1. CRAFTING YOUR
INVESTOR Pitch
A Common Sense Approach
to Differentiation
CREATIVE ACES
Marketing “Decks” for Small Business Marketing September 2012

2. Crafting Your
INTRO Investor Pitch
Use a common sense approach to
Differentiate you & your company
Ever attend one of the Pecha Kucha-style pitch nights? It’s a fast-paced
evening of roughly a half dozen companies making their presentation to
the audience of {hopefully} potential backers.
Here in Chicago, the start up community is vibrant and active. And the
opportunity to present a new idea, service or product draws a large
audience. Usually sold-out or standing room only. All fantastic news for
entrepreneurs in Chicago and Midwest.
However, the presentation styles have varied greatly. It takes planning,
discipline and practice before stepping into the spotlight with their pitch.
Following is guide to keep-it-simple while concentrating on why you’re
seeking backing. .
I’ve designed numerous presentations for publicly traded companies,
IPO roadshows, special situations/announcements, quarterly earnings
and more. Only the design and content distinguish one company from
another. As a graphic designer in the business-to-business, specializing
in financial communications, the approach for each presentation (this
structure could easily be published as an ebook or whitepaper) was
HOW this document would correlate with the overall marketing of the
company.
Crafting Your Investor Pitch, A Common Sense Approach to Differentiation 2

3. #1 Investors
Tip
Have
ENDURED
A lot of
Pitches
Crafting Your Investor Pitch, A Common Sense Approach to Differentiation 3

4. #2 Be different
Tip
Be original
Short & Concise:
Get to the Point
Make it Conversational
Tell them something they
may not already know.
Crafting Your Investor Pitch, A Common Sense Approach to Differentiation 4

5. #3 Who, What
Tip
& Why
Investors want to learn about
your leadership team; who’s
doing what and why it’s
important.
Crafting Your Investor Pitch, A Common Sense Approach to Differentiation 5

6. #4 How will
Tip
the money
be spent?
Technology
Research & Development
Human Capital
Meditation Room
Crafting Your Investor Pitch, A Common Sense Approach to Differentiation 6

7. #5 Reveal Your
Tip
“SECRET Sauce”
What makes you/your product/
your service DIFFERENT?
Crafting Your Investor Pitch, A Common Sense Approach to Differentiation 7

8. #6 SHOW VS. TELL
Tip
Demo your product versus
talking about it.
Get your audience involved.
Crafting Your Investor Pitch, A Common Sense Approach to Differentiation 8

9. #7 Pitching can be
Tip
Exhausting
Evaluate each session.
Make adjustments.
Refine.
Practice.
Practice.
Repeat.
Crafting Your Investor Pitch, A Common Sense Approach to Differentiation 9

10. Creative aces Common Sense
About Business Communication NOT Advertising
Creative Aces is a design and
Thinking of your investor pitch like a commercial to sell a car or vacation is counter intuitive.
publishing firm specializing in visual
communications that enhance your The real work is preparing the content to be concise, direct and informative. Loading a slide with
company and its story. bullet after bullet of copy that you’re going to read to your audience is {frankly} boring.
Creating innovative solutions for all There are numerous articles from places like Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Forbes and
aspects of a marketing mix including others with suggestions on how to improve your presentation. All seem to focus on passion and
brochures, direct mail, corporate ID, clarity. Begin with a storyboard, run it by colleagues or friends and refine it.
advertising, e-books, annual reports and
web designs.
It’s your company, you’re telling the story. Shine a light on yourself and why it all matters. Make the
Visit us at www.creativeaces.com
connection with your audience and you’ll most likely reap the rewards.
or contact joann@creativeaces.com
Check out our companion e-book: Universal Pitch Deck, The Ultimate 12-Slide Structure For Any
Like the idea of doing an ebook like this, Presentation. Twelve slides* is all you need to succinctly outline your own presentation or ebook.
instead of a boring old white paper? Regardless of your business, niche market or service, this structure can serve as your own outline if
I’m standing by. you’re presenting to investors or potential new clients.
CONNECT & SHARE
* Guy Kawasaki’s infamous presentation rule is “10 slides. 20 minutes. 30 point font.”
Crafting Your Investor Pitch, A Common Sense Approach to Differentiation 10