Pitch Decks

use them on calls prior to demo or no? 
🧠 Advice
🔍 Discovery
☁️ Software Tech
18
paddy
WR Officer
7
Director of Business Development
Ditch pecks
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
7
☕️
Never liked bench day anyway...
poweredbycaffeine
WR Lieutenant
3
☕️
Yes, but don't let it dictate the call. We use them as visual aids to help illustrate the narrative/challenges we are helping the company solve. It's simply a part of the discovery process.
TechHustla21
Valued Contributor
2
Mid-Market AE
Depends on the scenario imo. If its an initial disco or demo I say keep it more conversational to build rapport. If you have all the DM's in a room it could be a good way to control the conversation and direct the call based around DM criteria. Still just use it as a visual aid & convo flow coordinator.
Balloons4baboons
Opinionated
1
Account Executive
Depending on where you are in the sales process, stop using them but have them handy if pressed for info on your company. You're basically pitching your company/product before even learning about them. We use them but thankfully our sales director isn't a fan. It seems insincere.

Now if you're working with someone who says something like "hold on there partner (no idea why they'd call you that but whatever) - before we tell you about us, let me hear who you are" then it's good to have it at the ready.

At our company we've seen reps close deals at a higher rate when they don't use a pitch deck vs those that do. And these are reps who have very similar behaviors across the sales cycle and follow the same general road map.
HappyGilmore
Politicker
1
Account Executive
I do not use them prior to demos, we'll typically use them during the demo presentation itself but not prior to that meeting. 
Kinonez
Celebrated Contributor
1
War Room Enthusiast
I don’t think there is definitely right answer to this, they are great visuals, in my company we usually leave them for the demos, since the demo itself is super quick. 
Blackwargreymon
Politicker
1
MDR
Depends on the scenario imo. If its an initial disco or demo I say keep it more conversational to build rapport. If you have all the DM's in a room it could be a good way to control the conversation and direct the call based around DM criteria. Still just use it as a visual aid & convo flow coordinator.
Clashingsoulsspell
Politicker
1
ISR
Yes, but don't let it dictate the call.
Wellss
Tycoon
0
Channel sales
This is the first position I've ditched the pitch deck completely and I think it's worked wonders. I know it depends on the product, but now we just cover everything we would in the deck during the demo. I think it's an easier way to keep the client engaged 
OldDogNewTricks
Opinionated
0
Sales guy
Depends on the product and customer 

Definitely not until after discovery
cw95
Politicker
0
Sales Development Lead
We found just having an exploratory call without a demo works best - if you offer a free trial then that is their demo. 
mitts2
Politicker
0
Account Executive
Personally, I would rather just have a conversation than use a deck for a smaller group. Larger groups decks might be better but its important for me to try and use my deck as an instrument and not a crutch. It is there for reference, not to drive the call.
Diablo
Politicker
0
Sr. AE
Absolutely
LordBusiness
Politicker
0
Chief Revenue Officer
Yes. but for the record. 1) no one cares about the history of your company 2) no one cares about your founders or who's funding you 3) no one care about "the state of the market" (which funny enough always showcases a problem you solve" --- your pitch deck should be 1) what we do 2) what it means for the prospect 3) key differentiators 
GDO
Politicker
0
BDM
I prefer not to use them. But if they ask specific questions I can pull them uo
MCP
Valued Contributor
0
Sales Director
Pitch them.
Flippinghubs
Opinionated
0
Account Executive
Yes, but very short and to the point. Do not want even close to 50% of the call to be spent in decks. this isnt the 80's 
bareknuckles
Valued Contributor
0
CEO of my kitchen table
Pitch deck with a working demo 
CuriousFox
WR Officer
0
🦊
I find the more conversational the appointment the more success I end up
having. You want to be memorable in a positive light, not bc you bored
them to death.


MR.StretchISR
Politicker
0
ISR
Yes, but don't let it dictate the call. We use them as visual aids to help illustrate the narrative/challenges we are helping the company solve. It's simply a part of the discovery process.
Mr.Floaty
Politicker
0
BDR
Are the two meetings at all different? If not and the second is of no value.
Cyberjarre
Politicker
0
BDR
Once a week, twice if you are upper management meeting with CEO/COO, etc.
7

Pitch decks in demos

Discussion
18
Slides/ pitch decks in demos?
60% Yes
40% No
45 people voted
8

Demo Deck with Overview - or Demo Deck is a conversation killer

Discussion
19
21
Members only

Slide Deck for Intro Call?

Question
66
Do you use a slide deck in an intro call?
30% Yes
44% No
26% Depends (Comment)
115 people voted