Sometimes it’s the smallest details that can make or break a deal and this certainly holds true when it comes to the length of your business pitch. If you make your pitch too short, your investors might wonder whether you’ve done enough research. If you make it too long, you might lose their interest. So, what exactly is the ideal length for an investors pitch? In episode #132, Gene Marks and Elizabeth Larkin discuss how you can time your pitch so that it piques the interest of your investors.

Executive Summary

0:53—Today’s Topic: How Long Should I Make My Investors Pitch?

1:28—According to Guy Kawasaki, the ideal pitch deck for an investors meeting should be ten slides long.

2:02—Gene encourages small business owners to trust their intuition when it comes to the length of their pitch because they understand the details of their idea. They should also take into account the specifics of their upcoming meeting.

3:34—Guy Kawasaki also adds that business owners need to talk for 20 minutes and use a 30 point font.

4:06—Gene actually advises business owners to forgo any sort of visual aids to demonstrate their expertise. Although, behavioral scientists have proven that investors are more likely to take you seriously if you have tangible handouts.

5:49—You should begin your presentation by discussing where you want your business to be ten years from now. The next step is to discuss the details of your service or products. Conclude your presentation by providing the actual numbers and statistics that support your business’s potential.

6:57—As with any skill, pitching an idea requires a lot of practice and it will take time before you actually master it.

9:26—Try to limit your actual pitch to a few minutes. Then, pause for questions before you go into deeper detail. This portion of your meeting will depend on how long it takes to answer all your investors’ questions.

10:46—Gene suggests that small business owners use Airbnb for Work as an affordable alternative to traditional hotels. His book recommendations for this week include: Grant by Ron Chernow; The Last Cruise by Kate Christiansen; and A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles.

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