How do you create and share pitch decks?

1 Know your goal and audience

Before you start designing your pitch deck, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and who you are talking to. Depending on your goal, you may have different types of pitch decks, such as a teaser deck, a demo day deck, or a meeting deck. Similarly, depending on your audience, you may have to adjust your tone, language, and level of detail. For example, a pitch deck for angel investors may be different from one for venture capitalists or corporate partners. Therefore, you need to research your target audience and tailor your pitch deck to their interests, needs, and expectations.

2 Follow a simple and logical structure

A pitch deck should have a simple and logical structure that guides your audience through your story and key points. A common structure for a pitch deck consists of 10 to 15 slides that cover the following topics: problem, solution, product, market, traction, business model, team, competition, financials, and ask. However, you can adapt this structure to fit your specific context and message. The main principle is to keep your pitch deck concise, clear, and compelling. Avoid unnecessary jargon, clutter, and distractions. Use visuals, data, and stories to support your claims and show your value proposition.

3 Use a professional and consistent design

A pitch deck should have a professional and consistent design that reflects your brand identity and personality. You want your pitch deck to look polished, attractive, and memorable. You can use online tools, templates, or platforms to create your pitch deck, or hire a professional designer if you have the budget. However, you should always follow some basic design rules, such as using a simple and readable font, choosing a suitable color scheme, aligning your elements, and leaving enough white space. You should also use high-quality images, icons, and graphics that match your style and theme.

4 Practice and refine your pitch

A pitch deck is not only a document, but also a presentation. You need to practice and refine your pitch to deliver it with confidence and clarity. You should rehearse your pitch in front of a mirror, a camera, or a friendly audience, and get feedback on your content, delivery, and timing. You should also anticipate potential questions and objections from your audience, and prepare answers and evidence. You should aim to make your pitch engaging, interactive, and authentic. You should also adapt your pitch to different formats and scenarios, such as online or offline, one-on-one or group, or formal or informal.

5 Share your pitch deck wisely

Once you have created and practiced your pitch deck, you need to share it with your target audience and follow up with them. You should consider the best way to share your pitch deck, depending on your goal and audience. You can use email, social media, online platforms, or personal connections to reach out to potential investors, customers, or partners. You should also think about the format and size of your pitch deck, and whether you want to share it as a PDF, a link, or an attachment. You should also track and measure the performance of your pitch deck, such as the number of views, downloads, or responses. You should also follow up with your audience promptly and politely, and keep them updated on your progress and milestones.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?