When it comes to creating a professional and cohesive pitch deck, one key element is having a master template that serves as the foundation for all slides. This template should incorporate your established style guide and provide a consistent look and feel throughout the presentation.

The process for creating a master template is relatively simple. First, you'll want to open a new PowerPoint or Keynote document and establish your slide size and orientation. Then, you'll want to create a slide master, which will serve as the base for all of your slides. In PowerPoint, you can do this by going to the "View" tab and selecting "Slide Master." In Keynote, you can access the master slide by going to "View" and selecting "Show Master Slides."

Once you've created your slide master, you can begin adding elements such as your company logo, colors, and typography. You can also add placeholders for things like slide titles, subtitles, and body text. It's important to note that you should be consistent with the placement of these elements throughout all slides in the presentation.

Here are 14 tips to make the most out of your master template:

1. Establish a consistent color scheme and typography throughout the presentation

2. Use placeholders to ensure consistency in slide layouts

3. Keep the number of different slide layouts to a minimum

4. Incorporate your company branding and logo

5. Use high-resolution images and graphics

6. Keep text to a minimum and use bullet points

7. Use a grid system for consistency in spacing and alignment

8. Use the same background for all slides

9. Use visual hierarchy to guide the viewer's eye

10. Use animation and transition sparingly

11. Keep slide elements aligned to the same margin

12. Use the same font throughout the presentation

13. Use the same footer on all slides

14. Use slide numbers for easy navigation

In conclusion, creating a master template for your pitch deck is an essential step in building a strong foundation for your presentation. By incorporating your style guide and implementing a consistent design throughout all slides, you can ensure that your pitch deck is visually appealing, easy to navigate, and effectively communicates your message. The technical process for creating a master slide may seem daunting at first, but by following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can make the process much smoother. Additionally, the 14 tips provided in this article will help you to make the most of your master template and take your pitch deck to the next level. Overall, investing time and effort into creating a master template is well worth it in the long run, as it will save you time and help you to stand out among your competitors.