How to make your pitch deck for investors?

March 4
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By Juan Merodio

When it comes to launching your startup into the world, a crucial tool that you can’t overlook is the pitch deck. But what is a pitch deck exactly? Essentially, it is a short, concise presentation that effectively describes your business to potential investors. It’s your chance to show what makes your business unique and why it’s worth investing in.

A good pitch deck should not only describe what your business does and how it plans to generate revenue, but it should also demonstrate that you understand the market and have a solid strategy to address any challenges that may arise. The objective is not only to obtain investment, but also to establish a trust relationship with investors.

Creation therefore requires a careful balance between presenting relevant information and maintaining investor attention. An effective pitch deck should be brief, avoiding any unnecessary information that could distract from your main message.

Importance of a pitch deck for investors

In many cases, it will be the first impression investors have of your business. It can be the difference between getting or not getting the investment you need to take your startup to the next level.

Investors are busy people, and they probably see dozens of pitch decks each week. Therefore, yours must stand out. It should be unique, intriguing, and above all, it should quickly convey why your business is a valuable investment.

Additionally, a good pitch deck can also help build trust with investors. If you can demonstrate that you understand your market and have a solid plan for success, investors are much more likely to trust you and be willing to invest in your business.

Prepare your pitch deck step by step

What should I include?

Now that you understand its importance, you may be wondering what you should include in yours. Here are some key sections to consider:

• Executive Summary: This section should provide a quick and accurate overview of your business and why it is unique.
• Product or service description: Here you should describe in detail what your product or service does and what problems it solves.
• Market analysis: This section should demonstrate that you understand the market you are entering and that you have a plan to be successful in it.
• Business model: You should describe how you plan to generate income and why you believe your business model is viable.
• Equipment: Here you should introduce the key people on your team and explain why they are qualified to make your business a success.
• Financial state: You should provide financial projections that show how you plan to grow and generate income in the future.
• Marketing and sales plan: You should explain how you plan to attract and retain your customers.
• Competence: You should recognize your competitors and explain how you plan to differentiate yourself from them.

Remember, the goal is to provide a clear and concise view of your business and why it is a valuable investment.

Analysis of successful examples

To help you better understand how to create it, it may be helpful to look at some examples of successful pitch decks. For example, Airbnb’s pitch deck is widely recognized as one of the best. In just 10 slides, Airbnb was able to clearly convey their vision, their target market, and their strategy for success.

Another notable example is Uber. Although it’s a little longer than Airbnb’s, it’s a great example of how to present complex information in a clear and compelling way.

When analyzing these and other successful examples of pitch decks, it is important to pay attention to how they present information and how they hold the reader’s attention. Remember, your goal is to capture investors’ attention and convince them that your business is a valuable investment.

Step by step guide to create it

Now that you have a better understanding of what a pitch deck is and what it should include, it’s time to start creating yours. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

1. Define your main message:Before you start, you should have a clear idea of ​​what you want to convey. What makes your business unique? Why should investors invest in you?
2. Create a draft of the content:Next, you should create a draft of the content you want to include. This will help you organize your thoughts and make sure you don’t forget anything important.
3. Design your pitch deck:Once you have your content, it’s time to start designing it. Remember, the design should be clean and professional. Avoid information overload and use images and graphics whenever possible to help convey your message.
4. Practice your presentation:Once your pitch deck is complete, it’s important to practice your presentation. Make sure you can present your pitch deck fluidly and confidently.
5. Get feedback:Before presenting your pitch deck to investors, it’s helpful to get feedback. Ask a trusted mentor or colleague to review your pitch deck and give you feedback.

Remember, creating a pitch deck is a process. Don’t expect it to be perfect on the first try. Instead, you should be willing to make adjustments and improvements as you receive feedback and learn more about what investors are looking for.

How to present your pitch deck to investors

Common mistakes to avoid

When creating your pitch deck, it’s important to avoid some common mistakes. Here are some examples:

• Information overload: One of the most common mistakes startups make is trying to include too much information in their pitch deck. Remember, your goal is to grab investors’ attention and give them a clear idea of ​​your business, not overwhelm them with details.
• Lack of focus: It is important that your pitch deck has a clear and focused message. If you try to cover too much ground, you can end up confusing investors and diluting your main message.
• Poor design: The design of your pitch deck is crucial. Poor design can make your presentation look unprofessional and can make your message difficult to understand.
• Not practicing the presentation: Although your pitch deck may be great on paper, you must also be able to present it effectively. Practicing your presentation will help you ensure that you can convey your message clearly and confidently.

Tips for presenting to investors

Presenting your pitch deck to investors can be challenging, but here are some tips that can help you:

• Know your audience: Before pitching, you should do your homework and research your potential investors. What type of companies have you invested in before? What do they look for in a startup?
• Practice your presentation: As we mentioned before, practicing your presentation is crucial. You must be able to present your pitch deck fluidly and confidently.
• Be passionate: Investors want to see that you are passionate about your business. Be sure to convey your enthusiasm during your presentation.
• You are prepared to answer questions: After your presentation, investors will likely have questions. You must be prepared to answer them clearly and concisely.

Professional services to create

If you’re struggling to create your pitch deck, you may want to consider hiring a professional service. These companies specialize in creating pitch decks and can help you create a presentation that is attractive and effective.

Some of these companies even offer consulting services, meaning they can work with you to fine-tune your message and ensure you’re effectively communicating what makes your business unique.

However, remember that while these services can be helpful, no one knows your business better than you. Make sure you are involved in the process and that your pitch deck reflects your vision and passion.

Conclusion: How to improve your business opportunities with a compelling pitch deck

In short, an effective pitch deck can be a powerful tool to help you get the investment you need to grow your business. By understanding what a pitch deck is, what it should include, and how to present it effectively, you can significantly improve your chances of success.

Remember, the objective of a pitch deck is not only to obtain investment, but also to establish a relationship of trust with investors. By showing that you understand your market and have a solid plan for success, you can build that trust and open the door to future business opportunities.

So what are you waiting for? Start working on your pitch deck today!

If you want additional content on entrepreneurship, feel free to explore our other content on entrepreneurship.

Juan Merodio

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Juan Merodio is an expert in Digital Marketing and Popularizer of the New Economy (Web3, Blockchain, NFTs…). He has founded the company that bears his own name, Juan Merodio, and from where he and his team coordinate and develop business consulting in Marketing and Digital Transformation for companies in different parts of the world such as Spain, Latin America, Japan, Canada and the United States.

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