As a sales executive, I’ve sat through countless sales pitch decks in my career. And unfortunately, most of them are underwhelming, lacking the essential elements to make a strong impression on potential clients. But fear not, with these seven tips, you can make your pitch deck stand out and increase your chances of closing deals:
1. Know your audience
Before creating your pitch deck, make sure you understand your target audience. What are their needs, pain points, and goals? What are their preferred communication styles? Tailor your pitch accordingly and use language that resonates with them. Avoid using jargon or complex technical terms that they might not understand.
2. Start with a clear narrative framework
Your pitch deck is not a laundry list of features or benefits. It’s a story that should resonate with your audience. Start with a clear narrative framework that captures their attention and interest. This framework should have a beginning, middle, and end. Begin with a compelling opening that hooks your audience and ends with a strong call to action that motivates them to take the next step.
3. Focus on the transformation, not just features
While it’s important to highlight the features and benefits of your product or service, you should also focus on the transformation it can bring to your client’s life or business. Talk more through the lens of “before and after” vs. a list of features. How can your product or service transform their situation? Highlight the impact and results they can expect, rather than just the features.
4. Use visual aids effectively
A picture is worth a thousand words, and that’s especially true in a pitch deck. Use visuals such as images, graphs, and charts to help illustrate your points and make them more memorable. But don’t go overboard – too many visuals can be distracting and take away from your message. Use visuals strategically to complement and enhance your story.
5. Keep it concise and focused
Your pitch deck should be concise and focused, with a clear structure and flow. Avoid cluttering your slides with too much information, which can overwhelm your audience. Stick to the key points and leave out any fluff or extra information that doesn’t add value. Remember this rule: If they’ll skim it, skip it.
6. Practice, practice, practice
Once you have your pitch deck ready, don’t just wing it. Practice your presentation 10+ times, both alone and in front of colleagues or friends. This will help you refine your delivery, identify any weaknesses or gaps in your presentation, and build confidence. Make sure to time your presentation to ensure it fits within the allotted time frame. If you’re practicing and it goes long, it will DEFINITELY go long during the real thing. Remember, people like to get time back after meetings, not lose extra time.
7. Hire a professional pitch deck design agency
Creating a pitch deck is no easy feat, and it requires a combination of design, storytelling, and sales skills. If you want to take your pitch deck to the next level, consider hiring a professional pitch deck design agency like Ethos3. With almost two decades of experience and a team of experts in design, storytelling, and sales, Ethos3 can help you create a pitch deck that is visually stunning, compelling, and effective. From crafting a clear narrative to designing stunning visuals, Ethos3 can help you create a pitch deck that stands out and drives results.
A great pitch deck requires a combination of creativity, strategy, and execution. By following these seven tips, you can create a pitch deck that captivates your audience, highlights the transformation your product or service can bring, and motivates them to take action.
And if you really want to take your pitch deck to the next level, drop us a note here. We’d love to work with you!
