How to Write a Pitch Deck (That Investors Actually Want to Read)

A pitch deck is a short presentation—usually 10–15 slides—that explains your business idea and convinces investors, partners, or stakeholders to want the next conversation. A great pitch deck doesn’t try to say everything. It tells a focused story that makes your opportunity easy to understand and hard to ignore.

Below is a simple, proven framework for writing a strong pitch deck.

1. Start with the problem

Open with the real-world problem you’re solving. Be specific and relatable.

Tips:

• Describe the problem in one clear sentence
• Show who experiences it and why it matters
• Avoid vague claims like “the market is broken”

If people don’t care about the problem, they won’t care about the solution.

2. Present your solution

Now show how you solve that problem—clearly and simply.

Include:

• What your product or service is
• How it works at a high level
• Why it’s better than existing alternatives

Think clarity over cleverness. If it takes more than a few seconds to understand, simplify.

3. Define the market opportunity

Investors want to know: How big can this get?

Explain:

• Who your customers are
• The size of the market (TAM, SAM, SOM if relevant)
• Why now is the right time for this solution

Use realistic numbers and credible sources.

4. Explain your product

Show what you’ve built—or what you’re building.

This can include:

• Screenshots or product visuals
• A short walkthrough of key features
• The core value users get from using it

Don’t overload this section. One strong visual often beats five crowded slides.

5. Show traction or validation

Proof builds trust.

Examples of traction:

• Revenue or user growth
• Pilot customers or partnerships
• Engagement metrics or waitlists

If you’re pre-launch, highlight signals of demand like customer interviews or early commitments.

6. Outline your business model

Explain how you make (or will make) money.

Cover:

• Pricing strategy
• Who pays and how often
• Key revenue streams

Keep it straightforward—complex monetization can come later.

7. Address the competition

Show that you understand the landscape.

Include:

• Key competitors or alternatives
• How customers solve this problem today
• What makes you different or defensible

A simple comparison chart works well here.

8. Introduce the team

Investors invest in people, not just ideas.

Highlight:

• Founders and key roles
• Relevant experience or wins
• Why your team is uniquely suited to solve this problem

Keep bios short and relevant.

9. Share the ask

Be clear about what you want.

State:

• How much you’re raising
• What the funding will be used for
• Key milestones this round will unlock

Clarity here signals confidence and preparation.

10. End with the vision

Close with where this is all going.

Paint a picture of:

• The future you’re building
• The impact your company could have
• Why this could be big

Leave them excited about what’s next.

Final tips for writing a great pitch deck

• Keep it concise: 10–15 slides is ideal
• Stick to one main idea per slide
• Use visuals to support the story, not distract from it
• Write for someone who knows nothing about your business

If you truly don’t know where to start, you can use one of our pre-built, customizable pitch deck templates as inspiration. A presentation template gives you the structure you need to kickstart your own ideas and story. 

A strong pitch deck doesn’t overwhelm—it guides. First and foremost you should focus on telling a clear story, and your deck will do what it’s meant to do: open doors.