Introduction
In this blog we will be going over how to create the perfect pitch deck structure for your business and success. First let’s take a look at pitch deck definition, a pitch deck is where you develop your brand story into a presentation format that can sell your business concept/ideal, raise capital, help you sell your company or report on your companies performance.
We’ll also go through the key elements you’ll need for the deck, the ideal pitch deck outline, as well as what to do after you’ve crafted your deck. Let’s get started on the key pitch deck elements:
1. Pitch deck key elements
Let’s run through some of the key elements you need to put together or questions you’ll want to answer as a source for the substance for your deck:
A. What is a pitch deck: We answered this question above, but for you, why are you going through all this work to develop a deck, what is the compelling reason you are developing your pitch deck? Are you trying to raise money to make your ideal come alive? Are you trying to merge with another firm? Are you trying to sell your company and get acquired?
B. Messaging/Brand story framework: Understand what is the story you are trying to tell in your deck? Here’s a good example, we’re working on a deck for a company that wants to go from $300M to 1BL, and in order to do so they’ll need to raise some growth capital for product improvements, as well as capital for a marketing and sales campaign to increase their revenue. What message/story do you want to communicate?
C. Pitch deck outline: Once you understand the story you are going to communicate, I like to develop a pitch deck outline, or story framework with a theme, chapters and the net takeaway from that story.
D. Pitch deck design: Understanding your brand, brand story and the bigger picture message you are trying to convey to your target audience, these items will help shape the direction of your deck design.
E. Brand assets: You will also need to assemble your brand assets, such things like your logo, brand color palette, brand images and photography, design elements, team pictures, etc. Once you have all these assets together and you have developed your deck, you may want to consider putting them into a pitch deck template that can be used over and over again.
F. Proforma/financial forecast: If you are developing a cap raise deck or even a pitch deck, you will probably need your proforma or financial forecasts in order to develop your financial story of what you will be able to do. Understanding of the revenue you will be able to produce, the profitability of your company, cash flow as well as what your business valuation would potentially be as well.
2. The 10 Keys to the Idea Pitch Deck
Here are the key elements for your pitch deck that will connect, engage and compel your audience to take action:
A. Start with a Compelling Introduction: Pitch decks work like an ad where you only have a few precious seconds to grab someone’s attention and command their attention. Make sure you start off with a compelling introduction.
- Startup pitch deck: If you have a start-up and are working on your pitch deck, it’s imperative that you nail your introduction and grab their attention right out of the gate.
B. Present the Problem: One way to grab the attention of your audience is to spell out the current problem in the space you are or will be competing in. It’s a perfect setup, here’s the problem, and we have the solution..
C. Introduce the Solution: Once the problem is stated, spell out how you are going to solve the problem and just what the solution will be. Make sure it really does solve the problem and just how big solving this problem can be from a potential outcome, sales, revenue and or profits can be from solving this problem will be.
- Investor pitch deck: This is a great way to go out and raise capital for your investor pitch deck. Spell out the problem, showcase the solution and how big the potential can be.
C. Market Opportunity: Make sure to spell out just how big the market opportunity is and how much of the market share you can grab with your solution, innovation or technology. You may want to spell out the TAM(Total addressable market) SAM(Served market available) and Target market and spell out in numbers just how big your opportunity can be.
D. Business Model: Make sure to spell out our business model, how will you make money, your Gross revenue as well as how profitable your business can be and hopefully that revenue and profit is repeatable and scalable.
E. Marketing and Sales Strategy: An important element of your deck will be to spell out how you will generate sales and revenue. It’s important to go over what your market and sales process looks like and how you will be able to ramp up and generate the leads, sales, revenue and profit.
F. Product or Service Roadmap: You may want to develop an infographic or timeline that visually shows your product or service roadmap and how you deliver your product or service to your customers and do it timely and effectively.
G. Financial Projections: As mentioned above, you will want to develop or showcase your financial story of just how big your company’s potential is, make it visual, appealing and easy to understand. I like to create charts, graphs and visuals that take financial data and turn it into visual formats that everyone can understand.
I. The Team: People invest in people they know can get the job done. Highlight the team and why your investors can trust in the team you have assembled to execute your plan for success.
J. Call to Action: Last but not least have a call to action of the next steps you want your audience to take. Sign an agreement, write a check, etc., spell out how you want to close the deal and make it happen.
3. Pitch Deck – Next Steps
Now that you have your pitch deck completed, it’s time to take the next steps you need to be successful.
A. Capital raising strategies: Most entrepreneurs turn to a friends and family round of funding to get started, refine their model and pitch deck. Next step is they’ll go out a seed or angel round to take what was a concept into reality, there are communities of angel investors out there online as well as Facebook groups that regularly look for attractive opportunities.
Once your company is starting to generate revenue, you may be able to go out and raise capital to turn the corner and start to make money. Once you are at this stage there are quite a few ways to raise capital.
B. Website for credibility and authority: Another overlooked item is the need to to have an attractive website that conveys credibility, trust and authority. It should be professional and have a brand that reflects what you want to become and you know what it takes to compete and win.
C. Investor outreach service: You may want to reach out to a wider marketplace to attract investors, and Brand Iron offers an investor outreach service, please reach out to us if you’d like to find out more information on this.
4. Pitch deck examples
If you have ever seen Uber’s first pitch deck it’s a great example of keeping the message simple, straight forward, to the point. Give yourself every chance to succeed and develop a pitch deck to communicate a great and compelling story as well as attractive returns. If you need help on developing the perfect pitch deck for success, please reach out to the top pitch deck agency Brand Iron for more information.
Conclusion
Make sure to give your company and/or concept every chance to succeed, by crafting the perfect pitch deck to maximize your chances to achieve your desired outcomes. If you need to help in crafting the perfect pitch deck, please don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for guidance or help.
