Business Pitching Guide — Elevator Pitch, Pitch Deck, & More

A business or investor pitch is a brief presentation that provides an overview of your business and typically pulls in information from your business plan. It’s your opportunity to convince investors that your business is worth their time and investment.

A good elevator pitch is a concise and compelling summary of your business idea, designed to be delivered in the time it takes to ride an elevator. It should explain what your business does, why it’s unique, and its market potential. Keep in mind, while an elevator pitch is typically very short, you will likely need multiple versions of your pitch that may extend to 5, 10, or 30+ minutes depending on the situation.

A pitch deck is a visual presentation used during meetings with potential investors. It should cover the key points of your business plan, the products and services you provide, high-level financial projections, and funding needs. Your pitch deck should work well on its own as a visual document, but it will primarily be used as a tool to tell the story of your business.

To write a business pitch, start by summarizing the sections of your business plan. Identify and highlight your unique selling point, explain your market potential, and outline your business model. Make it compelling, clear, and concise.

A pitch typically includes a problem statement, solution (your product or service), target market, business model, competitive analysis, marketing strategy, financial projections, your team, and demonstration of business traction.

Pitching is a communication skill that involves presenting your business idea in a persuasive and engaging manner. It combines storytelling, public speaking, and sales skills.

When pitching, avoid being overly technical or using complex jargon, providing too much information, lacking clarity or focus, and failing to articulate the problem your business solves or its unique selling proposition. Additionally, if you’re asking for funding, be sure that you know how much you need and are able to describe how you will use it.

Absolutely! Preparing a pitch isn’t solely about securing funding. It’s a valuable exercise in articulating your business vision, strategy, and goals. A well-crafted pitch can be used to attract partners, clients, and talent to your business. It’s also a useful tool for refining your business plan and clarifying your value proposition. So yes, even if you don’t need funding right now, a pitch is always worth preparing.