What makes an extraordinary investor presentation? Many believe the right information and accuracy about the details does the trick. Others claim the power of persuasion makes all the difference.
Are these actually the secret ingredients to a successful pitch? Having your facts straight and a persuasive personality may help, but captivating your audience is the top method for success.
Discover how compelling storytelling techniques can make your investor presentations more memorable.
Investor presentations: Best practices
Certain practices must be in place before fine-tuning the techniques of captivating your audience. These form the framework of your pitch. Once you’ve got a clear idea of your presentation’s goals, you can start working on the story.
Define the purpose
Why is your presentation important? Identify what information is crucial to share. Use your pitch as a tool to help potential investors understand your company’s story and vision.
Clarify the narrative of your brand by sharing relevant metrics, roadmaps, and other information.
Pitch length
How long should you present for? It’s tempting to add tidbits of information that display your company’s strengths. Exercise caution: lengthy pitches aren’t always successful.
At the same time, you don’t want to make your presentation so short that it makes you seem unprepared. What’s the sweet spot? Research suggests a pitch deck of around 12 slides is best.
It’s okay to deviate from this number, depending on the type of presentation and the content you’re sharing. The average is a yardstick for helping you develop your pitch framework.
Have what investors want
Decide which investors are best suited to your business. Invest in the process long before your presentation.
Investors already know what they’re looking for. Do some research to assess if you’re offering what they want. Ultimately, they’re looking to maximize their returns.
As experts in the field, there are certain attributes investors look for. Try to meet these requirements. The general ones they look for in a business include:
- Effective leadership
- Vision
- Coachability
- Growth
- Experience
- Strategies for customer acquisition
- A broad market
There may be more on an investor’s list, but meeting these requirements is already a step in the right direction.
Have your metrics in order
Why should you know your metrics well? First, it shows you’re involved in the business and understand it fully.
It’s not essential to memorize the details, but at least display knowledge of how they’re calculated. It’s also beneficial to know about expected fluctuations.
A brand’s metrics are essential for investors. They’re an effective tool that helps them evaluate a company based on in-depth data.
Highlight previous wins
One way of getting your pitch going on a positive note is by highlighting earlier successes. Delve into what your company has accomplished. Share tidbits about the strategies used.
Back up your claims with data wherever possible. This action shows investors that there’s a high potential for returns.
Adopt a conversational approach
One way to keep people engaged is by involving them and asking for input. Allowing time for questions also gives your presentation a conversational approach.
Be authentic and try to connect with your audience. It’s a good idea to contact them before the pitch and follow up after.
Adequate preparation is key, so practice your presentation in advance. It’s useful to have varied information available to answer potential questions.
Storytelling techniques
How do you engage an audience who’s heard plenty of pitches? A simple yet gripping story seems to do the trick.
While it may sound straightforward, incorporating this technique requires careful preparation. There are several methods available. Select one that aligns with the topic of your pitch.
The 4 Ps approach
A popular storytelling approach for businesses emphasizes on:
- People
- Problem
- Product
- Possibility
According to Forbes, these points can help you formulate a compelling and comprehensive story for your pitch.
How do you use this approach to develop a framework? Identify who the target market is (people). Decide on the (problem) your company assists with, and how the (product) or service solves this. Explore the (possibility) of further benefits.
General storytelling strategies
Engaging your audience requires multiple factors. Build trust by showing authenticity. Sharing stories that evoke emotion while remaining relevant is an effective skill. Blending logic and emotion is one method that influences decision-making.
Use the story to relay how your passion for the industry developed. Mention the external advantages of your product or service. Excellent examples are environmentally friendly solutions and social programs run by the company.
Mentioning a few testimonials also sheds a positive light on your business.
Formulating a story
Before you craft your story, think about who it’s for. Doing thorough research on potential investors is beneficial.
Consider your audience’s potential pain points and what they value. Finding common ground is a straightforward way to evoke empathy. If your story is relatable, it’s more engaging.
The next step is to bring your message across in a positive way. Don’t let the data be your main focus. Highlight how your business impacts people.
Add adequate details to your story. Assign names to the characters, and include timeframes and other specifics. Introduce the concept clearly and then build up to a conflict.
The middle part of your story represents the problem. Some pitches offer solutions that have drawbacks. In contrast, yours will have no disadvantages.
Alternatively, present your solution as the only option for a happy ending to the tale. Be authentic. The story should have a realistic ring to it. Craft the ending so the audience is the hero with the help of your solution.
Present with a confident, conversational tone, and avoid sounding rehearsed or monotonous. Allow your visuals to compliment your presentation and connect with the audience.
Tips for success
Now that you have all the ingredients for an investor presentation, how do you put it together?
Getting started
Begin your pitch with an exciting hook. Captivating your audience early is essential. Several popular options stand out. Share a shocking statistic, memorable quote, or start at the climax to grab attention.
Spark the investor’s interest early to enhance the chances of a positive outcome.
Stick to a structure
Once you’ve got the audience captivated, maintain their attention. Follow up with a brief introduction. Continue with a rise in action, climax, and falling action, as well as a call to action.
Use a fictional customer as your protagonist. Describe how your company provides a viable solution to their problem. Alternatively, focus on your brand’s impact on communities.
Don’t be afraid to share personal experiences. These elements add authenticity and evoke the right emotions.
Regardless of the story you tell, sticking to a structure makes it easy to convey with confidence. Remember to focus on a single, clear message.
Bring your pitch to life
When it comes to storytelling, it’s an old cliché that showing is better than telling. Use infographics and images to emphasize your points and clarify details.
Depending on the topic, include photos, videos, or audio clips. Enhance your pitch even more by being interactive. Include a few moments for the audience to participate.
These elements make your presentation memorable and maintain engagement. Conclude on a positive note with a call to action.
The perfect pitch
Creating a memorable and professional presentation may seem daunting. Fortunately, there are many tools and formulas to help you craft a compelling story to impress investors.
Know your metrics and prepare an adequate amount of slides. Be authentic in your pitch and showcase your passion for the business through the story you tell.
Now that you have the tools for powerful storytelling, you can create the perfect pitch for your next investor meeting. For more tips to help your business grow, check out our Kakadu Media blog.
