Creating winning strategies to promote brands is a varied and challenging role, and each brand you work with requires a different and unique approach. Pitch decks can make or break you, especially if you’re freelance and you’re pitching to potential clients. Not knowing how many others you’re up against, your only choice is to construct the best pitch deck you’re capable of, which leaves no doubt in the minds of your audience that you have the talent, understanding and drive to execute the job well.
This helpful article will share how you can make your next pitch deck really pop, so read on to learn our winning tips for acing pitch decks as a brand strategist.
Make Sure Your Pitch Deck Is Accessible To All
The first step is to make sure that your brand strategy-optimised pitch deck can be sent over to the client or presented during your pitch with zero formatting issues. Convert any pictures you’re using from JPG to PDF so that you can present your slides seamlessly, even if you’re working with different original file formats and multi-media assets. This will keep your slides looking how you designed them even if you’re using a different device or projector, and will avoid compatibility issues. There would be nothing worse than beginning your pitch, only to realise those crucial visual elements are not loading!
Additionally, once you’ve conducted your pitch, you can forward the whole thing in a combined PDF file to interested audience members. This means it will be accessible offline, compatible with any device or software, and take up less space than a collection of mismatched files that could easily become lost or disorganised. You want to make life simple for your prospective clients to set a good first impression and also demonstrate attention to detail. Don’t underestimate these small formatting decisions by prioritising keeping your pitch deck in a presentable, polished format, as it can have a surprisingly large impact.
Feature Sleek Graphics To Bring Energy To Your Pitch
Brands are extremely image-based, as the brand graphic elements are the visual component of the brand and need to stand out in a crowded marketplace. You need to ensure that your brand strategy pitch decks are vibrant and captivating, instilling not only confidence in your potential client but also inspiration. Don’t be afraid to use colour in your presentation, so long as it’s not clashing or hard to read.
Include graphs, charts, infographics, clips and other dynamic, creative elements in your presentation that will impress your audience and keep them engaged. Of course they’ll want to feel encouraged by your expertise and experience, but if they’re falling asleep at the novel of information you’re reading off a screen, you’re most likely not going to be chosen as the invigorated brand strategist they’re seeking.
Identify & Propose Solutions To Key Problems
Your pitch deck slides need to quickly and efficiently describe the problem the brand might face or is already facing, and then explain how you can solve it. This gives your audience a clear frame of reference and an excellent starting point and primes them to appreciate the impact of your brand strategy offerings.
This is where a persona or personal touch can have a big impact on the audience. If you present an imaginary person depicted as the brand and their problem, and then outline how you can solve that problem, you’re on your way to winning them over. It’s important to show that you truly understand the core values of the client, and have taken the time to understand not only what they’re facing, but possible reasons why. For instance, the brand might have difficulty cutting through to the Gen Z market, and you’ve identified that their colour scheme is outdated. To solve this issue, you’re proposing a branding makeover informed by extensive target demographic research, and a targeted campaign on social media platforms appealing to younger buyers.
The next step in your pitch deck is to show the scale and scope of the brand’s problem and the key strategy opportunity you can present. You could show data on the issue and a potential return on investment (ROI) for your investors should they choose to engage with your services.
The last part of this section needs to clearly explain why no other viable solution to the brand’s problem exists, or why your brand strategy solution is markedly better than your competition. This should set the audience up for the next section, which is your strategic approach.
Define Your Strategic Approach In Depth
The next step in making your pitch deck pop is to carefully define your approach. This is the time to introduce your long-term brand strategy in all its glory. Having primed the audience and introduced them to the pain point, they’re ready to hear solutions. This is where your pitch deck needs to focus on the strategy’s key pillars, which need to be simple, easy to understand and visually appealing.
You should demonstrate a sound branding strategy through a series of detailed slides that will build on the problem’s context and your offering’s unique value proposition. And remember – your pitch deck needs to convey why your particular approach best fits the brand’s offering and customer need, all while solving that pain point you introduced a few slides prior. Providing a concluding summary in your final few slides can help drive your major strategic pillars home, ensuring your audience feels confident in your projections.
Make Time To Answer Audience Questions
No matter how thoroughly you’ve considered your approach, clients will generally have a few questions once you’ve concluded your pitch. Embrace these without becoming defensive of your strategy. Patiently respond, repeating relevant points from your presentation if necessary, and ask if the audience member feels they’ve received an adequate answer after you’ve spoken.
If you don’t know the answer to something, it’s better to be honest than try to make something up on the spot, as this will facilitate greater trust among your potential client. Be professional as you explain why the information they’re after is either not possible to provide, or make a commitment to find out. You can then ask the person to exchange contact information so you can follow them up with an updated response, showcasing your work ethic and drive to succeed.
Make Your Pitch Deck Pop: In Summary
This helpful article has shared how you can make your next pitch deck really pop, offering a useful guide for brand strategists aiming to snare that next big client. Here’s what you need to know to make your future pitches shine.
- Format for consistency and accessibility
- Bring your pitch to life with graphics, media and colour
- Identify the key pain points and outline your proposed solution
- Define your unique approach in-depth with supporting research and data
- Answer audience questions with honesty and integrity
With these tips under your belt, you’ll be able to conduct pitch decks that beat the competition by a mile.
