In the struggle to find funding for a startup, the pitch deck can make or break an investment opportunity. Creating a killer pitch deck is key to standing out from the countless pitches investors receive.
Read on for a few best practices to make a pitch deck more powerful.
Know Who’s Listening
Or, more accurately, know your listener’s perspective – their investment goals and knowledge of your company. Investors have their own unique values and priorities. Thoroughly research an investor to tailor your pitch to their screen – that is, their industry sector, values, and preferences.
Tell a Story (with Data)
It’s a given that entrepreneurs must tell their unique problem-solution story in their pitch deck. But that isn’t the only story they need to tell. Presenters should interpret their company’s key facts and figures and use them to build a narrative potential investors can easily understand.
Keep it Simple
Nobody wants to be overwhelmed with information. Investors are no exception. A pitch deck should tell a story – one neither too extensive nor difficult to follow. Aspire to be as concise and straightforward as possible.
Visually, pitch decks also need to be simple. A handy rule of thumb to consider: fewer words, more graphics. Don’t flood slides with information for investors to read through. The pitch deck should only serve to enhance the speaker’s words with compelling images and an overall style and design that showcases the company’s brand.
FOMO is Your Friend
The most effective pitch decks instill a sense of urgency in potential investors, also known as the fear of missing out (FOMO). A successful pitch deck not only highlights what makes the company irresistible, but also why investors should invest right this moment. Specify what makes the need to invest so urgent. Is the company on track to undergo immense growth in the upcoming months? Does the market currently show overwhelming promise? Find a selling point and hone in.
Finish Strong
After going over the financial data – the most crucial portion of the pitch deck – presenters tend to put little thought into the slides that follow. This is one of the biggest and most common mistakes entrepreneurs can make. Dedicate the end of the pitch deck to the company’s future prospects and vision. Use a photo of the company’s team to bring a personalized, human factor to the customary “Thank You” slide. Never waste the opportunity to remind investors what makes your company unique.
These are just a few of the many tips entrepreneurs can consider to create a more powerful pitch deck.
Find out more about UCI Beall Applied Innovation’s startup resources.
*Main photo: Rthura Cevallos