I’ve reviewed, edited, written, and tweaked more Pitch Decks than I can count: 3,000 or so would likely be a low estimate. Many of these decks poorly represent what might be a great offer (company, person, product, or service) — because the messaging is all wrong and it misses very important marks.
To succeed in selling anything — yourself, your brand, your services, or your company — to any “investor” — whether a financial investor, employer, partner, customer, or even a community — you have to prove that you understand some problem that they’ll relate to that needs solving: Namely, your help and assistance is needed because you get their pain; you know the costs; and, you see what’s not working.
From this, you need to establish a sense of urgency. If you’ve clearly explained why you, your company, and/or product/services are the inevitable choice, you need to ask, “Why are you waiting?” while clarifying how the waiting adds to the pain and costs of what’s not working.
Then, you need to define a straightforward use of the funds. If you’re a company seeking investors — clearly define exactly how the funds invested will be used. If you’re selling yourself — clearly state your intentions and what you can deliver.
Lastly, prove and substantiate that you’ve executed before and that you’re still doing it now.
If you genuinely believe in your “offer” you have every right to sell it by creating a real sense of FOMO — that “fear of missing out.” Everything you say and do should serve to others as a reminder of either: ‘I wish I did,’ or better, ‘I’m glad I did.’ In other words, make every “investor” of whatever you’re selling think: “I’ll regret this later if I don’t invest now.”
