Whatever worked ten years ago does not work nowadays. That’s the first thing you ought to carve in your mind. When you’re working on a business plan presentation, you need to innovate, not just follow a guide.
I’ve been in the business planning world for over 13 years; I own an investment preparation firm in Zürich, Switzerland. Let me show you the proper template to use for a business plan presentation.
Oh, and I’ve attached a free Google Slides template for you to use as a business plan presentation.
The Psychology Behind Reading a Business Plan Presentation
Alright, before we get into the nuts and bolts of what should be in your business plan presentation, let’s talk about the psychology behind it. Because let’s be real – if you don’t understand how your audience is going to be thinking and feeling when they read your presentation, you’re never going to be able to create something that resonates with them. It’s as simple as that.
Business Plan Reader’s Attention Span
Let’s start with attention span. Microsoft conducted a study around ten years ago, and the result is that people have a shorter attention span than goldfish. It makes sense. I can barely get through a 30-second TikTok without getting bored. So you can bet that your investors aren’t going to be spending hours poring over your 50-page business plan. You need to grab their attention fast and keep it.
The Interest in Entrepreneurship & Business Planning
Then there’s the growing interest in entrepreneurship. It’s hotter than ever – everyone and their mother wants to start the next big thing. That means investors are getting bombarded with business plan presentations left and right. You need to find a way to make yours stand out from the crowd.
The Average Time Available To Read Your Business Plan Presentation
And let’s not forget about time. Investors are busy people – they’ve got a million other things on their plate. So you can’t expect them to carve out a huge chunk of their day to read your novel of a business plan. You need to be concise, to the point, and, above all, easy to digest.
Docusend reported that the investor averagely spends under 4 minutes reading a business plan presentation or a pitch deck.
The “Eye” Solution
So, how do you take all of this psychology into account and create a business plan presentation that’s actually going to work? The key is to appeal to the “eye” – that’s how you’re going to hook your investors and keep them engaged. Use visuals, keep things clean and simple, and make it easy for them to quickly grasp the most important information.
The perfect solution is to keep everything within eyesight with zero effort. So no going to the next page or navigating whatsoever. How does that work? It works in the form of a one-pager.
The Suggested Content For Your Business Plan Presentation
Alright, now that we’ve covered the psychology, let’s get into the actual content of your business plan presentation. Here’s what I recommend including:
The Elevator Pitch
This is where you’re going to grab your investors’ attention right off the bat. In just a few sentences, you need to clearly explain what your business does, who your target market is, and what makes you different from the competition. Think of it like a really, really short version of your entire business plan.
The Market Size
Once you’ve got their attention, you need to show them the opportunity. Give them the numbers – how big is the market you’re going after? What’s the total addressable market? This is your chance to demonstrate that there’s real potential for growth and profitability.
Recent Investments In The Market
And to really drive the point home, you should highlight any recent major investments that have been made in your industry. This shows that the smart money is already flowing in, and it gives investors confidence that there’s real potential for returns.
Financial Projections
Of course, no business plan presentation would be complete without some solid financial projections. But instead of just throwing a bunch of numbers at your investors, make sure to explain the key assumptions and drivers behind your projections. That way, they can see that you’ve really thought this through.
XY Competitive Chart
To give your investors a clear picture of where you fit in the market, include a simple XY chart that plots your competition. This will show them how you stack up against your rivals in terms of things like pricing, features, and target customers.
Traction
If you’ve already started to gain some traction with customers or partners, make sure to highlight that. Concrete numbers and milestones will help build credibility and show that your business is already gaining momentum.
Team
Your investors are going to want to know who’s going to be leading the charge, so make sure to introduce your key team members. Highlight their relevant experience and expertise, and show how they’re uniquely qualified to make your business a success.
Financial Model
Don’t just give your investors a high-level view of your financials – show them the detailed financial model that underlies your projections. This will demonstrate that you’ve really done your homework and that your numbers are rock-solid.
Timeline
And don’t forget to include a timeline that outlines your key milestones and deliverables. This will show your investors that you have a solid plan in place and that you’re moving forward with purpose.
Investment Ask
Finally, you need to make it crystal clear exactly how much money you’re looking to raise and what you plan to do with it. Be specific and transparent, and give your investors a clear picture of the potential returns they can expect.
Contact
Last, but not least, make sure to include your contact information so that your investors can easily get in touch if they have any questions or want to learn more.
Download The Business Plan Presentation Template
Now, as promised, Here’s a free Google Slides template that you can use as a starting point for your business plan presentation. This template is designed to hit all of the key elements we just covered, and it’s easy to customize to fit your specific needs.
The layout is clean and simple, with plenty of white space to make it easy on the eyes. And the design is modern and professional, so you can be sure your presentation will look polished and put together.
All you have to do is plug in your own content and you’re good to go. No more spending hours agonizing over the perfect layout or design – this template has got you covered.
So go for it – Download the template, start filling it in, and get that attention span.
