Creating a standout pitch deck is essential for catching the eye of potential investors and giving a snapshot of your business. It’s your golden ticket to showcasing the problem you’re addressing, your innovative solution, your awesome team, any progress you’ve made, and the big opportunity awaiting investors, all based on how big the market is.
Why Bother With a Pitch Deck?
Think of your pitch deck as your best friend in fundraising, especially if you’re new to the founder game. It’s more than just a presentation; it’s a conversation starter with potential investors, a roadmap for your business idea, and a way to organize your thoughts for the big pitch. Getting your pitch deck right can mean the difference between sparking interest and missing the mark.
Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Pitch Deck That Wows
Feeling lost on where to start with your pitch deck? Keep it super simple. Here’s what to include to make sure your pitch deck hits all the right notes:
Introduction : Kick things off with a brief intro. Who are you, and why are you here? A simple tease of your company and what you do will do the trick.
Problem : Dive into the problem you’re solving. Make it clear why it’s a problem worth solving and how you’ve uniquely identified an opportunity.
Value Proposition : Share how your business will solve this problem. Focus on the benefits your solution brings to customers, not just the technical details.
- Team : Introduce your dream team and highlight why they (and you!) are the perfect fit for this venture.
- Underlying Magic : And remember, if you have the chance to show off a prototype or demo, go for it—seeing your product in action speaks volumes, often far more than words could ever convey.
Market and competition : Defining your target market and size showcases the potential for huge success to investors looking for big opportunities.
Business Model: Outline how your business will make money and potentially outshine competitors in the process.
Financials : Prepare a three-year financial outlook that goes beyond mere dollar figures to include pivotal metrics like customer count and conversion rates.
Go-to-market Strategy: Lastly, describe how you plan to capture your market and get customers hooked on your solution.
- Current status and use of funds : Outline the present condition of your product, its progress so far, what future iterations will entail, and the strategy for the investment you’re seeking.
10/20/30 Rule of Presentations
The 10/20/30 Rule of Presentations is a simple guideline introduced by Guy Kawasaki for creating compelling pitch presentations. Here’s a breakdown:
- 10 Slides: Your presentation should consist of just 10 slides. This number is optimal because it allows you to cover all the critical points of your business without overwhelming your audience. It forces you to concentrate on the essentials: the problem, your solution, the business model, the market, and the competition, among others.
- 20 Minutes: Allocate only 20 minutes for your presentation, even if you’re given a longer time slot. This keeps your delivery sharp and respects your audience’s attention span, leaving room for discussions, questions, and interactions, which are often more valuable than the presentation itself.
- 30-Point Font: Use a minimum font size of 30 points for your slides. This rule ensures your content is readable from anywhere in the room, encourages simplicity in your slides, and helps you avoid the trap of overcrowding slides with too much text. It’s a reminder to use visuals and key phrases effectively, supporting your spoken pitch rather than duplicating it.
Adhering to the 10/20/30 Rule can dramatically increase the effectiveness of your pitch by making it more focused, engaging, and easy to follow. This approach encourages clarity, brevity, and the visual impact necessary to make a memorable pitch.
Here are a few extra nuggets of advice to ensure your pitch deck not only informs but also captivates your audience:
- Clarity is King: Keep your slides clean and focused on one idea each to avoid overwhelming your audience.
- Spin a Yarn: Use your pitch deck to tell a compelling story. Engage your audience with more than just numbers.
- Seek Guidance: Don’t hesitate to seek advice. Whether it’s a template, feedback from seasoned pitchers, or insights from someone who’s been on the receiving end of pitches, a little help can go a long way.
And if you’re looking to polish your pitch deck to perfection, Coffee is here to connect you with experienced founders and VCs who can provide tailored advice to elevate your presentation.
