Key Takeaways
- Include the key elements, such as the problem and the solution
- Practice your pitch out loud
- When pitching on Zoom, make sure to look into the camera and elevate your energy
- Priority #1 – Get a meeting
- Priority #2 – Earn your way to a second, detailed meeting
Are pitch decks necessary? What do they include?
Yes! Pitch decks are important because of their process. You’re flushing out your business plan!
The preference for pitch decks endures for all the right reasons. They essentially replaced tried and true business plans – the foundational document most of the people you’re pitching were married to for decades. A pitch deck lends itself to a conversation, allows for branding and is easier to consume overall.
Every part of my story is important. How do I choose to where to focus? Where do I start?
Start with something personal, then define the problem. Who is feeling the pain? What pain are they feeling? Can you quantify that somehow? Then it should naturally flow into your solution. Practice your pitch out loud like an actor with a monologue. Your comfort level affects your performance, and practicing your pitch creates comfort with the material. You don’t need to focus on finding the words – they’re already there. It’s almost like muscle memory.
Should I include my financial data in my pitch deck?
If you have good traction data, include it at a very high level. You don’t want some big, messy financial table. Make a clear chart. Consider the following:
What’s the lifetime value of a customer? What’s your customer acquisition cost? What’s your gross margin? Things that help tell the story you want.
How do I make a positive impact via a Zoom call?
Zoom pitching is a different experience. First and foremost, stare as much as you can into that camera. Pretend the person’s on the other side of it. You can feel the difference. Be expressive. Everyone tends to fall flat over video. Bring energy to your voice and physical expression. Make a point to modulate your tone.
Can I ask investors to sign an NDA before sending my pitch deck?
Focus first on getting a meeting. No one’s signing an NDA when scheduling a meeting. The point of the pitch is to garner enough interest to earn a follow-up conversation where you will naturally go into greater detail for which you might request an NDA.
About Allison Byers, founder & CEO of Scroobious
Allison Byers is the founder & CEO of Scroobious, and is an in-demand Techstars mentor. She is an MBA with 15+ years’ experience building and leading startups across multiple industries. She has deep experience utilizing data to understand human behavior, strategic planning, fundraising, and product management. Allison throws her full passion and grit into whatever she’s trying to achieve along with a healthy dose of humor.