How many slides should a pitch deck be?
I've seen a few different examples and they all seem to be different. Also, what should I include on each slide?
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Jan 17, 2014
That depends on what the prospect's needs are. At a first meeting a pitch is not needed. The prospect won't care who you are or how much you know until they know how much you care. Save the pitch until you know enough to tell them how you can help them meet their specific needs.
Jan 4, 2014
That's like asking "how long is a piece of string?" :D
I would recommend looking at TED Talks for inspiration, reading Nancy Duarte's excellent books Slide!Ology and Resonate, trying Prezzi (one slide - all interactive content), or looking at how Daniel Pink and RSAnimate present a topic in just 12 minutes
For any presentation you need to ask yourself a few key questions:
- who's my audience
- how will I present my key points
- what story will I tell to carry the message
- how will I reinforce my key points
- how will I convey my call to action
Dec 29, 2013
The pitch should be brief and to the point. Elevator pitch to investor's should to specific as to what your objective's are what you target audience is and what is monetary and financial plan. A maximum 9 to 12 slides would be adequate for a pitch.
Dec 28, 2013
not more than 5 slides - remember the deck is just for you to stay focused and provide clarity to your audience as to what really you want to achieve - more important is conversing with your audience, answering their questions and building a conviction. As for the other logistics of the deck, if you are pitching a business idea, make sure you include one slide each on:
1. What is it that you are offering - Your USP vis a vis competitive landscape
2. Business model canvas with all details including revenue streams, partnerships, value propositions etc.
3. Team - key people and their strengths / role
4. Your execution plan with details on how much you will spend at different stages
5. A 2-3 year revenue forecast
Make sure you make all slides visually rich (with graphs and charts) for your audience to grasp everything quickly in a short time frame.
Dec 28, 2013
It all depends on who you are pitching to. Short pitches with self-explanatory graphics on your value proposition work best.
Dec 28, 2013
I use zero slides in my 90 minute presentation.
I use 52 slides in my 37 minute presentation.
Different styles, both very effective.
Nobody will every complain that you have too few slides...
Dec 27, 2013
Pitch slides can be from 8 - 12 no more than 14 slides with 30 font minimum and no more than four bullet points per slide. Rule of thumb, keep your message clear, precise, concise and to the point. I suggest that the slide show be kept under 15 minutes total to keep interest from the beginning to the end. A lot of answers provided before me are right on. You just need to find what works best for you. Ask for opinions and get constructive feedback from your peers to keep the understanding of the pitch clear.
Dec 26, 2013
I've read (I believe) on hedgefund.com that it should be no more than 25 slides and the presentation no more than 25 minutes.
Dec 26, 2013
I have found no more than 8 slides, any more and you will loose the attention. Get to the point quickly, limit your background and/or company history and information. After all, the potential customer does not really care about stuff like that. Get to what you can do for them by slide 2. I always look at developing presentations looking at it through the recipients eyes. Customers are always motivated by "what's in it for me".
Dec 26, 2013
One slide for every @ every two minutes -- 15 minutes --- 8 slides. BIG fonts, easy to read/see - give ONLY key info - you explain the rest. Slides are only to capture visual engagement on key points - you are supposed to be the expert and deliver most of the information. I go by the 5x5 -- no more than five ideas per slide - 5 lines per slide - or LESS. I also agree that Guy Kawasaki's template is excellent.
Dec 25, 2013
Hope below help:
I obey the principles of presentation for each page as such:
1. Does it fulfill its role in this page and meet your ultimate objective too?
2. Is the information a) precise, b) logic, c) understandable, d) drive thoughts, e) create emotion, f) trigger action needs, g) increase respect
3. Use graphics where possible
4. Avoid people start to wonder mind by keeping the presentation excited and observe the reaction accordingly.
5. What decision you want people to make? does the presentation able to cause people make such decision?
6. Instead of asking here only, search Google, e.g. http://sbinfocanada.about.com/od/salesselling/a/presentationkr.htm
If any item or sub-item needs to remove, make sure the remove benefit the ultimate objective.
Dec 24, 2013
There is no set number when it comes to number of slides (especially because you might use several similar slides, each slightly tweaked, to illustrate a point).
The emphasis should always be on the interaction between you and your listeners/audience/client -- not on the slide deck. Use as few slides as possible to get the point across, and instead engage your prospects in discussion. You'll create a much better connection with them.
Dec 24, 2013
good advice by the others. i find all too often presenters at conferences I attend have many boring slides with too much text. Concepts only. Bullet points. No more than 1 new idea on the screen at once. You don't want your audience reading ahead of you. Simple is best. One major idea per slide. No more than 10-12 slides unless there are multiple speakers.
Dec 23, 2013
10 slides.
Guy has it right. http://www.slideshare.net/QuintinAdamis/pitch-deck-template-by-guy-kawasaki
Dec 24, 2013
Hadn't seen it before, but this template is excellent. Hits all the key points. You may have something that requires you two explain in two slides (eg, the demo), but if you hit all of these points in your presentation and do it in the time frame accepted by the audience, you'll do well.
Dec 23, 2013
I recommend following the principle I learned from Jack Welch at GE, that each slide would have no more than 7 bullets and each bullet, no more than 7 words. Jack used to call this 7 & 7 and to get to the point.
Each Slide should have relevant graphics too
Each Slide should take between 3-5 minutes
So Assuming you have an executive pitch for 30 minutes, then I would recommend no more than 6 slides. You have have as many backup slides as needed as reference but get to the point, understand why you are presenting, a sale, a decision, something, and let those slide you use accomplish that objective.
Hope that helps
Steven Bonacorsi
"Nobody will every complain that you have too few slides..." - great point.