# A Beginner’s Guide to Creating an Effective Pitch Deck for Investors
When it comes to securing funding for your business, having a strong pitch deck is essential. As an entrepreneur who successfully raised over $1.5 million in funding, here are some proven strategies for creating an effective pitch deck that will help you tell your story and attract potential investors.
## The 3 W’s: Why, What, Who
1. **Why**: Start by illustrating the problem your idea is solving to connect with your audience.
2. **What**: Clearly explain what your company does to alleviate the pain point and bring value to your customers.
3. **Who**: Highlight your team’s credentials and expertise, as well as your target customer segment.
## Additional Items to Include in Your Pitch Deck
– Market size
– Burn rate
– Competitive analysis
– Traction
– Projections
– Runway
– Amount of money being raised and its use
## Keep Visuals and Formatting in Mind
– Prioritize captivating visuals to enhance the presentation of your business.
– Use powerful statements as slide headings to convey key messages.
– Include visuals wherever possible and create a text-focused version of your deck for distribution.
## Preparation and Delivery
– Practice your pitch at least 10 times and evaluate your delivery.
– Film yourself to review body language and speed of delivery.
– Bring supporters or team members to the meeting for added support.
By incorporating these strategies into your pitch deck, you can effectively communicate the value of your business and increase your chances of securing funding. Remember, your pitch deck should tell a compelling story and illustrate the vision of your business.
### FAQs
**What makes a pitch deck successful?**
A successful pitch deck tells a compelling story, illustrates the value of your business, and relies on great visuals.
**How many slides should a pitch deck be?**
Keep your pitch to 10 slides or less, and focus on the most important information you want to convey.
**What are three components of a pitch deck?**
A successful pitch deck should answer the 3Ws: why, what, and who.
*About the Author*
Deanna Meador is the CEO and co-founder of Couture Technologies, an AI-powered virtual fitting technology for apparel businesses.
For more information, visit the website [Couture Technologies](https://www.couturetechnologies.com) and connect with Deanna on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanna-meador-99bb5640/) and [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/couturetechnologies/).
