Successful startups actually don’t fund themselves. So stepping up the money game for a startup is definitely something challenging at any stage and demands an impressive startup pitch deck. Even for experienced owners with great traction in their field, knowing how to write a pitch deck is a big deal. However, the good news is that there’s always a specific formula for introducing a startup, which has literally helped founders raise millions and billions of dollars.
Today, here, we have extracted the pitch deck formula for you that you might find highly useful initially.
1. Get as Many as Intros You Can
Usually, many investors will look forward to discovering deals, and not every founder does that. So make sure not to skip this step and ask for direct intros of potential investors. You need to keep in mind only to do this with people who have an established professional reputation in the industry. For example, quality referrals are one of the most useful ways to catch the attention of big venture capitalists.
Also, assure that you share a short email with links to your company info, website URL, or LinkedIn profile. Or else, you can add links that direct your pitch or message that you have crafted for fundraising.
2. More Storytelling, Less Information
Bullets and data on successful startup pitch decks just simply don’t sway the capitalists. What makes your presentation from good to the best is the story you share with them and how well it engages the imagination of your potential investors. Normally, successful startup owners share that excellent pitch decks have a basic narrative that emerges from the rest of the pitch. Plainly, this meta-story can take several forms. However, it should sound influential enough.
3. Call on for Funds
Most entrepreneurs love to drone on in their company pitch, explaining all the features, strategy, and traction. Nevertheless, when the time comes to define the investment opportunity and ask the investors to write a draft, they suddenly can’t find words or might feel shy.
Now, this is where you need to be fully prepared to ask each investor you talk with to come into your round. You can also ask them how much funds you expect from them and why. With this, it is a great chance to concisely describe the usage of money you are raising and where it will help you reach. Don’t hesitate to think of this as good hygiene during the whole fundraising process. Be clear, know your numbers precisely, and have a timeline for your conversation rounds.
4. Make it a PDF
Don’t leave your startup pitch deck open to formatting pitfalls by giving it a PowerPoint version. Once you are clear on how to write your successful startup pitch, include the matter and links, and convert it into a PDF. Eventually, this will give you an assurance that investors actually get to see the way you have curated and intended it.
5. Keep Your Pitch Updated
Last but not least, you need to know those startup owners who do well at fundraising consider their pitch deck as one of the most valuable pieces of promotion, advertisement, or content that they will ever create. Keep in mind that your deck reflects the rapid growth and learnings you experience with time. So make sure to refine your pitch from time to time. And always get feedback to make it better.
Good luck in pitching your investors and for your fundraising efforts!
Also read: How To Pitch The Idea of Fleet Management Software To Your Management Team?