What is a pitch?
A pitch is a brief verbal presentation meant to spark interest in a product, service, idea, or project. The purpose of a pitch is to quickly summarize key details and get the audience excited about learning more.
Pitches are concise, typically lasting 1-3 minutes. They focus on introducing the key benefits and unique selling proposition of the offering. Pitches often have a call to action at the end, such as requesting a meeting, demo, or funding.
Effective pitches follow a structure:
- Introduction/hook
- Problem statement
- Solution statement
- Key benefits/unique value proposition
- Traction/proof points
- Call to action
Pitches are used in many situations, including:
- Pitching an idea to secure funding from investors
- Introducing a new product or service
- Promoting a cause or initiative
- Applying for jobs or opportunities
- Networking
Mastering the art of quickly and clearly explaining an idea through a pitch is an invaluable business skill.
What is a pitch deck?
A pitch deck is a visual presentation that supports a pitch. Pitch decks are usually PowerPoint slides containing images, data, graphs, and minimal text. The role of a pitch deck is to visually tell the story of the pitch and showcase key information.
Pitch decks allow presenters to illustrate concepts and data during the pitch. They help keep audiences engaged and guide them through the logical flow of the presentation. Pitch decks also provide audience members with a takeaway to review later or circulate within their organization.
Key Elements of a Pitch Deck
Though the exact structure and length varies, most pitch decks contain some standard slides:
- Title slide
- Problem statement
- Solution
- Benefits and features
- Market overview/landscape
- Competition
- Business model/go-to-market strategy
- Traction/proof points
- Team
- Financial projections
- Funding needs/use of proceeds
- Call to action/next steps
Graphics, charts, images, and minimal text are used to tell the story in a visually compelling way.
How are pitches and pitch decks different?
Though pitches and pitch decks work together, there are some key differences:
Pitches | Pitch Decks |
---|---|
Verbal presentation | Visual presentation |
Delivered live in-person or remotely | Slide deck (usually PowerPoint) |
Typically 3-5 minutes long | Typically 10-15 slides |
Given in real-time | Can be shared before or after a pitch |
Focuses on key concepts and delivering enthusiasm | Provides supporting data and visuals |
How are pitches and pitch decks related?
While pitches and pitch decks serve complementary purposes, they need to work together to tell a cohesive story and convey maximum impact. Here are some key ways pitches and decks are related:
- The pitch deck visuals should support and enhance the verbal pitch.
- Key points outlined in the pitch should match up with slides in the deck.
- The flow of the pitch should match the order of slides.
- Images and data in the deck should reinforce what is said in the pitch.
- The pitch deck should be concise – around 10-15 slides to support a 3-5 minute pitch is optimal.
- The tone and style of the pitch deck should match the delivery and feel of the pitch.
Creating a seamless experience between the visual and verbal elements is key to an impactful pitch. Audiences should get key information from the pitch, with data and graphics on slides enhancing retention and understanding.
Best practices for creating pitches and pitch decks
Here are some best practices to develop powerful pitches and coordinated decks:
For Pitches
- Hook the audience with an intriguing opening line or story.
- Focus on communicating the key details – problem, solution, benefits, traction.
- Build enthusiasm and speak confidently.
- Practice extensively beforehand to polish the delivery.
- Time it to fit the allotted slot – usually 3 minutes or less.
- Make the call to action clear.
For Pitch Decks
- Keep text minimal – stick to keywords and headlines only.
- Use high-quality graphics and visuals.
- Showcase data in easy-to-digest charts or graphs.
- Use illustrations or photos to make concepts more memorable.
- Pick a clean, consistent, professional design theme.
- Number the slides and don’t crowd too much onto each one.
For Coordination
- Match the flow of the pitch to the order of slides.
- Reinforce verbal points with related visuals.
- Feature key milestones from the pitch on the deck.
- Use infographics or graphs to illustrate market data cited in the pitch.
- Time the presentation so slides advance in sync with the pitch.
Following best practices for pitches and decks independently while aligning them together can profoundly impact the success of the overall presentation.
Conclusion
Pitching is an essential skill for clearly and persuasively communicating ideas to others. Pitches provide a concise verbal summary, while pitch decks allow presenters to visually showcase supporting details and data. Though different in nature, pitches and pitch decks must be coordinated to tell a powerful, cohesive story. Mastering both verbal and visual storytelling takes practice but can tremendously boost the impact of a presentation. With a compelling pitch supported by a polished deck, presenters can influence audiences and achieve business objectives.