You've probably heard the word "pitch" in connection with PowerPoint and business ideas. But what exactly does this word mean, and why is it so important for businesspeople?
In the following article, we will explain why you need a pitch presentation, how to create a pitch presentation, and which types of pitches are suitable for which presentation goal.
What is meant by pitch/pitching?
The term "pitch" derives from the English verb "to pitch" and means something like "to throw." Pitching is used in many disciplines, from sports (e.g., baseball) and music (referring to a change in pitch) to electronics and science.
In the context of PowerPoint presentations, "pitch" refers to a specific type of sales presentation . Read more in the following paragraph.
What is a pitch presentation?
A pitch presentation is a short presentation in which you introduce your company, product, or idea . You only have a few minutes to convince your audience and win over potential investors for your business idea. Therefore, you need to carefully plan what you want to say. First impressions count .
Therefore, prepare thoroughly for the time constraints during your preparation period. Pay particular attention to conveying your key messages effectively in order to achieve your objectives. Read more about this in our articles on presentation preparation and goal setting .
What should be included in a pitch presentation?
A good pitch presentation consists of a pitch deck with approximately 10-12 slides . It should have a clear structure to present the business idea or business plan to potential customers or investors. In a pitch, the presentation is an important tool for quickly conveying complex information .
Due to the tight time constraints , only a few slides can be presented. Therefore, the quality and selection of the right content are of utmost importance.
For your pitch presentation, feel free to use professionally designed PowerPoint slides on the topic of pitch presentations from PresentationLoad ! Create the foundation for a successful pitch presentation, capture your audience's attention, and stand out from the competition.
Feel free to use slide templates from PresentationLoad!:
The goal is to receive an investment directly or to be invited to further discussions with investors.
Investors want to invest in startups with growth potential. This means they want to see that the company is capable of growing quickly and generating profits. Therefore, when preparing your pitch, you need to focus on your growth potential. Show investors why your company will grow rapidly in the coming years and why an investment is worthwhile.
To present your company vision and growth, we recommend slides from PresentationLoad !
How do I create a pitch presentation?
Make sure you keep your presentation simple . Investors don't have time for complex presentations and explanations. They want to see facts and understand what your company and your business are about. Keep your presentation as short and simple as possible .
Design is secondary here. Focus on the core elements that define your company, market, and product. Use the following structure for your pitch presentation to cover all the essential information despite the limited time:
Slide 1:
The title slide (A brief description of the business idea)
Slide 2:
The team (Who is responsible for this?)
Slide 3:
The initial situation (What is the problem?) Slide 4: The solution (How do you solve the problem?)
Slide 5:
The product / service (What exactly do you offer?)
Slide 6:
The market (Is the market environment/target group large enough?)
Slide 7:
The added value / unique selling point (Why is the solution better than others?)
Slide 8:
The competition (Who are the competitors? And how do they differ from you?)
Slide 9:
The business model (What do the financial figures look like? How are revenues generated?)
Slide 10:
The business plan (How will the whole thing be implemented?)
Slide 11:
The financing requirements (How much money is needed, and for what purpose?)
Slide 12:
The contact details
A good pitch presentation should be clear and easy to understand, and contain the most important information . It should begin with a brief introduction of the idea and the team. This should be followed by the key figures and facts, as well as information on how the business plan will be implemented.
Be convincing and believe in your business idea. If you believe in your company and its potential, your investors will too. Convince them that you are the next big thing and that they absolutely should invest in your company now.
Types of Pitches
- Elevator pitch
The English word "elevator" means "lift". In the context of presentations, this term should be understood as a metaphor: An elevator ride is short; you only have one or two minutes to talk to fellow passengers.
An elevator pitch is a concise and impactful presentation . Be prepared for a short timeframe. Introduce yourself, your company, and your business idea in a brief format. Your goal should be to make a strong first impression.
Further information on this type of pitch can be found in the article " Elevator Pitch ".
- Startup pitch / business plan pitch
This pitch presentation involves not only introducing the business idea or product, but also the business plan . Especially for startups, the company figures and forecasts within the business plan are of interest to potential investors. A convincing pitch increases the likelihood of securing investment.
- Speed pitching sessions
A free translation of the term "speed pitching" into German would be "speed presentation." Speed pitching is therefore suitable for use in structured events , where presenters, for example, have five minutes each to convince investors of their idea. This allows them to present their idea to several potential investors . This concept is comparable to speed dating.
- Sales pitch
As the name suggests, a sales pitch (from the English word "sale") is about selling a product . The goal is to convince potential investors and customers of the product's merits. A good sales pitch is tailored to individual customers or small groups, emphasizing the product's benefits to capture their attention.
- Agency pitch
An agency pitch is a competition held under equal conditions. The goal of the pitch is to award a contract. This type of pitch is frequently seen in the architecture industry, for example.
A company invites potential contractors to participate in such an agency pitch, providing a briefing on the project. The proposals submitted by the contractors are then developed into presentations.
The winner of the pitch gets to implement their presented idea . All other participants receive nothing. Therefore, when participating in an agency pitch, keep in mind that you could also lose, thus wasting time, money, and resources. Tip: Weigh the benefits of the pitch and read the terms and conditions carefully.
- Pitch in order planning and production
In this context, a pitch describes the time interval between the start of work on two consecutive workpieces. To manage the production of goods smoothly, sufficient materials, skilled workers, and machinery must be available. Coordinating all of this precisely can be highly complex and a complicated system.
Side note: Pitching like in Hollywood: The Pixar pitch
Pixar is known worldwide for its successful films. But how is it that they always remain at the top? Quite simply: they've found the perfect marketing formula. It's not complicated, but rather simple and unique – just like their films.
All Pixar films are incredible and have conveyed a range of powerful emotions that keep us captivated until the very end . Who doesn't remember Marlin's thrilling search for his son Nemo or Buzz Lightyear's famous line, "To infinity and beyond..."? They all follow the same tried-and-tested pattern—a formula that has brought them success. Every screenplay, every film, and every good investor pitch can be constructed according to such archetypal story structures.
How does the Pixar pitch work?
And why are we talking about a formula for success in animated films? Because, as Daniel Pink famously demonstrated in his book "Selling Is Human," the Pixar success formula can also be applied to your business. And we'll tell you how we use this technique to improve our pitches to clients.
The Pixar pitch originated in storytelling . Today, famous TED Talks, Apple keynotes, and speakers use the principle of storytelling to tell their idea, their story.
This is due to the value of stories, because since time immemorial, facts and knowledge have been passed down from generation to generation through them. And why do we love stories so much? Because they evoke positive emotions, inspire people to action, and convey values, virtues, humanity, and morality. We use storytelling to create emotions that inspire customers and gain their trust.
You can find tips on how to create a good story for your presentation in our storytelling article .
Structure and organization of the Pixar pitch
The Pixar pitch consists of the following structure of 6 consecutive sentences :
1. "Once upon a time..." allows you to begin with a general description of the situation.
2. "Every day... " ...depicts the everyday situation that helps you narrow down the problem. Here you can examine interesting habits, intriguing rituals, and daily life (e.g., of the user or consumer) in more detail and also provide statistics/evidence.
3. "One day..." ...this culminating and decisive moment. This is the catalyst. The reason for the change (the reason for your project).
4. "As a result of this..." ... what has changed as a result of the action? The users' habits may have changed (for better or for worse).
5. "Therefore..." .... Opportunity; what has changed as a result of the action? What has its topic achieved for the user/consumer?
6. "Until finally..." ...this concludes and highlights the essence of the journey or message. Your solution!
The Pixar pitch using "Finding Nemo" as an example
1. "Once upon a time... there was a fish named Marlin who protected his only son, Nemo."
2. "Every day... Marlin warned Nemo of the dangers of the ocean and begged him not to swim away."
3. "One day... Nemo ignored his father's warnings and swam out into open water."
4. " As a result, ... he was captured by a diver and ended up in a dentist's aquarium in Sydney."
5. "Therefore... Marlin sets a plan in motion to save Nemo, enlisting the help of other sea creatures."
6. "Until finally... Marlin and Nemo find each other, meet and learn that love depends on trust."
Why is the Pixar pitch so effective?
Telling a story or anecdote helps you focus on the key points of your topic in six short sentences . This generates more interest among your target audience. Using vivid imagery allows you to present your audience with a short, dynamic pitch that leaves them wanting more!
"Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away"
Antoine De Saint-Exupery
How can I use the Pixar pitch to my advantage?
The Pixar Pitch is an effective method for developing short stories. Its structured framework makes it easy to hold onto ideas and develop them further . Presenting information in a structured format is particularly important because our brains process and recall it much more effectively this way.
Studies show we can only remember a maximum of six values. That's why using the Pixar Pitch method (which therefore consists of exactly 6 steps) is so effective.
Conclusion: How to win over your audience
Can you imagine creating a (Pixar) pitch for your company, products, service, or solution? This would be a great way to draw attention to your business and attract new customers! You could present your solution and explain what makes it so special.
Before you even start creating your pitch presentation, consider what your goals are and what type of presentation is best suited to achieve them. With our tips for creating your pitch presentation, you'll be well-prepared and able to confidently address your audience.
Do you have questions about pitch presentations or PowerPoint in general? Feel free to contact us at Contact us at becker@presentationload.de and we will help you!
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