The Art of WOWing Investors

Monday 22 January 2017

Article by Slidemaster Team

It has been said that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. For an entrepreneur, that statement couldn’t be more true, especially when it comes to investor pitches. The pitch presentation is the one thing that could either get a start-up off the ground or plunge it into the void.

At Slidemaster, we’ve helped countless entrepreneurs to perfect their pitch and optimise their strategy for successful fundraising. Most recently, we worked with a start-up from the financial sector. Our expert team of designers, copywriters and illustrators not only build their business brand entirely from scratch, they also put together an engaging pitch presentation.

This custom-branded presentation made all the difference when it came to securing investment. Reflecting their level of commitment and professionalism, this persuasive, memorable and branded pitch presentation helped them to stand out from the crowd and WOW their investors. As a result, the start-up successfully raised more than a million dollars from venture capitalists.

We know that it takes guts and willingness to get up in front of an audience and share your aspirations. Especially because, at the fundraising stage, you might not actually have a product or demo to sell. Instead, you're trying to convince investors to buy into an exciting concept or dream. 

You're looking for ways to bring your ideas to life so that investors can see your vision. And you want to show them that you're committed to the long-term success of your start-up.

Add to that, investors are often time-poor. They may have already sat through multiple dull, confusing or generic presentations that week. You might only have a brief window of opportunity to grab their attention and convince them that you’re ‘worth the investment’. 

Building a brand

Any investor will tell you that it’s never too early to start thinking about your start-up’s brand. Your brand should be the experience your audience gets from your product. It's a foundational piece in your marketing communication and something you do not want to be without.

In a changing marketplace, where products, teams or audiences are shifting, a strong brand can be a constant force that keeps your investors, customers and employees focused. 

Remember, if your brand isn’t marketable from the outset, the chances are it won’t be profitable, and you’re unlikely to secure investment.

So, how do you begin to build a unique and attractive brand? Here are some tips to get you started:

Tell your story. Everyone loves to hear stories, even investors. So, tell an exciting and emotionally engaging story about your startup, and the passion you have for your business.

Be personable. It’s a lot easier to market to people if your brand has a likeable and appealing personality. Also, who are the people behind your start-up? What are their credentials? Describe their beliefs and values.

Create your visual expression. One of the most impactful ways to express your brand is visually. Pictures are one of the oldest and most powerful forms of communication. After all, humans drew and painted long before they could read or write. Visuals speak their own language and connect with us on an emotional level. 

This is your chance to be artistic and get creative! Think about the type of imagery that captures the essence of your brand. What pictures, patterns, colours, even typefaces, appeal to your customers? What might stick in people’s minds? These expressions can be woven into all design elements of your brand identity.

Build presence. Consider the ways you can build brand awareness and presence in the marketplace. Think about how that will grow your market share and drive long-term profitability.

By now, you should be well on your way to constructing an original and appealing brand that gets you noticed. You can either use this information to create your own branded presentation, or submit it as a powerful brief to our design team. Either way, you're on the road to success.

Make no mistake about it, with a solid business plan, a professionally created (and well-rehearsed) pitch presentation, and bucket-loads of enthusiasm, you’ll have investors begging you to take their money!


Slidemaster , a boutique presentation design agency specialising in professional PowerPoint Presentations and Explainer Videos is a member of AmCham. Our expert team of designers, writers, illustrators and animators bring your stories to life. To find out how to wow your audience with your next presentation, visit www.slidemaster.com.au.

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