15 ideas on how to write a pitch deck

Our CEO, Caya, has become a go-to source when it comes to how to write a pitch deck. There have been countless articles he has written about the subject, and today, we’re summarizing a few of his key ideas. 

If you’re more of a video kind of follower, feel free to check out Caya’s video version to writing a killer startup pitch deck, as well. 

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Without further ado, let’s get to it!

Tip 1: Use a storyline’s plot

If you’re figuring out how to write a pitch deck, creating a storyline structure for your presentation helps. This is a safe way of ensuring you define the why (or problem), how (your solution), who (your most ideal team), a climax (a sense of assurance of what partnering up with you would mean), and an epilogue (final statement with your startup funding needs) to every pitch deck you present.

Tip 2: Use a hook that stands out

Aside from having just the best initial slide with a clear and single sentence that makes your startup stand out, use a true attention getter as a way to draw your audience into your pitch from the very beginning. The idea is for a single line to be an impressive description of your business’ purpose.

Tip 3: Start off with metrics

Make sure your initial slides contain metrics, these are key to have around when you’re starting to ask yourself how to write a pitch deck. Ideas alone just don’t cut it when it comes to great pitching. There really isn’t much else to say about this, but back your first few slides up with numbers and factual data. 

Tip 4: Clarify the problem

Tied to the above, make sure you explain the problem your startup or product is solving as part of your pitch’s opening lines, as well. It is best if you use storytelling to explain how you got to this problem in the real world. As you can see, your opening statements are most effective if drafted as a combination of the tips we have seen this far. No matter what you do, focus on a great and solid start to your pitch. 

Tip 5: Consider entrepreneurs, investors and consumers 

As you write your pitch deck, have investors in mind, of course, but also think of other business people and even consumers. Doing so should help define what you think eases consumers’ lives or how you will positively and sustainably impact their consumer patterns in new ways. This is relevant as it will make your presentation better anchored to its market appeal, a plus to any investor. 

Tip 6: Stress viable solutions

Just in the same way your problem definition was important, so is your solution offer awfully relevant. Make sure you have a solution that’s innovative and profitable. Investors care about the viability of what you outline, of course. If you have that, make sure to stress it out.

Tip 7: Target market definition

How big of a target market you have is something to be known throughout your deck. Make sure you define it quite clearly, as well. The larger your market, the better chances your product or startup has. However, this also means a larger potential risk. So define how your specific focus on a clearly stated demographic will take your business to profitability. 

Tip 8: Hype your language up

Doing business doesn’t have to be boring. Tone your language choices up for your presentations with phrases that get people excited about your ideas. Examples of these would be combinations such as “the best”, “ultimate” and “unbeatable.” Not only will your confidence be boosted here, but these language choices will help get your audience more excited about your content.

Tip 9: Format to excellence

Combining text with amazing visuals is a strong point to any pitch deck. However, and regardless of how amazing your charts and diagrams look, your overall presentation also needs to be brilliantly formatted throughout. This is why we have focused on the greatest of presentation design at Slidebean; to ensure your presentations truly look stunning for investors to take you seriously. 

Tip 10: Don’t escape your financials

While you might want to leave private financial data for a second or third round of meetings, somewhere closer to signing a term sheet, do include information on your company’s financials in the sense of revenue. Define your pricing, if applicable, for instance. Make sure you speak of your startup value to consumers so that investors can clearly comprehend how you are making money at the time you present. 

Tip 11: Be real about your earnings

On this financial note, make sure you have a financial model that is realistic in terms of what you calculate for potential earnings. Rely on charts to create sales forecasts for the next 2-3 yearly periods. Focus on not overpromising. Rather, be utterly realistic about your projections.

 Tip 12: Give the sum out

At this stage, you must know how much you will need for your startup to move on to the next stage of business. Towards the end of your business presentation, make sure you outline how much you need to do what exactly in order to get your business to the next step. 

Tip 13: Outdo your competition

First, don’t pretend you have no competitors. That won’t stick with any investor. On the contrary, work on showing investors how you will succeed at marketing your startup’s offer. Outline not only where you stand in comparison to your competition, but how you will deliver the uniqueness it takes to position your business to successful and profitable results. 

Tip 14: Selling your ideal team

By the time you write our pitch deck, we hope you have just the perfect team to drive your business to profitability. Explain with background detail why you have the ideal composition of a team to drive your business forward. Investors need to know you and those with you are more than capable to stick through all it takes to provide them a solid return on their investment. So make the best of your team slide by highlighting your team’s expertise, their ideal background knowledge and the peculiarity of a mix you have put together that is just the perfect formula to run your startup.

Tip 15: Practice and lose the shame

While a great pitch deck presentation is one to have been practiced countless times, the first step to this work is losing the shame of pitching your deck to several people. A big part of writing a great deck is circulating it to get feedback, make improvements, pitch it over and over again to different people and keep calibrating it. Also, time yourself every time to make sure you can deliver in 5 minutes or less.

Ready for the long version?

If this summarized version of how to write a pitch deck has stirred areas for improvement in your own pitch deck, read the fuller versions of our pitch deck essentials. There can never be too much prepping for a great pitch. Let us know if you need any help with your slides, as well.