Across business sizes and industries, PowerPoint presentations have become—and continuously remain to be—a powerful tool for communicating ideas, concepts, and information. More and more companies invest in in-house presentation design teams to ensure their message is delivered effectively and efficiently. However, while having an in-house design team can have advantages, it also has limitations.

Need a Presentation Designed?
Click Here To View Our Amazing Portfolio

Let’s explore the limitations when companies rely solely on an in-house presentation design team.

Limited creativity and diversity

In-house design teams can become complacent or stagnant, leading to a lack of exposure to new and diverse trends and ideas. Moreover, team members may develop tunnel vision and narrow thinking, resulting in designs that may not resonate with a broader audience.

Outsourcing presentation design to an external agency can provide fresh and diverse perspectives and a wide range of design options.

Cost and scalability

Maintaining an in-house presentation design team can be expensive, and scaling it up or down can be challenging. If the team is not fully utilized, there is also the potential for idle time and wasted resources.

Outsourcing presentation design to external agencies can be a more cost-effective solution. External agencies have a larger pool of resources and expertise that can be scaled up or down, as needed, to meet a company’s presentation design requirements.

Limited expertise and resources

An in-house presentation design team may have limited expertise required to design effective presentations for different business sectors. Moreover, having a small team with limited resources can hinder the quality of work.

Limitations in expertise and resources can lead to team burnout and turnover, causing more challenges for other team members and ultimately, the company. 

Design agencies have the expertise and resources needed to create compelling presentations. Therefore, outsourcing presentation design to an external agency with proven expertise in handling projects for companies from different industries is a strategic move.

Inability to meet varying demands

In-house teams may struggle to meet varying demands for different types of presentations, leading to delays or subpar results. More so, they may be overwhelmed by sudden or unexpected demands that require additional resources or expertise.

Presentation design agencies have more extensive resources and expertise that can be tapped into to meet varying requirements. They can also provide a wider range of design and creative services, including content development, training, and PowerPoint support.

Hiring a presentation design agency

When considering outsourcing presentation design, you should choose the suitable one for your business. The agency should have a proven track record of producing high-quality, high-impact presentations and be able to work within your budget and timeline.

Also, consider the agency’s experience working with companies in your industry. Furthermore, a reputable presentation design agency should offer a range of creative services to meet other design requirements you may have.

In-house presentation design teams may have several limitations that can hinder them from producing high-quality, impactful presentations. Thus, partnering with a presentation design company can provide fresh and diverse perspectives, access to a pool of creatives and the latest design tools, and ensure high-quality output.

SlideGenius is a leading presentation design agency with partners across business industries, including fast-growing startups and Fortune 500 companies. With thousands of completed projects, SlideGenius has the expertise, resources, and a proven track record of producing high-quality presentations.

SlideGenius also offers a range of design services, including animations and graphic design.

Need a Presentation Designed?
Click Here To View Our Amazing Portfolio

Partner with SlideGenius so you can focus on your core business, leaving the presentation design to the experts.

Request for Proposals (RFPs) are tools for soliciting bids from vendors and contractors for a specific project or service. However, no matter how informative RFPs are, it can be challenging to stand out and capture your readers’ attention in a sea of proposals. This is where storytelling comes in. You can use storytelling to make your RFPs more engaging and memorable.

Need a Presentation Designed?
Click Here To View Our Amazing Portfolio

In this blog, we’ll explore the role of storytelling in RFPs and the stages of using storytelling to create a compelling proposal.

The science of storytelling

Stories have been an integral part of human communication since the beginning. They are a powerful tool for conveying information, evoking emotions, and connecting with others. Here are some of the key principles that underpin the effectiveness of storytelling:

The psychology of storytelling

The human brain responds to stories in unique ways that make them more memorable and engaging than other forms of communication. Here are some key points about the psychology of storytelling:

• Stories activate multiple areas of the brain, including the sensory and motor cortex, leading to deeper processing and greater engagement.
• The human brain is hardwired to respond to stories, as it has been a primary means of transmitting information and culture throughout history.
• Storytelling can create a sense of empathy and connection between the storyteller and the listener, leading to increased understanding and social bonding.

The elements of a great story

While many factors contribute to a story’s success, a few key elements are essential to creating a compelling narrative. Here are the elements of a great story:

• A great story has a clear structure: beginning, middle, and end. A logical structure helps create a sense of anticipation and tension.
• The story should have well-defined characters, a conflict or challenge, and a resolution that ties everything together.
• Descriptive language and sensory details can help readers and listeners fully immerse themselves in the story and feel emotionally connected to the characters.

The power of emotions in storytelling

Emotions are critical storytelling components, as they are more likely to be remembered and have a lasting impact. Here are some ways emotions play a role in storytelling:

• Emotions can help create a sense of urgency and make a story relatable to the listener’s experiences.
• Storytelling taps into the listener’s emotions, helping inspire action or change in behavior.
• Storytelling is a powerful tool for communicating complex ideas and abstract concepts in a way that is easily understood and remembered—thanks to the emotional connections created through the narrative.

Using storytelling in RFPs

Storytelling in RFPs makes proposals stand out and captures the reader’s attention. Here are some tips for incorporating it into RFPs:

Identify the purpose and audience of the RFP.

Knowing your audience and the purpose of the RFP is critical when selecting a story to include. The story should resonate with the reader to communicate your message effectively.

Select the appropriate story.

The type of story depends on the purpose of your RFP. It doesn’t have to be a success story; it just needs to be relevant and compelling, a story that will amplify your message and capture the audience’s attention. 

Craft the story in a compelling way.

Once you have selected the appropriate story, tell it in a captivating way to engage your audience. Use sensory language, create tension, and keep the story concise and focused, engaging the reader’s senses and emotions.

Keep the story concise and focused.

While the story should be engaging, don’t lose sight of the RFP’s purpose. The story should support and enhance the information contained in the proposal, not distract from it.

Integrate the story into the RFP seamlessly.

Integrate the story in a way that supports the overall purpose of the RFP document. Avoid distracting from the RFP’s core information. Instead, use the story to enhance the information or message you want your readers to remember. Ensure the story is clear and concise, helping the readers understand its connection with the RFP’s purpose.

Need a Presentation Designed?
Click Here To View Our Amazing Portfolio

Incorporating storytelling into your RFPs can capture your reader’s attention and make your proposal stand out. Therefore, when creating an RFP, consider using storytelling to your advantage.

Sales enablement involves equipping your sales team with vital tools, resources, and information to engage prospects and close deals. A key component of sales enablement is creating high-value content your sales team can use to educate, inform, and persuade prospects.

Whether you have a small startup or a large enterprise, with the right sales enablement content, you can build credibility, overcome objections, highlight unique selling points, and close deals, among other advantages.

Need a Presentation Designed?
Click Here To View Our Amazing Portfolio

Let’s explore the types of sales enablement content your sales team needs to succeed.

Types of High-Value Sales Enablement Content and Their Benefits

In sales, the right tools and resources make a significant difference. The following types of high-value, high-impact sales enablement content are beneficial whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting:

PowerPoint Presentations

Sales representatives can use visually engaging PowerPoint presentations to communicate complex information to prospects. PowerPoint presentations can use graphics, charts, and other visual aids to help potential clients understand a product or service better.

PowerPoint presentations can be used as a leave-behind after a sales call, providing prospects with a visual reminder of your product’s or service’s value proposition.

Additionally, using PowerPoint presentations can help sales professionals improve their presentation skills, making them more effective communicators and ambassadors of your company.

Product Demonstrations and Tutorials

Product demonstrations and tutorials enable salespeople to showcase the features and benefits of their products to prospects. With this type of content, sales representatives can provide prospective customers with a better understanding of how their products work and how the products solve specific pain points.

Moreover, by demonstrating the product’s capabilities and functionality, sales representatives can provide an engaging experience for clients, building trust in the process.

Case Studies and Success Stories

Provide social proof of a product’s or service’s effectiveness through case studies and success stories. You can build credibility and trust by sharing real-life stories of how your product or service has helped customers.

Case studies and success stories emphasize that your product or service delivers results and can help prospects overcome any objections they have. In doing so, you establish your brand as a trusted and reliable solution provider.

Competitive Comparisons and Analysis

Competitive comparisons and analysis is a sales enablement content that compares your product to your competitors. This type of content highlights your product’s unique selling proposition, differentiates it from your competitors, and offers in-depth data that tells prospective customers it is the best option for their needs.

By showing prospects how your product compares to other solutions in the market, you can help them make informed decisions. 

In addition, competitive comparisons and analysis can help sales teams address concerns and questions about product features or pricing.

Sales Scripts and Email Templates

Sales teams can save time using pre-written scripts and email templates, allowing them to focus on building relationships with prospects. Scripts and email templates also ensure consistency in messaging, which can help build trust with prospects. By using a consistent messaging approach, sales teams can ensure they deliver the right message to the right person at the right time.

In addition to consistency and time-saving benefits, sales scripts and email templates allow for easy tracking and analysis of sales performance. Tracking the usage and effectiveness of different scripts and templates aids sales managers in identifying patterns and optimizing messaging for better results.

Creating high-quality sales enablement content may require a significant investment of a company’s time and resources, but the potential return on investment is well worth it.

The types of sales enablement content above are just some of the popular and effective options available to sales teams today. Depending on your business needs and target audience, you can explore and experiment with many other types of sales enablement content, such as industry reports and whitepapers.

Need a Presentation Designed?
Click Here To View Our Amazing Portfolio

Partner with SlideGenius, a professional design agency, to build your high-impact sales enablement content database.

SlideGenius has the experience, expertise, and resources to produce digital content for businesses of all sizes across all industries. They can help you create a wide range of sales enablement content tailored to your business’s needs and goals, with high-level attention to delivering your message.

Contact SlideGenius today for a free consultation.

As a business owner or startup founder, you’re always looking for ways to convince potential investors that your business has potential. One way to show your company’s potential to investors is through case studies.

A case study is an in-depth analysis of a specific situation or problem your business has faced and how you overcame it. It provides an opportunity to prove your company’s strengths, innovative solutions, and the positive impact you may have made on your industry.

Need a Presentation Designed?
Click Here To View Our Amazing Portfolio

In this blog, let’s discuss ways case studies can illustrate your company’s potential to investors.

Demonstrating the company’s unique selling point

Use case studies to showcase your business’s unique selling points, highlighting your innovative solutions to address and fix problems or challenges. Help potential investors understand what sets you apart from your competitors and why your business has the potential to be successful.

For example, a case study could show how your business has developed a new technology that solves a problem uniquely. You can also show how you have developed and implemented a unique strategy that led to significant growth.

Providing evidence of the business’s effectiveness

Case studies can provide data, metrics, or other evidence to demonstrate the impact and effectiveness of your business’s solutions. 

Evidence can help investors understand the benefits of investing in your business and can be a powerful tool to convince them to invest.

For example, a case study could provide data about how your business solution has boosted sales or productivity or reduced costs or errors.

Building credibility with investors

Case studies help build credibility with investors through feedback or testimonials from satisfied customers. This approach can help prove the effectiveness of your company’s solutions and build trust and confidence.

For example, a case study could include direct quotes from past and current customers or clients who have used your business’s solution and seen significant benefits.

Differentiating the business from competitors

Businesses that can differentiate themselves from competitors stand out. Convince potential investors to choose your company over competitors using case studies that highlight your business’s unique selling points.

For example, a case study could demonstrate how your business’s solution is superior to its competitors in terms of cost, value, and ease of use.

Using case studies in marketing materials

Incorporating case studies into marketing materials, such as brochures or websites, can help build credibility and showcase your business’s unique selling points. Attract investors by adding case studies to your marketing materials, as they can provide evidence of past successes and show potential for future growth.

Ensure to approach the creation of marketing materials with a customer-centric mindset, tailoring your case studies to your target audience. In doing so, you show investors that you understand that customers are the lifeblood of your business and that you are focused on delivering value to them.

Adding case studies in PowerPoint presentations

Including case studies in PowerPoint presentations can help illustrate a business’s potential to investors clearly and concisely.

PowerPoint presentations are practical tools for conveying information—no matter how complex it is—in a visually engaging way. Therefore, adding case studies to your presentation can help investors understand the real-world applications of your product or service and the benefits it provides to customers.

For example, a case study could be used in a pitch deck to demonstrate how a business’s solution has solved a problem for a client and has the potential for further growth. This way, investors will be able to see a tangible example of how a business operates and the value it provides.

Need a Presentation Designed?
Click Here To View Our Amazing Portfolio

Case studies are a valuable tool for businesses to showcase their strengths and potential. Position your business for success and growth by carefully using case studies that highlight unique selling points and effectiveness.

Imagine this scenario:

You’re doing a high-stakes presentation. So far, it’s well-received. As you move from slide to slide, your listeners are on the edge of their seats, waiting for your next words. Then suddenly, your mind goes blank. You forget what to say next.

You feel like there’s no way you can recover from this memory lapse. You might need to end your presentation prematurely and on a low note.

Need a Presentation Designed?
Click Here To View Our Amazing Portfolio

Mind-blanking is every public speaker’s worst nightmare, but it can happen to any of us. It occurs when our body triggers our evolutionary flight-or-fight response. As a result, a part of our brain—the pre-frontal lobe—that organizes memory shuts down, making it hard to access memories.

Some of the causes of a memory lapse include the following:

• Anxiety-triggering activities — Talking in front of people, such as public speaking or presiding over a meeting, is a common stress-prompting activity that causes our brains to go blank. Moreover, being nervous when doing a presentation can affect the way we deliver our message and engage our audience.
• Medication — Taking medications before your presentation can result in temporary brain fog and reduced reaction time.
• Lack of sleep —  Our brains can’t function properly without a healthy night’s sleep. Studies show that people with sleep deprivation experience mind-blanking, mind-wandering, and sluggish response time.

Since even the most prepared speakers can still lose their train of thought or draw a complete blank during a presentation, we’ve created a list of ways to recover from a memory lapse like a pro.

Talk about anything to break the silence

A few seconds to several minutes of silence during a presentation suggests that we have forgotten what to say next. And when we forget our talking points, fear can take over us. Out of fear, we panic and freeze up, worsening our situation.

Don’t let fear debilitate you. When you stay silent, your anxiety won’t pass; It will continue to grow. Talk to your listeners about anything related to your topic just to break the silence.

Ask questions to provoke critical thinking

You can buy time to recall your next talking point by asking your audience questions.

Ask rhetorical questions that would cause them to introspect or thought-provoking questions that require answers. As you gather your thoughts, let your audience think. Make sure the question is about your previous talking point to avoid breaking your flow and straying from your topic.

Asking questions engage your audience and establish yourself as a figure of authority.

Lock eyes with members of the audience

As you gather your thoughts, maintain eye contact with your audience. Even when you forget your lines, looking directly at your audience helps keep your position of authority. You would look like you’re reinforcing your statements, letting them sink in.

Focus on a few people for a few seconds as you recall your next point. Don’t fidget, scan the room aimlessly, or look at a distant corner, as doing so would make you look nervous.

Summarize your previous talking point

When you can’t remember what to say next, take the time to summarize your previous point. Reiterate or paraphrase key ideas. Let your audience figure out that you’re summarizing and emphasizing your talking points.

Summarizing your previous point can help you remember the direction you were heading. It also seems as if you’re building toward a new point.

Drink water 

To stay hydrated during presentations, speakers need to drink.

Drinking is also a subtle way to recall what you need to say next when you’ve gone blank.

While drinking, take the time to recall your talking points. Since your listeners can’t hold your thirst against you—they won’t mind you drinking—this opportunity is a great way to recollect your thoughts.

Refer to your notes

A wise speaker keeps his notes handy.

You can conduct your talk without referring to your notes. However, when the need arises, they prove to be beneficial. Thus, when presenting, you should always have your notes accessible.

Create an outline of the segments of your talk; write all the main points under each one. Don’t write everything. Doing so could confuse you and cause more problems when you are looking for specific information.

Interpret your presentation slides

If you’re the one who prepared your presentation deck, it’s easier to interpret all the information it has to remember what to say next.

If you didn’t prepare the slides, it’s crucial that you comprehensively review each one before your presentation. Know your deck inside out. Moreover, ensure that the flow of the presentation is according to your style.

Knowing your presentation deck through and through can help you interpret all of its elements and discern the parts of your talk.

Acknowledge the situation

When you’ve exhausted all means to remember what you need to say after a memory lapse but still failed, the most reasonable response is to be honest with your audience. Acknowledge the situation and apologize for it. Admit what happened and move forward.

Regain your confidence knowing that your audience is on your side and wants to learn from you; therefore, continue your presentation with a renewed spirit and assurance that your audience wants you to succeed. Make sure to end your talk with a high-impact core message and actionable steps to apply what they’ve learned.

Why you should not memorize your presentation

Some speakers resort to memorizing their speeches to reduce anxiety. They craft their scripts and plan sequences meticulously. While memorizing your presentation might be the most logical-sounding technique to deliver your talk, it has its downsides, including being susceptible to a memory lapse.

When you memorize your script, you set one way to communicate your message. If you stray from your script, your brain will identify it as an error, resulting in panic, haywire thoughts, or memory lapse.

Memorizing also disconnects you from your audience, making your presentation sound rehearsed. It also reduces your bandwidth to adjust to and accommodate the needs of your audience. Keep in mind that the goal of your presentation is to be engaging and to influence your audience to take action.

Need a Presentation Designed?
Click Here To View Our Amazing Portfolio

Remember the scenario above?

Now that you know how to recover from a memory lapse during a presentation, you no longer have to end your talk abruptly. Apply the ways above and finish your presentation with flying colors.

Raising capital is an essential part of starting and growing a business. Whether you’re a startup founder or a seasoned entrepreneur, mastering the art of pitching your business to investors is critical to securing the needed funding. But how do you know if your fundraising pitch is hitting the mark? How can you evaluate your pitch from the investor’s perspective to ensure it resonates with potential investors and sets you up for success?

Need a Presentation Designed?
Click Here To View Our Amazing Portfolio

In this blog, we’ll discuss the key elements investors look for when evaluating a fundraising pitch, their questions, and the strategies you could use to craft a compelling pitch that stands out from the competition.

Understanding the investor’s mindset

Evaluating your fundraising pitch from an investor’s perspective is critical to understanding their mindset. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Investors are motivated by the potential for a high return on their investment. However, they also evaluate pitches based on factors such as the team’s experience, the market opportunity, and the competitive landscape.
• Different types of investors have unique priorities and evaluation criteria. For example, angel investors may invest in early-stage startups and look for high-growth potential and a strong team. Capitalists may focus on startups with more established products and a proven track record of growth.
• Strategic investors, such as corporations or industry-specific funds, may prioritize startups to help them achieve their strategic goals. For instance, a healthcare company may invest in a startup developing a new medical device that could complement their existing product line.

Crafting a compelling pitch

A compelling pitch attracts investors. Thus, it requires careful planning and execution. Here are some key elements to include in your pitch:

Clear problem statement

Start your pitch by clearly outlining the problem your business solves.

Ensure your problem statement is concise and easy to understand. The investor needs to understand the problem you are solving before they can evaluate your solution. Moreover, explain why the problem matters and its impact on your target market.

Unique solution

After identifying the problem, explain how your business solves it uniquely.

Clearly articulate your value proposition and how it differs from existing solutions in the market. Describe how your product or service is different and better than competitors’ solutions. Doing so will help you stand out in the crowded market and show investors have a strong competitive advantage.

Market opportunity

Investors want to see that there is a significant market opportunity for your product or service.

Use data and research to demonstrate your target market’s size and growth potential. This approach will help investors understand the potential return on their investment. Be sure to provide a clear picture of the market landscape, including trends, challenges, and opportunities.

Strong team

Investors invest in people as much as they do in products.

Highlight the experience and expertise of your team and explain how they are uniquely qualified to execute your plan. Describe each team member’s relevant experience and how it relates to the business. By sharing your team members’ backgrounds, you help investors evaluate their ability to execute and manage the business effectively.

Financial plan

Investors want to see a clear financial plan to know how you will use the investment to drive growth.

Be transparent about your expected return on investment and explain any potential risks or challenges. Investors will want to understand how you will use the funds, what milestones you plan to achieve, and when you plan to achieve them. Provide a clear picture of your revenue model, sales strategy, and projected growth trajectory.

Evaluating the pitch from an investor’s perspective

The most common questions investors have when evaluating a pitch are:

Is there a significant market opportunity for the product or service?

Investors want to know whether your business has identified a significant market opportunity for your product or service. Therefore, you must clearly understand your target customers, the size of the market, and the potential demand for your offering.

Moreover, investors want to see that your business has a unique value proposition that sets it apart from competitors and offers a compelling solution to a customer problem.

Is the team experienced and capable of executing the plan?

Investors will evaluate the team behind your business to assess if they have the necessary experience, skills, and capabilities to execute the plan.

Your team’s track record of success and the ability of teammates to work well together are essential factors in determining if your business can achieve its goals.

What is the competitive landscape, and how does your business differentiate itself?

Investors will analyze the competitive landscape to determine if your business can effectively differentiate itself from competitors.

They will look at the strengths and weaknesses of the competition and assess if your business has a sustainable competitive advantage that will allow it to succeed.

How will the investment be used, and what is the expected return on investment?

Investors want to understand how your business plans to use the raised investment. They also want to know the expected ROI. Thus, you should be transparent and realistic about your financial projections, growth strategy, and exit plan.

Pitching to different types of investors

You should tailor your pitch to different types of investors. The following are some key factors you should consider when pitching to different types of investors:

Angel investors

• Focus on your team and the potential for growth
• Highlight the vision, passion, and potential for disruption

Venture capitalists

• Focus on financial metrics such as revenue growth and customer acquisition
• Demonstrate traction, scalability, and a clear path to profitability

Strategic investors

• Demonstrate how the business can provide strategic value to the investor
• Show how the business aligns with the investor’s goals and objectives

A fundraising pitch is a crucial component in securing funding for a business. Therefore, it is vital to remember the perspective of the investors evaluating the pitch. By presenting a clear and compelling narrative that showcases their startup’s strengths and potential, entrepreneurs can increase their chances of securing funding and achieving success.

Need a Presentation Designed?
Click Here To View Our Amazing Portfolio

SlideGenius is a professional design agency that specializes in creating pitch decks that grab investors’ attention and communicate your startup’s value proposition effectively.

Ensure an optimized pitch deck that addresses the key questions investors may have when evaluating a startup by partnering with SlideGenius.

Contact SlideGenius for a free consultation.

Investors play a critical role in the growth and development of businesses. As an entrepreneur or business owner seeking investment, one of your most critical responsibilities is knowing your numbers and understanding the financial metrics that matter to investors.

Financial metrics are essential for demonstrating the potential success of your business. By understanding and utilizing these metrics, you can make a strong case for investors to support your venture.

Need a Presentation Designed?
Click Here To View Our Amazing Portfolio

Let’s discuss the key financial metrics you should know and how to use them to build a compelling investment case.

There are several financial metrics investors will want to know before investing in your business:

• Revenue: The total amount of money your business generates in sales over a specific period.
• Gross Profit Margin: The percentage of revenue after deducting all expenses, including taxes and interest.
• Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA): The amount of money your business generates before factoring in interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization.
• Return on Investment (ROI): The percentage of return on investment in your business.
• Cash Flow: The money your business generates or uses in its operations.
• Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): The cost of acquiring a new customer.
• Lifetime Value (LTV): The total amount of revenue a customer will generate over their lifetime.
• Burn Rate: The rate at which a company is spending its cash reserves or funding.

Building a Strong Investment Case Using Financial Metrics

Here are factors to consider when using financial metrics for building a strong investment case:

Understanding the investor’s perspective

Understanding what investors are looking for requires effective use of financial metrics.

Investors look for businesses with high growth potential, a clear path to profitability, and a competitive edge in the market. Therefore, when selecting financial metrics to include in an investment pitch, choosing the ones that align with these criteria is critical.

Since investors are often pressed with numerous investment opportunities, it can be challenging to differentiate one business from another. Thus, selecting metrics that showcase your business’s performance can help you stand out in a crowded investment market.

You can make a stronger investment case using financial metrics that demonstrate how your business aligns with the potential investors’ perspectives.

Choosing metrics that align with business goals

The business metrics you will showcase should align with your goals.

If your goal is to increase revenue, revenue growth rates and market share may be most relevant. If your goal is to increase profitability, profit margin or return on investment may be more appropriate.

The key is choosing metrics that demonstrate how your business is performing in critical areas of success. This doesn’t only help investors understand your business but also shows you have a clear understanding of what matters most for your business growth.

Providing context and analysis

When you provide context and analysis, you help investors understand the significance of the metrics you are presenting, and how they relate to your business goals.

Providing context and analysis is vital as investors may not be familiar with your business or industry. Therefore, they might not immediately understand the relevance of certain financial metrics.

To provide context, explain how you calculated each metric. For example, if you are presenting revenue growth rates, explain how the growth rate was calculated, which revenue streams were included, and any factors that may have influenced the growth rate.

In addition to explaining how the metrics were calculated, you should discuss any assumptions made. For example, if you are presenting a metric like a customer’s lifetime value, you may have assumptions about customer retention rates or the average purchase frequency. Discussing assumptions can help investors understand the basis for your calculations and any potential limitations.

Make a strong case for investment and demonstrate the potential success of your business to investors by following the strategic approaches of using financial metrics outlined in this blog.

SlideGenius is a leading go-to presentation design agency among many businesses, including Fortune 500 companies. We specialize in building well-designed and engaging pitch decks investors love and approve of.

Make a strong investment case and increase your chances of success by partnering with SlideGenius.

Need a Presentation Designed?
Click Here To View Our Amazing Portfolio

Contact us today for a free consultation.

Following up after the sales presentation is critical in closing or breaking the deal. An effective follow-up strategy shows your potential client you are committed to their needs. It also keeps your business top of mind.

However, not all follow-up approaches yield positive results. Some can even be counterproductive. Thus, they require a delicate balance of persistence and professionalism, showing your potential clients you are committed to their needs while avoiding being pushy or intrusive.

Need a Presentation Designed?
Click Here To View Our Amazing Portfolio

Here are some effective after-sales follow-up tips you must remember:

Be timely and prompt

Following up promptly after a sales presentation is critical for keeping conversations with prospects fresh.

Ideally, you should follow up within 24 to 48 hours after the presentation. Any delay may cause a prospect to lose interest or forget your proposal. Moreover, following up promptly shows you are committed and efficient and take their needs seriously. Furthermore, it demonstrates you respect their time and are eager to move forward.

Personalize the follow-up

Personalization is crucial to building a relationship with potential clients.

Address them by their names, reference specific aspects of the conversations, and tailor your message to their specific needs and interests. In doing so, you show you are invested in their success and not just interested in closing the deal.

Personalizing your follow-up message can make the prospect feel valued and appreciated, increasing their likelihood of responding positively. More so, it shows you have taken the time to understand their unique situation, making them more likely to consider you as a potential solution.

Be persistent, but not pushy

Persistence is critical in following up after a sales presentation; however, there is a fine line between being persistent and being pushy.

Bombarding the prospect with too many messages or calls may come across as aggressive or desperate, leading them to lose interest in your proposal. On the other hand, giving up too easily can result in missed opportunities.

A polite and professional approach that shows genuine interest can help you stay on top of prospects’ minds without being overbearing.

Listen to the client’s feedback

Listening to prospective clients’ feedback can provide valuable insights into their needs and concerns.

Ask for their opinion on your proposal and address any questions or concerns they may have. This approach shows you are interested in their perspective and willing to work with them to find the best solution.

In addition, demonstrate you value their input and are open to feedback to gain their trust and consider your proposal.

Keep the conversation going

Following up after the sales presentation is not a one-time event.

Keep the conversation going by providing additional information, answering questions, and offering more support. Even when the deal doesn’t close immediately, keeping in touch with prospective clients can build long-term relationships with them.

You can send them relevant articles, case studies, and industry reports that may interest them. Moreover, you can invite them to events or webinars related to their industry or share success stories of other clients you have worked with.

Keeping the conversation going lets you stay on their radar and be top of mind when they are ready to move forward.

Need a Presentation Designed?
Click Here To View Our Amazing Portfolio

Follow these after-sales, follow-up strategies to build strong relationships with potential clients, continuously adding value to them and increasing your chances of closing the deal.

To raise capital, entrepreneurs need to build an irresistible pitch deck for investors. Whether for seed funding, Series A funding, or beyond, a pitch deck is critical for convincing investors to take a chance on a business venture. However, creating a successful pitch deck can be difficult.

Need a Presentation Designed?
Click Here To View Our Amazing Portfolio

This blog will cover tips for creating a pitch deck that investors cannot resist.

Tips for creating an irresistible pitch deck for investors

Securing investment for any business—no matter its size and industry—requires creating a pitch deck that grabs the attention of investors and delivers the message clearly and convincingly.

Here are some valuable insights on creating a pitch deck for investors that accomplishes its goals:

Keep it concise and visually appealing

Length and visual appeal are critical factors in creating a winning pitch deck for investors, as investors have limited time to review multiple pitch decks. Therefore, in one glance, your pitch deck should already convey the message you need them to remember. Aim for conciseness, visual appeal, and easy navigation.

Structure your pitch deck clearly and logically. Start with an attention-grabbing introduction that clearly explains your business and the problem it solves. Then, give an overview of your business model, target market, and competition. The rest of the slides should be for essential information the potential investors must know.

When presenting data, use visuals such as charts, graphs, and infographics to present information engagingly and understandably. Avoid using long paragraphs of text that can overwhelm the reader. Instead, format your presentation’s content carefully, using bullet points or turning text into visual content to highlight your key messages.

Focus on the problem and solution

Investors want to see your product or service at work, how it solves a specific problem in the market, and if there is a clear need for it.

To effectively communicate your solution, define the problem your business addresses. Be succinct with the problem statement, ensuring that it captures the pain points of your target market. Use statistics and real-world examples to back up your claims and emphasize the problem’s urgency.

Once you have established the problem, showcase your solution as the best available choice in your market by articulating your unique value proposition. Use data and testimonials to support your claims and build credibility.

Investors also want to understand the potential market size and opportunity for growth. Define your target market and demonstrate how your product or service can reach a significant portion of that. Use market research and data to support your projections and show potential for revenue, growth, and scalability.

Highlight your traction and milestones

Investors want to see that your business is on an upward trajectory, and there is evidence to support your claims of growth and potential success.

Identify significant milestones your business has achieved to date to persuade investors your business is a wise investment opportunity. Use data and concrete examples to show investors your business is succeeding.

Moreover, provide context for your milestones. Explain the ways the achievements have impacted your business. Furthermore, demonstrate the potential for future growth. You can include data on revenue growth, user engagement, and market share. Providing social proof can also reinforce the credibility of your business.

Use compelling storytelling

Using compelling storytelling is a critical aspect of an attractive pitch deck, as investors also want to be engaged and emotionally connected to your product or service.

Craft a narrative that highlights the problem your business addresses. Use anecdotes or real-life examples to create a sense of urgency and demonstrate the need for your solution. Assist investors in understanding the human impact of the problem and how your business can make a difference.

Then, present your solution clearly and compellingly. Use visual aids when applicable to illustrate how your product or service works to solve the problem. Finally, paint a vision for the future using your pitch deck—how can your solution change lives, impact society positively, and change the world?

Use powerful imagery or persuasive language to help investors envision what the world will look like once your business has succeeded.

Need a Presentation Designed?
Click Here To View Our Amazing Portfolio

SlideGenius is a professional presentation design agency specializing in creating pitch decks for investors, no matter their sizes and industries. With years of experience creating visually stunning and persuasive presentations, it has become a go-to and leading design agency for companies, including Fortune 500 businesses.

Connect with SlideGenius today for a free consultation.

Not all presentations are created equal—some captivate audiences while others leave listeners counting the seconds until the end. Moreover, today’s fast-paced world requires creating engaging and compelling PowerPoint presentations to capture the audience and deliver a message.

Need a Presentation Designed?
Click Here To View Our Amazing Portfolio

With so much information competing for our attention, applying psychology-proven techniques to build a compelling presentation is more crucial than ever. Let’s explore some psychology-backed strategies to create a PowerPoint that stands out.

Knowing the Audience

Audience engagement affects the success of a presentation. Therefore, knowing your audience is crucial to building effective PowerPoint presentations.

Understand your audience’s demographics, interests, and knowledge levels to tailor your presentation to meet their needs and keep them engaged.

How to gather your audience’s information? Before the presentation, you can conduct a survey or poll to help you understand your audience’s expectations, knowledge levels, and concerns. You can also use social media or online forums to gather information about your audience.

Storytelling

Cognitive psychologist Jerome Bruner claimed that stories are 22 times more memorable than facts alone.

As a powerful technique for engaging your audience and making your presentation more memorable, storytelling helps emotionally connect the audience with your message, making them remember it long after the presentation.

How to create engaging stories for your presentation? Use the classic storytelling structure of beginning, middle, and end. Introduce your topic, present the challenge or conflict to solve, and provide a resolution for a satisfying conclusion.

You can share a personal anecdote, a case study, or a customer success story to illustrate the benefits of your message in a way that resonates with your audience.

Using visual content

According to 3M, visual aids improve learning by up to 400%.

Visual content helps reinforce your message and makes your presentation more engaging for maximum learning and retention. However, it’s critical to use visual aids optimally.

Choose the right fonts, colors, and images, as they can significantly impact the effectiveness of your presentation.

Use high-quality images, as poor-quality ones can detract from your message. Limit the amount of text, as too much text on a slide overwhelms your audience. Use colors appropriately to emphasize key points and create a cohesive look and feel.

Reducing cognitive load

Cognitive load refers to the amount of mental effort required to process information. When an audience is overloaded with information, retention can become a challenge.

Reduce the cognitive load to make your presentation more interesting, engaging, and enjoyable for your audience.

Simplify your message by focusing on the key message you want to convey, avoiding unnecessary information. Use simple, easy-to-comprehend language to make it easier for the audience to follow your message. Break up information into digestible chunks for easier processing.

Using persuasive techniques

Persuading your audience to take action or adopt your point of view requires inspiring and motivating them.

Use social proof to be persuasive. Customer testimonials or success stories help deliver your message with impact and drive your point home. Moreover, you can create a sense of urgency to emphasize the importance of your message and highlight the consequences of inaction.

Build a strong argument that addresses your audience’s concerns and objectives to increase the audience’s motivation to take action.

Using psychology-proven techniques can help presenters build a compelling PowerPoint presentation. With these strategies, you can take your presentations to the next level and achieve your goals.

Need a Presentation Designed?
Click Here To View Our Amazing Portfolio

SlideGenius is a presentation design agency that helps companies create compelling, high-impact presentations. They apply psychology-proven techniques to build presentations that resonate with their clients’ target markets. Moreover, they serve businesses and organizations across different industries, including Fortune 500 companies.

If you want to build professional, informative, and visually appealing presentations, you can partner with SlideGenius.

Contact SlideGenius today for a free consultation.