What NOT to Include in Your Investor Pitch Deck: How to Avoid 10 Common Pitfalls

As an entrepreneur, you know that your investor pitch deck is one of the most important documents you will ever create. A pitch deck is a presentation, typically created using PowerPoint, Keynote or Prezi, used to pitch a business idea to potential investors. This document will determine whether or not you get the funding you need to take your business to the next level. Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs make common mistakes when putting together their pitch decks. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them.

1. Don't include too much text - people won't read it

Let's be honest, no one likes to read a wall of text. It's tedious, time-consuming, and rarely does it hold your attention for more than a few minutes. That's why, when it comes to creating pitch decks and investor presentations, it's always better to focus on quality over quantity. After all, you're not writing a novel - you're trying to succinctly communicate key information in an engaging way. So, next time you're putting together a pitch deck or presentation, remember to keep it simple and focused on the most important points. Your audience will thank you for it.

2. Don't use too many slides - it will make your deck look crowded

You're probably using too many slides in your pitch deck. I get it, you want to show off all the amazing work you've done and how much progress you've made. But here's the thing: investors have a short attention span. They're not going to sit through a 50-slide deck, no matter how good your pitch is. It's better to reduce the number of slides in your deck to 10-15, with maybe an additional 5 appendix slides. Keep the content on each slide simple and focus on making a clear, concise argument for why your business is worth investing in. With a little bit of streamlining, you can make a pitch that investors will actually want to sit through.

3. Don't use clip art or cheesy stock photos

Clipart is ancient, and some pitch decks still use it in their presentations. This reflects poorly on the team and the company. Stock images are not all that great either. Ideally you have custom images designed for the deck, but you can get away with using Unsplash. But if you're going to use clipart, at least make sure it's relevant and not some generic image that could be used for anything. For example, don't use a picture of a globe if you're pitching a web application. That's just lazy. And investors can spot lazy from a mile away. So think about the images you're using in your pitch deck and make sure they're sending the right message about your team and your company.

4. Don't include boring graphs and charts

As an investor, I'm always on the lookout for new and innovative companies to invest in. However, one thing that immediately turns me off is when a company includes boring graphs and charts in their pitch deck. Financial slides and charts are essential for any investor pitch deck, but that doesn't mean they have to be boring. With a little bit of creativity, you can make even the most mundane financial data interesting and engaging. For example, instead of simply listing out your financial projections for the next year, try using a bar chart to visually show how your revenue is expected to grow. Or, if you're presenting data on market trends, try using a line graph to clearly illustrate the trend over time. By thinking outside the box, you can make your pitch deck more engaging and memorable - and that could make all the difference when it comes to landing funding.

5. Don't use Comic Sans or other childish fonts

A good pitch deck will concisely and effectively communicate your business idea, as well as help you to raise investment. However, using childish fonts such as Comic Sans can undermine the professionalism of your pitch and damage your chances of securing investment. Instead, opt for modern, clean fonts that convey confidence and authority. Remember that first impressions count, so make sure your pitch deck is slick and polished before you present it to potential investors.

6. Don't make your deck too colorful or flashy

When you're putting together your pitch deck, resist the temptation to make it too colorful or flashy. Remember, this is a document that investors are going to be skimming through quickly, so you want to make it as easy on the eyes as possible. Stick to a simple color scheme and use plenty of white space to break up the text. And while it's tempting to include a lot of graphics and charts, try to keep them to a minimum. You don't want your pitch deck to become a distraction for readers. Keep it clean, simple, and straightforward, and you'll increase your chances of making a good impression on potential investors.

7. Don't include low-quality images or videos

When you're putting together your pitch deck, remember that every element is an opportunity to make a good impression on investors. That means that you should never include low-quality images or videos. Sloppy work like this tells investors that you're not willing to put in the extra effort to do a great job. It's a turnoff, and it could damage your chances of getting funding. Instead, only use high-quality images and videos that look professional and polished. This will show investors that you're serious about your business and that you're capable of putting together a top-notch pitch deck.

8. Don't include any confidential information

A pitch deck is a presentation that entrepreneurs give to investors to raise money for their business. A good pitch deck tells the story of your company, explains your business model, and demonstrates your team's ability to execute. When raising money from investors, you should always err on the side of caution and avoid sharing any confidential information. The pitch deck is not the time or place to get into the nitty-gritty details of your business. Investors don't need to see confidential information to make a decision on whether or not to move forward. If you do find the need to share confidential information, you can do so at later stages of investor discussions, preferably in-person or with lawyers present.

9. Don't use complex visuals or animations

When it comes to pitch decks, less is definitely more. You want your slides to be clear and concise, without any superfluous visuals or animations. Remember that not everyone in your audience will have the same level of technical expertise, so it's important to find a way to present complex information in a way that is easy to understand. If necessary, hire a graphic designer to help you create a pitch deck that is both visually appealing and informative. By following these tips, you can ensure that your pitch deck makes a positive impression on potential investors.

10. Don't use complex language or jargon

Pitching to investors is hard enough - you don't need to make it any harder by using language that they don't understand. When you're putting together your pitch deck, resist the temptation to use industry jargon or complex terms. Instead, focus on creating a pitch deck that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. A pitch deck is not the place to impress potential investors with your mastery of industry terminology. Instead, it's an opportunity to explain your business in simple, straightforward language. By keeping your pitch deck free of jargon and complex language, you'll improve your chances of getting the funding you need to take your business to the next level.

One more thing.

Before you finalize your pitch deck design, it's important to get feedback from people you trust. Your pitch deck is your opportunity to make a great first impression on potential investors, so you want to be sure that it's as strong as it can be. Show your pitch deck to a few trusted friends or colleagues and ask for their honest feedback. It's better to catch any errors or weak points now, before you present your pitch deck to investors. When you're seeking feedback, look for people who have experience with pitch decks or who are familiar with the investment process. These people will be able to give you valuable insights into what works and what doesn't in a pitch deck. With their feedback, you can make final tweaks to your pitch deck design before you go out and seek funding for your business.

By following these tips, you can create a pitch deck that will impress potential investors and help you raise the money you need to grow your business. Keep it simple, focused, and free of jargon, and you'll be sure to make a great impression. And don't forget to get feedback from people you trust before you finalize your pitch deck design. With a little bit of effort, you can create a pitch deck that will help you raise the funds you need to take your business to the next level.

So there you have it! These are the ten things NOT to include in your investor pitch deck. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you can create a strong pitch deck that will help you raise the money you need to grow your business. Good luck!

Do you have any other tips for creating a successful investor pitch deck? Share them in the comments below!

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