Pitch decks go by many names. They're often called by the task for which they're written. A pitch deck is used to "pitch" or propose an idea or product. They're also called proposal decks, investor decks, or if you go really old school, Powerpoint presentations! They're also called by a more generic name, slide decks.
I gotta admit, I love pitch decks. I'm addicted to them. As a copywriter, they're one of my favorite projects to write for clients. I like them because I have a short attention span myself, and pitch decks break down complex ideas and then breaks it down into small bites of information.
From CV to Personal Pitch Deck
I recently completed a pitch deck for a client to send along with his CV to potential employers. He wanted a presentation that highlighted more relevant parts of his background and experience. Because he is a physician and an expert in his field, he is highly credentialed with a 5 page CV.
My client and I decided to create a pitch deck. In this way we can highlight the most relevant information that would be of interest to a potential employer. Pitch decks are no substitute for resumes or CVs. But they can be a highly effective tool. They take what can be a very linear document of information and bring to life the most relevant information using words, pictures, and graphics.
Pitch Decks Make Important Information Impossible to Ignore
Just as a resume doesn't get you the job, a pitch deck isn't meant to sell an idea, product, service…or person. Its job is to spark enough interest to get the interview. But they can do a great job of showcasing relevant information.
A Personal Pitch Deck Tells Your Story
A personal pitch deck tells your story. Think of it as the story behind your branding statement. It's a series of slides that communicates what you have to offer potential employers and clients through charts, graphics, color, space, and a story.
Tips for Composing A Personal Pitch Deck
Who is Your Audience? Before anything else, decide who is your audience. Make the pitch deck directly relevant to them. The great thing about this medium is that if you have several audiences, you can easily customize the presentation by adding or removing slides.
How Long Should it Be? There's no set length to pitch decks. I recommend 10 slides for a personal pitch deck. Don't overwhelm the reader. Make it memorable.
One Idea Per Slide - It's essential to only include one statement or idea per slide, otherwise you risk losing your reader or diminishing the importance of the information altogether.
Always Say Thank You - When writing a pitch deck, be sure to say "thank you" and include your contact information on the last slide.
Tell A Story! - The personal pitch deck needs to be held together by telling a story. The story doesn't have to be long, involved or detailed.