Controlling your Pitch Narrative - It's Your Story

In the bustling world of startups, the art of effective communication is fundamental to success. As a seasoned startup advisor, I'm often asked to share tips and tricks on how to make a pitch deck or any other presentation more impactful and persuasive.

I aim to delve into this topic, and shed light on the secrets of truly effective presentations.

Consider a common scenario: a founder excitedly shares a slide filled with information on cost of goods sold (COGs), aiming to demonstrate superior gross margins compared to industry standards. While it's indeed valuable data, the presentation may not explicitly articulate the key differentiating factor in the market, thus missing a golden opportunity to underscore their competitive edge.

Drawing from my vast experience on both ends of the boardroom table, one cardinal rule resonates - when it comes to slide decks, allow your visuals to narrate the story, while you complement it with engaging verbal commentary. All too often, presenters rely on their audience to draw their own conclusions from the slides, inadvertently relinquishing control of the narrative.

So, how can we remedy this? Here are a few key steps to follow:

  1. Identify the overarching narrative for your presentation

  2. Break down this story into digestible segments, with each slide contributing to the larger narrative

  3. Ensure each slide conveys a clear, singular message, supported by concise explanations

  4. Limit these supporting explanations to a maximum of three, starting with the most impactful

  5. Use visuals to illustrate the explanations, but ensure the main point is explicitly stated

  6. Ensure the presentation progresses smoothly, setting the stage, elaborating the key points, and concluding with a compelling takeaway

  7. Validate your narrative by presenting it to someone outside your field, ensuring your message is universally understood

The ultimate goal of any presentation is to either prompt the audience to act or equip them with the knowledge necessary to broaden their perspective.

In the early stages of my career, I was often guilty of saturating my presentations with an abundance of information. Though visually impressive, these presentations often left the audience feeling overwhelmed, with no collective understanding of the key messages.

Simplicity should never be misconstrued as a lack of sophistication. On the contrary, it takes a high degree of sophistication to distill complex concepts into clear, concise messages. The ability to deliver these messages succinctly, while maintaining the audience's trust, is the hallmark of an exceptional presenter. Let's strive to be exceptional, leaving our audiences enlightened and eager to act.

Diraj Goel