How can you determine the right level of detail for an investment banking pitch book?

2 Define your objective

The second step to determining the right level of detail for your pitch book is to define your objective. What is the purpose of your pitch book, what message do you want to convey, and what action do you want your audience to take? Depending on your objective, you may need to emphasize different aspects of your pitch book. For example, if you are pitching for a merger or acquisition, you may want to highlight the synergies, valuation, and deal structure of your proposal, while if you are pitching for an IPO, you may want to showcase the growth potential, market opportunity, and financial performance of your client.

3 Structure your pitch book

The third step to determining the right level of detail for your pitch book is to structure it in a logical way. A well-structured pitch book should have a clear hierarchy, a consistent format, and an optimal length that depends on the complexity and scope of your proposal. Generally, a typical pitch book includes a cover page with your firm's logo and the title of your pitch book, a table of contents that lists the main sections and sub-sections of your pitch book, an executive summary that provides a brief overview of your proposal, an introduction that introduces your firm and team, a body that presents the main arguments and evidence for your proposal with visual aids, and a conclusion that summarizes your pitch book and provides a call to action.

4 Edit your pitch book

The fourth step to determining the right level of detail for your pitch book is to edit it. This is essential for making sure your pitch book is clear, concise, and compelling. You should review your content to make sure it is relevant, accurate, and complete - avoiding any unnecessary or redundant information. Additionally, you should use simple, professional, and consistent language that avoids jargon, slang, or acronyms. The design should be attractive, readable, and consistent with appropriate colors, fonts, and styles to enhance visual appeal and brand identity. Finally, you should ensure that there are no spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors that could undermine your credibility and professionalism.

5 Test your pitch book

Testing your pitch book is the final step in determining the right level of detail for your pitch book. It is important for getting feedback, identifying gaps, and improving your pitch book. You should use peer review to get honest and constructive feedback from a colleague or friend, who can evaluate your pitch book for clarity, relevance, persuasiveness, and impact. Additionally, you should practice presenting your pitch book to a mock audience and simulate the actual pitch scenario. This will help you observe how your audience reacts to your pitch book, what questions they ask, and what objections they raise. Furthermore, you should time yourself and make sure you stay within the allotted time frame. Finally, use the feedback and insights from the peer review and the dry run to revise and refine your pitch book; making any necessary changes or additions to improve your pitch book and address any issues or concerns.

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?