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- ♞ Common Problems: Closing Slide
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What is the most common problem with the Closing Slide?
The closing slide should be extremely simple, but many founders continue to make fundamental mistakes with this key slide. This slide needs a few elements:
Collaborative Statement: “Join Us” is my go-to here; it’s simple and universal. It does the job, and like the cover slide, the closing slide isn’t going to win you any investors, but it can cost you investors. You just need to get the basics right, this isn’t a place where you need anything more.
Contact: You need to provide some contact information here. It’s the only slide where you should do that. Generally, a name and email are sufficient, but I don’t mind if you go all out with an address, etc.
Company Name/Logo - You need some branding here. Most founders forget that many VCs will read your deck before meeting you, that means they will have briefly seen your name/logo on the cover slide then not again during your pitch (most likely) so having it at the end here just helps them associate the pitch with your brand.
Now that you know what you need to do here is what you must avoid:
NEVER say Thank You! There is extensive academic evidence that this phrase significantly lowers your chances of raising (by as much as 70% in some studies). It immediately makes it seem like you need something from the VC and that is the last impression they get from you. The whole point of a deck is to pitch a collaboration where you help them make money. As soon as you say “Thank You” it makes it seem as if they are doing you a favour. This is to be avoided at all costs.
Don’t pitch on the closing slide. Your pitch is done; this isn’t the time to keep going at it. Let it go, don’t try to squeeze in one last argument, if it’s that important, then add another slide.
Don’t link to anything but your email. No company website, LinkedIn, etc. You want them to read the deck and email you, so don’t give them other options. If they choose to search for those things, they should be easy to find, but don’t encourage them to keep digging when you already have them hooked.
Does your deck feature any of these common problems? |
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📱 Book a Strategy Call to get 1:1 feedback on your pitch, pitch deck and/or fundraising strategy. (If you need general startup advice, then reply to this email, and I’ll let you know if/how I can help.)
Onwards and Upwards,
