Eagle Investments USA, shares this tip when it comes to customizing your pitch to your audience: 

“Learn ahead and research about the company or the client you’ll be pitching to, just be sure that every information you obtain is for public knowledge. You can also observe their behavior and their words during the transaction; and perhaps while pitching, use the jargon they use to establish connection and a favorable impression to them.”

2. Have your elevator pitch ready 

Imagine this. You just bumped into Mark Cuban of Shark Tank at the airport lounge, and you can’t believe that you’re sitting next to him! He looks at you and asks you about yourself and what you do. 

This is when you need your elevator pitch handy! 

The Asana team recommends the following  elements of a good elevator pitch : 

• Introduction
• Value proposition
• CTA (call to action)

You don’t have to follow the exact formula. You can mix it up based on the situation, your personality, and the audience you’re pitching to. 

It’s also worth noting that you might not immediately notice the benefit of your elevator pitch.  Think of it as an opportunity for you to make a great first impression. 

3. Use visual aids

If you have the chance to present beyond the elevator pitch, you should never pitch with a presentation that’s filled with texts, numbers, or endless rows of data. 

As humans, our  brains are hardwired to love visuals   — from photographs to infographics to icons. 

When pitching an idea, product, or service, get your audience’s attention (and support!) by telling a story visually and adding a bit of creativity to your PowerPoint slides. 

Images trigger empathy  which in turn can make your audience understand your pitch better. 

The more they understand your idea, the greater the likelihood of angel investors, venture capitalists, and potential customers supporting or advocating for you. 

Another added benefit is that  visuals can elicit emotions  and emotions play an important role in decision-making.

Consider incorporating business infographics to present complex data or processes in an easily digestible format.

Watch these 10 legendary pitch decks for visual inspiration.

4. Explain your business model clearly

When pitching to investors, imagine them asking, “what’s in it for me?”. 

After learning about how your idea can help solve a problem, they’re interested in how you’re going to advertise to your target market and generate revenue consistently. 

Johannes Larsson , CEO of  Financer.com  explains that being able to articulate their business model was what made them successful in getting business partners on board. 

“We were relatively unknown in the industry, so it took us quite a few tries before we signed our first deal. After that, however, things became much easier — not just because we were building up a name for ourselves but also because we improved our approach. We learned that being able to clearly explain our business model was the key to earning potential partners’ trust. Once we mastered that, we focused on providing proof of fruitful partnerships. It was obvious that this information was what our affiliates cared about, so we made sure to gather evidence of our success and present it in every pitch.”

5. Weave your passion or story with your pitch

Your business pitch doesn’t have to sound like you’re reading it straight from a script that someone else wrote for you. 

When appropriate, add a bit of your personal touch.  In short, humanize your pitch and slide deck. 

It will not only improve your relatability factor but also make you feel less nervous. After all, you’re talking about something that you’re passionate about. 

Take it from Debbie Chew, an SEO Specialist at  Dialpad .

“As part of my hiring process, I had to pitch a marketing campaign idea. I started brainstorming a list of potential ideas and their projected impact to decide which one to go with. While doing this, one idea kept coming back to me, and I realized I was most passionate about pitching a campaign related to video meetings. People now spend so much of their time in video meetings, but how much time? And how can we have better meetings? So I built my pitch around this concept and really enjoyed pitching my idea (which also helped me feel less nervous),” shares Chew.  If you can share a personal story or something you’re passionate about in your pitch — while also tying it back to your audience — they won’t forget it. And yes, I got the job!” 

6. Put the spotlight on benefits

Once you have your audience’s attention, circle back to how your product or service will address customer needs and benefit business partners. 

For  Carsten Schaefer  of  Trust.io , it boils down to being able to share the benefits of your product or service from the get-go. 

“When I first had to get funding for my product, I had to deliver a sales pitch in front of a board of investors. It didn’t succeed, and I learned a lot from it. “Investors want cold, hard facts and the benefits to the end-user. In the end, they want to see if it makes money for them or not. I’m glad I failed because I learned that for an effective sales pitch, you really need to put yourself in the shoes of someone thinking about profit and pure common sense from a business perspective.

7. Highlight why you’re different from the competition

Your business pitch is also an opportunity for you to explain what sets you apart from other businesses or organizations, and essentially explain your unique selling point. What makes your idea different? Why is your business model unique? 

It also helps to address relevant competition head-on in your pitch. For  Brogan Renshaw  of Firewire Digital, this tactic shows clients and investors that you’re an expert on what you are talking about, giving them confidence in your offering.

“I notice that this is a part of my business pitches that completely wins the client over because it answers their questions and concerns on the market position of competitors,” says Renshaw. 

8. Share the story behind your team

Investors and business partners are also curious about the people, employees, as well as the team behind your idea. When creating this presentation slide in your pitch deck, don’t forget to include information highlighting your team and each team member’s relevant skills. 

“Investors want to know whether the founders have worked together before, if your startup’s early hires have complementary skill sets, and whether you’ll be flexible, open-minded, and willing to embrace different perspectives, “  writes  Lauren Landry ,  associate director of marketing and communications for Harvard Business School Online.

9. Have an impressive one-pager

As its name implies, a one-pager is a one-page document outlining your business plan and mission. Think of it as a business brochure . With Piktochart’s online brochure maker , you can easily create one within minutes.

Imagine that an investor or client is too busy to listen to your pitch, you can simply email or hand out your one-pager; your entire business pitch in an easy-to-digest format.  

According to Greg Cullen , Sr. Account Executive at Dialpad, your one-pager should have these three components: 

• What is the business pain?
• How the solution you’re positioning can solve said business pain
• The value of the solution accompanied by the resulting positive impact by moving forward with the platform

“This one-pager condenses everything that is important succinctly into an easy-to-digest easy to digest format for everyone to read – and it ensures that all parties are on the same page. And most importantly, this can be used by the champion you’re working with to sell this internally, whether it’s to the CEO, procurement, etc. The better you make this one-pager, the better the result you’ll have,” recommends Cullen. 

Get funding, win clients, and gain support with Piktochart’s pitch deck creator 

While it may be nerve-wracking, particularly if it’s the first time that you’re creating a business pitch, use the expert tips above as your guideposts for a successful pitch. 

You’ll eventually find your very own unique style and approach to business pitching as you do it more frequently.

If you need help creating any type of business or personal pitch deck, create your pitch deck quickly with Piktochart’s pitch deck creator. The first step is to get your free Piktochart account .

Want additional insight on how to better prepare and deliver a business pitch that you’ll be presenting online? Go to our guide to stress-free, engaging Zoom presentations .

We’re rooting for you and your business!

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The 5 differences between a pitch and a presentation.

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Persuade me. If you can.

“Tell me a little bit about yourself.”

“Pitch me your business idea.”

“Why should I do business with you?”

Where, exactly, does the story begin? In order to pitch your ideas - or your job skills - effectively, it’s important to understand the fundamental differences between a presentation and a pitch. Because a pitch is more than just an informational presentation. Beyond the constructs of the various TV shows, like Shark Tank , a pitch doesn’t necessarily inform. A good pitch compels . In other words, a pitch inspires action.

Persuasion Creates Opportunity, inside Your Pitch

That’s right, “inspires”. Because if all you want to do is instruct, like an informational presentation, that’s not a pitch. True, your audience might get smarter. But are you getting any richer? What does “good” look like, when it comes to your pitch? Maybe it looks like a new job . A new promotion. Or a new initiative that’s delivered (persuasively) by none other than you. Would you invest in that pitch?

Consider these five key differences between a presentation and a pitch:

• You Don’t Have to Go it Alone : it’s easy to fall into the trap that you’re alone on an island when it comes to your pitch - and that’s why you better talk fast, right? Wrong. A presentation is about information. A pitch is about connection . Slow down, and stop trying to lift the world by yourself. Instead, connect your message to the people you wish to influence most: your investors, your potential new employer, your boss. Stop focusing on yourself and consider the puts and takes for the person right in front of you. You may not be facing off with Mr. Wonderful, but if you can find a way to connect to your audience, you’re making wonderful progress. How does your pitch impact the person you’re trying to influence? Are you clear on their outcomes, not just your own?
• Outcomes, Not Obstacles : there are four words that need to be a part of any persuasive conversation or pitch. Here they are: “I’ve thought this through”. Thinking things through means looking beyond the details. Zoom out and see if you see the big picture - have you thought things through? After all, a pitch is persuasive. It’s not a how-to. You’re not there to instruct, you’re there to inspire. Thinking things through points towards outcomes . What is the outcome of your business idea? What’s the outcome of you being hired by this firm? Stop focusing on your past experience and knowledge (Your background and resumé won’t disappear, when you make this shift). Turn your experience into outcomes for your audience. That way, you create an experience for your investor (or potential employer). Sharing outcomes starts by answering this simple question: “What’s the biggest promise you can keep?”
• What’s Your Log Line? Brant Pinvidic has sold over 300 different vehicles to various studios in Hollywood, including reality TV shows like Pawn Stars and Bar Rescue . In his book, The 3-Minute Rule, he explains how it can be useful to have a “log line”. He defines a log line as “the single most valuable element of your offering...in a single sentence or phrase.” He explains how he sold the idea of The Biggest Loser, the most successful show his company has produced so far: “Overweight contestants compete to lose weight; the winner is the biggest loser.” Simplicity wins, when it comes to your pitch.
• Use Leadership Language - Not Just Description: If you want a pitch that’s a winner, consider the difference between language that describes and language that creates. The language of description is all around us - in news reports, white papers and web pages. The language of creation, however, focuses on what we might be able to make, build or do together. Leadership language emphasizes creation: creating partnerships, opportunities, options and outcomes. Which do you think is more important in a pitch, description or creation? If an investor can take a quiz on your business idea, describe it, and earn an “A”, you might just be the biggest loser. Because if your audience is smarter, but they’re not co-creating a new solution with you, what have you won? Do you want to get a grade, or to get paid?
• Close Like You Know: a compelling pitch is, at its core, is a series of “yeses”. A pitch always finds a way to “yes”. How do you know if your pitch is going well? When you hear these three words from your audience: tell me more . Can you share ideas that are inarguable? Ideas and concepts that inspire agreement instead of inviting argument? These paths lead to yes. And then, at the end of your pitch, offer the easiest thing in the world to say “yes” to. And what is the easiest thing in the world to say “yes” to? No, it’s not free beer. It’s an invitation . What is the invitation you can offer? An invitation that’s logical and actionable and measurable. An invitation to co-create the next step - the step that just might get you into the winner’s circle. Or that new job you’ve been hoping for.

You don’t have to watch Shark Tank in order to see the value in a persuasive conversation. That’s right: a pitch is simply a conversation, if it’s done right. A conversation that’s compelling, clear and guided, so that your audience sees your vision. A vision that’s presented in a way that makes people say “yes”. Using the language of creation, a pitch builds to a “tell me more”, based on a story that gets your audience involved and connected with your vision. So, if you’re looking for a new job, or a new way to get your ideas across, consider how you might be able to create the one thing that every pitch needs: a connection to your audience. Instead of focusing intently on your background, your struggle, or your hero’s journey, consider instead how you can make your audience the hero. That kind of language just might help you create what’s missing. So, you’re invited to change the conversation - and change your results - whenever you’re ready to win.

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What is a Pitch Deck? Examples, Tips, and Templates

Businesses need adequate financing at every point in time for all their processes to run smoothly . However, most of the funding that a business needs to maximize its growth does not often come from business profits, personal coffers, or financial assistance from families and friends.

That is why you need to convey your ideas to potential sponsors. These sponsors or investors invest their money into your business with the expectation of a positive yield. The funding helps materialize whatever future business plans you have.

You will not get investors to put their money into your business if you do not have a solid business plan. Instead of just conveying your ideas in a drab manner; you have to convince financiers that your plans and projections are worth investing inside. Make them feel excited about the partnership.

There are several steps you need to take to get financiers to fund your business. All the steps and tips you need to know about creating a winning pitch deck will be discussed in this article. The pitch deck is the tool you use to capture the interest of potential investors.

In this article, you will learn everything about pitch deck from its definition to insightful pitch deck examples you can learn from. You will also learn about what is included in a pitch deck presentation, the do’s and don'ts of pitch decks, and how to create a pitch deck in three simple ways.

Let’s get started.

A pitch deck is a concise presentation (in the form of slides) that business owners create to boost the growth of their establishments. It refers to a collection of slides to express an overview of business plans . The display gives clients a wrap-up of business plans, products and services, and operations.

Pitch deck, also known as investor pitch deck , helps prospective sponsors to learn more about your business. The presentation in slides makes it more fun, and the clients won't go through the stress of reading generic texts.

Many business owners or sales executives make the mistake of thinking that the primary goal of the pitch deck is to acquire finance. The primary goal is not to acquire finance but to intrigue them and make them fix a time for an official partnership meeting. Acquiring finance is the end goal.

Getting financing is not a one-step procedure. It involves a series of steps in which the pitch deck presentation is the first. Of course, you have to give valid reasons why the investors should entrust their money to your business.

The pitch deck presentation is an effective business communication tool for meetings with potential clients, sponsors, and investors . This way, you can have an audio-visual appointment, resulting in a better understanding of the motive with fewer talks.

You can either host your pitch deck presentations in a physical or virtual space. If you choose the virtual space, there are tons of conference call services and web and video conferencing platforms you can choose from. They include RingCentral, Zoom, Zoho Meeting, ClickMeeting, Microsoft Teams, Webex, and other RingCentral alternatives .

Slides are what help you convey the compelling story of your business to your clients or investors . You need to use slides to help you achieve the desired results. Software packages like PowerPoint, Visme, Keynote, Prezi can help you craft a convincing presentation.

To gain the attention of your target audience, you can design two different pitch decks . The first will contain more text. The second will concentrate on visuals. People are always attracted to visual information; this will enable them to focus more on what you have to offer.

What’s Included in a Pitch Deck Presentation?

The pitch deck is a conversion tool to get your business funded. However, the sad reality is that some companies can create a pitch deck presentation and still not get sponsors. Why?

For your pitch deck to have a high conversion rate, it must have the following qualities.

• Easy to implement

A good pitch deck must not have more than 19 slides. Apart from being a general rule of thumb for pitch deck presentations, having more than 19 slides can make your presentation boring and uneasy for investors to follow through.

However, there are good pitch deck presentations that have more than 19 slides. Ideally, you should work towards finding that sweet point slide length where you have enough space to drive interest in your idea and do not bore your audience.

The information in every slide must be compelling and contain no fluffs and fillers . Ensure the information is easy to act on when studied.

There are so many opinions on the internet and in the business world about what the ideal pitch deck must contain. Simply from looking at examples of successful startup pitch decks, it is easy to see patterns on what a successful pitch deck must absolutely contain.

Here are the 10 compulsory key slides that every business and organization should have in their pitch deck presentation , irrespective of their industry, target audience , or offer.

Let’s take a look at these 10 key slides in detail.

Slide 1: Introduction

The first slide of your pitch deck is the most crucial of all your slides . For a presentation to have a high conversion rate, there must be a brief intro at the beginning to hint at what the whole thing centers on.

This slide is a crucial one; it is what determines the state of mind of the client. Are they getting excited? Are they already fed up? Do they want to know more?

The introduction is your chance to give a great first impression. If you fail to do it right here, you can lose the investor. Prioritize making the first slide as powerful as possible. Many investors or financiers are impatient and use the first few slides to judge your business.

Ensure you keep the first slide or introduction slide short and sweet. It is the slide where you can tell people about who you are and the reason why you are here.

You can also use the introduction slide to communicate the value proposition of your business. Ideally, your value proposition should be a single phrase or sentence long.

Examples of the perfect business value proposition include:

“We Make Happy Meals for Infants.”

“The Smartest Way to Get Around” – Uber

“The Experience IS the Product” – Apple iPhone

“Be More Productive at Work with Less Effort” – Slack

When you use a good value proposition, your audience will be eager to listen to the rest of your presentation.

How to Make Your Introduction Catchy

• Make Your Introduction Simple, Short, and Engaging: The introduction slide is where you introduce yourself, your business, and the reason why you are talking to the audience. Don't say unnecessary things here because you will probably bore the reader and set a bad template for the rest of the presentation. Make sure your expressions are as simple as possible and avoid complex grammar. Of course, you won't have them look up the dictionary every minute to get your point. Make your tone conversational too.
• Briefly Talk about Your Business: Communicate what your business is about in simple sentences. Business owners feel they get sponsors interested by saying more than they should. The truth is that, at this stage, they want to get a glimpse of what you do. For instance, if you cook meals and deliver to the aged people, you can tell them, ‘We make meals and deliver fast to the aged in their homes.’ With that simple sentence, you have communicated that you can deliver meals as fast as possible to the aged (the ones that can't cook themselves) in homes.
• Propose the Value of Your Business. You can present your business with a high value by making a valid comparison with a popular company. For example, if you sell email marketing services for small businesses , you can make comparisons with established email marketing software services such as HubSpot, MailChimp, GetResponse, Convertkit, AWeber, and MailChimp alternatives .
• Provide Ways the Investors Can Reach Out. This vital point shows that you are anticipating a positive response after they go through the slides. Update your contact information, like your phone number and your email , so that investors can reach out and fix a meeting. If possible, give your phone number to build strong personal relationships.

At the end of your introduction, the audience should know:

• You and Your Business
• Your Mission
• Ways to Reach Out to You

Everything about your intro should be top-notch and quality. The texts should be well organized and clear, avoiding the use of complex grammars. If you have to introduce visuals at any point, it should be a high-resolution image. The logo of the company must be legible and presentable too.

Slide 2: The Problem

The purpose of meeting with your investors is to solve a problem that finance can solve. Why must a pitch deck have a problem slide?

Investors fund businesses because they see a problem and feel they can find a solution to it. Entrepreneurship, at large, is all about solving problems. It would help if you had your laid-out plans on dealing with the problem, and that is what you will display in your slides when meeting the sponsors.

If your super business idea does not solve any actual problem, your pitch deck presentation is going to be a huge disaster.

In the problem slide, you highlight the market's problems and the relevance of your solution to their welfare. You should do your market research to find out this problem or gap that your target audience faces and the market is not addressing.

A good problem slide will reflect two or three problems your audience faces that your product or service solves. It does this without being long and boring.

If your business idea does not solve the problem, then you should not source for funds yet. Financing can only work out when acted on good and yieldable plans. You should find a problem affecting your target audience, draft a strategy that can solve the problem, and make plans known to the financier.

A good problem slide will highlight numerous problems that your product can solve. Avoid being too verbose while explaining your offer. Ensure you keep your texts centered on the issues affecting your target audience. This way, the clients don't get confused while trying to understand your point.

The problem slide is to explain what, why, and how you and your team will achieve the results. The problem must be a pressing need that the market currently lacks the solution to draw their attention or an improvement on the existing solution.

For example, some older people can't run around the busy cities to get food to eat. Some are too old to get into the kitchen and prepare something to eat; others are even bedridden without any human help. As a catering establishment, that is a problem that you can identify and bring up ideas to solve.

One thing you should be very careful about is the length of the texts on each slide. Learn to convey your ideas with fewer words.

While introducing the problem slide, it is advisable to make your audience emotionally attached to your story. That emotional connection increases the flow from you, the speaker, to the audience. It makes the rest of the presentation relatable.

Ensure you do not let out the solution to the problem entirely in this slide. I will discuss that in the next slide.

Slide 3: The Solution

After going through the problem slide, there must be an agreement between you and your audience that there is a problem to solve. This slide is where you make known your solutions to the problem. Providing immediate solutions to the issue shows how prepared you are for the presentation.

While stating the solutions, explain the strategies you and your team will utilize in making the plan work. Convince them that their contribution will hasten the whole process and generate desired results with little time.

Try as much as possible to make your solutions realistic and achievable. If your solution is a concrete product, introduce it during the presentation, let them hold and feel it. Nothing drives home your point than a visible test or trial.

Make your solution slide as brief and straightforward as possible. Long texts bore readers, especially the ones you are trying to convince into buying your idea.

For instance, a solution to the scenario I painted in the previous slide is something like this: You are to convince the investors that delivering the food to them at their doorstep is one of the best ways to help. Tell them how you plan to partner with Uber and other logistic companies to provide the food as fast as possible when they make orders. Tell them how this can encourage longevity (by reducing the stress of running around to get food).

In this case, you highlighted a problem and provided an immediate solution. You are also able to show the importance of your offer to the target audience.

You can summarize your intentions in a sentence boldly written and identifiable . Then, you can go on with a detailed explanation (brief one).

A good way of convincing your clients to buy your idea is to provide numerous solutions to the problems. Pick the best option and state why you chose that option. It shows the client that you have done thorough market research, and you have the best solution to that problem.

Instead of hammering on the uniqueness of your solutions, describe the proficiency of what you have and why you believe it is the best thing to do. The truth is that almost all possible solutions to the problem have been heard before. What makes the difference is how you implement yours.

Avoid monopolizing the solutions you have. In essence, avoid the phrase ‘we are the only ones capable of doing this.’ The investors you are talking to have probably related with countless businesses before yours, which also offered similar solutions to the common problem.

Your goal is to show the unique steps in providing your solution and why yours is beyond normalcy.

Slide 4: The Market Size and Opportunity

The slide that comes after the solution slide is the market size slide. The market size of your establishment determines if you win the heart of your financiers. If the size of your market is small and there are no huge opportunities there, you will struggle to attract quality investors.

Many investors don't want to partner with small-scale businesses because they feel that their gain would be small and the risk too high for such a small return. The primary aim of getting funding from investors is to use their money to earn more. These potential investors want a business that can multiply their contributions 10x within a space of 6-7 years.

If the market size of your business is highly appreciable, it would interest investors to fund you. Do your research on the potential of market growth in your field and back it up with correct numbers where necessary.

A good market size slide will map out the market growth of the business over the years of operation. You can also hint at your business plans for the future and how you intend to achieve them.

Make your potential sponsors see the proficiency of your product . Like every human, investors are moved when there are testimonies to back up their plans and proposals. Show them how you have been able to grow your project over the years and how it has affected your market's growth.

A good market size slide will tell the investors that you are the person for the job. With a productive market size slide, you will show investors opportunities associated with the plans, the options you have made use of, and the ones you are utilizing at the moment.

If your business is a new one and you barely have data to create a market slide, it might be challenging to produce a reasonable market size slide; but there is a solution.

What you need to do is to study other businesses in your niche . Create analogies from their market and introduce your ideas alongside them.

An excellent example of a company that used this strategy is Uber. While creating a pitch deck, they illustrated the market size of their competitor, the taxi market. However, they introduced the service they wanted to render to the masses, which is slightly different from the ones in existence.

The strategy worked and Uber got investors which helped it with funds it used to become a worldwide brand. Today, Uber is dominating every other private establishment in the transportation sector.

Slide 5: The Product or Service

The product or service slide is where you show off the product you sell or the service you offer. This slide is similar to the solution slide.

In this slide, you take the extra step of talking about what will provide the solution to the foreseen problem. Some pitch decks combine the two (the solution and the product or service slide) in one or even talk about one and leave out the other to avoid repetition.

If it is a physical product, include beautiful and high-resolution images of your product in the slide. If it is a multi-functional product, you can upload different angles of the photos of your product, showing the functions.

For complex products that you can fully explain their function in a 3D display, you can highlight a cutaway view and explain the essential parts. If your product is an application or an online website with tools, you can add screenshots of the app's usage or the website. The screenshots can highlight the unique and outstanding features of the app.

For example, if your product is a website builder for small businesses like Wix and Squarespace , you can take screenshots of how it builds high-quality business websites.

If it is a domain registrar such as Bluehost, GoDaddy, SiteGround, and other Bluehost alternatives , you can repeat the same process as above. Take screenshots of how it provides quality web hosting services for users and include them in the product or service slide. These are brilliant examples of you showing what you have to offer.

Your presentation in this slide should show that your product is competitive enough to challenge the big leagues of your market. In essence, your slide should tell how your product works, how it looks, and the satisfaction attached to its use.

If it's a physical product, you can bring it to the presentation for the audience to feel it. For businesses that offer services, you can upload photos of your workers while at work. For instance, if you head a logistics company, you can upload photos of your riders making deliveries to your client's homes.

As an add-on, you can do a video of the Display the video on your slide. Don't make long videos; a maximum of 60 seconds length is okay. Remember that you are still trying to convince them to fund your business model.

Slide 6: Traction

Everything that has to do with financial investments needs assurance. Investors want to relax their minds that they are not losing their money to some random Ponzi scheme. One of the slides that help reinforce their confidence in your business model is the traction slide.

The traction slide is where you show the investors everything about the growth of your business over the years. It is also where you show evidence that your business will be more successful.

You would be dealing primarily with numbers in the traction slide . Let them know the number of sales you have made and how massive your profits have been on an annual basis.

Tell them about the minor and major goals you have achieved and the ones you plan to accomplish in the coming years. This information will convince the investors that they are on the right track . It will also help them decide to release their funds to be a part of the bigger picture.

Most business owners represent their numerical values on a chart. The chart enables them to display a lot with a small space. What they could have created a long table of numerous rows and columns for, can be done easily with a simple bar chart or histogram chart.

Clients can get a quicker grasp of the business or startup’s current achievements with charts as opposed to tables. Show the essential figures when creating the slide.

The traction slide is an important one to include in your pitch deck presentation. To the financiers, it reduces the doubts they have about your business. They want to see proof that your business is worth investing in . They want to see evidence that your business model canvas is highly profitable.

Be mindful of the texts on this slide, the use of numbers can be a trap to stuff your slide. Conciseness is vital irrespective of whatever you are presenting.

Investors and financiers want to see the assurance that they are getting a high return on investment.

Slide 7: The Team

The team slide is to introduce your team to the investors. A famous saying goes, ‘show me your friend, and I will tell you who you are' .

These financiers want to see the people you are working with. They want to know the drive of these people, their commitment, passion, and why they are essential to your business. The team slide builds confidence in your team members.

This slide will be a bit comprehensive because you will have to introduce each key member according to their roles. Under each member's identity, state the member's achievements, educational background, the quota he/she has contributed, the work experience, and the titles.

You can also explain why they are vital to your mission and business plans. Also, talk about their virtues and the positive effect on your business is essential.

Ensure the information about your team members is in short sentences. Don't elaborate unnecessarily. You are to attract your audience's attention, not tell them the life stories of people.

Keep the display cohesive, list according to the rankings from top to bottom. It makes the slide easy to comprehend. Highlight the specific thing (maybe the title) about a member in a conspicuous color.

Photos will make your slide enjoyable. Add the pictures of your members along with their descriptions. You can also categorize the illustrations based on department. It narrows down the search for a member on the slide.

If a client has to refer back to a member's description, he/she can go straight to the section the member is in, if they have been appropriately categorized. It will be better than running your eyes around a large screen looking for a name.

The descriptions on the slide should be limited to the core members only. Externals and advisors should be left out. The team slide can introduce a few things about the founders of the business and the common goals they share. Some financiers care to know how the whole thing started.

Slide 8: Competition

There is hardly a business without competitors or rivals. Whatever idea you have to solve a problem, other people also have that same idea to solve that same problem. Competition occurs when both businesses try to convince the same target audience to buy into their concept.

The competition slide is to show the clients who your current rivals in the game are. List all your competitors for the audience to know you have done good research on your part. Describe how good they are and what they don't handle well.

Tell them how the competitors have been performing over the years and why you are different from them. Inform them about what made your business grow so big to compete with your top rivals.

From your speculations, tell them your position in the market among your competitors. It can wow the clients and increase their interest in your business model.

You can top up the information on the slide with the things you offer that your competitors don't. It gives you an edge on winning the heart of potential investors. Even the features you commonly offer with your rivals; show them how uniquely you do yours and how it has influenced your business growth.

Avoid painting your rivals badly in any way. Do not use the opportunity to tell lies about your competitors. If your investors find out you are telling lies in your presentation, you have ruined any chance of acquiring the needed financial support.

Bringing your competitors down doesn't take you up, instead, it shows you as too ambitious to possible investors. You have to watch the tone you use in this slide. Avoid sounding condescending; it is imperative.

You can introduce unique graphs to compare the products of you and your competitors in your presentation.

Slide 9: Financials

The financial slide is one of the few slides clients spend most of their time on. You have to make the most of it to give them another reason to fund your business plans. The financial slide will include your financial projections, cash flow statements, balance sheet and income statement , and other important information.

Just like the traction slide shows everything you have acquired over the years, this slide shows your business' future growth plan. Use this slide to show them what your company should achieve in the next three years (unless asked otherwise) using your business plans.

Tell them about your financial projections, business models, operations, and others in detail. The past achievements are proof that they can partner with you. Use it to prepare their minds on what they are to expect from your business in the future

You should also make use of bar and pie charts, histograms, etc. here. It makes your expressions compact and defined. Don't just create charts with plain-colored arcs and bars. Make the charts colorful, it gives more meaning and beauty to the slide.

Colors make charts and pictorial representations easily understandable and conspicuous. Colorful charts make your presentation attractive, unlike a long spreadsheet full of figures and numerical signs.

The information you provide in this slide is changeable as you move on. It is almost impossible to accurately determine where the business will be in the next five years. But financiers expect you to map out a business plan and have what it takes to achieve what you have outlined. That is what the idea of pitch deck presentation is all about.

You can also share your plans on how you want to channel the distribution of money provided and how you intend to reach your target income goals.

The financial slide can hint the investors on the strength of your company and how long your relevance in the market will be. If you just started your company, you can skip this slide and include just the traction slide.

Be realistic with your information, don't cook up unrealistic things to impress the audience. You might not be able to hit the point you want to during the given time if you do not manage your time well. Being realistic will make you not far away from what you envisioned.

Slide 10: Investment and Use of Funds

The previous slides have been about you introducing your business as an entrepreneur. This slide is where you tell the financiers what you need from them.

You must make sure this slide answers the questions:

• How much do you need?
• How do you want to use the funds?
• What do you want to achieve with the funds?.

There are a lot of ways to go about this, however, not all are effective. A lot of entrepreneurs get it wrong on this slide. Don't just ask for a certain amount of money, state what you want to use the money. Highlight your financial plan for them to know what their money is funding.

When you back up your requests with valid reasons, it builds their trust and confidence in you. Also, they would take your plans more seriously.

Ensure you are specific with your requests; let your clients know exactly what you want. Don't waste time by going through corners, be direct. It gives the investors an impression that you have done your calculations and analysis very well. Also, it tells them that you didn't just come to call any amount of money because you feel you have convinced them.

Make your requests real. Don't ruin all you have planned by aiming higher than you need. Remember, they have heard your plans and projections. They can tell if you are trying to be over-demanding.

Most entrepreneurs with successful pitch decks used a pie chart or bar chart to state the distribution of money. This way, investors have an insight into the execution of funds.

Let the investors know your expectations when you are funded. Tell them the heights you will reach. They have to see if they are capable of adding more money in the future.

These are the essential slides you need in your pitch deck presentation. Some specific businesses might require extra slides to introduce new things . Ensure there is cohesion among your slides, that is, one slide should lead to the next.

The next section will expose you to the things you should do and the ones you should avoid when creating your slides or presenting the contents on the pitch deck.

Do’s and Don’ts of Pitch Decks

While trying to create a perfect pitch deck presentation, there are some things you have to embrace and other things you have to avoid.

Do’s When Presenting

1. engage your audience.

While passing your information, engage your clients with narratives to express the problem, your solution to it, and how you want to go about it. Tell them how your plans will affect them.

Don't just read out everything like you are reading an English comprehension passage in front of a class. Ensure you carry the audience along as you explain the information on each slide.

Engaging the audience will get them to focus on you and follow the presentation from the start to the end. Also, engagement builds interests. They get more interested when they understand every bit of what you say.

Imagine you have to read this article without having examples to buttress my point? It can be daunting and tiresome. Tell short related stories in between your presentation to keep the conversation alive.

2. Strike a Balance Between Elaboration and Conciseness

As important as your content is, so is the way you present it to your audience. The style of presentation had made some entrepreneurs lose out on significant investments , even when they had the best plans and business models in possession.

How do your slides appear when creating your presentation? Do you over-deliver or under-deliver? Do you give out more or less than you should?

You need to strike a balance between saying too much and explaining yourself better. Don't cite instances unnecessarily.

If you have expressed yourself well on a slide, move on to the next slide without wasting much time. However, if you feel a narrative will do better in communicating your points, make it short, cohesive and relevant.

Don'ts When Presenting

1. don't base your presentation on pure statistics.

A presentation full of statistics will look like an account officer reading the company's financial report to the managing director. Can you imagine how boring that is? Yes, it is tiring.

Back up every stat you provide with a coherent narrative. Don't just focus on the statistics hoping that you are amusing the investors with 6-7 figures on the chart. Of course, you are, but narratives and life examples make it better.

Many people believe that you only need to engage your audience on slide one during the introduction. The truth is that you need to engage throughout the presentation, from the intro to the conclusion.

Statistics are vital but are not the only significant feature of a pitch deck presentation.

2. Don't Stare At the Slides While Presenting

Staring at the slides while presenting is a bad posture and shows a lack of confidence. Ensure your presentation is a conversational one , don't just stay glued to the slides while presenting. It is an inappropriate posture or body language for someone trying to win the heart of a group of people.

While presenting, move your eyes from the slides to the audience and vice versa at regular intervals . Doing this ensures that you engage them as your pitch deck presentation runs. Turning every minute to read from the slides can reduce the tempo and also bore the listeners.

When you address them without staring at the slides, it builds your confidence and reassures the audience that you know what you are saying . Also, it can clear doubts of improper preparation beforehand.

These financiers can also read what is on the slides. The essence of the presentation is for you to engage them.

Do’s When Designing Your Slides

1. reduce the texts on each slide.

When creating a pitch deck presentation, it is not advisable to choke your slides with texts . Make sure you can pass across the necessary information with little texts. Use lots of visuals like pictures, charts, screenshots, and short clips, to explain your plans in detail . Remember, long texts bore readers.

Likewise, while designing, strike a balance between elaboration and conciseness. It will help you a lot in engaging your audience throughout the presentation.

Also, use large font sizes and visible colors on the palette. It reduces the texts on each slide and makes your work legible.

2. Use Bullets to Introduce Critical Points

An excellent way to avoid stuffing your audience with texts is by bulletin. Use bullets on your slides, it organizes your work.

Don't just pack paragraphs together on the slides to present. In slides where you have to list things for your audience, don't separate them with commas. Instead, separate them with bullets to reduce the texts and give your workspace.

Stuffy slides are complex for the audience to comprehend. Your presentation has a short time frame, you wouldn't want to spend the whole time reading out long and boring paragraphs to the audience.

Cut them short with bullet points and make your presentation more enjoyable for you and your audience.

3. Add Your Contact Info

Imagine you meet a long-lost friend, exchange pleasantries, and fix a date to meet again, but you do not exchange contact details. There is a high possibility that you might not see each other for a long time and that the meeting will not hold. It is the same scenario when you don't include your contact details in your presentation.

Ensure you add your contact information at the end of the presentation slides so that your clients can always reach out after that meeting. Some clients probably have to bother with questions after the presentation; they need your contact info to reach out.

Furthermore, you can add a photo of yourself before the contact information. It gives your business a ‘face' that financiers can look up to when they need certain information.

One last thing, whatever contact details you use in your pitch deck presentation must be available all the time. Investors can quickly lose interest when they can not get a response on time, considering that you have competitors.

Don’ts When Designing Your Slides

1. avoid adding too many team associates.

In the team slide, where you have to introduce your team, introduce only the core members. Adding too many members can fill up the whole screen and leave the audience perplexed.

As you introduce your business plans and various backup data supporting your business idea, investors also want to know the main person captaining the ship.

Too many team members can make the mistake one for the other, especially when you have to add photos of each member alongside its description. For precision, the core members should not be more than seven. Anything above that is excessive.

How to Create a Pitch Deck in 3 Simple Steps

Knowing what a pitch deck presentation should entail is not enough, you need to know how to put them together.

Creating a pitch deck is easy if you have the necessary tools and templates. You can use free or paid pitch deck presentation templates to get one done quickly.

Some websites offer to create pitch decks for users such as Visme . Your pitch deck will be ready in a few minutes. Save yourself the stress of creating slides from scratch, you can pick from the templates available on the application. These templates are ready-made to suit different interests.

If you don't want to use a pitch deck website tool, you can create your slides from scratch. It can take your time, but you are sure to have what you want.

Another option is to hire the services of a freelance graphic designer in the event you do not have the graphic design skills needed to design killer pitch deck presentation slides. You can find these freelance graphic designers on freelance job websites such as Upwork, Fiverr, Guru, and Freelancer.

Here are the three steps you need to create the best pitch deck that appeals to investors and financiers.

Step 1: Choose a Pitch Deck Template

Templates are ready-made copies that you can use instead of creating from your pitch deck from scratch. There are lots of Pitch deck tools such as Google Slides, Visme, Canva, and Slidebean that help users create and design pitch decks. These tools provide tons of useful templates for users.

The first thing you need to do is to pick a template from the hundreds at your disposal. Avoid picking a template because you like it, you have to look for the one that suits your business model and contents. That is why there are different templates for different types of businesses.

In some cases, you might not find a perfect template for your business. The next best thing you can do is pick the closest you can get and modify it.

If you are not using a pitch deck tool, you can create your pitch deck presentation slides from scratch . You can use any graphic design software or the simple Microsoft PowerPoint to create your pitch deck from scratch.

Step 2: Customize your Pitch Deck Story

When you choose the template that fits into your business model, you can edit and customize it for better results. The template you pick is probably not the exact thing you want; that's why the edit option is available.

Most pitch deck software has editing tools to help you reshape your template to your actual desire. These tools are so diverse that you probably won't use them all before creating something attractive.

You can change anything you want to fit your style. Some apps even have the drag-and-drop function to ease your editing. With these tools, someone without foreknowledge of editing or presentation can even create something beautiful.

You can change font sizes and styles, texts and background colors, images and themes, and motion style of slides. You can add bitmap images from external sources to make the boring texts lively to read.

Furthermore, you can add animations, links, short video clips, and many more to beautify each slide. You can add, remove, replace, or rearrange slides the way you want.

This whole process won't take up a lot of your time if you use the right tools. It is immensely beneficial for you to do everything necessary to put out a perfect body of work. The pitch deck layout contributes to your chances of securing the funds.

Step 3: Download and Share with Investors

After customizing your pitch deck to a perfect taste, you can download it to your device. You can even share it online across different media using a link.

Pitch deck applications offer you a wealth of format options for download. You can download your pitch deck as an image to display the slides, side by side. Also, you can download it as a PDF format, or better still, as a PowerPoint file.

Another thing you can do with the finished pitch deck is that you can create a private link to share the pitch deck with specific people via mail.

There is the option of uploading it on the web to be available for people on search results on Google and other search engines. You can also put the presentation on the company's official website for the core members to access.

Insightful Pitch Deck Examples You Can Learn From

The process of creating a good pitch deck can be tiring. You need the inspiration to help you escape that dreadful fear stage and hit the right entrepreneurial mindset . Will my pitch deck presentation be a success or a failure?

There is no better way to escape the imposter syndrome that every entrepreneur faces than to get inspiration from companies who had successful pitch deck presentations. What is better than reverse-engineering the pitch deck presentation that successful companies like Facebook, CoinBase, Square, Uber, and Airbnb used to attract investors?

Here are some insightful pitch deck examples you can learn from.

Amount Raised: $500,000

Buffer is one of those awesome pitch decks that although does not hold much visual appeal but still won the hearts of investors. How did they achieve this? They had the captivating numbers to capture the mind of financiers.

Amount Raised: Seed – $3,000,000

Cubeit is an app that helps users to get unique content from anywhere . The company developed a simple, short, and compelling story for a pitch deck presentation. The presentation got them about $3 million from clients, and that was how they got to where they are today.

3. Contently

Amount Raised: $9,000,000 | 2014

Contently is an American technology company that is based in New York City. They create software that helps companies and brands connect to freelance writers, videographers, editors, graphic designers, social media marketers, etc.

This widely-known company created a pitch deck to show investors what plans they have for the future. They got an amount of $9 million from financiers.

4. Frontapp

Amount Raised: $10,000,000 | 2016

Frontapp is a company that handles the communication channels of its users. They manage their social media accounts, live chats, SMS, email address, etc. They created a pitch deck and focused on the critical numbers that are crucial to the business at that point. The pitch deck generated a sum of $10 million, and the rest is history.

Amount Raised: $600,000 | 2009

Airbnb is a digital marketplace for people to discover places for different purposes. They can book these places through their mobile phones, tablets, computers, etc. It could be a suite for relaxation, a penthouse for vacation, or a room to spend the night.

The platform connects people across over 180 countries. Airbnb, as we know it today, was once a group of people with ideas and no funds. They tried a pitch deck and made over $500,000 from investors.

Amount Raised: 14 rounds – $11.5 bill

Uber is a global transportation company that conveys users from their current location to their choice of destination with the help of online orders. It has its headquarters in California, United States of America.

The online cab company has undoubtedly made transportation easy over the years of operation. Not many people could jump into traffic all day. Uber saw this and decided to make things easy. They made a pitch deck from the start and raised close to $12 billion. Today, Uber operates in over 600 cities in the world.

7. Crew (fromely Ooomf)

Amount Raised: $10,000,000 | 2015

Crew is another technology company that connects individuals and agencies with freelance designers, content creators, media accounts managers , etc. Crew has worked with big companies like Eventbrite, Tinder, Dropbox, etc.

Crew's founder used a simple but powerful pitch deck to communicate his ideas to the public. He didn't have to say too much, went straight to the point, and raised $10 million.

Amount Raised: Series D – $335,000,000

WeWork is an American company that is headquartered in New York City. The company provides workspaces for freelancers, entrepreneurs, small and large-scale businesses, enterprises , etc. It was founded in the year 2010.

They have been able to develop lots of workspaces and still want to build more. During the start, they created a pitch deck, showing the right things investors needed to see. Today, they are dominating their market.

Amount Raised: $30,000,000

Dwolla is an American e-commerce company that provides a medium for online payments and mobile payments. It was founded in 2008. Dwolla helps users to send and receive funds from each other. It is located in Iowa.

Despite the massive and tight competition in the online payment system world, Dwolla still holds its stance. They are not the most successful, but they could attract financiers to the online payments industry with captivating ideas. They raised about $30 million from investors.

10. The Daily Hundred

Amount Raised: $1,000,000

The Daily Hundred is an app that gives businesses the chance to compensate customers by encouraging product endorsements and micro-level brand advertisements. It produced this alluring pitch deck that not many investors could ignore.

This pitch deck covered everything about the business, from the past operations to the plans. They made $1 million from the presentation that year.

11. Mixpanel

Amount Raised: $65,000,000 | 2014

Mixpanel is an advanced platform available on the web and mobiles. They help businesses and enterprises grow by making them understand their users. Also, the company uses its products to track people's behavior.

They created their pitch deck by focusing the contents on incredible numbers. Mixpanel also showed investors the reasons why they are different from their competitors in the game. Note, they didn't shame their rivals; they only highlighted some differences between them in their favor.

12. LinkedIn

Amount Raised: $10,000,000 | 2004

Virtually everyone operating a mobile must have heard of LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a networking app where people get business connections, seek jobs, recruit remote workers, and find clients .

This app also helps businesses to expand networks across countries. It was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in California. Over the years, users have been able to acquire knowledge and skills and even get business opportunities. LinkedIn was able to raise about $10 million from investors.

13. Foursquare

Amount Raised: $1,350,000 | 2009

Foursquare is a search-and-discover mobile app that satisfies user's quest to find visiting places . They provide personalized search results for users.

What the mobile application does is to recommend close places that you can see based on your current location. Also, they scan your browsing history data and orders to give you a clear choice. Interesting, isn't it? The operation is not an easy-to-explain one. For their pitch deck, they focused on explaining how the app renders its services.

14. Ad pushup

Amount Raised: Angel Round – $635,000

Ad pushup specializes in optimizing people's websites to increase the views rate and conversion rate of Ads. They also maximize the number of clicks without disturbing the visitors' user experience.

The company focused on the traction slide in their pitch deck presentation. This traction slide was peculiar to what they were introducing to their audience. They raised about $600k from financiers. You can impress your audience with great numbers.

15. WealthSimple

Amount Raised: Seed – $1,900,000

WealthSimple is a new kind of financial counselor that is brilliant, diplomatic, human, and affordable. They help users eliminate the guesswork from future investments. With this, users are on the right track financially.

The company also helps users achieve new financial goals. They are one of the premiers of digital financial advising . Also, WealthSimple has been able to explain the concept of the application to people (in a layman’s way) with the help of a pitch deck.

16. Manpacks

Manpacks is a digital service that delivers men's accessories, including grooming products, underwear , etc. These products are from popular brands like Gillette, PACT, Champion, Calvin Klein, Louis Vuitton, etc.

The company was able to get some traction over the years due to its friendly customer service experience. This method won the hearts of many investors, and they raised $500,000.

17. Snapchat

Amount Raised: Series C – $50,000,000

Snapchat is everywhere today. Almost everyone has the Snapchat app on their mobile. The app allows users to make videos and pictures with different filters and themes. It operates as a social media application.

When Snapchat came, despite the social media apps dominating the market like Facebook and Twitter, Snapchat could still create its space from that world with its unique features. Snapchat proved its ability to dominate a part of social life by understanding the market. They raised $50 million from a pitch deck presentation.

Amount Raised: $120,000

Podozi is a beauty tech that helps users find the right beauty products for people of different colors . It is an online e-commerce platform based in Nigeria. The platform helps customers discover authentic and reliable beauty brands from all over the world. Also, customers enjoy new shopping experiences all the time.

During the pitch deck presentation, they acquired many photos of their target audience (women of color) to show them. It made it easy for the audience to understand their intentions in no time, and they got funded from different sources.

Podozi showed their target audience the working partnership they already had with big brands in their pitch deck presentation. It helped them attract funds from investors.

Amount Raised: Venture – $79,000,000

Linio is like a business directory. It is an e-commerce company that offers various products online, ranging from gadgets and electronics to personal accessories .

The company was founded in 2012 in Mexico. Today, they work in Venezuela, Peru, Colombia, etc. Linio connects online retail services to the South-American markets.

20. Kompyte

Kompyte is an intelligence website tool designed to reply to strategies used by its users' rivals . The tool aims to study the techniques that competitors use and quickly respond to them.

Using high-resolution photos, Kompyte explained the concept of their services smoothly and shortly. In this case, visuals did the most work here.

21. Launchrock

Amount Raised: $800,000

Launchrock is a digital platform that allows users to create advertisement pages for their products and services with special tools . It helps its users compensate other people for advertising their products through different social media networks and email.

It was launched in 2011 in Philadelphia, United States of America. Launchrock used a short and straightforward pitch deck for its fundraising activities.

Amount Raised: Angel Round – $270,000

Castle helps landlords and landladies to manage their rental homes. It finds tenants, secures the rent dues, and oversees the affairs of the houses, helping reduce the burdens of property owners. The software was able to develop a solution that is quite different from what is dominating the market over the years. It enabled them to seize the attention of the audience right from the pitch deck presentation.

23. Intercom

Amount Raised: $600,000

Intercom is an American software company that provides a messaging channel for business. It is a platform that makes it easier for businesses to communicate with their new and existing customers personally.

You can use the platform to communicate through different social media accounts and email addresses. This famous company did not start big, the owners could craft a top-notch pitch deck that assisted the fundraising.

Amount Raised: $20,000,000

Pendo is a company that provides a digital platform for businesses and organizations to upgrade the product usage experience .

With this platform, companies can track customers' reviews and impressions, get feedback and provide solutions to their problems, all within one application.

Pendo created a pitch deck and raised $20 million! The pitch deck painted a future that is unavoidable for everyone and provided the necessary solution to the problems in the market.

Amount Raised: $4,230,000 till date – deck used to raise $200,000

Mandaê is a mobile app that helps Brazilians ship their goods. The company collaborates with postal services and other exclusive transporters that are not available for everybody (an add-on for Brazilians).

They created a powerful pitch deck that introduced the perfect solutions to inevitable problems, a strong team ready to solve the issues, and great numbers to back up their plans. They raised about $200,000 from prospective investors and materialized the beautiful plans they had.

26. Gaia Design

Amount Raised: $2,850,000

Gaia Design, a Mexican online store, sells beautiful furniture and home accessories at considerable prices . They make quality products that are available for every Mexican household.

The pitch deck might seem challenging to understand due to language barriers, but you can learn a lot from the pitch deck layout. Gaia Design was able to categorize the information into slides without stuffing each of them. Their target audience understood the messages, and they got funded with above $2.6 million.

Startup Pitch Decks FAQ

The length of your pitch deck presentation is one question that business owners regularly ask. There is no rule guiding the size. But with the wealth of past experiences available on the internet, it is advisable to make your pitch deck as short as possible.  The minimum number of slides you should have is 10, while the maximum number is 20. You can exceed the maximum of 20 but it has to be because it is worth it.  Depending on the type of business you operate, the number of slides you want to use for your pitch deck will vary from another. Business owners with the assistant of professionals determine what each slide contains. Ideally, the pitch deck should be as brief as possible to avoid unnecessary information. Although you want to maintain a few slides on your pitch deck, you must be very careful not to stuff each slide with contents. If 13 slides can explain everything about your business without stuffing the slides, go ahead to use 13. You don't need to shrink the number of slides at the expense of the overall organization. Also, irrespective of the number of slides you have, your presentation should not be more than 18-20 minutes. It would be best if you did everything needed within that time frame. If the audience wants you to stretch it, then it is okay.

What makes an effective pitch deck are a compelling story, conciseness, conversational tone, and engaging slides.  You must be brief with the contents of the slides and the presentation. Your aim for a pitch deck presentation is to introduce your business models and projections to financiers and get them interested in funding your ideas. Avoid boring them with information that is not needed at the moment. While presenting, you must be able to tell a convincing narrative. It is what determines if the audience will yield to your requests. Your ultimate goal is to convince your audience to fund your business . You do this by showing them all the benefits associated with it. It makes the difference between you and other entrepreneurs. Your tone while addressing the audience should be conversational. Don't read out the contents on the slide like someone reading out a novel. Remember, you are trying to convince people. You must carry them along while explaining what you have on the slides. Keep your slides engaging, one slide must link to the next. It makes your presentation organized and understandable.

The cost of buying a pitch deck depends on the professional approach. The prices of different pitch deck templates vary depending on the quality.  Hiring a designer to build a pitch deck for you will also cost you some money. The more experienced the designer, the more it will cost. You can opt to build a pitch deck yourself using free or paid pitch deck templates from websites such as Visme, it is fast and cheap that way. However, it might not be as perfect as what a professional graphic designer will create. Before buying a pitch deck, do your research first. Compare the range of prices from different individuals and agencies.  According to SlideGenuis , the cost of a pitch deck can be split into three categories: the low-end pitch deck, mid-range presentation design, and the upper-end presentation services. The low-end pitch deck costs between $1,000 to $3,000 and is suitable for those who want to revamp their existing pitch deck or create from scratch at a cheap price. At this price range, you can expect to get the bare quality.  The mid-range presentation design costs between $3,000 to $10,000 and the upper end presentation services cost $10,000 to $50,000. There is a huge difference between these two categories, the upper-end presentation services give you better appeal and a more refined corporate identity. Although you can hire freelancer designs from Upwork and Fiverr at a much lower price, you will hardly find pitch deck experts but just designers who can do a good job. Since your pitch deck is not just any design but one that has the potential to bring lots of capital for your business, investing in quality pitch deck services is worth it.

The financials in your pitch deck should include your present performances, plans, and projections. You can employ the use of bar and pie charts, histograms, tables, and other charts in a slide.  Your pitch deck should show the predictable monthly or annual gross and net profits. Show financials where the models you are proposing worked out as planned. Also, you can include your cash flow statement and financial projections.

Ready to Communicate Your Business Idea in Your Pitch Deck?

The pitch deck presentation is one of the best ways to introduce your business plans to potential investors. Over the years, many startups have used pitch decks to get funds from financiers for their businesses.

Many of these companies have grown to become giants in their fields. They are hardly recognizable from the companies that they were when they presented the pitch deck. Some good examples are Facebook, Square, Uber, WeWork, Airbnb, and Snapchat.

After reading this article, you are just about set to communicate your business idea into a pitch deck. The only factor delaying that is your action.

Perhaps you have tried communicating your business idea in your pitch deck with little success before. With the advantage of knowing the do’s, don’ts, and best practices of a pitch deck, what is included in the pitch deck, and insightful examples you can get inspiration from, you stand a better chance of securing the funding you need.

A pitch deck is a vital tool for getting funding from investors. How you create a pitch deck, the designs you use are just as important as the message you want to convey. Use high-quality and professional pitch deck designs even if it is going to cost you more.

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Martin luenendonk.

Martin loves entrepreneurship and has helped dozens of entrepreneurs by validating the business idea, finding scalable customer acquisition channels, and building a data-driven organization. During his time working in investment banking, tech startups, and industry-leading companies he gained extensive knowledge in using different software tools to optimize business processes.

This insights and his love for researching SaaS products enables him to provide in-depth, fact-based software reviews to enable software buyers make better decisions.

Build a Winning Pitch Deck: A Slide-by-Slide Guide with Examples

Masterclass, episode 5: learn what to include in your slides, and what not to include, with (many) examples to copy from.

Watch the video 👇

This post is part 5/12 of our Masterclass series. Subscribe to get access to the slides and updates for new episodes:

Episode Highlights:

Love it or hate it, the pitch deck has become an inseparable part of the fundraising process. If you want investors to hear and understand your startup’s story, you’ll need to do it with some compelling slides. In this Masterclass we cover general best practices and specific, slide-by-slide examples showing you how to implement them. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to create a deck that hits hard. 

What you’ll learn:

Using storytelling techniques in your pitch

The 4 questions your deck needs to answer

What to include in your slides, and what not to include

Examples to copy for each section of your presentation

Meet the expert:

Ori Luzia is a consultant and public speaking expert with vast experience working with accelerators, VC’s, and over 1000 startups in different verticals. Ori works with entrepreneurs in Israel and abroad on all things storytelling and messaging, and has helped build hundreds of pitch deck presentations.

Why Does the Deck Matter? Can You Do Without It?

It’s easy to forget that PowerPoints and slide decks are a relatively new phenomenon. Human beings have been telling stories long before these tools came into existence. As a founder, your ability to tell a compelling story shouldn't depend on the slides. You should be able to own the narrative and pitch your startup's story in any situation, with or without visual aides. You should literally be able to give your ‘elevator pitch’ in an elevator.

“The deck isn't the story; the deck helps you tell the story.” — Ori Luzia

That being said, pitch decks have become a staple that VCs expect to see. A good deck will rarely be the factor that makes or breaks the investment decision, but it can help you get your message across and stand out from hundreds of other entrepreneurs the same VC is meeting with.

Your Pitch Deck Needs to Answer Four Questions

As you build your pitch deck, you should keep these four key questions top of mind – your slides will need to address them:

What is the market need you identified?

Which product did you develop to address that need?

How fast are you growing, and do you expect to maintain that growth rate?

Why are you the best team for the job?

This doesn't mean you have to include a specific slide dedicated to each question. Think of these as the story threads that should be woven throughout your pitch. By the end, they should be answered in a clear and satisfying manner.

Three Versions, Three Purposes: Tailoring Your Slides for the Setting

Every entrepreneur should have three versions of their pitch deck, based on where it will be used. Managing three different versions of your deck is a hassle, but it’s worth it in order to ensure you make the right impression and set yourself up for success.

Demo-day or conference

While traditional demo days are less common nowadays, conferences are a great opportunity to showcase your startup. Here you’ll need to tell the entire story in 5-10 minutes. The deck needs to be concise, snappy, and get straight to the point. You're going to be on the stage talking — the slides should complement your talk, rather than distract from it. You might need to adjust design elements like color, contrast, visuals, and font sizes for presentation in front of a large audience.

Deck sent over email

This is typically the first interaction an investor has with your company. The deck needs to be digestible within 2-5 minutes. It should be able to stand on its own since you won’t be there to talk over it. However, it’s still just a teaser for the full presentation that will happen in the meeting, so you don’t want to give everything away. 

Ori notes that it’s a good idea to pay attention to details here:

“The deck you send over email is both your business card and the first impression investors have of you. Things like typos or bad design are like walking into the first meeting with a mustard stain on your shirt.”

Deck for the pitch meeting

Similar to the demo day presentation, but less flashy and more to the point. Here you have slightly more room to talk about the specifics of your technology, your team, and all the rest. In this case you’ll be speaking over the slides again, so you’ll want to reduce distracting elements. The slides shouldn’t compete with you for the investor’s attention. This version can be more flexible, allowing for optional slides and appendices that you can skip or expand on based on the dynamic in the room.

Battle-Tested Principles for Creating Impactful Slides

Minimalism: You are the star of the show, not your slides. Keep details to the bare minimum needed to get your message across. Cluttered slides create visual noise which burns through your audience’s limited reserves of attention. If you see people squinting or leaning in, it's a sign your slide could beoverly complex.

Continuity and support for the narrative: Each slide, and the deck as a whole, should form a cohesive unit. "Frankenstein" slides — where disjointed image or text elements are grafted one on top of the other — stand out in a bad way. Your story should be consistent in both narrative and design.

Internal logic: Each element of your presentation should have a reason for being there and the entire thing should have a logical progression. Pay attention to the order your slides appear in. If things don’t make sense or are referenced before being explained, this could create confusion that interrupts your flow.

”Your slides should follow the principle of Checkov’s gun: every element you include should be necessary, and unnecessary elements should be removed.”

Simple = effective: Aim for slides that can be understood in 3-5 seconds. Avoid flashy transitions and special effects that distract from your message. Choose clear and concise over cool and sophisticated.

Getting Down to Business: What to Include in Your Pitch Deck, with Examples

Most pitch decks will follow a similar flow, which you should not deviate too far from. (Differentiation should come from the content, not the structure of your presentation.) 

You should keep the presentation to 8-12 slides and include any other pertinent information in appendices.  

Tip : Titles are important real-estate and get more attention than other elements. You can use them to say something more than just signposting where the reader is. E.g., instead of titling your slide The Market Opportunity , you could opt for The Opportunity: A Fast-Growing and Untapped Market .

The Intro Slide

The intro slide is often treated as an afterthought, but it’s actually very important because it frames the conversation.

What to include:

Your startup's logo

A one-liner describing what you do

For conferences: Details of the CEO or presenter

The goal is to create a connection with your brand (logos, colors) and your mission. The one-liner should be descriptive – this isn’t the place for a cryptic, three-word marketing slogan. This slide helps investors ‘place’ your startup in the right mental compartment and get a feel for whether your pitch is relevant to them.

The Problem and Business Opportunity

This chapter should take up 1-4 slides. It should describe the problem space you operate in and demonstrate that there is a broad and urgent need for a solution.

This is a slide that you must get right. If the investor isn’t convinced that there is a need - you have a problem. You don’t want to get into a debate about this.

Detail the need you've identified. Present evidence! Use research, customer feedback, and statistical data to show how big a problem this really is.

Describe the target audience for your solution.

Outline the gaps in existing solutions.

If it’s a niche that the investor may be less familiar with, you might want to also include more background information.

The Solution or Product

This should mirror everything you described in the problem slide(s) and offer a clear explanation of how your product or service addresses the identified need.

The bird’s-eye view of your solution.

Explain what your solution is, how it works, and the value it provides.

Include no more than 3-5 features and focus on the benefits and value of your product.

Use images to help convey your solution (including any hardware components). If you have a demo and are confident it will work, you can consider presenting it.

Don’t try to hide the reality of your product or confuse investors with aspirational features that you don’t really know how to develop. Your pitch should be transparent and accurate — both for investors to better understand your product, and to help you gain insights on ways to improve it.

Market Sizing

This slide describes the size of the market you’re operating in (investors want this to be a big number), and establishes the opportunity size for your startup in terms of TAM, SAM, and SOM. This topic is covered in great depth in our previous Masterclass: [link to Rotem Shacham’s episode]

Momentum / Traction

This section highlights your startup's success so far and how your solution has been positively received by the market.

Show the progress you've made: This could be signed contracts, pilots, or letters of intent (LOIs) — the specifics depend on the stage your company is at.

Provide external validation: named partnerships, customers, or industry recognition.

Share examples: customer testimonials, case studies, growth metrics. Think about the story the data is telling, not just the numbers themselves. (E.g., investors love to see a ‘hockey stick’ trajectory.)

‘Big logo’ customers or partners add credibility, trust, and prestige.

The Business Model

The main purpose here is not necessarily to show a very specific roadmap, but to demonstrate that you've given serious thought to the business side (not just the tech) and have a plan for generating revenue.

Explain potential revenue sources and strategies, even if you haven't finalized the exact approach yet.

Outline how you plan to make money: Is it through a cut from each sale, a subscription model, or something else? Avoid listing too many theoretical monetization strategies - this could signal a lack of focus or maturity.

Investors know that your business model will likely evolve over time. It's okay to admit there are aspects still being worked on or that you're mainly focusing on user engagement at the moment.

The Competitive Landscape

This is another important slide that shows investors how your startup positions itself in the market and what sets it apart from competitors.

There are two standard ways to present the competitive landscape:

Feature comparison: A table showing competitors and which features they offer versus your own solution (indicated by 'X' marks or checkmarks).

Axis-based: Plotting competitors along two specific axes that capture the essence of your competitive advantage (e.g., pricing vs. ease of use).

Investors want to see that you know who your key competitors are, and that you've selected meaningful axes or criteria that align with your value proposition and the problem you set out to solve.

Include a reasonable number of competitors, typically between 3-10. Listing too few competitors might seem unrealistic, and listing too many could be overwhelming and distracting.

Investors choose to invest in a team as much as they do in the idea. Show them why your team is worth betting on.

 Highlight what makes you the ideal team for this venture: relevant experience, past successes, or unique skills that add value to the company.

- Showcase entrepreneurial pedigree, previous collaboration successes, or a track record of executing in high-pressure situations.

- Use consistent, high-quality images to create a professional impression.

- Highlight only the most relevant skills or experience and avoid walls of text.

Fundraising

Tell investors how much funding you need and what you need it for.

How much money are you raising?

Why do you need this specific amount for?

What will you do with the funds?

Avoid using apologetic or belittling language ("we intend to..."). You want to create the sense that the train is leaving the station with or without these investors. Making confident statements (without coming across as arrogant), show investors you know where you’re going, and get them excited about joining your journey.

That a Wrap

That’s all for today! Remember to subscribe for access to the slides Ori presented in the video and high-res versions of the examples shown above. You can also listen catch the next episodes on Od Pocast .

Ready for more? What is a Slide Deck? Meaning, Examples and Template All you need to know about Slide Decks Slide decks have become an integral part of business presentations, whether you're pitching to investors, presenting ideas to your team, or delivering a keynote speech. In this article, we will dive into the slide deck meaning, exploring its significance and providing you with a comprehensive guide on how to create captivating and effective slide decks that leave a lasting impression. Presentation deck meaning A presentation deck is simply a slide presentation that is typically used in business meetings to cover a specific topic of collective interest. The deck of slides that we know today as a digital file derives its name from the analog era where slides were physically printed and placed inside an apparatus that shone light through them. Presentation decks have a wide variety of uses, from corporate meetings to marketing and sales proposals. In this article, we’ll cover the most common use cases. The purpose of slide deck presentations Slidedecks serve as visual aids to support your presentation. They help to organize information, enhance understanding, and engage your audience. A well-crafted deck presentation can make complex concepts more digestible, reinforce key points, and create a memorable experience for your listeners. In business settings, deck presentations are mostly used for two different purposes: Create a business proposal or strategy: Most corporate companies, or even startups, are in constant need to present business proposals and strategies. These proposals can either be intended for internal purposes or for external clients and stakeholders. Presentation decks are the most efficient and comprehensive way to analyze, discuss, and decide the next steps in these meetings. The advantage is that by using visual resources and content queues, presenters can unpack a lot of information without disengaging audiences. Report progress or business performance: The second use case is to report back on these initiatives, or to cover overall business performance. Slide decks make it easier to go over charts and other visualizations that explain how a certain project is doing, or give an update on how several revenue lines have performed recently. Understanding your audience Before you begin creating your slide deck, it's crucial to understand your audience. Consider their level of expertise, their expectations, and their primary interests. Tailoring your content and visuals to resonate with your specific audience will make your slide deck more impactful and relevant. People often overlook this consideration and it can play a detrimental role in communicating effectively. Corporate organizations for example tend to use a lot of acronyms and insider jargon that outsiders would fail to understand. Web3 startups are also an example of companies whose very value prop depends on a lot of technical explanations that would be difficult to grasp by non-technical audiences. Leveling the playing field is key in order to have a rich and fluid conversation around these businesses. Planning and structuring your slide deck Start by outlining the key messages and objectives of your presentation. Divide your content into logical sections or chapters, ensuring a smooth flow from one slide to another. Begin with a compelling opening slide that grabs attention and clearly states the purpose of your presentation. Arrange your slides in a coherent sequence, using headings, subheadings, and bullet points to guide your audience through the information. The best slide decks are the ones that flow from general topics to specific ones, so spend a good amount of time in thinking about what you want to say, and how to organize these ideas in a logical way. Keep it simple and visual The golden rule of slide deck creation is to keep it simple. Avoid overcrowding your slides with excessive text or complex visuals. Instead, focus on using concise statements, keywords, and phrases that complement your spoken presentation. Incorporate relevant and visually appealing images to reinforce your message and engage your audience's visual senses. Think of the great slide deck presentations, like Steve Job’s product reveals or TED Global Talks. They have one thing in common and that is in heavily relying on visual resources to reinforce their statements, instead of trusting the slides to replicate every single word they said. Design and visual elements The design and visual elements of your slide deck play a significant role in capturing attention and enhancing comprehension. Choose a clean and professional graphic template that aligns with your brand and complements your content. Use consistent fonts, colors, and layouts throughout your slide deck to maintain visual coherence. Incorporate charts, graphs, or infographics to present data or highlight important statistics in a visually appealing manner. If you feel overwhelmed by designing your slides, or struggle to think visually, a good place to start is by browsing presentation templates that can give you a good starting point. You can also seek out help from professional presentation design agencies that specialize in crafting good quality slides. Engaging content and storytelling Great slidedecks not only inform but also tell a compelling story. Craft your content in a way that takes your audience on a journey, capturing their interest and creating an emotional connection. Use storytelling techniques, anecdotes, or case studies to make your presentation more relatable and memorable. Rehearsal and delivery Creating a compelling slide deck is only half the battle. Storytelling is pretty much a discipline of its own, and some people take years to fully master feeling comfortable with presenting in public. The best way to address this fear is two-fold: first, being completely comfortable with the topic you’re presenting about. This will allow you to be more relaxed, and combat imposter syndrome or shakiness in your voice. The second strategy is to practice outloud, as much as possible. This rehearsing process is not exclusively to memorize your speech (although this is quite useful), but it will also make you less reliant on your slides and a more confident speaker. Practice is key! Rehearse your presentation repeatedly will help you maintain a confident and engaging presence. Remember, your slide deck should support your spoken words, not overshadow them. Best Slide Deck Templates The Startup Slide Deck Template Airbnb Slide Deck Template Uber Slide Deck Template Investor Deck Template Sequoia Capital Slide Deck Template Investment Proposal Template Check more slide deck examples here Slide decks are powerful tools that can elevate your presentations and captivate your audience. By understanding your audience, planning and structuring your content, keeping it simple and visual, and incorporating engaging storytelling techniques, you can create slidedecks that leave a lasting impact. Remember to rehearse your presentation and deliver it with confidence. With these tips in mind, you're well on your way to mastering the art of slide deck creation. Related video Upcoming events Beyond the pitch deck: master storytelling for closing rounds, crash course in financial modeling, popular articles. AirBnb Pitch Deck: Teardown and Redesign (FREE Download) The Startup Financial Model Template by Slidebean Let’s move your company to the next stage 🚀 Ai pitch deck software, pitch deck services. Financial Model Consulting for Startups 🚀 Raise money with our pitch deck writing and design service 🚀 The all-in-one pitch deck software 🚀 We're going to dig into what investors are looking for, how to stand out from the crowd, and lessons learned when preparing a startup demo day pitch deck. A co-founder is usually a very vital piece of a puzzle to get a startup off the ground. This is a functional model you can use to create your own formulas and project your potential business growth. Instructions on how to use it are on the front page. Book a call with our sales team In a hurry? Give us a call at  Presentations Most Recent Infographics Data Visualizations Forms and Surveys Video & Animation Case Studies Design for Business Digital Marketing Design Inspiration Visual Thinking Product Updates Visme Webinars Artificial Intelligence How to Create a Pitch Deck for Investors [Templates + Design Tips] Written by: Masooma Memon A pitch deck is a presentation that entrepreneurs and startups founders use to highlight their business, intrigue investors and potentially raise funding to grow their company. Because it plays a useful role in telling effective visual stories, you can’t undermine the role a solid pitch deck plays in convincing investors. But the question is: how do you create a pitch deck that actually wins investors? Let’s answer that for you in this piece. We’ll look at: What a pitch deck is and why you need one What slides to include in your pitch deck and what documents to bundle it with The secrets to creating a winning investor presentation including design tips to follow Let’s jump in. Here's a short selection of 8 easy-to-edit investor pitch deck slides you can edit, share and download with Visme. View more below: If you're ready to create your pitch deck, head over to our presentation software and put together a powerful investor deck in minutes. Use ready-to-go templates inspired from real-life startups, add your branding and more. Table of Contents What is a pitch deck, slides your pitch deck should include, important documents to include with your pitch, pitch deck best practices & design tips. First, a quick recap: a pitch deck — aka an investor or startup pitch deck — is a presentation that you create to give investors a quick overview of your business and its growth potential. Think of it as the vehicle that transports your business idea’s value proposition and potential from your mind to your audience’s minds. The aim? To make it to the next meeting, secure funding, get someone to join your team or anything else depending on who you’re presenting to. You can create a pitch deck using any presentation software. But if you want your pitch deck to stand out, you need to make sure it doesn't look like any other PowerPoint presentation. When Do You Need a Pitch Deck? You need a pitch deck whenever you need to pitch your business to anyone. This could be anyone from a venture capitalist to someone you think will make a great co-founder. It could also be the astute-looking panel of judges in a startup pitching competition. Whoever you’re presenting to, you need a pitch deck to succinctly and powerfully convey your ideas and request. Sure, you can also explain your idea verbally. But that’s an ineffective way of presenting your business idea considering you could either underdeliver or overdeliver the needed information. A pitch deck lets you use visuals like images, graphics, screenshots and videos that help convey your message better and leave a lasting impact in the minds of your audience. For example, you can share your financial projections and showcase your mobile app more effectively with a pitch deck presentation than verbally or without visual aids. With that, let's look at what to include in an effective pitch deck. Hey marketers! Need to create scroll-stopping visual content fast? Transform your visual content with Visme’s easy-to-use content creation platform Produce beautiful, effective marketing content quickly even without an extensive design skillset Inspire your sales team to create their own content with branded templates for easy customization Sign up. It’s free. The key to a successful pitch deck is to make sure you cover your basics and include all the slides your investors want to see. Typically, good pitch decks include anywhere around 10 slides. This isn’t a set-in-stone rule though, and you can go above or below this number depending on the slides you need. Or, you can experiment with an infographic-style pitch deck — similar to Piccsy’s infographic pitch deck . But, a general rule of thumb is to keep your presentation deck short. The reason? When you're fighting for your audience’s attention, a 30-slide long presentation never helps. In contrast, a short and powerful presentation is always a winner. That said, here’s a brief pitch deck outline of the important slides you need. The title is the first slide that shows in your pitch deck. So, you can call it your impression-building slide that sets the scene for your business ideas. Pay attention to the visual elements (colors, fonts and any images) since they set the overall mood — more on this in a bit. Also, it’s best to be minimal here. Meaning: your name and your business’s name are enough. You can also add a short and snappy tagline if you have one. 2. Introduction The introduction slide is where you introduce yourself to build credibility. The shorter the intro, the better since you want to focus on the business idea, not yourself. You can also use this slide to communicate your unique selling point (USP) or value proposition, like in the example above. Or, describe what your business is and what it does quickly. Up till now, the title and intro slides were a mere formality. The problem slide, however, is where you start building your story. Use whatever visual cues you need to showcase your problem in the best possible way. You can start with a story that puts your investors in your customers' shoes, like in the example below: You’ll want to make sure you communicate your target buyer’s problem effectively. Fail here and it’s likely you won’t be able to convince your audience of your product’s need. Also, you can always start your presentation with the problem and skip the introduction. There are no hard and fast rules — use whatever works to get investors’ attention and make your case. 4. Solution Once you've presented the problem, it's time to follow up with a viable solution — your service or product. You can introduce the solution in any number of ways — share your product MVP or a list of the features you offer; whatever makes a convincing case. If it makes sense, throw in another slide here that shares product features. But, in your presentation, focus more on the benefits each feature offers instead of the feature itself. Approach this slide in a way that it relates to the problem stated and shows how your business idea can solve it instead of just promoting your product. That said, it’s best you don’t present a laundry list of features. Keep them to the top 3-4 features of your product or service. The human brain can only hold seven — give or take two — things in their working memory at a time. So focusing on a handful of features is your best bet to ensure your audience doesn’t forget your business idea. Put simply, remember: less is more. You can also combine your problem and solution slides and present all the information in one slide — this can help your audience connect the dots and see how your solution fits into context. 5. Market Size, Opportunity and Trends Sure, there’s an itch that your product can scratch. But is it an itch worth scratching? Put another way: is there a market for those interested in scratching the itch? Answer that in this slide. You can show the market size with the help of numbers, or use data visualization like a pie chart or bar graph to make your point. Another way to go about this slide is to focus on the market trends and why it's the right time for your business to come into the picture. You can show this with the help of a timeline that visualizes the evolution of consumer behavior, for example. The point is, showcase the need for your product. But instead of plainly sharing your findings or numbers, use visual aids like graphs, bar charts, surveys and more to make your point. Visuals present data in a visually appealing format, therefore, making it easy to understand and digest. 6. Product Comparison If your product has competitors, you’ll want to pull up a product comparison slide to make a visually engaging case for how your product compares to others. This way, you won’t lose your audience’s attention while effectively positioning your product as the hero the market needs. SaaS businesses find product comparison slides especially useful for comparing features and pricing. But you can also use product comparisons for other businesses, such as real estate. 7. Testimonials Adding customer testimonials brings social proof to the table — a great way to impress your audience, increase trust and further build on the need for your product or service. Don’t have anyone saying nice words about your product (yet)? No problem. You can still use this slide to feature complaining customer reviews on your competitors. Make sure the reviews you curate all point out to the same problem that your product will help solve. If you already have more than one person involved in your company at this point, you’ll also need a slide that introduces your team. Your team slide can also show potential investors, or folks you’re convincing to join you and the brilliant minds who are working with you on your idea as advisors. 9. Traction In this slide, show investors what you have achieved till now. If you already have a growing user base, you can visually show it with the help of a line graph. If you don't have any traction at this point, don't worry about this slide. Focus on highlighting your business idea and its potential as much as you can. 10. Financials This slide features your business idea’s financial projections. You can present this in the form of a table, or use data visualization to make the information easier to digest. In this slide, include data on how you’ll charge people, how you concluded that’d pay the amount and how the plan will help you hit your financial milestones. 11. Sales & Marketing Strategy Interested investors will also want to know the plan you have to reach the goals and financial projections you’ve highlighted — this is where your sales and marketing strategy comes in. To this end, use a flowchart, a graphic list of steps, timeline or any other visual to summarize your sales and marketing plan. You can also use bullets with icons to showcase key tactics. 12. Call-to-Action Finally, you’ll need a slide that makes the ask. You don’t need anything fancy here. If you’ve told a compelling story, your audience will be happy to get in touch, splash out money or take whatever step you want them to. Don’t forget to add your contact details to this slide. With what to add to your presentation deck out of the way, let’s look at the documents you need with it to make a strong and compelling case: 1. Cover Letter Your cover letter shares a 1-2-page long persuasive story that sets the stage for your business idea. Think of it as an icebreaker that convinces investors or anyone else who is your target audience to view your business idea. Here's a cover letter template you can use for your own investor pitch: If you're looking for cover letter designs, head over to our template library and check out our full collection of cover letter templates to find one you like. 2. Elevator Pitch Statement All of us know the always-wanted-but-much-dreaded one-page pitch that summarizes a business idea. Essentially, an elevator statement shouldn’t read longer than 20-30 seconds — the time it takes to ride an elevator. And, to ensure you win your audience’s attention, be sure to make this pitch memorable, to the point and interesting. 3. Business Plan A business plan includes the A to Z of how you plan to put your business on its feet. Meaning: you need a detailed marketing plan, sales strategy, competitors analysis, financial plan, risk analysis — just about anything you’ll do when you win funds. Here's a business plan template you can use to get a head start: Looking for more templates and design options? Check out our complete collection of business plan templates — fully designed and ready-to-go. 4. Financial Report If the finances blueprint in your business plan isn’t in-depth enough, you’ll need a separate model. The plan? Thoroughly explain how you’ll use the investment. And, how you plan to generate profits while factoring in market trends, customer pocket and economic drivers among other things. Here's a financial report template you can use: If you’re in a later stage of your startup, provide an up-to-date look at your metrics including an outline of how you’ve used up finances so far. Providing a data-driven model like this shows you’re well-positioned to responsibly use investors’ money and drive profits. The slides above are a must-have for a successful pitch deck. But to take your presentation to the next level, there are some best practices and design tips you should keep in mind. Let's get into the meat and potatoes of how to create a pitch deck so that you have a winner at your hands: 1. Leverage storytelling techniques Good stories stick. They’re persuasive. And, they tug at your audience’s emotions to encourage them to decide in your favor — yes, we make decisions mostly based on emotions with some logic backing it. Try any of these storytelling formulas for your presentation: The before-after-bridge formula. Start with describing a world with a specific problem (before). Go on to share a world without the problem (after). Now, introduce your business idea (the bridge). The PAS formula. This stands for Problem, Agitate and Solution. And it goes like this: describe a problem (read: your target buyer’s problem), develop the problem and offer a solution to it (your product or service). TED talk presenter Nancy Duarte’s formula for great talks. It involves zooming back and forth between what is (the status quo) and what could be (the future that could be). Then, pack in the climax with your business idea (the bliss). Whichever storytelling framework you work with, make sure you structure your presentation well for a smooth flow. Here's a video to help you learn more about presentation structures: 2. Focus on Benefits, Not Features The more you emphasize the benefits of your business idea, the more effective your pitch will be. Back in 2007, Dropbox succeeded at raising $1.7 billion in funding . It also got backing from investors like JP Morgan. And how did they do it? By focusing on the benefits of their idea. To this end, they talked about revolutionizing how people store and share data. So you know what to do, right? Delve into the benefits; how your product will make its customers’ life easy. 3. Show, Don’t Tell Whenever possible, give people reasons to invest in your idea by showing how it works. Take a look at Tinder's pitch deck example : Tinder earned $50 million + in funding in just three rounds with this deck. How? By showing what their business idea will do. They start with a relatable story. Then they ‘show’ the solution by featuring their app in their presentation. You can steal this idea too. Use wireframes, a minimum viable product, even mockup screenshots — anything that helps people visualize the solution you’re offering. And in case you’re wondering why this works, know that by showing, you’re tapping into your audience’s imagination to get them to say yes. This is the same reason why storytelling is so effective in persuading people . 4. Make Your Pitch Deck Look Professional Using a DIY design tool like Visme can help with this even if your designing chops aren't all that polished. It will make your pitch deck look different from other presentations that look more or less the same when designed in PowerPoint. Company Pitch Deck Housing Pitch Deck App Pitch Deck Retail Store Pitch Deck Product Pitch Deck Adventure Pitch Deck Create your pitch deck View more templates To top that, you can use presentation templates to save your time. Because, realistically speaking, you only need to customize the template to your needs. With our Dynamic Fields feature , you can automatically capture key information like personal and company information across your slides. Even as you use an amazing tool to create your presentation, keep the following presentation design tips in mind: Don’t clutter your slides. We’ve already said this before: use as few slides as you can. But while you’re at it, make sure each slide is minimally designed to leave a lasting impression. Because, here’s the thing: clutter fails to grasp your audience’s attention. And, the last thing you want is an investor scratching their head, trying to breathe sense into the mess that your slides are. To create breathable, clutter-free slides: use only visuals that you need — no unnecessary icons or graphics. Make sure every design element earns its keep by serving a purpose. Use legible fonts. Steer clear of a font that demands your audience to squint to read your message. Instead, work with easily readable presentation fonts like Verdana, Georgia, Montserrat and more. Make sure the font size is no less than 24 points. Lastly, stick with 2-3 fonts at most. More fonts will only create distractions and undermine your design’s cleanliness. Work with good color contrasts. It’s best to work on your business’s brand identity as early as you can. The reason? It helps you leave a memorable impression on your audience. If you’re in the very early stages of pitching your idea though, you might not be focused on it until you get investment rolling. In which case, we recommend you take the time to carefully choose colors for your presentation. Essentially, colors leave a psychological impact on your viewers. For instance, red communicates passion. Blue inspires trust. Yellow stands for optimism and so on. This means you can’t randomly play with any color for your presentation slides. To increase your odds of leaving a lasting impression, study color psychology before finalizing your deck’s color scheme. Also, make sure you work with a color contrast that’s legible. This ensures the deck is easy to understand. 5. Craft Compelling Pitch Deck Copy With your design nailed, work on your copy. The aim is simple: keep your copy simple, succinct and to the point. A presentation deck is no place to be wordy. Instead, limit to 6-8 lines per slide — roughly 30 words per slide. You can also try the 5 x 5 x 5 rule of writing presentation copy: 5 lines of text per slide with 5 words per line and placing only 5 lines of text-heavy slides in a row Or, you can experiment with the 2/4/8 rule that says: Change to a new slide after every 2 minutes with 4 bullet points per slide and no more than 8 words per bullet point No matter which method you choose to write your presentation copy, the core is the same: limit your text. To do so, start with writing your copy without worrying about word count. Then go on to edit ruthlessly. Prune words that are too technical or contribute fluff. Get rid of jargon too — use simple words instead so your audience doesn’t have to stress to keep up with your message. Plus, avoid abbreviations and rewrite sentences to shorten them. 6. Practice Your Presentation Delivery Lastly, it’s important you present with confidence. This is key to hitting your funding goals. Make sure you practice everything — what you’ll say, how you’ll say it (your tone) and how you’ll time your speech and the slides. You’ll also want to practice speaking at a steady pace. If you go too slow, you risk boring your audience. On the flip side, going too fast, a common presentation mistake , often means you won’t be able to drive home your message. And, as you practice: get rid of the ‘umms’ and ‘ahs.’ Keep your presentation delivery natural, even conversational. But never read off from your presentation — it’s a huge audience turn-off . Not to mention, try to maintain eye contact (despite the fact that it can be overwhelming). Having a hard time doing that? Look at your crowd’s foreheads. Create a Pitch Deck That Wins Over Investors And that’s all folks. We’re hopeful you’re feeling confident about how to create a pitch deck. Remember: it’s all about your target buyers and how your business can help them. So, focus on the benefits and the problem your product will solve. Tell a relatable story around it. And finally, present it with confidence. Don’t forget to create a visually convincing presentation deck. If you want a head start, sign up for Visme and start creating an attention-grabbing investor pitch deck now. Create beautiful presentations faster with Visme. Trusted by leading brands Recommended content for you: Create Stunning Content! Design visual brand experiences for your business whether you are a seasoned designer or a total novice. About the Author Masooma Memon is a pizza-loving freelance writer by day and a novel nerd by night. She crafts research-backed, actionable blog posts for SaaS and marketing brands who aim to employ quality content to educate and engage with their audience. All Formats Table of Contents Pitch deck definition & meaning, what is a pitch deck, 10 types of pitch decks, pitch deck uses, purpose, importance, what’s in a pitch deck parts, how to design a pitch deck, pitch deck vs. business plan, what’s the difference between a pitch deck, proposal, & contract, pitch deck sizes, pitch deck ideas & examples, graphic design. Pitch decks are the first market teasers stockholders expect out of entrepreneurs to answer the question, “Is the startup compelling enough to invest in or not?” Showcased with riveting graphic designs  and thought-provoking messages, an excellent pitch deck is critical to professional business communication . Business Pitch Deck Startup Pitch Deck Restaurant Pitch Deck Creative Pitch Deck Modern Pitch Deck Advertising Pitch Deck Fashion Pitch Deck Product Pitch Deck Medical Pitch Deck Investor Pitch Deck A Money-Maker Objective The reality of sealing the deal, riveting visual slides or presentations, plentiful choices for pitch deck presentations, effective business communication channel, product or service features, competition and risks, revenue and business model, fundraising. Format Number of Slides Time 10/20/30 Pitch Deck At least 10 slides (12–14 average) No more than 20 minutes 5-Minute Pitch Deck No more than 10 slides 30 seconds each (if 10 slides) 3-Minute Pitch Deck No more than 5 slides 36 seconds each (if 5 slides) Health Pitch Deck Ideas and Examples Real Estate Pitch Deck Ideas and Examples Event Pitch Deck Ideas and Examples Corporate Pitch Deck Ideas and Examples Marketplace Pitch Deck Ideas and Examples Social Media Pitch Deck Ideas and Examples E-Commerce Pitch Deck Ideas and Examples Agency Pitch Deck Ideas and Examples Nonprofit Pitch Deck Ideas and Examples Sponsorship Pitch Deck Ideas and Examples What should a pitch deck include? How should a pitch deck be structured, what are the 3 rules about a pitch deck, are pitch decks text-based, what is kpi in a pitch deck, what do investors want to see in a pitch deck, can a pitch deck include a video, what type of presentation is a pitch deck, what are the key metrics in a pitch deck, what do you write in vision on a pitch deck, more in graphic design. Business Handbook Template Restaurant business presentation template, startup business plan powerpoint presentation template, quarterly planning meeting presentation template, project management infographic presentation template, transport and logistics pitch deck template, transport and logistics transportation sales pitch script template, project management infographic presentation, business investments pitch deck template, cloud business pitch deck template. 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Definition of pitch ​​​ Your browser does not support audio. nom masculin Conjugation, conjugation of the verb pitcher. il pitche / elle pitche nous pitchons vous pitchez ils pitchent / elles pitchent je pitchais tu pitchais il pitchait / elle pitchait nous pitchions vous pitchiez ils pitchaient / elles pitchaient il pitcha / elle pitcha nous pitchâmes vous pitchâtes ils pitchèrent / elles pitchèrent je pitcherai tu pitcheras il pitchera / elle pitchera nous pitcherons vous pitcherez ils pitcheront / elles pitcheront Sentences with the word pitch L‘histoire n’est pas seulement faite de grands événements. Elle est aussi faite de grands discours, de phrases qui ont marqué des générations et... 347 IMAGES The Perfect Pitch What Makes a Great Pitch Presentation? 10 sales pitch presentation examples and templates HOW TO START A PITCH OR PRESENTATION What Is A Marketing Pitch? What is a Sales Pitch and How to Make an Effective Sales Pitch VIDEO How to Start an Investment Pitch Presentation Final Presentation Pitch Perfect pitch Meaning Sales pitch Meaning What is pitch? And how to measure it What Is an Elevator Pitch? Definition and How They're Used COMMENTS What is a Pitch Deck? Examples, Tips and Templates A pitch deck is a visual presentation that tells the story of a business to persuade and engage potential investors. The most common pitch deck slides are introduction, problem, solution, market size and opportunity, product, traction, team, competition, financials and use of funds. Learn from the eight real-life pitch deck examples to get ... What Makes a Great Pitch Pitching for new business is a make-or-break moment for many teams. You want to win the pitch, and so you develop a detailed slide deck, tout your credentials, capabilities and successes (case ... What is a Pitch Deck? Meaning, Example, and Guide A pitch deck is a short and concise presentation, usually created using PowerPoint, Keynote, or similar software, used to provide your audience with a quick overview of your business plan. It typically covers key aspects such as your company's mission, business model, market opportunity, product or service, competitive landscape, financials ... How to create impactful pitch presentations Audience interaction. Question prompts: To make your pitch presentation more interactive, encourage audience participation and questions. Read the room: Always be aware of the audience's reactions and adjust accordingly. If they seem disinterested, you might need to change your approach or pace. As a pitch deck presenter, your role is to deliver your content in a way that makes an impact. What is a Pitch Deck? Meaning, Characteristics and Templates A pitch deck is a concise presentation that helps investors and/or clients better understand a business plan, product/service, and/or growth strategy. Pitch decks enable entrepreneurs to secure funding, but they can also be used to build partnerships and drive growth. What's a Pitch Deck? A pitch deck, often considered the cornerstone of entrepreneur and investor communication, is a brief and visually compelling way to create a presentation that overviews your business. This invaluable tool provides a snapshot of your company's value proposition, market analysis, product details, and more. It's your golden ticket to securing the ... How to do a Pitch Deck Presentation (plus free templates!) Pitch Deck Presentation Templates. This template pack has 3 incredible slides that would fit perfectly into any Pitch Deck. First, its vision and mission slide will allow you to give your audience a more in-depth look at what your business is really about. It also has a great geometrical process diagram. A Complete Pitch Presentation Guide (with Examples) A pitch presentation is essential for any startup seeking funding. Typically composed of 10-20 slides, a pitch deck is a succinct business presentation highlighting your company's most important aspects, such as the business model, traction, and roadmap. Whether used for meetings with potential investors or demo day presentations, a well ... Guide to Pitch Decks: 10 Elements to Include in a Pitch Deck 3. Make it a standalone deck. A potential investor may want to refer to the pitch deck after the presentation. Ensure that the deck contains the most critical information they need in print or PDF format. 4. Keep it updated. Businesses typically pitch many potential investors before they secure funding. What Is a Pitch Deck? (And How to Make One) A pitch deck is a short presentation that startups or entrepreneurs put together to help explain a business concept or idea in hopes of getting funding from investors. A pitch deck needs to be simple and easy to understand, professionally designed and include a distinct action for users (potential investors) to take. ... Pitch Deck Essentials: What is a Pitch Deck and How to ... A pitch deck is a brief presentation that entrepreneurs use to introduce their business idea to potential investors, partners, or stakeholders. It's a visual roadmap that highlights key aspects of the business, such as the problem it solves, the solution it offers, market opportunities, the business model, and the team behind it. What is a Pitch Deck: Essential Tips, Real Examples ... Pitch deck presentations are essential tools for introducing your business idea to potential investors. A pitch deck presentation is like your business's first impression, and we all know how important those are. ... and the main objectives that a successful startup pitch deck aims to achieve. Definition and Purpose of a Investor Presentation. Pitch Presentations: Sell ideas to your audience in minutes! The basic meaning of pitching is throwing an idea at your audience, hoping to score a hit, as in baseball. It can also be thought of in terms of music (like a pitch change), or electronics/science. In the context of PowerPoint presentations, a pitch is a special type of sales presentation. Read on! 5 Steps to Create a Successful Pitch Presentation A pitch presentation is a short oral presentation given to potential investors, clients, decision-makers or customers. Its purpose is to explain your idea, generate interest and invite your audience to come on board. It can be used to secure funding, gain approval, sign on new clients and make sales. ... How to Make a Successful Business Pitch: 9 Tips From Experts Identify and address the target audience and/or industry your product supports. Specify the problem the aforementioned faces and how your solution can solve it. Provide a realistic example of your solution in action. Make sure to use accurate facts backed up by relevant and recent data. 4. Job pitch. The 5 Differences Between A Pitch And A Presentation A presentation is about information. A pitch is about connection. Slow down, and stop trying to lift the world by yourself. Instead, connect your message to the people you wish to influence most ... What is a Pitch Deck? Examples, Tips, and Templates A pitch deck is a concise presentation (in the form of slides) that business owners create to boost the growth of their establishments. It refers to a collection of slides to express an overview of business plans. The display gives clients a wrap-up of business plans, products and services, and operations. How to structure a winning presentation If you want your audience to stay engaged, you need to structure your ideas as a well-crafted story. Follow these three steps to clearly define your narrative before you start creating your slides ... How to Create a Successful Business Pitch 1. Be Concise and to the Point. A good business pitch requires you to provide crucial points regarding your business. You can use statistics and visual presentation to explain your issues. Simplify the expression and ensure that the investors understand the facts right away. Build a Winning Pitch Deck: A Slide-by-Slide Guide with Examples The Solution or Product. This should mirror everything you described in the problem slide (s) and offer a clear explanation of how your product or service addresses the identified need. What to include: The bird's-eye view of your solution. Explain what your solution is, how it works, and the value it provides. What is a Slide Deck? Meaning, Examples and Template Presentation deck meaning. A presentation deck is simply a slide presentation that is typically used in business meetings to cover a specific topic of collective interest. The deck of slides that we know today as a digital file derives its name from the analog era where slides were physically printed and placed inside an apparatus that shone ... How to Create a Pitch Deck for Investors [Templates + Design Tips] The aim is simple: keep your copy simple, succinct and to the point. A presentation deck is no place to be wordy. Instead, limit to 6-8 lines per slide — roughly 30 words per slide. You can also try the 5 x 5 x 5 rule of writing presentation copy: 5 lines of text per slide with. 5 words per line and placing only. Pitch Deck A pitch deck is an entrepreneur's lifeline to convince investors in funding an idea, plan, or project; that means making the best first impression to expect successful fundraising. Often shown in slide presentations, pitch decks cover a number of factors such as the team members, strategic plans, sales forecasts, proposed solutions, markets ... pitch French definition, examples and pronunciation of pitch: Balle qui reste à l'endroit où elle est tombée sur… essay homework paper phd review speech study thesis