The Hero's Journey: How to Use the Classic Storytelling Formula in Your Pitch Deck
Storytelling is an art that has been used for centuries to entertain, educate, and inspire people. It is also an effective way to communicate a message, connect with an audience, and even sell a product or idea. In the business world, storytelling has become an essential tool for entrepreneurs to create effective pitch decks that attract investors and stakeholders. One of the most powerful storytelling formulas that entrepreneurs can use in their pitch decks is the Hero's Journey. This article will explore what the Hero's Journey is, how it works, and how entrepreneurs can use it to create compelling pitch decks.
What is the Hero's Journey?
The Hero's Journey is a classic storytelling formula that was first introduced by Joseph Campbell in his book, "The Hero with a Thousand Faces". It is a universal story that can be found in myths, legends, and folktales from all cultures around the world. The Hero's Journey is a narrative that follows a hero or protagonist as they embark on a journey or quest to overcome obstacles and challenges to achieve a goal or objective. The story is divided into three acts: the Departure, the Initiation, and the Return.
The Departure
The Departure is the first act of the Hero's Journey. It is where the hero is introduced and called to action. The hero is presented with a problem or challenge that they must solve or overcome. The Departure is the foundation of the story and sets the stage for the hero's journey. In the context of a pitch deck, the Departure is the problem that the entrepreneur is trying to solve. It is the reason why they are starting their business and the pain point they are trying to address.
The Initiation
The Initiation is the second act of the Hero's Journey. It is where the hero embarks on their journey and faces a series of obstacles and challenges. The hero meets allies and enemies along the way, learns new skills and knowledge, and overcomes their fears and weaknesses. The Initiation is the heart of the story and where the hero undergoes transformation. In the context of a pitch deck, the Initiation is where the entrepreneur presents their solution to the problem. It is where they explain how their business is unique and how they plan to solve the problem better than anyone else. They also highlight their strengths and accomplishments, and how they have overcome challenges in the past.
The Return
The Return is the third and final act of the Hero's Journey. It is where the hero returns home, transformed and changed by their journey. They bring back the knowledge and skills they have acquired and use them to solve the problem and achieve their goal. The Return is the resolution of the story and where the hero's journey comes full circle. In the context of a pitch deck, the Return is where the entrepreneur presents their vision for the future. They explain how their business will make a difference and the impact it will have on the world. They also outline their growth strategy and how they plan to achieve their goals.
How to use the Hero's Journey in your Pitch Deck
Now that we have explored the Hero's Journey and how it works, let's look at how entrepreneurs can use it to create compelling pitch decks. Here are some tips to get you started:
Identify the problem: Start with the Departure and identify the problem that your business is trying to solve. Make sure you can clearly articulate the pain point and how your solution will address it.
Introduce the hero: Introduce yourself as the hero of the story. Explain your background, experience, and how you are uniquely qualified to solve the problem.
Build tension: Use the Initiation to build tension and highlight the obstacles and challenges you have faced
In the "The Hero's Journey" storytelling formula, the hero embarks on a journey to face a challenge and undergoes a transformation to ultimately achieve their goal. This formula can be effectively applied to the structure of a pitch deck to help investors connect with the startup's journey and feel invested in its success.
To start, the pitch deck should begin with a clear introduction of the startup's mission and vision. This is where the hero of the story is introduced, and the investors can get a sense of the challenge that the startup is trying to overcome. It's important to establish the problem that the startup is trying to solve and how it aligns with the needs of the market.
The second step in the hero's journey is the call to adventure, which is where the hero is presented with a challenge that they must overcome. In the context of a pitch deck, this is where the startup presents their solution to the problem they've introduced. It's important to clearly explain the product or service and how it addresses the challenge at hand.
The third step in the hero's journey is the refusal of the call, where the hero is hesitant to embark on their journey. In a pitch deck, this is where the startup must address any potential obstacles or challenges that may arise in the pursuit of their solution. It's important to acknowledge any risks or drawbacks and present a plan to mitigate them.
Next, the hero embarks on their journey and faces a series of challenges and obstacles. This is where the startup presents their roadmap and milestones for achieving their goals. It's important to show how the startup plans to navigate potential obstacles and demonstrate the team's ability to execute the plan.
As the hero continues on their journey, they often face a crisis or climax where they must overcome their greatest challenge. In a pitch deck, this is where the startup must demonstrate how their solution is unique and superior to competitors. It's important to clearly articulate the startup's unique value proposition and explain how it differentiates from competitors.
Finally, the hero achieves their goal and undergoes a transformation. In a pitch deck, this is where the startup presents their vision for the future and how their solution will make a meaningful impact. It's important to show the potential impact on the market and how the startup plans to scale and grow.
In conclusion, the hero's journey storytelling formula is a powerful tool for structuring a pitch deck that can effectively capture investors' attention and support. By following the key steps of the hero's journey, startups can create a compelling narrative that resonates with investors and communicates their vision for success.