S&I Gazette #41: What’s on investors’ minds when they see a bad pitch deck?

Pitch decks are your first impression on investors, and a bad one can do more harm than you think. 

Here's what goes through investors' minds when they encounter a poorly made deck:

Red flags investors spot instantly

1. Disorganized structure: If they can’t explain their business clearly, how will they run it?

2. Overloaded slides: Too much text shows they don’t understand what’s important.

3. Missing key information: How do they expect me to invest without understanding their finances, market, or plan?

The unspoken questions

1. Can they execute this idea? A chaotic deck raises doubts about the founder’s ability to execute their vision.

2. Is this worth my time? Investors review hundreds of decks, yours needs to grab attention in seconds.

3. Will I see a return? A weak deck suggests a weak business case, even if that’s not true.

How to avoid this?

First, create a clear story that highlights your business potential.

Then, back your claims with credible data and financial projections.

Have a professional designer make your deck’s visuals match the professionalism you want to convey.

Remember, your pitch deck isn’t just a presentation, it’s a reflection of your business. 

A great deck opens doors. A bad one closes them.

P.S. We just launched a new service. It's called 'Roast My Deck' for those of you who aren't 100% confident in your pitch deck and want a second opinion! DM me and let's get started.