Top 10 Pitch Deck Don’ts
PitchDEX for Execs
Are you designing your pitch deck? Here’s a list of “Don’ts” to help you steer clear of making your audience yawn. Let’s get right into it:
10) DON’T try to
sound smart.
You’re an executive. They know you’re smart. Nobody cares. Demonstrate what you can DO for THEM. Cut to the “what’s in it for me” as quickly as possible. Your audience is sitting there wondering, “How is this going to make my life better?” Your audience is smart too, so they’ll appreciate your brevity.
9) DON’T create the
problem.
Solve an existing one. This cuts the time it takes to get your audience on board. Your idea may solve several problems, some of which are not immediately apparent. Don’t waste time. Stick with the obvious problem and solve it, and make the solution easy.
8) DON’T write in
full sentences.
Say it, don’t spray it. Your pitch deck is not the place to dump your stream of consciousness. Keep it concise and clear. Headlines, bullet points, and visuals get the job done. You can fill in the blanks while presenting, and hey, feel free to add some interesting side notes for flavor. But when they’re reading your slides, make it digestible. If your slide looks like the script of War and Peace, it’s probably time to cut back.
7) DON’T aim too high or too low.
Strike the right balance between confidence and humility. Be
proud of what you’ve built, but also stay grounded. Overvaluing your company or
idea makes you look out of touch, while undervaluing can leave people wondering
why you don’t believe in your own efforts. Present the value clearly and
confidently without the extremes and offer a solid deal.
6) DON’T forget to prove it.
Prove that people want what you’re pitching. For example, if you have an impressive sales team ready to market, don’t tell your audience...prove it. Let every salesperson show up the first three minutes of the Teams call and have one speak for all: “Our clients WANT this.”
5) DON’T answer every question upfront.
4) DON’T be so serious.
Take your work seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously. While it’s important to present your idea professionally, your slides don’t need to feel like a corporate funeral. Keep the design light and simple, and use humor or fun visuals where appropriate to make the slide more approachable. Personality is good (most of the time). Your presentation should feel like an entertaining and helpful conversation, not a lecture.
3) DON’T present more than 10 slides.
If you can’t explain your idea in under 10 slides, get a better idea. Seriously, 10 slides. If you need more than that, you’ve either gone off-topic or need to focus your presentation. Keep it crisp. Your audience’s attention span is like a goldfish on a caffeine high. If you go overboard, they’ll be checking their phones and mentally Googling your competition.
2) DON’T overwhelm visually.
You’re likely pitching to someone or a group who is intelligent. With intelligence often comes neurodiversity. Too many colors, too many images, and too much text can be overwhelming. Overstimulation can shut down your audience before you make your point. Minimalism is your friend.
1) DON’T make it complicated!
People invest when they understand. Make sure your presentation cuts through the technical concepts like butter. You want to make sure your audience walks away with a clear understanding of what you’re offering, no confusion, no jargon.
A great pitch deck is all about striking the right balance. Avoiding these common mistakes will help you create a presentation that’s clear, engaging, and memorable. Keep it simple, stay focused on what matters, and don’t forget to show your personality!
