Creating a compelling pitch deck requires strategic thinking, storytelling, and design expertise. You need to clearly understand your target audience, their needs, their pain points, and how your product or service can solve their problems or fulfill their desires. You must also concisely and memorably, using compelling visuals and engaging language.

To achieve these goals, many entrepreneurs and startups work with professional consultants and designers specializing in pitch deck development. However, managing a pitch deck project can be challenging, especially if you’re new to working with outside experts or need more experience in project management.

This guide will share some best practices for managing your pitch deck project and working effectively with professional consultants and designers. We’ll cover the following topics:

Define your goals and scope

The first step in managing your pitch deck project is to define your goals and scope. What are you trying to achieve with your pitch deck? Are you seeking seed funding, venture capital, strategic partnerships, or new customers? Who is your target audience, and what are their needs and pain points?

Once you clearly understand your objectives and audience, you can define the scope of your project. How many slides do you need? What information should be included on each slide? What design style do you prefer? What are your timeline and budget?

By defining your goals and scope upfront, you can avoid scope creep, manage expectations, and ensure that your consultants and designers are aligned with your vision.

Choose the right consultants and designers.

Choosing the right consultants and designers is critical to the success of your pitch deck project. Look for professionals who have experience in your industry, understand your audience, and have a portfolio of successful pitch decks.

Consider factors such as their availability, responsiveness, and communication style. Do they have a process for managing projects, handling revisions, and delivering final assets? Can they work within your budget and timeline?

One example of a successful pitch deck project is Airbnb’s early pitch deck, created by designer Joseph Gebbia. The pitch deck helped Airbnb raise $600,000 in seed funding in 2009 and is now considered a classic example of a compelling pitch deck.

Establish clear communication channels and expectations.

Clear communication is essential to any project; a pitch deck project is no exception. Establish clear communication channels with your consultants and designers, such as email, phone, or project management software. Clarify expectations around response times, availability, and deadlines.

Make sure that you and your consultants and designers are aligned on the project’s scope, design style, content, and timeline. Set expectations around the number of revisions, the approval process, and the final deliverables.

Provide relevant and timely feedback.

Providing relevant and timely feedback is crucial to the success of your pitch deck project. Review each draft of the pitch deck carefully and provide feedback that is specific, actionable, and aligned with your goals and audience.

Avoid vague or subjective feedback, such as “I don’t like the design” or “this slide doesn’t work for me.” Instead, provide specific suggestions for improvement, such as “the font is too small, can we increase it by a few points?” or “can we add a slide that highlights our competitive advantage?”

Be mindful of the turnaround time for revisions and provide feedback promptly. Delays in providing feedback can cause delays in the project timeline and increase costs.

Respect the creative process.

Working with creative professionals can be challenging, especially if you have a strong vision for your pitch deck. However, it’s important to respect the creative process and trust the expertise of your consultants and designers.

Avoid micromanaging or imposing your preferences on the design. Instead, provide clear guidelines and feedback, and allow your consultants and designers to use their creativity to bring your vision to life.

Remember that your consultants and designers are experts in their field and can offer valuable insights and suggestions to enhance your pitch deck’s quality and impact.

Monitor progress and budget.

Monitoring progress and budget is critical to managing your pitch deck project effectively. Use a project management tool or spreadsheet to track progress, including milestones, deadlines, and revisions.

Monitor the budget closely and address any cost overruns or scope creep as soon as possible. Be transparent with your consultants and designers about the budget and timeline constraints, and work together to find solutions that meet your goals and budget.

Evaluate the final deliverables.

Once the pitch deck is complete, evaluate the final deliverables carefully. Review the deck and each slide, ensuring that it meets your goals, is visually compelling, and communicates your message effectively.

Consider conducting a usability test or focus group with your target audience to gather feedback and insights on the effectiveness of your pitch deck.

Conclusion

Managing a pitch deck project can be challenging, but by following these best practices, you can ensure your project succeeds and delivers the desired results. Define your goals and scope, choose the right consultants and designers, establish clear communication channels and expectations, provide relevant and timely feedback, respect the creative process, monitor progress and budget, and evaluate the final deliverables.

By working effectively with your consultants and designers, you can create a compelling pitch deck that tells your story, engages your audience, and helps you achieve your business goals.