A powerful pitch deck presentation relies on communicating and connecting with your
audience. To do this you can’t just stand in front of investors chatting like you would
with a friend.
And you can’t just stare at your slides because you’re too terrified of looking
at your audience.
Keep watching to find out six simple tips that will have you presenting like a pro in
no time.
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I’m Antonia from aok.com.au, and if there is one thing I am passionate about,
its growing businesses.
I’ve been helping my clients for 23 years as a business strategist and angel investor
and have successfully helped my clients raise millions in equity.
I can’t tell you how many pitch decks I have seen that fail
at giving investors key information.
That’s why I created a pitch deck content guide. Double-check your content by downloading it.
It also has some tips on how to expand on those points if you’re feeling stuck.
Now that you’ve done that, let’s look at some steps to help you maximise every moment
of your pitch deck and capture the full attention of potential investors.
Pitching to investors is a bit of an artform combined with the luck of the Irish.
You may not have much control over your quota of luck but you do have complete control over
giving a powerful pitch for your business.
The keys are rehearsal, body language and calm, compelling delivery. So follow these preparation
tips to make your presentation powerful, persuasive and to the point.
Just like an actor preparing for a role, you should rehearse your pitch deck script and
go over the words until you know them by heart.
Speaking the words out loud will help you pinpoint any places your pitch deck will benefit
from a change or edit. Once you’ve mastered your script, practice saying it standing up
while showing your slides.
If you present your pitch deck in a boring monotone, your audience may stop actively
listening within minutes. So give your voice a little make-over.
Listen to some impressive speakers such as Stephen Fry and Cate Blanchet and pay attention
to how they inject each line with meaning.
Newsreaders and documentary narrators are also good vocal role models.
Experiment with different inflections and intonation to help you decide which important
words you want to emphasise.
While you’re at it, work out where you will breathe and where you might briefly pause
to allow an important point to sink in.
When musicians rehearse they don’t just run a piece from start to finish – they
spend more time practising the difficult sections of the score.
Similarly, if you stumble or forget one particular section of your pitch deck, stop and give
it that section some extra attention until you’ve ironed out the kinks.
Once you’ve got all the sections working well, then run the whole presentation until
it feels natural and easy from beginning to end.
You’ve rehearsed your script and practised your delivery.
Now stand in front of a mirror to see what you look like while giving your presentation.
Pay attention to your body language. Check your posture to ensure you’re not slouching.
Rehearse when you will make eye contact with the audience and add in a few gestures.
Don’t overdo it if you want to present yourself as confident.
Too much personal animation will make it seem like you are trying too hard.
Once you’re satisfied that you’re looking good, record yourself presenting your pitch deck
from beginning to end.
Watch it back and take notes, then tweak your delivery. Repeat this recording process until
you’re satisfied your presentation is the best it can be.
I realise this sounds challenging but can you see how this will make your pitch more
compelling for investors. Let me know in the comments.
If your voice sounds breathless or quivers or you sprint through your presentation, you
will appear like a deer caught in the headlights.
So learn some de-stressing techniques to help you feel and appear calm, confident and in control.
Before I present I do some slow breaths in and out to the count of five.
I also find a quick body scan also helps to find any tension in my back, shoulders,
stomach and hands. Releasing that tension is key.
These techniques are very helpful tools to use in the half-hour before your pitch deck
presentation and will help reduce any presentation nerves.
If possible, find an empty boardroom or conference room and ask family and friends to come along.
Then give a mock presentation two or three times.
If you make a mistake, don’t stop and if there is a technical problem, ad-lib but keep going.
Practising your presentation in front of an audience will help you learn to better deal
with performance anxiety. There’s no friendlier or more honest audience than family and friends.
At the end, ask for some feedback about which parts of your pitch deck were the least compelling
and if there are any points you need to make clearer.
You could even take this to the next level and come armed with a list of questions that
investors might ask. Then ask a friend to stay back and pose those questions.
If an investor approaches you for further discussion you will have clear and concise
responses to impress them with and show that you’re completely on your game.
I’ve seen people fail at pitching simply because they haven’t taken the time to practice
some of these simple tips. Let me know in the comments whether you think you will be
trying at least one of these before your next pitch.
Before I go I just want you to think about whether it’s you or your pitch deck that
is letting you down. If you have any doubts about the quality of your pitch deck, send
it to me and I’ll review it for you. That will give you one less thing to worry about.
Do me a favour and hit the like button and subscribe to my channel.
The road to raising capital is full of challenges; but don’t forget, you ARE following your
dreams so keep on pitching with passion and remember