Entrepreneurship has become the most popular career choice for the youth of today. While it can be a very rewarding field, it is also very competitive. Thousands of new startups are being launched every year and thousands are also dying out. This makes it very important for you to differentiate yourself from your competitors.

You need to make a good first impression on investors. Your startup pitch deck is one of the first things they will see. The first impression is always the last impression.

Building a startup pitch deck is not as simple as it seems though. You do not just have to come up with a great idea and a good plan, you also need to sell it to potential investors. To establish that quality, you’ll need to make the most of your presentation skills and build a very clear and impactful presentation.

Here are 8 simple steps that can help you build an effective pitch deck, which will help you get funding for your startup.

Step #1 — Create a clear message

The first step to building your pitch deck is to make sure that you know what you want to say. You want to make sure that your message is clear.

You can do this by creating a messaging framework, which will help you define your message and how it should be delivered. You need to make sure that you have an elevator pitch and also a value proposition.

An elevator pitch is a short description of your business/product that you can use to describe it quickly, while a value proposition describes the benefits that your product or service has for the potential customer.

You can easily create these frameworks by using a mind mapping tool such as FreeMind or XMind, but you can also write them down on a piece of paper. FreeMind is available for both PC and Mac, while XMind is only available for PC.

Step #2 — Use the right tool

The next step to building your pitch deck is to choose the right tool. The most common tool that you can use is Microsoft PowerPoint.

But, you should remember that this program is not the best choice when it comes to business presentations because it can be hard to read and follow. You should also consider using Google Slides or Prezi, which are both simpler and more colorful.

These formats will allow you to present your ideas in a more engaging way and will be able to attract the attention of potential investors.

Step #3 — Prepare your storyboards

The next step to building your pitch deck is to prepare your storyboards. Storyboards are an effective way to present your ideas and make it easier for your audience to follow them.

In order to create a good storyboard, you need to divide your presentation into small sections that are not too long.

You should also focus on clearly labeling each section and make sure that the transitions between sections are smooth and logical.

It’s also a good idea to prepare a separate storyboard in case you have to alter the main one due to time constraints. Before presenting, you should practice your pitch in order to make sure that you don’t forget any sections or details.

Step #4 — Prepare your slide deck

Now that you have decided on the type of tool you will use for your presentation, it’s time to prepare your slide deck. It’s important to present your ideas in a logical manner, so try to use a consistent structure for all your slides.

You should also make sure that each slide contains the most important information so that your audience can see what you are trying to say at first glance.

Make sure that all your slides are visually appealing and contain clear graphics or charts. You can also add some catchy phrases to grab the audience’s attention, such as “the next big thing” or “the solution to world hunger”. A good practice is to always keep your eye on the clock and make sure that you don’t overstay your welcome. It’s a good idea to practice your presentation a few times until you feel confident.

Step #5 — Practice your presentation

Before you present in front of actual investors, it’s a good idea to make a few practicing runs. This way you can identify any weak points in your pitch and improve them. You should also rehearse your presentation so that you don’t get nervous when presenting in front of an audience.

It is also very important to get feedback from your peers and people in your surrounding area.

Step #6 — Dress for success

When presenting to investors, it’s important to dress appropriately. It’s not necessary to wear a suit, but make sure that your clothes are neat and clean.

In addition, try to avoid bright colors or crazy patterns as they can distract the audience from your presentation. The same goes for accessories such as jewelry, a wristwatch, and even laptops.

Step #7 — Be ready for a Q&A session

Investors will probably have some questions for you after you’re done presenting and it’s important that you’re prepared to answer them. So, before going on stage, make sure that you have an idea of the most common questions that people ask.

In the event that you don’t know the answer to a question, be honest and tell them that you don’t know the answer but that you will find out and get them an answer as soon as possible.

Step #8 — Relax and enjoy

Finally, remember to take everything in stride and enjoy yourself. You’ve already done the hard work and you put a lot of time and effort into your presentation.

So, don’t get too stressed out or nervous. Just be yourself and enjoy yourself. In addition, make sure to take a few deep breaths to calm your nerves and to help you relax.

Final Thoughts

As a result of following these steps, you should be able to deliver a great presentation. But it’s important that you remember that there is no such thing as a perfect presentation. If possible, ask someone you trust to go over your presentation once or twice before presenting it live. This way, you can get feedback and make sure that your presentation is as good as it can be.

If you want to learn more about the best presentation tips and techniques, then check out this Company Honest Create.