13 Copywriting Hacks to Improve Your Pitch Deck

Benjamin Debonneville
Founder & CEO
Connect on

Contents

Did you know that investors spend just three minutes and 20 seconds on average reviewing pitch decks? With such limited time, it's crucial to harness the power of copywriting to captivate and convince potential investors.

Imagine your pitch deck as a captivating theater production, meticulously crafted to engage, persuade, and etch a lasting impression in the minds of investors.

Picture investors eagerly leaning forward, eyes fixed on your slides as your copy dances across the screen, enchanting them with every word.

That’s what a powerful pitch deck copy can do!

But how to create a powerful pitch deck copy?

Well, get ready to leave investors spellbound as you master the art of copywriting for a pitch deck in this article that casts its spell on your journey to entrepreneurial triumph.

13 Copywriting Tips to Craft an Attention-Grabbing Pitch Deck

As the saying goes, "You had me at the headline."

In the realm of pitch decks, captivating and engaging copy holds immense power. It's the gateway to capturing the interest of potential investors and making them eager to explore further.

A well-crafted and eye-catching copy for your pitch deck serves as a magnetic force, drawing your audience's attention and setting the tone for the rest of your presentation.

Following are 20 magic tips for crafting an attention-grabbing copy for a Pitch Deck:

Get Your Audience Hooked

In your first slide, it's crucial to establish a problem that resonates deeply with your audience, tugging at their emotions and creating a sense of urgency.

For instance, consider a compelling example like, "Every day, 1 million people suffer from the devastating aftermath of data loss, losing cherished memories, valuable work, and critical information." This emotionally engaging statement immediately captures attention and evokes a sense of empathy, highlighting the real-life impact of the problem.

On the other hand, a generic statement like "Data loss is a problem" fails to create the necessary emotional connection, lacking the urgency and relatability required to captivate investors from the start.

The more emotionally engaging and specific your problem statement, the better your chances of grabbing their attention and compelling them to explore your solution further.

Keep it Simple

When crafting your pitch deck, it's essential to communicate your message clearly, avoiding jargon and technical terms that might confuse your audience.

For instance, instead of saying, "Our advanced algorithms ensure no data degradation," opt for a more straightforward approach like, "We're here to help you never lose your files again."

This concise and relatable statement ensures that even non-tech-savvy individuals can grasp your solution's value without the need for a dictionary.

Remember, simplicity and clarity are key when connecting with investors and conveying the benefits of your product or idea. So, you need to follow this in every slide of your presentation.

Tell a Story

Stories have a remarkable power to make your pitch deck relatable and memorable.

Consider a compelling example, "Tom, a diligent student, lost his entire project files a day before submission. That heart-wrenching experience drove us to create a solution that prevents such nightmares."

This narrative approach personalizes the problem, evoking empathy and making it more engaging.

On the other hand, a generic statement like "Data loss can happen" lacks an emotional connection and fails to leave a lasting impression. So, embrace the magic of storytelling in your pitch deck and transport your audience into a world where your solution becomes the hero they need.

Narrating your product or ideas through a compelling story is the crux of your problem and solution slide when crafting your pitch deck.

Use Concrete Language

When presenting your pitch deck, ensure your statements are specific and easily understandable.

For instance, instead of saying, "Our software is fast," provide a more precise and measurable statement like, "Our software can recover files in just 3 minutes."

This specific measurement conveys a clear and tangible benefit, leaving no room for ambiguity.

While crafting a pitch deck, most specifically in your product or services slide, clarity and specificity enhance the credibility of your claims and help investors grasp the true value of your offering.

So, be concrete, provide precise measurements, and leave no room for interpretation in your pitch deck messaging.

Be Benefit-Focused

When showcasing your product or service in your pitch deck, focus on how it will improve the lives of your audience.

For instance, instead of simply highlighting a feature like "Our software has a user-friendly interface," emphasize the solution to a pain point with a statement like, "Never worry about losing your files again."

This highlights the direct benefit and addresses a specific problem, making your pitch more compelling and relatable.

One important point to remember is that investors are looking for solutions that enhance their lives, so make sure to articulate your solutions and product or services slide that conveys a clear message of how your offering will make a positive impact.

Use Visual Language

When crafting your pitch deck, aim to paint a vivid picture with your words.

For example, consider the enticing statement: "Imagine a world where file loss is a myth."

This imaginative scenario sparks curiosity and captivates the audience's attention.

In contrast, a straightforward statement like "Our software eliminates file loss" lacks the same impact.

While this rule applies to all slides, it holds particular importance for the problem and solution slides, where evoking emotions and stimulating the imagination can make your pitch truly memorable.

Proofread

When it comes to creating a pitch deck, remember that typos, grammar mistakes, and unclear statements can undermine your credibility.

It's wise to have another set of eyes review your work to ensure it's error-free and coherent.

This rule applies to all slides of the pitch deck, from problem and solution to market size and traction.

A polished and well-reviewed pitch deck boosts your professionalism and increases the chances of making a lasting impression on potential investors.

Highlight Your Uniqueness

When showcasing your unique value proposition in your pitch deck, focus on what sets you apart from the competition.

For instance, consider the compelling statement: "We are the only software offering a 1-click recovery solution." This example highlights a distinct feature that distinguishes your product.

On the other hand, a subjective statement like "We are better than others" lacks specificity.

Remember, this rule applies specifically to the products/services and competition slides of your pitch deck, where highlighting your unique selling points is crucial for standing out in the market.

Use Persuasive Techniques

Influence your audience using proven techniques like scarcity, social proof, and reciprocity.

For example, you can create a sense of urgency with limited-time offers, showcase testimonials to build social proof, and offer value upfront to invoke reciprocity. It's essential to apply these techniques ethically and authentically.

This rule applies to all slides, but it holds particular significance for the closing slide of your pitch deck, where you want to leave a lasting impact and motivate investors to take action.

Use a Consistent Tone

Maintaining a consistent tone throughout your pitch deck is crucial. If you choose an informal and conversational style, ensure that it remains consistent across all slides.

For example, if you're using a lighthearted tone to engage your audience, keep that tone consistent from the start to the end of your presentation.

This rule applies to all slides of the pitch deck, as it helps establish your brand voice and creates a cohesive and engaging presentation that resonates with investors.

Use Active Voice

In your pitch deck, strive for direct, simple, and clear language that is easy to read and understand.

For instance, consider the concise statement: "Our software saves your files." This example gets straight to the point and is more accessible to readers.

Conversely, a more convoluted sentence like "Your files are saved by our software" can create unnecessary complexity.

Again, this rule applies to all slides of the pitch deck, ensuring that your message is effectively communicated to potential investors.

Use Data

While crafting an authentic and compelling pitch deck, providing crucial data is most important.

It is important to bolster your claims with credible data that enhances your credibility and authority.

For instance, consider the impactful statement: "According to TechCrunch, 95% of data loss can be prevented." This example not only asserts a claim but also provides a reputable source, instilling trust in your audience.

On the other hand, a generic statement like "Data loss is preventable" lacks the supporting evidence needed to validate the claim.

Remember, this is important for the market size, traction, and product/services slides of your pitch deck, where incorporating relevant and reliable data adds weight to your arguments and strengthens your overall presentation.

Close Strong

When concluding your pitch deck, leave a lasting impression with a powerful statement or thought-provoking question.

For example, consider the impactful statement: "Are you ready to say goodbye to data loss forever?"

This question not only leaves investors contemplating the potential of your solution but also instills a sense of urgency. In contrast, a simple declaration like "That's the end of our presentation" fails to make a lasting impact.

Remember, the closing statement or question should resonate with your audience, leaving them eager to take action and further explore your business opportunity.

Conclusion: The Next Steps

Copywriting is the unsung hero when it comes to crafting an engaging pitch deck. It's not just about presenting facts or explaining your business, but about convincing your audience to believe in your vision.

The words you choose, the tone you adopt, and the story you weave together can mean the difference between a forgettable presentation and a memorable, persuasive pitch.

Having journeyed through these copywriting hacks, you're now armed with the know-how to transform your pitch deck from a mere presentation into a riveting narrative. Whether it's painting a vivid picture of a world without data loss or infusing humor into the serious world of software solutions, every word counts.

But let's not forget our friendly fonts—Times New Roman, Arial, Helvetica, and the like—your allies in legibility and impression.

One important rule is your pitch can't impress if it can't be read! So, get ready, keep it simple, tell a captivating story, remain authentic, and weave words that inspire action. Your pitch deck isn't just a slide deck—it's a performance.

And your audience?

They're eagerly waiting for a show that engages and persuades.

Benjamin gave great tips to my start-up Blend for polishing and optimising my pitch deck, refreshing perspective. Recommend!