I come from a car sales background, now selling software. I have a tendency to prefer a slide-less approach. I think it makes the interaction more conversational.
How do y'all feel about pitch decks?
DataWrangler
Slides or no slides?
18
Slides when necessary (i.e. to show something).
yeah that
Agreed!! Also depends on the software, some platforms are visual sellers so a presentation is often not required. Some are very tech heavy, points are best explained through a deck. Also, it helps in building flow.
This.
I always try to demo more than anything, but with what I'm selling these days a few slides are absolutely necessary.
Kept to a minimum, with additional information delivered after the fact.
I always try to demo more than anything, but with what I'm selling these days a few slides are absolutely necessary.
Kept to a minimum, with additional information delivered after the fact.
Slides โ Presentation
Slides = Tool
Use slides but as a means to create conversation. When done right you shouldnโt have to speak to whatโs on the slide. It should stand by itself and underscore your talking points. If you find that you are reading anything on your slides youโre doing it wrong.
Slides = Tool
Use slides but as a means to create conversation. When done right you shouldnโt have to speak to whatโs on the slide. It should stand by itself and underscore your talking points. If you find that you are reading anything on your slides youโre doing it wrong.
If you get stuck sliding through an entire pitch, you're seriously stuck. Short decks, few words. Leave yourself a pause after the last one then lean in and say the thing... the power phrase... then pause and let your room absorb it. Then start the show n tell.
In a discovery call you are establishing a relation and product fit and need. Iโd keep slides to a minimum, if at all. Why show them a bunch of irrelevant slides?
Once you establish those things and there is interest, slide away!
Once you establish those things and there is interest, slide away!
Easiest rule of thumb for first meeting IMO, is slides for outbound and no slides for inbound.
If you're qualifying cold outreach, slides are a good option to keep prospects engaged and guide them through your disco. If they're inbound and are already familiar with what you do and think they want it, I'd ditch the slides and focus on discovery and rapport.
I would still have slides for both for later stage meetings when additional stakeholders may be involved and ROI is a possible discussion. Even if it's a case that I don't need them, they help prepare, guide, and recap the discussion.
Tldr: read braintank's comment
If you're qualifying cold outreach, slides are a good option to keep prospects engaged and guide them through your disco. If they're inbound and are already familiar with what you do and think they want it, I'd ditch the slides and focus on discovery and rapport.
I would still have slides for both for later stage meetings when additional stakeholders may be involved and ROI is a possible discussion. Even if it's a case that I don't need them, they help prepare, guide, and recap the discussion.
Tldr: read braintank's comment
They can be great visuals, but I use as few as possible to get my point across or provide some context. I don't let them get in the way of a good conversation.
Also, I don't tend to use them until the demo/presentation unless there's one or two that provide a good backdrop to a point I'm making.
Also, I don't tend to use them until the demo/presentation unless there's one or two that provide a good backdrop to a point I'm making.
Depends on the meeting for me. 1-1 selling to an individual or a couple of DM's, no slides. A bigger presentation to a committee or a team, im using slides.
I find if its a larger group its easier to stay on track and on message with slides as you likely dont want to be massively side-tracked during your pitch/conversation/discovery, quickest way to lose the room is to get bogged down on a side-quest that only one person has an interest in.
I find if its a larger group its easier to stay on track and on message with slides as you likely dont want to be massively side-tracked during your pitch/conversation/discovery, quickest way to lose the room is to get bogged down on a side-quest that only one person has an interest in.
I usually have slides prepped based on what I know and at the ready however a disco call should be more of a conversation and a deck can takeaway from that.
If they ask to see the deck, I'll show it however in my experience they just want to run through the motions and not buy.
If they ask to see the deck, I'll show it however in my experience they just want to run through the motions and not buy.
Thats my experience as well. At least for a discovery call. The slides puts there brain into netflix and chill mode.
I have always hated slide decks. I would much rather have a great demo environment and use that as my show and tell.
Depends, sometimes I use it with ent clients. Otherwise I donโt.
Try to never
Slides but like 4
Slides should be nothing more than a guide or visual
1 or 2 slides with the most value on - only show if needed or specific things come up. You can always have them up whilst talking about other things too. So cringe when people have slides about themselves and a picture of themselves etc or when they are 10 long. Simple is best
My boss is obsessed with slides, including an 'about me' one with a fun fact and why I work at the company. I never use it and get a "reminder" about it at least once a month.
My opinions is your deal will never be won or lost because you did or did not use a slide deck.
My opinions is your deal will never be won or lost because you did or did not use a slide deck.
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