The jury is out when it comes to opinions on creating a winning investor pitch deck. Everyone agrees on the basic elements a pitch deck must have – defining a problem, identifying a market and pain points, and giving a solution. Yet, not all pitch decks are selected even when they impeccably follow this structure.

Clearly, there is something deeper to making a winning investor pitch presentation. There is something that creates an impact and convinces the investor to turn in your favor. That is the uniqueness which you and your startup bring to the table.

A well-crafted pitch deck speaks to the investor who is reading it in clear, concise terms and leaves a big impression. This is your key to getting to the next round of meetings or even the funding you need.

So, how do you define a well-crafted pitch deck?

After interacting with several VCs/investors and working on numerous investor pitch decks across domains and industries, we see that a few things stand out. They go beyond the most common components of a great pitch deck like keeping the slides simple, paying attention to design, going light on the text, and telling a story. In order to stand out amongst the numerous pitches an investor receives on a daily basis, a few fresh twists are needed. We picked a few that we feel work every single time.

1. Emphasize on the problem and not the solution

For the most effective pitch, focus 80% on the problem, 20% on the solution.” Dave McClure

Most often, you are eager to stress upon the solution before the problem is comprehensively outlined. The more investors are convinced of the gravity of the problem the more involved they will be in the solution. Use powerful design elements to highlight statistics and show the hurdles hampering productivity. Remember that your startup hinges on the problem. Without it, your business wouldn’t exist.

Qcept Tip: Problem slides should be able to answer questions related to the size, scale, impact, and necessity of solving the problem.

2. Know your metrics to inspire trust

The goal is to turn data into information and information into insight.” Carly Fiorina

There is no better way to present a convincing vision than through data. Outline your plans and goals earnestly but back it up with thorough research and insights. What are the margins, how strong is the competition, what is the marketing cost, and other such pertinent questions require measurable metrics for the sharpest clarity and to foster trust. It also helps you stand out as a founder who intimately knows the market and your business.

Qcept Tip: Your investor pitch must include key numbers that investors seek for decision-making like target market size, current customer acquisition cost, revenue, gross margins, customer acquisition plan and projection, etc.

3. Build a narrative focused on your strengths

Ever since I started in business I have been fascinated by the intersection of entrepreneurship and storytelling. Richard Branson

Every pitch deck needs a story with an anchor point. Throwing the spotlight on your strengths serves the dual purpose of showcasing your abilities and convincing the investor that you can solve the problem. Maybe it’s your professional working background. Maybe it’s your diverse team. Make your pitch deck content lean to your strengths and make your audience see the future through your story. Make them see the opportunities and the possibilities, which will spur you on to the next round.

Qcept Tip: Stories hook listeners, and everybody is a listener when it’s a good story. Build connections, and make your pitch memorable enough for the investor to pick you for the next round of meetings.

4. Use feedback to sculpt a pitch-perfect deck

Once you’ve compiled your document, review it multiple times, then have several others give you feedback. You should be on the lookout for exaggerations, miscalculations, and logistical incongruities. ZZ Twainy

Feedback from investors is one of the most useful tools you can use to improve your pitch deck. Make your pitch deck perform to perfection and bump you to the next round by prioritizing your audience and pitching first to the ones you feel most comfortable with. Try a few investors or others from the industry and incorporate their feedback. Polish the slides and your approach until they are ready to shine for you.

Qcept Tip: It’s easy to miss tiny details or even a glaring mistake when you are too close to the action. Here’s where third-party feedback comes in. This is critical to fine-tune the pitch to its maximum potential

The conclusion

The biggest learning for us from all of this? Think like an investor, and not like an entrepreneur, when writing and designing every slide of your pitch deck. If you were an investor, would you invest in your startup? Ask yourself a million questions like this, and you will arrive at the most evolved version of your pitch deck in time.