Top 5 Investor Pitch Deck Mistakes and What To Do Instead
It's a competitive world. Competition for investor funds is fierce. There is much talk about how to position your product positively against the competition. But how do you compete with thousands of startup entrepreneurs who want to grab a share of the same funding pool?
One way to set yourself apart from the crowd is to make your pitch look like a strong competitor. Get investors excited. Here's how to avoid common pitch deck mistakes.
Here are the best 5 pitch deck mix-ups and what to do all things considered:
1. Botch: Pitch the item - Arrangement: Pitch the business
Investors don't invest in ideas. They don't invest in products. They invest in business. Investors invest because they want to one day get a hefty return on their investment. A product does not give them returns. Can be an effective, profitable and sustainable business. If you have traction, go with it. There's nothing better than proving what the market wants, needs and will buy.
2. Mistake: Verbose - Solution: Be concise
Many pitch decks are verbose. They are misleading and investors are checking out instead of writing checks. From the beginning, give a specific and concise description of the problem you're solving, who it's for, and why your solution is above all else. Prevent contact. Arrive at the point rapidly with your most memorable slide.
3. Botch: Longwinded slides - Arrangement: Visuals and list items
Pitch deck slides are loaded with what the presenter is going to say Entrepreneurs can read - and they can read faster than you can talk. Investors expect you to know your material without reading it. Place only primary points on the slide, a single primary point will work. Consider using stunning visuals to drive your point rather than a bunch of words on a slide. Visuals convey a clear message and engage the audience emotionally. And while we're on the subject of slide presentations, let's ditch the animations and transitions. They are distracted from the focus of your pitch.
4. Mistake: Focus on technology (or product features) - Solution: Focus on delivery
Your pitch deck should show that you know what it takes to get, keep and grow clients in a competitive market. This is an important slide because investors want a clear picture of how you plan to get your amazing product into the hands of lots of customers A broad generalization like "social media networking" is a strategy, not a technique. Show that you spent a lot of time and energy creating an effective distribution plan and taking advantage of your unfair advantage.
5. Mistake: One size fits all - Solution: Appropriate pitch
Many pitch decks are cookie-cutter template-based presentations that are presented to all types of audiences, including investors, channel sales partners, and strategic partners. Know your audience. Tailor your pitch to your specific audience. How does your business fit in with the rest of their portfolio? Do your homework, how it is in the middle of their investment "sweet spot". Specifically your pitch, your business story, presented to the audience.
If you want an investor to be serious about your business, be serious about your pitch deck. Approach your pitch from an investor's perspective. Guarantee each slide has a "How should this help me?" And why should I care?" The key is to focus in on what's on your reasonable monetary patron's mind. Turn your pitch into a well-told story.
Most start-ups struggle and fail. Valerie specializes in the success of fast growing start up businesses. He helps start up entrepreneurs get, keep and grow customers and excite investors. Start up entrepreneurs and founders. Avoid the big and costly mistakes that derail so many start-up's, even those with great ideas.
CONCLUSION
Your pitch deck should show that you know what it takes to get, keep and grow clients in a competitive market. Many pitch decks are cookie-cutter template-based presentations that are presented to all types of audiences, including investors, channel sales partners, and strategic partners. Specifically your pitch, your business story, presented to the audience. If you want an investor to be serious about your business, be serious about your pitch deck. Valerie specializes in the success of fast growing start up businesses. He helps start up entrepreneurs get, keep and grow customers and excite investors.
