Six Principles for an Effective Startup Video Pitch
Why you need a separate presentation for this purpose.
During my tenure in the VC industry, I have had the opportunity to review hundreds of startup video presentations. More often than not, entrepreneurs simply recite what I could see on the slides myself, adding no additional value. It was as if they were compelled to do so 🥺.
Here, I'd like to share a few simple tips that will maximize the effectiveness of your video presentation.
Create a Separate File for Your Video Presentation
Don't be alarmed; this is simply a simplified version of your main pitch deck. The objective here is to leverage the video format to its fullest potential. According to a survey by HighSpark, over 67% of entrepreneurs don't customize their pitch deck for different audiences, a trend that can be counterproductive.
Simplify Your Presentation for Video
The viewer has several limitations when interacting with a presentation during a video pitch. They are time-constrained and often unaware of when you'll transition to the next slide. They are also juggling two streams of information, with your voice serving as a potential distraction.
Eliminate anything from the slide that doesn't help persuade the investor. This applies to any presentation, really. Anything unhelpful is harmful. Background images, bright illustrations, a variety of fonts - all of these are noise that distracts the viewer's attention from the essence of your pitch.
Start Each Slide with the Main Thesis, Not a Title
Don't waste precious space on words like "Problem", "Solution", etc. State the problem right away and generate interest.
As Mark Suster, a prominent venture capitalist, once said, "Don't make me think. Make your points obvious".
Slide Visuals: Easy to Read and Understand
Use graphics or short phrases instead of long chunks of text with lists. Let the viewer look at the presentation, not read it.
Slide Visuals = Clear Arguments Supporting the Header's Thesis
Did you grab attention? Immediately demonstrate that it's not just clickbait in the headline.
Don't Just Narrate the Slides; Complement Them
Never read what's depicted on the slide. The viewer will begin to see duplicate information; they can see everything themselves. Your voice offers an opportunity to add other arguments in support of your thesis, accompanied by emotion. As investor Guy Kawasaki pointed out, "If you read your slides, I'm going to believe that you could just as well have sent me your slides and spared us both the trouble of your visit".
Write a Separate Script for Yourself to Narrate
This is as much a part of the video presentation as the file itself. Don't allow for any improvisation here.
So, What Do We Get in the End?
A video pitch presentation is a simplified version of your main presentation with clear, easy-to-understand visuals. Combined with a unique "voiceover", it persuades the viewer of the validity of your theses.