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Create a Winning Client Presentation: Tips, Tricks, & Strategies

February 14, 2024

Pitching client presentations can be a daunting experience.

You have to convince clients that you’d be a good fit for their brand and have the best solution to their problem. That your product or service can help them achieve their goals.

With multiple elements in the mix, driving engaging and relevant presentations becomes challenging. 

Learn how to deliver a successful client presentation using the strategies in this guide.

The Importance of a Client Presentation

Step 1. research and plan the pitch, step 2. create a marketing funnel out of your presentation, step 3. use visually engaging content to communicate your story, step 4. encourage two-way conversations, step 5. establish clear next steps to close your presentation, 1. detailed client research, 2. client pain points, 3. proof points, 4. call to action, 5. expected investment and timeline, 1. not setting the stage properly, 2. getting defensive, 3. mentioning irrelevant information, 4. not guiding the feedback loop, pitch perfectly with clickup, common faqs.

A client presentation is meant to give prospective clients a good idea of your specialized expertise. It helps them see what working with you might be like and how you can add value to them. 

If planned and delivered well, an informative customer presentation can help you:

• Talk about your work in the format of a compelling story
• Articulate your value to potential clients
• Communicate the progress you’ve made to an existing client
• Wrap up projects and dissect what went well and what didn’t

Effective client communication is one of the most critical skills for a sales or business professional today.

5 Essential Steps for a Successful Client Presentation

Creating engaging client presentations is tough work, whether you’re about to deliver a sales pitch or a creative slideshow.

Use this five-step checklist when creating presentations and add value to your client’s time:

You may understand your work inside out, but your potential client has yet to warm up to partnering with you. 

This is why the most essential part of an effective client presentation starts with research and planning.

• Who your target audience is (for the presentation) and what their goals look like
• Everything about your prospective client, including their problems, inspirations, interests, and more
• How to answer your client’s biggest goals, roadblocks, and issues
• Their business, team size, and industry (and how your product/services will support their vision)

Now the question is, where do you find this data?

Make sure to look up the following:

• The client’s LinkedIn page and website for information on their current offerings
• Your past pitches for inspiration—especially if you’ve catered to clients in the same industry
• The client’s ‘About Us’ page and videos online for a better understanding of your presentation’s ideal tone of voice and topics

Once you have all the information about what makes your clients tick, help them make sense of the data—structure and format the key points you plan to deliver using ClickUp AI.

Utilize this smart assistant to generate a presentation to help you reach your prospective client goals faster.

Next, you’ll want to use the client meeting to talk about why your brand is right for them:

• Start by acknowledging their pain points, showing them that you understand them, and building trust in the process
• Move on to asking questions and see if they have any pressing issues that need to be solved
• Introduce your offering as the ultimate solution to your client’s problems and tie your product to their immediate needs

Your presentation needs a tangible end goal to ensure focus and direction. Do you want the client to sign the contract? Or maybe you want them to register for a demo. 

Either way, you must clearly know what action you’d like to inspire them to take.

Here are a few tips on how to convert your presentation into a marketing funnel:

• Build your narrative using a compelling story to hook the audience
• Don’t overload the prospect with tons of information
• Ensure your presentation is to the point, and avoid beating around the bush
• Take charge of your meeting and get your clients to focus on the conversation at hand
• Beginning: Introduce what is being presented, why you’re presenting, and what the client should expect when working together
• Middle: Add visuals to your story and create aesthetic value 
• End: Tell the customer about the next steps and add a relevant call to action

Use the premade ClickUp Presentation template and customize it according to your liking.

This template enables you to:

• Organize sections of your presentation easily, with a clear structure from beginning to end
• Gather feedback from key stakeholders before the final presentation
• Keep track of all tasks related to the presentation in one place

Too much text on your slides makes them dull and will overwhelm your audience.

So, when presenting, consider visual aids like infographics, pie charts, bar graphs, images, hand-drawn illustrations, etc., as your trusted friend.

These visuals offer advantages such as:

• Catching and keeping your client’s attention
• Aligning the client’s needs to the brand’s product/service—visually
• Breaking up text-heavy slides for better focus 
• Converting complex information into easy-to-digest data

Use ClickUp Whiteboards as a canvas to create a visual presentation for your meeting and show your clients your value.

Whether it’s a sales pitch or an onboarding meeting, it is necessary to keep your audience engaged. In other words, your presentation cannot be a monologue.

So, when the presentation is done, it is vital to encourage two-way interaction.

Here’s how you can do this:

• Avoid small talk and instead iterate why the client’s account is important to you
• Do you have any questions for us?
• Do you see our product/service as a satisfactory solution for your needs?
• How do we work together as partners and move this project forward?
• Motivate your audience to ask questions and provide support for their queries—whether it’s related to scope, costs, timelines, and so on

Effective client management is about establishing clear next steps at the end of the meeting. 

If you leave the meeting open-ended, you might not hear back from your audience.

Here’s how to set the right expectations for your client while closing the presentation:

• Outline what you want them to do next 
• Be upfront and direct about how and when you’ll be making follow-up calls
• Give the client a defined deadline and keep them in the loop always

Key Elements to Include in a Client Presentation

Brush up your client presentation skills and set your presentation up for success with these must-have elements:

Use primary and secondary research methods to gather information about your client’s pain points.

Get answers to these questions during your research:

• What are the client’s short-term and long-term goals?
• What problems are they currently facing within their industry?
• How does the client measure success?

Pro tip: Leverage sources like company websites, annual reports, industry publications, and social media platforms to get granular details. 

Invest in client onboarding software to efficiently organize and present your research.

Addressing your client’s current challenges demonstrates your understanding of their immediate needs and, by extension, establishes your relevance.

Do your homework about your client’s recent activities to identify current challenges they might be grappling with. Also, engage in discussions with your key stakeholders to get their opinions. In addition, you can use project kickoff templates to capture information about your clients from the get-go.

Your proof points validate your claims and build credibility by highlighting your track record and success stories. To showcase them:

• Gather case studies, testimonials, and performance data that demonstrate the effectiveness of your solutions within the industry
• Structure your presentation to strategically incorporate these proof points, highlighting them at key moments to reinforce credibility
• Use visuals, such as charts or graphs, to represent your proof points and make them more impactful

A clear call to action directs your client to the next steps they should take after the presentation and guides them toward a decision.

To make this process easier for them:

• Clearly outline the desired outcome, whether it’s scheduling a meeting, signing a contract, or starting a trial
• Provide multiple channels for the client to take the desired action and make it as convenient as possible for them to move forward
• Connect with them promptly afterward to reinforce the call to action and provide additional support as needed

Present a detailed breakdown of the investment required for your solutions, including costs, payment terms, and potential ROI.

To get an accurate estimate of your client’s budgetary and timeline requirements, ask these questions:

• What’s the maximum budget for the project?
• Are there any specific budgetary constraints to be aware of?
• How flexible is the client’s budget? Are they open to discussions about cost adjustments?
• What timeline do they have to get the project up and running?
• What will happen to the deadline and costs in case of a scope creep?

4 Common Mistakes to Avoid During a Client Presentation

Find the sweet spot with your presentation skills by avoiding these common mistakes:

Failing to establish the proper context at the beginning of your presentation leads to misunderstandings and a lack of engagement from your client. Manage client expectations and clarify what the audience should expect.

If your clients feel confused about the purpose of the presentation, they’ll never be able to grasp the value of your offerings fully.

To set the stage properly , follow these few tips:

• Understand your audience’s background and align your introduction to resonate with their needs
• Clearly state the objectives of your presentation and let your clients know what they stand to gain from your pitch
• Start with a compelling hook that captures their attention and sets the tone for the rest of the presentation

Displaying defensive body language, such as crossing arms, avoiding eye contact, or appearing tense, signals discomfort to your clients.

This can immediately undermine your credibility and rapport with them.

Plus, your defensiveness may seem more like a lack of confidence in your customer’s eyes, leading to a breakdown in communication and trust.

To sharpen your non-verbal communication skills , follow these tips:

• Pay attention to your body language during practice sessions. Also, practice maintaining an open posture and making eye contact to convey confidence and openness
• If a challenging question is asked, remain calm and open-minded
• Demonstrate active listening by nodding, smiling, and using affirming gestures. This shows your clients that you value their input and are engaged in the conversation
• If you’re unsure about something or need clarification, ask questions politely and respectfully. This demonstrates a willingness to understand and address your client’s concerns

Irrelevant details during a pitch are a waste of your client’s time. If there is no clear benefit of adding additional information about the company services, don’t.

For example, if your presentation is about account management, don’t talk about your company’s history unless it directly relates to the success of your account management strategies.

Instead, focus on showcasing account results as the main takeaway. This will keep your presentation focused and ensure you’re providing valuable information that directly addresses your client’s interests and needs.

Here are some strategies to effectively incorporate relevant data within your presentation:

• Add data that directly addresses your customer’s specific pain points and interests
• Identify the most important metrics that align with your audience’s goals and tie these metrics to the impact of your solutions
• Use charts, graphs, and visuals to present data in a clear and compelling manner
• Provide context of the data you’re presenting—help your audience understand why these numbers matter and how they relate to the overall story you’re telling
• Use real-life examples and case studies to illustrate how your solutions have delivered tangible results for similar clients

Finishing a solid presentation is not where your work should end. Keep tabs on your audience’s needs, starting with a follow-up call.

Use a free project management software like ClickUp and arm your company with real time client feedback into what’s working for them and what isn’t. A good client management platform can also automate many of these tasks. 

With ClickUp Forms you can capture your client’s responses and route work to the right team at the right time. Additionally, you can convert Clickup Form responses into trackable tasks, which can be plugged directly into your workflows

Read More: Strategies for Client Project Management

When it comes to a presentation, sticking to the basics makes sense. However, deliver the Big Idea in a way that wows your clients and wins them firmly over. 

So, incorporate research and storytelling and maintain a client-first approach to make your presentation stand out .

Use presentation software like ClickUp to deliver pitch-perfect pitches!

1. How can I improve an audience presentation?

Here are a few key takeaways on how to deliver a successful presentation:

• Spend time and effort researching and planning your pitch
• Convert your presentation into a well-defined marketing funnel
• Leverage visuals and images to highlight the USPs of your product or services
• Close the presentation with a two-way dialogue and clear next steps

2. What should I include in a client presentation?

You can include the following in a client presentation:

• Detailed client research
• The client’s pain points
• Strategic proof points for your presentation content
• A relevant call to action for your audience
• Essential details such as the expected investment and timelines

3. How can ClickUp help in optimizing a client presentation?

ClickUp saves you time and effort in creating effective presentations through its various tools as:

• ClickUp Presentation template, which helps you create effective and engaging presentations for your audience
• ClickUp AI, which allows you to generate a presentation outline within seconds; for example, creating a sales presentation for your sales process
• ClickUp’s Presentation Executive Summary Template, which helps you make a killer first impression with your presentation

Use these features and save the time that goes into creating presentations.

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Client Presentations 101: How to Give a Client Presentation

Think of the word “present- ing” and consider your clients: they want you, the expert, to provide them with the information they want and need. If you think of your presentation as if you’re giving them a “present” (literally, your expertise), you can re-frame the meeting in a way that fills you with the confidence you need to communicate effectively.

What Is a Client Presentation?

A client presentation allows you to explain the importance of your work in a compelling way. It’s key for articulating your value, if it’s in the proposal stage , or your progress if you’re in the middle of a project.

Of course, you may give a wrap-up client presentation as well, where you’ll want to review what went well and what went wrong for your project.

Related: Ultimate Guide to Project Status Reports

Why Is a Client Presentation Important?

A client presentation is all about communicating . You’re the expert, and your job is to convey to your client everything that’s important. There is a lot of information that you have that your client doesn’t have. They’re not as well-versed in the project as you are. So, give them the gift of communication.

This is key for them to understand everything that went into the project. If your client presentation doesn’t effectively communicate, it’s failed.

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How to Deliver a Client Presentation

• Simplify, simplify, simplify : A good client presentation always emphasizes clarity and simplicity. If your client doesn’t understand your presentation, then you’ve wasted your time.
• Speak their language:  The best way to communicate effectively is to consider your audience. Don’t get caught up in jargon they might not understand. Speak plainly and honestly.
• Focus on what matters to them: Remember the goals of the project to begin with. Stay focused on what matters and don’t get lost in the details.
• Make your point clearly, concisely and quickly: People tend to have short attention spans. The sooner you can convey your meaning, the likelier it is that they will be able to process it and ask questions afterwards.
• Confirm they understand, and remember to ask questions: Don’t just assume they understand your points in your client presentation. It’s key to check in with them and be proactive by asking questions at the tail end of your presentation, or even the halfway point.
• Be respectful: Be respectful and be patient. These are your business partners. You don’t want to sour any relationships by how you respond to their reaction to your client presentation.
• Avoid shaming their questions: They don’t know what you know! Not everyone understands things quickly. That’s ok. It’s your job to make sure that your client presentation gets them to a place of understanding. Sometimes that doesn’t happen right away: keep at it.
• Excite them:   Be enthusiastic about the project! People don’t respond to cold facts by themselves. Supercharge your client presentation with emotion and enthusiasm. But always stay professional.
• Set a vision for them and help them see how to get there: Be the expert and the visionary . You can’t do everything for them, but you can lay out a roadmap for them to reach their goals.
• Explain the process and let them know where they are:  It’s key to be honest here. Sugarcoating reality isn’t going to help anyway, but try to pepper in good news with any bad news. Clients can be sensitive, but you’ll still need a good relationship to get anything done.

If you apply these simple tips to your presentations they will become not only more productive, but you’ll find that people will be eager to attend and engage and, most importantly, leave with a feeling of success.

Pro tip : Another tip when leading a presentation is the use of the royal “we”—not in an elitist way, but in such a fashion that you include yourself and everyone in the room in the discussion. This is a team effort, and even clients are part of the team!

To reinforce these points and learn even more, watch the video below about how to give a client presentation.

Client Presentation Video

In this leadership training video, Jennifer Bridges, discusses the art and skill of communicating during client presentations.

Here’s a shot of the whiteboard for your reference!

Transcription

Today we’re talking about how to give a client presentation. I’m not sure why we get so nervous about this. I mean think about it. If you have a present, aren’t you excited to give it to other person? So a reminder I have for myself is I think of literally giving my client of gift. Also, think of if you present something, that’s the giving of something and the presentation is the way in which you give. So when we’re giving something, a presentation to our client, well, they’re seeking your professional advice.

So let’s look at the information they want. So when we give a client presentation, they really wanna know how long is something going to take and how much is it going to cost. They also want to know how many is going to be produced and how much they’re going to cost. They may want to know how many and how long is it going to take. Basically, they’re talking about items of the Triple Constraint as identified by PMI. It’s the time, the cost, the scope, and the quality.

So there are 10 tips that we found that are really helpful in giving a client presentation.

First of all, simplify what you give them. Right? Don’t overwhelm them, make it simple. Speak their language, something they can understand and relate to their world. Focus on what matters to them. Make your point clearly, concisely, and quickly. I mean they do not want to be there all day, like taking forever. They want you to get to the point. Get them to point A to point B quickly.

Confirm they understand what you’re talking about and stop and ask. Do you have any questions? Is this what you expected? Is this helpful? So give them pause and give them time to think about it, to make sure they follow you, and give them an opportunity to ask questions. We also want to be respectful. I mean, after all, they’re the client so they don’t know what you know. So we want to be respectful if they have questions and they may not get it yet. We also want to avoid shaming them for their questions. I mean they may have questions that for you are immature, but they don’t know.

So it’s important to give them the space and honor what they’re asking. Excite them, get them excited about what you’re presenting, something about their project, or their status or where they’re going or what they can obtain from this. And also it helps to set a vision for them and help them see how to get there. If you set a vision and they can’t even conceptualize how in the world we’re going to pull that off then they’re going to be left dazed and confused or they’re not gonna believe that it’s possible. And you also want to explain the process and let them know where they are in the process of the project.

So again there are some bonus phrases that we feel like we call “The Phrase that Pays.” Number one let them know and tell them we will take care of you. That’s really comforting to know. You are in great hands. Let them know that you and your team are there in great hands. And also let them know we are excited to work with you. That really gets people to know that you’re engaged and use the phrase, “We.”

If you need help presenting to your client, then sign up for our software now at ProjectManager.

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Table of Content

How to deliver a successful client presentation.

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Table of Contents

Our compass for how to constantly deliver value to customers is none other than the desired outcome . In more practical terms, our client presentations are the first step in navigating our client towards the road to success.

This is one of your most important assets you will have as a CSM . A structured, well-built presentation for any customer lifecycle stage is the enabler of showcasing clear value to your customers.

In this article, I share best practices and tips on how to build killer client presentations for any stage in the customer lifecycle.

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Build a Client Presentation Checklist

When I build a presentation, I always make sure to go over the following items — to guarantee that its content is complete and comprehensive.

• Know your audience & stakeholders - This is one of the most important things to keep in mind when building a presentation. Effective presentations can’t be built without knowing which people will be in the room, and who the ultimate decision-makers are.  Mapping out the people attending the meeting — both on the clients’ side and on the vendor side clarifies your understanding of the material you should include. This should cover important subject matters for the stakeholders so that you can captivate your customers with a clear and powerful presentation.
• Identify the presentation goal - Every presentation will serve a different purpose within the customer lifecycle, so identifying your presentation’s goal is imperative to its successful delivery. For example, a kickoff meeting’s main goal could be to “showcase the first perception of value”. A QBR/EBR goal, however, would be to “showcase milestones & goals achieved using your product”, and so on. Pinpointing your presentation’s main goal lets you dig deeper into the details and key items that will fulfill the presentation’s goal in the clearest and most impactful way.
• Identifying the Key Items - These items will be included in the presentation’s agenda. Same as the presentation, the purpose of your chosen key items is to exhibit your product’s added value and help you achieve the presentation goal. Let’s say you are building your product’s basic training presentation with the goal to teach the customers how to use its basic features. The key items in the presentation would then include those exact features; their added value per use case, which you can even show using your customer’s real data or dashboard. This conclusive list of key presentation items facilitates the next step: building your presentation template and slowly compiling its parts. You can now start connecting the dots that create an impressive narrative; delivering a clear message whose value permeates each presentation slide.  Each slide should tell a brief story (in a few words alone) that helps your value proposition resonate among your audience by the meeting conclusion.  The more value your customers derive from each presentation or meeting, the stronger the CSM-to-customer relationship becomes. Ultimately, you’ll be considered a key part of their success: the strategic advisor within your company.

Build your story

You’ve now mapped out your audience, with a clear definition of the meeting goal and your presentation’s key items. The last step is to design a presentation sequence and flow that will maintain audience interest during the meeting, each slide telling its own story. 

By the time you’ve finished presenting, you’ll have achieved the presentation’s goal and by presenting valuable insights to your customers that will keep them eagerly waiting for your next presentation and the information you’ll provide.

Create client presentation templates

Presentation templates are a key part of scaling your customer success capabilities. Templates are more than a time-saver: they also allow you to focus more on improving presentation deliverables, based on your customers’ feedback, industry, and feature preference. 

Some templates vary according to product needs (for example, product training & setup). However, for kickoff meetings, ongoing meetings, and QBR/EBRs, I maintain the same structure and tailor it according to customer background and the product at hand.

Here are some templates you can use:

Kickoff Meeting

This is one of the customer lifecycle’s most important stages; where your customers see your product differentiation and value. 

Here you will present the project scope and timeline, and work with your customer to identify their desired outcome and success plan.

• Agenda - Always have an agenda in place, preferably share this agenda the moment you send the calendar invite
• Your Team - Who will be the key stakeholders within your company (CSM, support, sales, etc.)? Make sure to add the contact details and explain the best communication method for each stakeholder
• About Your Compan - This part of the presentation is your opportunity to ask key questions to your customer in order to better understand their expectations, objectives, and desired outcome
• Onboarding Overview - In this section, you will present your onboarding plan to the customer, make sure you give important context on what does each stage mean and what will they achieve as they progress, and how much more value they will get from your product once they have been fully onboarded
• Key Opportunities - If you did your due diligence, you might have a few examples of how your product can add immediate value to your customer. The best approach is to present use-cases that have a direct impact on your customer’s business outcomes
• Q&A - Leave a few minutes to answer any questions they have about the product/onboarding/anything else
• "Next Steps" - Momentum is key, so make sure the next steps are clear action items that will get your customer closer to the next milestone

Ongoing Meeting

Now that you’ve completed customer onboarding , your focus shifts towards the desired outcome and executing the defined action items within the success plan. 

Depending on the client, you may want to have this type of meeting on a bi-weekly/monthly basis.

• Open Items - This is intended for a status update for any open items related to your customer, show that you’re on top of things and that you’ll make sure these items are completed
• Account Review - What progress has been made so far? Are we getting closer to important milestones? This is in context to the desired outcome and success plan
• Opportunities - Are we using the product to its full potential or are there any available features that can help us get closer to the desired outcome.
• Key Takeaways - This slide can be used to share your key recommendations and also emphasize key achievements, this will further position you as a strategic consultant to your customer. The key achievements can be anything that gets the customer closer to their desired outcome and closer to achieving the main objectives in their success plan. ‍

• Executive Overview - The executive overview gives a quick picture and clear report of what has been achieved since the past QBR/EBR, so the rest of the presentation should tell the story of each individual achievement. In a few words, underscore the work set in place that led us to successful results.
• Account Review - If the executive overview includes all of the achievements, this is where you can tell the story of how you obtained them and what the progress looked like.
• Engagement Heat Map  - I personally like this one since it’s your opportunity to showcase your added value as an account CSM; emphasize how working together helped the customer reach their objectives. The idea is to account not only for the product’s added value, but for our knowledge and expertise as well.
• Your Success Plan (Milestones) - This is probably the most important presentation slide. There’s no clearer way of proving value than by fulfilling your customer’s expectations and objectives. This is why defining your success plan with your customer is crucial, so that you’re both aligned on the plan’s key objectives, goals, milestones, etc.
• “Looking Ahead” - This slide focuses on future plans: planning for the next Q and opportunities available for exploration. If there’s a renewal coming up, this is also the perfect time to discuss it and discuss their point of view. Don’t forget to update the success plan accordingly.

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Killer client presentations spell out added value

At the end of the day, like everything else in life, the more you practice, the better you’ll be. Building and delivering successful client presentations is all about that. Once you’ve found your secret sauce for delivering value through your presentations — take it up a notch and see how you can improve every deliverable.

Work closely with your customers, making sure you understand their challenges, objectives, and business goals. This empowers you to continuously provide added value to your customers and help them achieve their desired outcome.

Enrique Roth

Enrique has spent 7+ years in CS, account management and sales roles. Enrique is a staunch advocate of the value CSMs bring to organizations, and dedicates his content to sharing inspirational knowledge and experience with budding CSMs.

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Client management

How to run the perfect client presentation

Pitching your agency as the perfect fit during a client presentation is daunting.

You have to remember product positioning, messaging, client goals, and most importantly, selling your service. Most of all, a client presentation must add value.

The aim is for clients to envision what it’ll look like if they work with you and how you’ll help them reach their goals. The failure of most client presentations is how they land.

Some are full of text-heavy slide decks.

Others are all about the agency – not the client and their specific goals.

Finding the sweet spot with a client presentation is possible if you stick to the basics and put the client first by answering their biggest needs, uncovering any issues, and confidently explaining why they're worse off without your services.

Let's dive in a little deeper and help you get ready for the big presentation:

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Step 1: Do your research and carefully plan your pitch

Any client presentation starts with a who: who is it for?

The answer is your client.

You should know everything about them before you step into the meeting with them. Go into the room with a good understanding of their business, their industry, and how your services fit into the picture. 

Prepare by researching their past projects, understanding their goals, and even studying business presentation examples to ensure your communication is effective.

Start by researching the basics:

What industry are they in?

How big is their company and how big is their team?

What are the main goals they want to hit?

What roadblocks are stopping them?

How can product/service help them?

Look at their website and LinkedIn pages to see what services or products they’re selling. If you’ve done work for similar clients in their industry, check back at past projects and pitches, and see the pain points were you spent the most time. 

Then you need to understand the company’s size and more importantly, how they plan to grow and scale their business.

Your client should have plenty of information about them online and a simple about us – like our video below – can help direct your presentation topics and tone of voice.

If you're stuck when making your presentation you can even use prompts to easily generate an AI presentation , which will streamline the process and save you valuable time that would otherwise be spent on slide creation.

Teamwork.com Overview

Once you know a little bit about the company, focus on why your solution is right for them.

How you sell your why depends on who you are selling to. A CEO with 200 employees has different challenges to a scrappy startup owner with a couple of employees on the books. Either way, explain your why by: 

Acknowledging their pain points. Talk about the client's problems and what they need to do to reach their goals. Show them that you understand their issues and build trust from the start of the presentation.

Asking questions. Presentations shouldn't be a one-sided affair. Asking the client questions makes them feel comfortable and helps you understand their needs.

Introducing your brand as the solution. Tie the client's problems to your product/service. If they need a new website , talk about how you can make that happen and what the process looks like. If they have hit a brick wall with their marketing, explain why they may be struggling and what they can do to change it.

Pro-tip: Researching potential clients can take a lot of energy. You need to ensure that they're a good fit before stepping into a presentation. Get a headstart with presentation research and start using detailed intake forms. Use a tool like Teamwork.com to build customized intake forms and get as much information as possible about a client before sitting down for a meeting. 

Step 2: Take care of some housekeeping

Your clients are busy—that’s a given.

But so are you. 

Make sure you set some ground rules before the presentation starts so that it runs smoothly. These can be basic rules like: 

Always get to the meeting first. Whether the meeting is in the client's office or on Zoom – get there first and early. Give yourself enough time to organize your slide deck and get comfortable with the pitch before the client arrives (or logs in.)

Test your tech. Open your presentation, check that it's working, and test each slide. If you're using a laptop or projector, have it open to the first slide at the start of your presentation, ready for when the client arrives.

Practice your pitch. Is it just you presenting to the client? Do you have a team joining you? Don’t show up to the meeting without a game plan. Rehearse what you’re going to say and how you’ll answer client questions before the presentation.  

Cut to the chase. Your client isn’t your friend. Don’t waste too much time with small talk. If the pitch goes well – they'll move forward – not always on your small talk skills.

These steps are so basic that it almost seems like they don't need to be mentioned. But walking into a presentation with a poorly prepared pitch or a slide deck that takes 15 minutes to fix is the fastest way for it to fall flat.

Step 3: Turn the presentation into a marketing funnel

Your presentation should have one goal—getting the client to agree to the next steps or sign a contract.

So, why not design your slide deck like a marketing funnel—with a beginning, middle, and end?

You must tread a fine line between a lecture and a negotiation with client presentations. If the slide deck is too information-heavy, clients can feel like you're speaking at them instead of talking to them.

And if you don't take charge of the meeting, it can go off track and makes it harder to get your client focused on the next steps.

Aim for somewhere in the middle and tell a story where your slides convince the client that your solution is a good fit. Your presentation deck should include these sections:

Beginning: Set the stage and tell the client what the presentation is about, why you’re there, and how you plan on working together.

Middle: The meat of the presentation. Don’t overload the slides with text. They should be a visual background to back up what you’re saying.

End: Use this as your call to action and outlines the next steps. Here, you give the client a reason to book another meeting or sign a contract with you.

Here’s a great example of LeadCrunch turning a presentation into a compelling story. The presentation kicks off by talking about common problems that B2B sales companies experience: 

This helps hook the audience.

The presenter understands their frustrations with trying to get more leads. Next, LeadCrunch takes the three frustrations and turns them into opportunities for the client: 

The text on the slide mirrors the issues in the industry so the client can connect the dots between the problems and LeadCrunch's solution.

Finally, the presentation winds up by using a pricing chart as its CTA. Don't overthink how you tie in your CTA to the client – you know your value and what you can bring to the table – so just clearly say it.

Step 4: Use visuals to tell and sell the story

Visuals are your friend during a client presentation. 

They have obvious benefits—they grab your client’s attention, break up text-heavy slides and make complex data easier to digest. 

But there are other reasons why adding visuals to your presentation is a good move.

The SEO software company SEMRush asked over 200 agency and brand reps what made their presentations successful and found 74% of brands said it was tailoring the proposal to the client. They recommended using images to help clients understand concepts that usually end up on a spreadsheet or hidden under a mountain of text. This is easy to do.

Don’t explain how your agency’s complex strategic marketing will work — show the client instead.

Step 5: Open the pitch up into a two-way conversation

Once the presentation is done, don’t just pack up and leave—start a conversation with the client instead. 

Getting feedback as soon as the pitch is over is crucial. You need to know if your presentation resonated with them and iron out any concerns or questions they have.

Kickstart the feedback process by asking the client:

Did you have any questions about anything we mentioned in the presentation? 

Do you see our solution solving your problems?

What can we do to move this forward and start working together?

Now, the client may give you some feedback you don’t like. Or ask more pressing questions around project cost estimations , deadline management , or how you handle scope creep .

Make your value clear. But also show how you'll promote a straight road to client collaboration , so you make their values your own. Want more insights into collaboration tips? Download our guide to creating a collaborative culture with your clients.

5 tips for fostering collaboration with your clients: CTA

Download our guide to get essential communication tips and insights into how to foster collaboration with your clients.

Download the guide

Step 6: Close strongly with clear next steps

Don’t leave the meeting in limbo.

Be clear about what you want to do next with the client moving forward. Don’t say that you’ll follow up in a couple of days—it’s too vague. Be more direct. 

Make sure you and your client agree on a defined deadline for when the deal should move forward. If the follow-up call goes well and the client wants to go ahead, send a contract over to seal the deal. 

Pro-tip: If you want to build a strong relationship with your client, be transparent from the beginning. Invite clients to the project to keep them updated on progress. Using a tool like Teamwork.com makes this part easy.

And they’ll get access to visual project timelines , Kanban board views , and Gantt charts as well as ways to simply reply to messages, so you can both speed up feedback loops.

If you're worried about the client getting too involved, there's a solution – and it's permissions. Simply add permissions to client accounts so they can only access the things that move projects forward – not backward.

Ready to deliver a pitch-perfect client presentation?

A pitch that wows your clients begins way before walking into the meeting room. 

Successful presentations hinge on knowing your client's pain points. The more research you do, the more you'll be able to identify the barriers they face and how you can help. 

From there, it’s just a matter of showing up, targeting your messaging to their problems, and starting a conversation. 

See how Teamwork.com helps teams manage client work more successfully to impress everyone beyond the initial conversation. Get a 30-day trial for free to get in the driver's seat.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

6 steps to build the ultimate client presentation

• Do your research and carefully plan your pitch
• Take care of some housekeeping
• Turn the presentation into a marketing funnel
• Use visuals to tell and sell the story
• Open the pitch up into a two-way conversation
• Close strongly with clear next steps

Síle is a Senior Content Marketing Manager at Teamwork.com. She has been working in the project management software space for over 7 years, exclusively serving the agency sector. She loves providing agencies with actionable insights and captivating content to help navigate the ever-evolving landscape of project management.

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The comprehensive guide to professional services agreements

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The request for quote (RFQ) process: A comprehensive guide

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How to Make a “Good” Presentation “Great”

• Guy Kawasaki

Remember: Less is more.

A strong presentation is so much more than information pasted onto a series of slides with fancy backgrounds. Whether you’re pitching an idea, reporting market research, or sharing something else, a great presentation can give you a competitive advantage, and be a powerful tool when aiming to persuade, educate, or inspire others. Here are some unique elements that make a presentation stand out.

• Fonts: Sans Serif fonts such as Helvetica or Arial are preferred for their clean lines, which make them easy to digest at various sizes and distances. Limit the number of font styles to two: one for headings and another for body text, to avoid visual confusion or distractions.
• Colors: Colors can evoke emotions and highlight critical points, but their overuse can lead to a cluttered and confusing presentation. A limited palette of two to three main colors, complemented by a simple background, can help you draw attention to key elements without overwhelming the audience.
• Pictures: Pictures can communicate complex ideas quickly and memorably but choosing the right images is key. Images or pictures should be big (perhaps 20-25% of the page), bold, and have a clear purpose that complements the slide’s text.
• Layout: Don’t overcrowd your slides with too much information. When in doubt, adhere to the principle of simplicity, and aim for a clean and uncluttered layout with plenty of white space around text and images. Think phrases and bullets, not sentences.

As an intern or early career professional, chances are that you’ll be tasked with making or giving a presentation in the near future. Whether you’re pitching an idea, reporting market research, or sharing something else, a great presentation can give you a competitive advantage, and be a powerful tool when aiming to persuade, educate, or inspire others.

• Guy Kawasaki is the chief evangelist at Canva and was the former chief evangelist at Apple. Guy is the author of 16 books including Think Remarkable : 9 Paths to Transform Your Life and Make a Difference.

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Creating A Sales Presentation: 3 Steps To Win Clients In 2021

• Sales Prospecting

Ronita Mohan, Content Marketer at Venngage

Creating a sales presentation that wins clients can be a challenge in the best of times. But the world has changed drastically over the last year and it’s impacted how we do business.

Sales teams have had to adapt to the new normal of online calls and meetings by learning to give virtual presentations .

But how do you design a winning presentation that wins clients in 2021? We share three steps that will help you create and present a deck that no prospect can turn down.

Step 1: Research before creating your presentation

Research is an integral aspect of the sales process. When creating a sales presentation, you need to study the following:

• Your client;
• Their specific frustrations; and
• The people who will be in the presentation room.

Research your client

You need to understand what your clients need and convince them you can deliver products or services to help them achieve their goals. The whole point of creating a sales presentation is to give your prospect a personalized experience that sells them the idea of a partnership with your brand. 

So, how can you do that? Start by looking at the size and scope of the company. What is its mission? What are the values of the company’s leaders? Then, study the prospect’s industry. You may have other clients from that niche and you can learn from your experiences with them to reach this customer.

Use that information to map out the prospect’s customer journey, like in the example below, to understand how and why it needs your business.

If you know your client, you can create a deck that will capture its leaders’ attention and earn you a customer.

Determine its pain points

Studying your client company will make it easier to determine its pain points and frustrations — and how your company can step in to solve its problems.

Why would a company invest in a new product or service unless something is wrong with what it already has, or there’s a gap in its workflow that it needs to fill? If you know the kind of issues your prospect is dealing with, you can offer targeted solutions and insights that will make your brand more appealing, like in this slide deck from ProdPad .

This is a crucial step that you should keep in mind while creating your sales presentation.

Prepare for the target audience

It isn’t just the company and the slide deck that helps win a new customer — you need to know who from the client’s side will be attending the meeting. With this information, you can leverage the power of relationship selling when you’re creating a sales presentation.

The way you design your deck and the angle you use to tackle the meeting will depend on who will be representing your client, and what level they occupy in the company. If the decision-maker is someone who will be working directly with your product, you can talk about problem-solving.

For C-suite or high-level management representatives, you might want to pivot to a goal-oriented and metrics-focused presentation. All the hard work of creating a presentation will be lost on the wrong audience, so find out who you’ll be presenting to and tailor your deck and talk accordingly.

Step 2: Add visuals to the sales presentation

When creating a sales presentation, you must include a variety of visuals. This is necessary for keeping audiences engaged and breaking the monotony of reading too much text.

Remember, everything you say doesn’t have to be on the slides. People don’t have the time to read that much text. Your deck is supposed to be an accompaniment to your presentation, like the Zenefits deck below — if you wanted prospects to simply read the slides, you could have emailed the deck to them.

The thrust of your presentation is what you say and how you say it. So, what should go into your deck? A lot of strong, relevant visuals; icons can punctuate your paragraphs and act as bullet points. Stick to one theme throughout the deck so you don’t confuse your audience.

Pictures of your company, your team, your product in use, and happy clients and customers are a great way to humanize your brand. While charts and graphs are necessary visuals for a deck, it is the data storytelling that will engage and convert audiences.

There are numerous kinds of visualizations you can include in your decks, but if they aren’t helping you tell your story, avoid using them.

Step 3: Structure your sales presentation

You can’t create a sales presentation without a structure — that will completely throw you off your game and lose you the prospective client.

Here are the slides you need to include in your deck, and what you should add to them. 

The opening slide

Your opening slide is your first impression — where you get straight to the point of your presentation. Don’t overload the slide with information and images; tell your client why you’re here and what you’re going to do, as you see in this opening slide.

Make a great first impression and then you can dive into more details about your presentation.

The content slides

The inner content slides are the meat of the presentation and, hence, very important. You can capture attention with a good opener, but you can’t afford to lose the audience thereafter.

Take a look at this sales deck from Zuora for inspiration:

Some of the slides they’ve included are:

• What you know about your client
• Who your company is
• What your client’s pain points are
• How your company can solve their problems
• Stats related to your successes
• Social proof such as testimonials and case studies

When you create these sales presentations, dedicate each slide to just one point. If you can swap a word out, replace it with an icon or image — visuals are much easier to absorb.

Ensure you have no more than three elements (text, visuals, headers, quotes, or graphs) on each slide, and add lots of white space around each element to facilitate better understanding.

The CTA slide

A call to action , or CTA, is essential for closing sales. No sales strategy is effective if it ends with the presentation; you need your prospects to act on what has been discussed at the meeting.

You can ask clients to reach out by sharing your contact details to facilitate further communication, or let them know that you will send them a proposal.

Create a simple but effective CTA slide, like this example from BounceX , that clearly outlines the next steps.

Give the prospect a reason to continue to engage with you so you don’t lose connection with them.

Creating a sales presentation can be simple

When you’re creating a sales presentation to earn new clients, you need to keep it simple and precise, by following these three steps:

• Research your clients, their pain points and the people who will be in the meeting;
• Use visuals like icons, graphs and images to tell your story; and
• Structure the slides for your sales presentation.

Always remember to add your branding to the deck so it’s unmistakably your company — this includes brand colors and fonts. Use legible fonts and size them so they can be read from a distance, but don’t overwhelm the slide.

Don’t rely on the deck to tell your clients everything — that’s what you are there for. 

Remember to make the presentation about your prospective client, not you. That is how you win them.

Ronita Mohan is a content marketer at Venngage , the online infographic maker and design platform. Mohan regularly writes about marketing, design and small businesses. Twitter: @Venngage

• Sales Strategy
• Originally published February 23, 2021

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Client Presentations 101: How to Give a Client Presentation

Client presentations are a crucial aspect of project management , as they provide an opportunity to showcase progress, gather feedback, and ensure client satisfaction. Mastering the art of client presentations is essential for project managers to effectively communicate their ideas and maintain strong client relationships. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the key elements of giving a successful client presentation, providing detailed examples and in-depth explanations at every step of the way.

Understanding Your Audience

Before diving into the preparation for a client presentation, it’s essential to understand your audience – the clients. Take the time to research their preferences, communication style, and specific needs related to the project. Tailoring your presentation to resonate with your audience will significantly increase the chances of a successful outcome.

Example: If your client prefers visual representations, consider incorporating infographics and charts into your presentation. On the other hand, if they appreciate detailed data analysis, ensure that your presentation includes in-depth reports and statistics.

Crafting a Compelling Introduction

The introduction sets the tone for the entire presentation and should grab the client’s attention from the start. Start with a brief agenda of what will be covered, highlighting the key points that are of particular importance to the client. Additionally, use this opportunity to establish a personal connection and build rapport with the audience.

Example: “Good morning, [Client Name]. Today, we are excited to share the latest developments on [Project Name] and gather your valuable insights to ensure that we are aligned with your vision for the project.”

Providing Clear Project Overview

In the initial phase of the presentation, provide a comprehensive overview of the project, including its background, objectives, and current status. This gives the clients a contextual understanding of the discussion that follows and ensures everyone is on the same page.

Example: “The inception of [Project Name] was aimed at addressing [specific client challenge]. We have successfully completed the initial phase and are now moving forward to discuss the milestones achieved and the upcoming roadmap.”

Highlighting Milestones and Achievements

Showcasing the milestones achieved since the last presentation demonstrates progress and instills confidence in the client. Use visual aids and success metrics to effectively highlight these key achievements, reinforcing the value of the project.

Example: “Since our last meeting, we have successfully implemented [specific feature], resulting in a [percentage increase in efficiency]. This achievement aligns with our collective goal of enhancing [specific aspect of the project].”

Addressing Challenges and Solutions

Transparency is key when addressing challenges faced during the project. Acknowledge any setbacks encountered and present proactive solutions that have been or will be implemented. This demonstrates resilience and problem-solving capacity to the clients, fostering trust and confidence in your management capabilities.

Example: “While implementing [specific aspect], we faced unforeseen technical limitations. However, our team swiftly devised a robust workaround, ensuring minimal impact on the overall project timeline.”

Soliciting Client Feedback and Input

After presenting the progress and challenges, invite the clients to provide their feedback and input. Actively listen to their suggestions and concerns, fostering a collaborative environment where their opinions are valued.

Example: “We are eager to hear your thoughts on the recent developments and any insights you may have regarding the upcoming phases. Your feedback is instrumental in shaping the direction of the project.”

Presenting the Roadmap and Future Plans

Conclude the presentation by outlining the future roadmap and plans for the project. Clearly articulate the upcoming milestones, timelines, and any potential enhancements or expansions, assuring the clients of a clear direction moving forward.

Example: “Moving ahead, our focus will be on [specific project aspect], with a projected timeline of [duration]. We are also exploring opportunities to integrate [new feature] based on the insights gathered from our collaboration.”

Building a Convincing Conclusion

End the presentation on a high note by summarizing the key takeaways, reiterating the shared goals, and expressing gratitude for the client’s continued partnership. Leave the clients with a sense of assurance and enthusiasm for the project’s future.

Example: “In closing, the achievements and insights shared today solidify our commitment to [Project Name] and our dedication to delivering exceptional results. We are truly grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with you and are looking forward to the exciting milestones ahead.”

Mastering the art of client presentations is an ongoing journey that requires a deep understanding of client expectations, effective communication skills, and a proactive approach to addressing challenges. By following the comprehensive insights and examples provided in this guide, project managers can elevate their client presentations to a new level, fostering stronger client relationships and ensuring the success of their projects.

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How to Present a Project to a Client

April 21, 2022 - 10 min read

Knowing how to present a project plan to a client is an essential skill for project managers in any industry. When it’s done right, it can land your agency new long term clients. When done wrong it can pour cold water on your client retention or acquisition goals. 

Acquiring new clients is a massive headache for over half of all agencies , so it’s vital that your initial project presentations go off without a hitch. Presenting a project plan to a client is one of the first critical steps of any project or campaign, and poorly presented projects can cause a client to lose faith and walk away before you can prove your worth. 

Read on for our top tips on how to present a project proposal to your clients — plus advice on how to present a project without being nervous. 

How to present a project proposal to a prospective client

A project plan is a formal document with a consistent structure and flow . For the best results, your presentation should mimic this flow. 

Here are the seven steps you should cover when presenting a project plan :

• Provide an overview. Briefly describe the project, including the required outcomes and why the project is being undertaken. 
• Review the OKRs (objectives and key results). Discuss major deliverables and expected milestones. What essential information should you get from a client before you begin a project ? Consider this before you dive into discussions.
• Cover expectations and exclusions. Clarify assumptions and reiterate items that are out of scope for the project. You may wonder when do you show the client the price of a project — now is the time to make sure expectations are clear between you both.
• Present a high-level schedule. Use a Gantt chart to illustrate key steps and dependencies in the project schedule . 
• Introduce your team. Introduce the client to any teammates they will be directly interacting with, and anyone whose background can add weight to your credibility (such as an experienced subject matter expert.)
• Define communications. Ensure your client understands how you will collaborate. Include how they will receive updates and how to reach out with questions and concerns.
• Discuss the unexpected. Review the process of how you’ll handle change requests and issues when they arise.   
• Q&A. Wrap up with a question and answer session to ensure nothing was overlooked. (Read on for more info on questions to ask and expect.) 

Best practices and effective ways to present a project virtually

Due to the COVID pandemic, in-person meetings may be out of the question in the near future. Fortunately, virtual project plan presentations are an excellent alternative. 

Here are some tips on how to present a project proposal by video conference :

• Choose a well-lit, quiet area and place your camera at face level.
• Dress professionally and treat the meeting with the same formality as you would if it were in-person.
• Use a headset with a microphone for the best audio quality.
• Practice using the software in advance, so you’re comfortable with navigation and options, such as muting and unmuting participants.
• Send out a copy of your agenda and presentation beforehand in case you have issues sharing your screen.
• Outline any technical expectations at the beginning of the conference (i.e., don’t use chat, leave questions to the end, etc.)
• Ask for approval to record the meeting, so you can share it with participants who couldn’t attend or go back and review questions.

What essential information should you get from a client before you begin a project? Top questions to ask a client 

Generally, before you’ve created and presented your project plan, you will have already discussed key project expectations and requirements with your client. Objectives, milestones, acceptance criteria, etc., are all typically communicated in advance, which leads to what is client project focus — ensuring that your client’s business goals are adequately addressed and transparency is maintained throughout the project.

But, there are some questions you may still need to ask during the presentation; Here are the top five:

• Who in your organization are the project stakeholders ? Who plans to be involved with the project and what is their level of authority and interest? 
• Have you contracted similar projects in the past? If so, what hurdles did you face? 
• What are the most important features, deliverables, or requirements that we should always focus on?
• Is there anything about this project that keeps you up at night? If so, what?
• Are there any risks, obstacles, or other aspects of the project we haven’t discussed that you would like to review? 

Questions clients might ask during a project presentation (and how to answer them)

The Q&A is often a huge concern for inexperienced presenters. This is the hardest section to prepare for, as you never know what questions a client might ask. 

Client questions will often center on their concerns about what may go wrong. The more you understand their priorities, the better you can predict what they may ask. Let’s assume your client has a strict deadline for when the project must be completed. Some questions they may ask are:

• How will you ensure the project is finished on schedule?
• What steps will you take if deadlines start to slip?
• What risks do you see that could delay the project?

By considering their priorities and potential concerns in advance, you can prepare solid answers to their queries. But what about those questions from left-field that you can never predict? 

Here are three tips on how to answer unexpected client questions during a project presentation:

• First, thank them for raising the question. You want to encourage your client to communicate and voice concerns upfront. 
• Ask what’s driving the question. If a question seems trivial or bizarre, ask what the concern is behind it. Maybe the client has information you’re not aware of. This also gives you more time to think through your answer.
• Table it for later. If you’re not sure of an answer, tell the client you’ll look into it and get back to them. Make sure to give your client a timeline for when they can expect you to get back to them with an answer.  

How to present a project without being nervous: top tips!

Client presentations can be nerve-wracking, even for experienced project managers. Here are our top tips for eliminating nerves during your next project plan presentation:

• Be concise. Try to make your presentation as brief as possible while covering all the key topics. The less you talk, the less likely you are to ramble, get off-topic, or otherwise let your nerves get the best of you. 
• Pause when you need to. Don’t be afraid to pause, take a breath, and gather your thoughts. Consciously slowing your breathing can help calm your nerves.
• Have a clear agenda. Plan out what you will cover. Having a clear outline will make you feel and appear more confident.  
• Practice. The more you rehearse before the meeting, the less nervous you’ll feel. For best results, practice in front of an audience. Request that your volunteers ask questions you think the client may ask. 
• Attend other presentations. Watching other project presentations can help you feel more comfortable with the process, the flow, and the questions that may be asked. You can also pick up tips on what to do and not do. This experience will help combat nerves. 
• Get comfortable with the setup. Spend time in the meeting room and use the presentation tools before the meeting. The more you become used to the surroundings and tools, the more confident you’ll feel. 
• Take care of yourself. Exercise, a good night’s sleep, and drinking plenty of water can all help combat nerves. 

If you still feel nervous after incorporating these tips, consider joining a public speaking club such as Toastmasters . These clubs can help you practice speeches in front of an audience, improve your skills, and find even more ways to overcome nerves. 

What to do if your project presentation goes wrong

It's a possibility that we never want to think about when preparing to speak publicly, but there are lots of ways that your presentation may go wrong on the day. Technical difficulties, absent attendees, questions you weren't prepared for — these are scary prospects, but there is a formula for how to handle things if they go south.

• Stay calm: The worst thing you can do when faced with a hiccup in your presentation is panic. Remember that this is not the end of the world — your teammates will understand that some things are beyond your control and that you're doing your best. Take a deep breath, focus your mind on what you can control, and find a way to move on with your presentation. 
• Have a backup: It's always a good idea to have backups for when things go awry. Make sure your presentation is stored on the cloud as well as on your personal device, so you can access it if something goes wrong with your own. Invest in a power bank to avoid unfortunate outages, and consider printing some paper copies of your most important points, so attendees can still view your takeaways. 
• Crack a joke: It can be awkward when things aren't going the way you'd planned but try not to take yourself too seriously. A presentation, while important, is not the be-all and end-all of your career, and getting too wrapped up in things going perfectly will have your attendees tense up in no time. When things go wrong, smile and take the opportunity to laugh at yourself — it will endear you to your teammates and put everyone at ease. 
• Be honest: If you don't know the answer to a question, don't waste time scrambling. A good way to answer is: "I'm not sure of that right now, but I will absolutely find out and come back to you with more information". This shows that you're not someone who tries to spoof their way out of a sticky situation: you're mature and eager to learn. 

How to plan a project presentation with Wrike

Wrike can help you create and present your project plan in a way that exceeds your client’s expectations every time. Our templates will save you time and ensure each plan and presentation is always set up using the same framework. Wrike Gantt charts make sharing your project schedule a piece of cake. Plus, our collaboration software allows you to store and share agendas, slide decks, project documentation, previous communications, and more, so everything you need to wow your client is always at your fingertips. Sign up for a free trial today !

Jessica Everitt

Jessica is a former contributor of Wrike, specializing in project management topics.

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Blog Business

10 Business Pitch Examples for Your Next Client Meeting

By Letícia Fonseca , Oct 30, 2023

We tell presenters that it’s okay to feel scared during your upcoming sales pitch because investors will always be a pressing and intimidating bunch.

Great elevator pitches are similar to memorable stories. They intertwine visuals and narrative to keep the audience engaged. And it needs to be completed in the duration of an elevator ride.

In this guide, we share 10 business pitch examples you’ll want to use in your next investor or client meeting.

You don’t need design experience to create a business or sales pitch. Create an engaging presentation in just minutes with Venngage’s professionally designed pitch deck templates !

What is a business pitch?

A business pitch is a concise and compelling presentation that is delivered to potential investors, clients or partners to communicate the value proposition of a business idea , product or service.

The main goal of a business pitch is to persuade the audience to take a particular action, such as investing in the business, partnering with the company or purchasing the product or service.

When creating a business pitch, always remember that a well-crafted business pitch should be clear, concise and tailored to the specific needs and interests of the target audience. It should effectively communicate the value proposition and potential of the business idea, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

To help smoothen the process for you, I’ve curated 10 business pitch deck examples you can use for your next client meeting. Keep scrolling to find out!

10 business pitch examples you can use:

Choose a simple and short elevator pitch template, guy kawasaki elevator pitch examples for business, modern pitch deck example, effective startup elevator pitch examples.

• Business idea pitch deck

Dark marketing pitch deck

Classic airbnb pitch deck.

• Statement yellow elevator pitch example
• Short franchise elevator pitch example

Nonprofit pitch deck

Your elevator pitch needs to address the biggest business concern: the sales funnel .

This simple pitch deck example gets to the heart of the business problem within just 12 slides. It’s short, sharp and to the point, enough to keep prospective clients interested.

This is a great sales pitch deck template to accompany a brief presentation. You can easily share your business model with investors or clients.

Customize this template by adding your branding and business information. Include data about your target audience and team members. This is information that potential investors need to know.

With a Venngage business account, you can access the My Brand Kit feature, including the Autobrand tool.

Add your website when prompted and the editor will import your logos, fonts and brand colors . You’ll be able to add your branding to all your designs with a single click.

Related:  How to Create an Effective Pitch Deck Design [+Examples]

The Guy Kawasaki method for elevator pitch templates has been successful for numerous businesses. The minimal text keeps investors focused during the entire pitch.

Presenters can fully concentrate on sharing the key metrics and pain points of their target market. The pitch deck includes overviews that guide investors’ thoughts.

Venngage has two versions of the conventional Guy Kawasaki elevator pitch format. This gradient version is a bit more modern. It certainly draws the eye without overwhelming the design.

The template’s simple and minimalist-inspired design makes it easy to customize for any brand completely. You can swap out the gradient panels and add brand-relevant product images instead.

You can also use this non-gradient pitch deck template. This is an ideal way to highlight your brand colors.

Make the easily customizable pitch deck examples shared above your own by adding your text, data and graphs.

Creating a pitch deck  just got easier. Venngage’s real-time collaboration  allows multiple members to work on a design at once. Share instant feedback and design a winning sales pitch.

This unconventional pitch deck uses icons to tell a compelling narrative. Visuals can spice up presentation decks and give make them aesthetically pleasing.

This template works well for startups and small businesses demonstrating to investors their brand’s potential.

If the deck is too dark, you can switch out the panel colors and icons. Add your own research to make your sales pitch convincing.

Related:  Everything You Need to Know About Picking and Using Brand Colors

Elevator pitch decks focus on quick, one-minute proposals to convince potential investors that you have something valuable.

This investor pitch deck example is excellent for a startup elevator pitch. With just five slides, this deck makes it easy to breeze through your business model.

The added charts make the proposal and presentation much more convincing. You can share the necessary details that investors will want to know about.

Import your data from Google sheets into the Venngage editor and easily create charts for your presentation.

Related:  Everything You Need to Know About Pie Charts

Business idea pitch deck

How do you highlight your business model to a potential customer? You start with your value proposition.

The below pitch deck example opens with the business’ value proposition in the first slide. It also includes many elegant ways to showcase the brand. Plus, it provides essential business data to investors simultaneously.

You can use the business idea pitch deck template above as a guideline for a good sales pitch of your own or modify and adjust it to your branding needs.

The marketing pitch deck example below has a dark but unique personality. It works well in a product launch setting or as an elevator pitch deck for marketers.

The color combination is unusual but striking. Not to mention, on-trend. Bold colors are one of the resurgent graphic design trends  of the past few years.

You can use the above marketing pitch deck example as inspiration for numerous business presentations.

Art and multimedia businesses can also use it as a template for client presentations.

Related:  20+ Business Pitch Deck Templates to Win New Clients and Investors

We all know what Airbnb is and how much the business has grown over the past few years.

One of the best pitch deck examples you’ll see is Venngage’s version of the Airbnb pitch deck.

It uses sample data, addresses the core customer problem and outlines the business plan to capture the audience’s attention.

The pitch deck example above is one of the standard elevator pitch decks but manages to be sophisticated. There’s a finesse to this pitch deck design . That’s why it was so successful.

Statement yellow elevator pitch example

The yellow motif of this artistic pitch deck will immediately hold the audience’s attention.

The color is bright and bold but isn’t overpowering. Instead, only two slides use the background color across the whole slide.

The majority of the slides only include hints of yellow or use it as a highlight.

This template works for companies that use one prominent color across their branding. It’s also a professional pitch deck for small businesses, startups, or software companies.

Short franchise elevator pitch example

Pitch decks don’t depend on length to make a point. Instead, it uses fewer headers as overviews and depends on presenters to share pitch details with investors.

This is one of the best pitch deck examples for a short and classy presentation. It uses a small number of icons and bullet points to draw the eye and keep the presentation flowing.

As an elevator pitch, this is an effective method for maintaining the audience’s focus.

Related:  A Complete Guide to Line Charts

This elevator pitch example for nonprofits uses minimalism and icons to keep potential investors engaged throughout the presentation.

The subtle use of color and icons asserts the brand’s personality. This template can work for businesses in the graphic design sector.

Alternatively, the nonprofit pitch deck example above can also work for digital marketing agencies that want a cutting-edge appeal to make themselves attractive to clients.

Famous sales pitch decks to inspire your pitch

Minimalist airbnb pitch deck.

This minimalist design of the Airbnb elevator pitch example shared above is perfect for startups.

You can easily add product or location photos and adjust the colors to suit your branding, alongside your logo and fonts.

Buffer pitch deck

The real Buffer pitch deck was confusing for investors. You can read more about it in our round-up of the best pitch decks .

Venngage designed a cleaner version using icons and charts. This makes the information easier to understand. You aren’t bombarding your audience with too many details.

Facebook pitch deck

The winning Facebook pitch deck was text-heavy. But what made it stand out was how many popular schools had already signed up with it.

Plus, the deck was nothing short of ambitious, with a clear expansion plan. It is no surprise that Facebook is the behemoth it is today.

How to write a business pitch deck

Creating a compelling business pitch deck is essential for effectively conveying your business idea to potential investors or partners. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you write a business pitch deck:

• Cover slide: Include the name of your company and a visually appealing image that represents your business.
• Problem statement: Clearly define the problem your product or service solves. Use statistics or real-life examples to emphasize the significance of the problem.
• Solution: Describe your product or service and how it addresses the identified problem. Use visuals, such as product images or diagrams, to help illustrate your solution.
• Market opportunity: Present market research data to showcase the size, growth potential and trends of the target market. Use graphs, charts, or infographics to make the information more engaging.
• Business model: Explain how your business will generate revenue. Describe your pricing strategy, sales and distribution channels and any key partnerships or collaborations that will contribute to your business model’s success.
• Traction and milestones: Highlight any significant achievements, milestones, or partnerships that demonstrate the progress and potential of your business. This can include user metrics, revenue growth, or notable endorsements.
• Competitive analysis: Analyze your competitors and illustrate how your product or service stands out in the market. Highlight your unique selling points and any barriers to entry that provide your business with a competitive advantage.
• Go-to-market strategy: Outline your marketing and sales plan. Describe how you will reach and acquire customers, including your marketing channels, customer acquisition strategy and sales approach.
• Financial projections: Present your financial forecasts, including revenue projections, cost structures and expected profitability. Use charts or graphs to display key financial data and assumptions.
• Team: Introduce your team members and highlight their relevant expertise and experience. Emphasize how the team’s skills and strengths contribute to the success of the business.
• Use of funds: Explain how you plan to use the funds you are seeking. Provide a breakdown of how the investment will be allocated across different aspects of the business.
• Conclusion and call-to-action: Summarize the key points of your pitch and clearly state what action you want the investors to take. Encourage questions and provide your contact information for further discussions.

Remember to keep your pitch deck concise, visually appealing and easy to understand. Use high-quality visuals and compelling storytelling to make your business pitch deck engaging and memorable for your audience.

Four tips for creating a great elevator pitch

Here are four easy ways to recreate the pitch deck examples above or build your own pitch from a template.

Create a visual style for your sales pitches

A visual style or theme creates flow and sophistication in any presentation. These involve using recurring elements in a subtle and obvious manner.

For example, this Venngage template uses our color gradient along with elegant and bright icons.

Choose visual elements whose characteristics become the pitch deck’s focal point. Great pitch decks use the brand’s colors and visual motifs to keep the brand top of mind.

Give an overview of your business model

Pitch decks act as content anchors that guide your client toward your topic’s main points.

All the other information in your pitch deck or the explanations in your presentation will be aimed at supplementing that data.

Like this Uber elevator pitch template that emphasizes customer pain points and how the business will solve them.

Examples of added data include situational examples, charts and graphs and case studies .

Focus on your unique proposition

Your pitch deck has a central idea that is its unique selling proposition. Pitch deck creators build their pitch ideas around this aspect.

As a result, they’ll have a solid, communicative and persuading pitch deck that convinces investors.

Simplify hard concepts in your sales pitch

Scientific knowledge is enriching to those who understand its meaning.

Hard concepts, long-running and poorly constructed sentences and jargon make reading challenging for investors who have a very short time to spare.

This deck ensures that information isn’t overwhelming, either in the overview or the traction slide.

Make sure to simplify hard concepts and use simple words. That’s what the best pitch decks do.

Use templates to create successful pitch decks and win over investors

Delivering a good elevator pitch can be overwhelming. The pressure to get the tone right and impress investors is huge.

We’ve shared 10 elevator pitch examples that you can use as inspiration.

And with Venngage’s pitch deck templates, you get a competitive advantage. With no design experience, you can create elevator pitches that win over investors.

RESOURCES - SALES

How to get clients fast with the most engaging sales presentations.

Written by Lidia Vijga

• CEO at DeckLinks, Speaker, Podcast Host
• Published on August 16, 2022
• Updated on March 6, 2024

Table of Contents

Did you know that, according to Crunchbase , the best sales reps spend an average of 6 hours every week researching their prospects? In today’s competitive market, having an engaging sales presentation can make all the difference in closing deals. In this article, I’ll share tips and techniques to help you create the most captivating sales presentations that will not only grab your audience’s attention but also drive them towards a buying decision.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Cover slide: The cover slide is crucial for making a good first impression. It should be attention-grabbing, professionally designed, and include your company name, logo, your name, and a message that speaks directly to the buyer.
• Solution slide: Start with the solution slide to immediately address the prospect’s pain points and present your value proposition. This approach captures the audience’s attention and demonstrates how your product or service can help them.
• Success story or Social proof slide: Including success stories or testimonials from satisfied customers can help build trust and credibility with your audience. This slide showcases the real-world benefits of your product or service.
• “The bright future” slide: Paint a picture of the positive outcomes your product or service can bring to the prospect. This slide should inspire and motivate the audience to take action.
• “Why us / About the company” slide: Provide information about your company’s background, expertise, and unique selling points. This slide helps establish your credibility and differentiates you from competitors.
• “Meet the Team” slide: Introduce the key members of your team, highlighting their skills and expertise. This slide helps humanize your company and demonstrates the talent behind your product or service.
• “Pricing and implementation” slide: Clearly outline the pricing structure and implementation process for your product or service. This slide should provide the necessary information for prospects to make an informed buying decision.
• “Next steps” slide: End your presentation with a clear call to action, guiding prospects on what they should do next. This slide should encourage prospects to take the next step in the sales process.
• Engaging and visually appealing presentation: An effective sales presentation should be easy to follow, visually appealing, and tailored to the needs of the audience. It should cover all key points, be concise, and easy to follow.
• Leverage video sales tools: Video sales tools can help engage your target audience in a more personal and interactive way. However, be cautious not to overuse technology, as flashy

What is an effective sales presentation?

An effective sales presentation is easy to follow, visually appealing, and delivered with honesty and transparency. It should be tailored to the needs of the audience and provide them with information that is relevant to them. It should cover all the key points, be concise, and easy to follow.

A B2B sales process is a system that inside sales teams use to identify and qualify potential clients, build relationships, and close sales. The sales process typically has six stages: awareness or prospecting, education, vendor selection or proposal, negotiation, commitment, and post-sale impact stage. An effective sales team uses sales presentations and educational materials at each stage of the sales process to engage prospective clients.

A sales presentation is a critical part of the sales process – it’s a visual presentation that tells your story and showcases your products or services. Creating a strong sales deck is an essential part of any successful B2B sales process.

Sales professionals know that creating the most effective sales presentation or a sales deck is not easy. B2B buyers are constantly bombarded with sales pitches, video presentations, and sales decks. They are quick to tune out anything that feels like a canned or generic sales pitch.

Did you know that according to Forbes about 35 million presentations are given each day to over 500 million people?

The best sales reps are always looking to improve their sales process. They are always on the lookout for new technologies that can help them sell more effectively.

Video sales tools have become increasingly popular in recent years amongst high growth sales teams. Video offers a way to engage a target audience in a more personal and interactive way. A well-crafted video sales deck or a video sales presentation can be highly effective in winning over new customers.

However, there is a danger in using too much technology in your presentation. The flashy graphics and animations can actually distract the client from your message. So if you are considering using some new technology in your next slide deck, think carefully about whether it will actually add to your message and engage the client or just create a visual distraction.

The main question you should be asking yourself: Does it help the prospects understand your offerings better?

To be effective, a B2B sales deck must be carefully tailored to the specific needs of the buyer. It should always be focused on solving the client’s pain points and display the value proposition.

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Focus on creating a sales presentation that addresses the needs of the buyer.

A good sales presentation is one that is tailored to the needs of the audience and provides them with information that is relevant to them. It should be well-organized, visually appealing, clear, cover all the key points, be concise, and easy to follow.

The most effective sales presentation is also engaging and should clearly define the value proposition. The best sales presentations are those that leave the audience wanting more, so it is important to avoid over-selling or coming across as too pushy.

Ultimately, a good sales presentation is one that makes a strong case for the product or service being sold.

With so many sales presentation examples and sales presentation templates online which ones should you pick? Where should you start? No worry! We have put together a comprehensive guide with the best sales presentation techniques and insights that will help you create the most engaging B2B sales deck that will resonate with your target audience, and will make a good first impression.

FEATURED POST

Asking for the business is the best way to accelerate saas sales.

As any experienced salesperson in SaaS sales knows, the key to closing a deal is to ask for the business. You have to ask for the sale!

What is a B2B sales presentation or a sales deck?

A sales presentation or a sales deck is a presentation that contains slides with product and company information, product or service value proposition. It oftentimes includes success stories or testimonials, and pricing. Sales professionals use sales presentations to persuade clients to buy their products or services. They highlight the benefits of their products and service and demonstrate why they are superior to competing products or services.

Sales professionals use sales presentations to persuade clients to buy their products or services. They highlight the benefits of their products and service and demonstrate why they are superior to competing products or services.

Sales reps also use a sales deck to answer any questions potential customers may have about your offerings. You want your audience to understand your main points and be able to see why your product is the best solution for their needs. If you can do all of that, then you’ll be well on your way to creating the most effective sales presentation.

A sales presentation can be delivered in-person, via live video sales calls, or asynchronously by video narrating your presentation and sharing it with your prospect or client.

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What slides should a sales presentations include?

• Cover slide.
• Solution slide.
• Success story slide or a Social proof slide.
• “The bright future” slide.
• “Why us / About the company” slide.
• “Meet the Team” slide.
• “Pricing and implementation” slide.
• “Next steps” slide.

B2B sales presentation slides to include #1: Cover slide.

Many sales reps underestimate the power of the cover slide. This slide is often the first chance you have to make a good first impression on your audience, so it’s important to get it right.

A successful sales presentation cover slide should be attention-grabbing and should set the tone for the rest of the sales presentation. It should provide just enough information to pique client’s interest and get them curious.

An effective cover slide should be professionally designed and include your company name, logo, your name, and a message that directly speaks to the buyer.

When you send an email or a video email to a prospect or a client, the cover slide of your pitch deck will also be displayed as a thumbnail.

You can use this to your advantage when designing your cover slide. A nicely designed cover slide will help to capture people’s attention and can greatly increase the chance that people will click to view your slide deck.

People are more likely to click to view a presentation with an eye-catching cover slide than one that is plainly designed.

By investing the time to create a well-designed cover slide, you can set the tone for a successful sales presentation and increase your chances of making a sale!

Learn your inside sales team can use video emails for sales to crush sales targets.

B2B sales presentation slides to include #2: Solution slide.

What? You heard it! Start with the solution slide. Not the slide about your company or the pain points you are solving, not the product’s features, not the pictures of your cat or dog. Lead with the solution slide instead!

An effective B2B sales deck doesn’t need to be a mystery novel with a long build-up and a big reveal on the final slide.

The best way to engage your audience is to present your solution and the value proposition in a clear and concise way.

You have very limited time to capture your client’s attention.

Most presentations start talking about the problem the client may be facing. Your client already knows about the pain point they are facing! They want to know that you have a solution that can help them solve it.

B2B buyers are not easy to sell to. You are typically dealing with people who are very knowledgeable about their industry and skeptical of any outside solution. That is why it is important to start your sales presentation with the solution slide. This is the slide that outlines exactly how your product or service will solve the prospect’s pain points. It should be clear and concise.

This is the time when you have the highest chance to capture the attention of the viewer.

B2B sales presentation slides to include #3: "Success story" or a "Social proof" slide.

Even the best sales reps often face skepticism when presenting their products and services. After all, businesses are built on numbers. Sometimes it can be hard to quantify the benefits of a new product.

One way to overcome this skepticism is to use a success story slide supported by case studies of other customers. The social proof slide should tell a compelling story of how your company has helped a specific customer achieve their goals. By showcasing a real-world example and success stories of your solution in your sales deck, you’ll give your potential client the confidence that your offerings can deliver real results.

The success story slide’s purpose is to engage the prospect by sharing a relevant, relatable story that demonstrates the benefits of your offerings.

It should be a part of every sales deck. Successful sales presentations always contain a compelling story or a great example that help sales reps to overcome initial scepticism coming from a prospective client.

Tell a story that is specific and quantifiable.

They show how your company was able to solve a concrete pain point for a real customer. When crafting a success story slide, be sure to focus on the key takeaways that will resonate with your prospect.

In order to create the most effective sales presentation, it is important to choose a relevant and inspiring story. The story should be clear, concise, and easy to follow. When done well, a success story slide can be hugely persuasive, showing a potential client that you have a track record of delivering results. Not only that but it can also help you build trust and credibility with the prospect.

If you have case studies from other customers or just a great example helping similar company, you should attach them to your sales deck.

By following up with the social proof slide in your own sales presentation, you can ensure that your audience remains engaged and interested in what you have to offer. It is a simple sales presentation technique but it is the best way to get your prospect to start talking and pay close attention.

B2B sales presentation slides to include #4: "The bright future" slide.

Many inside sales teams overlook the importance of the bright future slide. This is the slide that showcases what the prospective client can expect if they sign on with your company.

Your goal is to paint a picture of a world in which the prospect’s pain point no longer exist. It’s an opportunity to paint a picture of success and to demonstrate how your product or service can help them achieve their goals. This requires a deep understanding of the prospect’s business and their challenges. Only then can you create a compelling vision of a future in which their pain point has been solved.

This future should be specific, believable, and attractive to the prospect. By painting this picture on the sales pitch, you can help the prospect see the potential for your product to transform their business. This can help the buyer see the value of your solution. A well-crafted “bright future slide” can help to secure the ultimate buying decision, and so it is essential to put careful thought and planning into it.

Including a bright future slide in your sales deck is essential for closing deals. So if you’re not already including the bright future slide in your own sales presentation, you’re missing out on a key opportunity to win over new business!

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B2B sales presentation slides to include #5: "Why us / About the company" slide.

This is the slide where you can share your company’s history, talk about its mission and values, and highlight its key strengths.

In addition, this slide should highlight your company’s accomplishments and successes. Doing so will help to establish trust with your audience and show them that you’re a reputable and reliable business.

Remember that B2B buyers are looking for a long-term partner. They need to know that they can trust your company to deliver on its promises. Finally, remember to keep your sales deck up-to-date so that it accurately reflects your current company status.

By including a slide about your company in your own sales presentation, you’ll be able to effectively communicate who you are and what you do – two key elements in closing any B2B deal!

B2B sales presentation slides to include #6: "Meet the Team" slide.

When you’re creating a sales deck to present to new clients, it’s important to include a slide that introduces your team. Why? Because when you’re selling to a company, you’re not just selling to an individual – you’re selling to a team. The team slide helps the buyer visualize your team as part of their own, and see how you would fit in and contribute to their success.

You can also use the slide to highlight your team’s expertise, accomplishments, and talents. Including a “Meet the Team” slide in your presentation will help create a more personal connection with your audience. It will help them see your company as more than just a faceless entity.

Depending on who is seeing your sales pitch, this slide can very formal or informal. Remember the goal is to trigger an emotion that can help you connect with the client on a human level. So check the recipient’s LinkedIn, see what they post and how they engage with others. You would be surprised 😉.

Including a team slide in your next sales presentation is a great way to build trust and credibility with your prospects. So next time you’re preparing your sales deck, make sure to include a team slide – it could be the difference between winning and losing the deal!

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B2B sales presentation slides to include #7: "Pricing and implementation" slide.

Provide the client with a clear explanation of what the implementation or onboarding process looks like. For example, if you’re selling cloud-based accounting software, make sure to explain how long it will take to set up the system and train employees. Providing this level of detail will show that you’re knowledgeable about your product and that you’re committed to providing a seamless transition for your customers.

If you are selling multiple product tiers or bundles, clearly explain the benefits of each option. The value proposition of each offering should be well defined in your sales deck. The most important factor to consider is the needs of the prospective client. For example, if they are looking for a comprehensive solution, then a top-tier option might be the best choice. However, if it is a small businesses and they expressed interest in specific product features, then a lower-tier option might be more appropriate.

Ultimately, the main point is to provide a recommendation that meets the needs of the prospective client while also providing clear justification for why that particular option is the best choice.

It is essential, to be honest, and transparent with your potential clients.

Trying to oversell your product or service on a sales pitch can often backfire, leading to mistrust and ultimately losing the sale. By being honest and transparent, a sales rep can establish trust with prospective clients and create a foundation for a successful business relationship.

B2B sales presentation slides to include #8: "Next steps" slide.

One important element of a B2B sales deck that the best sales reps always include is the next steps slide. This is the final slide that helps to reinforce the sales message and provides a clear call to action for the prospect.

B2B sales process often involves many many decision-makers with different needs and priorities. As a result, it’s important to ensure that each decision-maker has a clear understanding of the next steps. Otherwise, the sales cycle can quickly stall as decision-makers wait for clarity. This is why it’s essential to have a clearly defined next step in your sales presentations. By doing so, you can keep the momentum going and move closer to a successful sale.

This final slide should clearly outline what the prospect needs to do in order to move forward with the purchase. It should be concise and easy to understand. The call to action should be obvious, and there should be no ambiguity about what the next steps are.

Including a next steps slide in your sales deck can help to increase your close rate and boost your sales numbers.

So when you work on your next sales presentation try following these sales presentation tips you’ll be able to craft a more compelling story and engaging sales pitch that will accelerate your sales cycle!

If you want to learn more about maintaining momentum in sales be sure to read our article.

What are the biggest sales presentation mistakes to avoid at all costs?

After a long and meticulous sales process, you finally managed to get a chance to present your powerpoint presentation to the buyer. This can be done either on a live call or asynchronously. Don’t let all that work and efforts go to waste.

• Having too much text on your in your sales presentation.
• Using visuals in your sales deck that don’t support your messaging.
• Using too much technical jargon when delivering your sales presentation.
• Rushing through your sales presentation to share more information.
• Reading the slides.
• Excluding the prospect from your story.
• Heavily using parasite words on your sales presentation.
• Focusing on product’s features, not benefits and value proposition in your sales deck.
• Making your sales presentation too long.
• Not showing a clear next step.

Most common mistakes to avoid #1: Having too much text on your in your sales presentation.

“It doesn't matter how good or bad the product is, the fact is that people don't read anymore.” WIRED Steve Jobs

No matter how complex your product or offerings is you have to simplify the messaging and substitute text with visuals whenever possible. If your sales presentation is too text-heavy and lacks data visualizations, it will be difficult for the audience to process important information and follow along.

The best sales decks strike a balance between text and visuals, using concise language and clear visuals to convey important information in an easy-to-understand format. More information is not always better. In fact, less is often more when it comes to a sales deck. When in doubt, leave it out. It is better to have a concise, well-organized sales deck than one that is crammed full of information. Find some sales presentation templates to get some inspiration.

So, next time you’re putting together a static sales deck or a video sales presentation, remember to keep your audience in mind and use text sparingly. A little goes a long way!

Most common mistakes to avoid #2: Using visuals in your sales deck that don't support your messaging.

A successful sales presentation requires more than just a well-organized deck and knowledgeable sales rep. It also needs to be visually engaging to capture and hold the attention of the audience.

Visual elements can be a powerful tool in creating a great slide deck.

Proper use of graphics can help to convey complex ideas in a way that is both clear and memorable.

In addition, graphics can add an element of excitement and dynamism to a presentation, making it more enjoyable for both the presenter and the audience.

When used effectively, graphics can be a powerful asset in creating a successful sales presentation. However, it is important to use graphics judiciously, as too many can confuse and overwhelm prospects.

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In a sales presentation, the use of visual elements that don’t support the messaging can be a major mistake.

The reason is that the decision-maker is looking for specific information to help them understand how your product addresses their pain points. If the graphics in your sales deck don’t reinforce this message, it can distract from your overall argument and confuse your audience.

It is also important to avoid falling into a rabbit hole of constantly changing the design of your sales presentation. Find good looking powerpoint templates or a pitch deck online and customize the content. Using a sales presentation template can help you save time and create an effective sales presentation in no time!

Using too many or too few visual elements in your sales deck can be detrimental.

The key is to use graphics judiciously, selecting only those that are truly helpful in conveying your main points.

If you are selling a B2B SaaS platform, show some screenshots to reinforce your messaging, the most important features, and the value proposition. If you are selling SEO services, show examples from Google Analytics and use data visualizations, charts, and graphs in your sales deck.

When used effectively, graphics can be a powerful tool in a slide presentation. But when used improperly, they can do more harm than good.

A successful sales presentation strikes a balance between text and visuals, using each to complement the other. By carefully planning the layout and design of their presentation, sales professionals can ensure that their graphics make a positive impact and contribute to a successful outcome.

Read our article on how to embed videos in PowerPoint presentations.

Most common mistakes to avoid #3: Using too much technical jargon when delivering your sales presentation.

When giving a B2B sales presentation live or sharing a video sales presentation, it is important to avoid using technical jargon. While you may be familiar with the terms and concepts, your audience may not be. Using jargon in your sales deck can alienate your listeners and make it difficult for them to follow along.

Instead, focus on speaking in plain language that all prospects understand.

Use specific examples and analogies to explain complex concepts. That doesn’t mean you have to dumb down your message, but it does mean avoiding technical jargon that only a small percentage of people will be familiar with. Of course, there are times when you can use technical jargon and be absolutely certain that people will understand it. Doing so will help ensure that your message is understood and appreciated by all.

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Most common mistakes to avoid #4: Rushing through your sales presentation to share more information.

According to a recent study by Zoom , on average, people remember about 10% of your presentation after 48 hours. So focus on the main points and repetition. According to the study, repeating the 10% message and reinforcing it visually lead to precision memory in 74% of the participants.

It is important to remember not to overwhelm prospects. Too much information can be confusing. Instead, focus on providing the essential and important information that the buyer needs to know in order to make an informed decision.

Don’t try to show everything you have to offer on your sales pitch.

Do your research and focus on things and the most important features that are relevant to the buyer. This way, you can tailor your sales deck to their needs and interests. What’s more, you’ll be able to anticipate any objections they might have and address them head-on. Researching your prospect can also give you some sales presentation ideas that can help you deliver a killer sales presentation and close the deal! So don’t skimp on preparation – it could mean the difference between success and failure.

Be sure to read our step-by-step guide on how to use Chat GPT to overcome sales objections.

Most common mistakes to avoid #5: Reading the slides.

When giving a B2B sales presentation, it is important to remember that the slide deck should be used to support your messaging.

The audience wants to hear from you!

If you spend too much time reading from your slide deck, you will lose the audience’s attention. Instead, use the slides as a tool to reinforce the key points you’re making verbally. This will help keep your audience engaged and focused on what you’re saying.

Sales reps who rely solely on reading from their slide deck during presentations are missing out on a key opportunity to connect with their audience. Instead of simply regurgitating the information that’s already on the slides, the best sales reps use the sales deck as an opportunity to share their insights and expertise. They use facial expressions and body language to connect with the client on a human level. This not only makes the presentation more engaging but also helps to build rapport with the audience. In addition, by sharing their thoughts and observations, the best sales reps can add an element of urgency and excitement that often gets lost when presentations are purely factual.

When it comes time to close the deal, that extra level of connection can make all the difference. So next time you’re preparing for a live slide presentation or recording an asynchronous video sales presentation, resist the urge to simply read from the slide deck. Instead, use the slides as a tool to support your powerful storytelling.

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And last but not least, be aware of the body language you are projecting, as it can influence the outcome of a sale. According to the study by Albert Mehrabian, professor of psychology at University of California, body language accounts for 55% of communication. It is very important for a sales rep to learn how to use body language effectively. By using body language effectively, you can increase your chances of delivering the best sales presentation and making a successful sale!

Most common mistakes to avoid #6: Excluding the prospect from your story.

A sales presentation should be about the prospect, not the product or the product’s features. Prospects want to know how your products and services will benefit them, not just what it is and how it works.

When giving a sales presentation, it’s important to engage your audience and make them invested in the story you’re telling. One way to do this is to include the prospect in the story.

You can do this by using the pronoun “you” when you tell a story. For example, “Let’s say you’re trying to increase sales by 10% this quarter.” This simple change will make your prospects feel like they are part of the story and help them to see themselves using your products and services. This will help them to see themselves as the protagonist, understand how your products and services can benefit them, and connect with your message on a personal level. In addition, this approach will help you create a more conversational tone that will make your presentation more lively and engaging.

When you tell a story, consider what problem the buyer is trying to solve and how your product or service can help them to overcome it. Use specific and relatable examples to illustrate your point. Make sure to address any objections in your sales deck that the buyer might have. In addition, including the prospect in the story can help build rapport and trust. When prospects feel like they’re part of the story, they’re more likely to be interested in what you have to say and be receptive to your sales pitch.

So next time you’re preparing a sales presentation, remember to include your prospects in the story. It’s a small change that can make a big difference and help you close more deals!

Most common mistakes to avoid #7: Heavily using parasite words on your sales presentation.

When delivering a B2B sales presentation, it’s important to sound professional and confident. One way to do this is to avoid using filler words such as “um,” “like,” “basically,” “actually,” and “you know.” These words can make you sound uncertain and reduce the impact of your message. Similarly, words like “just” or “simply” can downplay the importance of what you’re trying to say.

Instead of using filler words, take a moment to pause and gather your thoughts. It’s best to avoid using any type of filler words in your presentation. Not only do they make you sound less confident, but they can also distract from your overall message.

In addition, filler words can also increase the amount of time it takes to deliver your presentation, which can bore your audience and cause them to tune out. Instead, focus on using language that is clear and concise.

By avoiding parasite words and speaking with confidence, you can ensure that your next sales presentation is more impactful and makes a lasting impression!

Most common mistakes to avoid #8: Focusing on product's features, not benefits and value proposition in your sales deck.

When you’re giving a sales presentation, it’s important to remember that your audience is primarily interested in understanding how your products and services can help them achieve their business goals. Your clients are not as concerned with the specific product’s features of your offering as they are with understanding how those features will benefit them.

It is important to focus on benefits and value proposition when doing a sales presentation because it is one of the main reasons why a potential client will move towards making the buying decision. They should be clear, concise, and easy to understand.

For example, if you’re selling a digital product like a CRM, your slide deck should not focus on the product features. Instead, start talking about how the system can help the buyer increase sales or improve customer retention. As a result, your sales deck should focus on highlighting the business results that your products and services can deliver. By doing so, you’ll be able to capture your audience’s attention and build a strong case for why they should do business with you.

If you can effectively communicate the benefits and the value proposition of your products and services in your slide deck, you will be more likely to close more deals!

Most common mistakes to avoid #9: Making your sales presentation too long.

The key to successful sales presentations is to keep your audience engaged. After all, it doesn’t matter how great your products and services are if no one is paying attention.

According to the developmental molecular biologist John Medina viewers will tune out after 10 minutes.

Most sales presentations are often long and dry, filled with statistics and jargon that lose the attention of the audience within minutes. This is a huge mistake. The key to a successful B2B sales deck is to keep it short, sweet, and to the point.

Remember, you’re selling to busy professionals who have better things to do than sit through a tedious presentation. In fact, research has shown that shorter presentations are more likely to be successful in terms of both conversion rates and client satisfaction. Shorter presentations are easier to digest and remember.

By keeping your sales deck short and focused, you’ll stand a much better chance of holding your audience’s attention and making the sale!

Most common mistakes to avoid #10: Not showing a clear next step.

At the end of your live sales presentation or an asynchronous video sales presentation, it is incredibly important to establish the next steps in order to move the deal forward. This next step could be something as small as scheduling a follow-up meeting or it could be starting the onboarding process.

Not having a next step defined is one of the surefire ways to kill any momentum that might have been gained during the sales presentation.

If you do not define the next steps, it gives the impression that you are not interested in continuing the conversation or that you do not have a clear understanding of what needs to happen next. This can damage your relationship with the prospect and make it less likely that they will do business with you.

The goal of a B2B sales presentation is to eventually land the sale, and without a defined next step, it will be very difficult to move closer to that goal. By contrast, if the next steps are clearly laid out in your sales deck, it gives both parties a sense of direction and purpose moving forward. To put it simply, not defining the next steps in your slide deck is bad for business!

How to deliver the best sales presentation?

• Establish value then talk price.
• The best reps proactively bring up competitors.
• Share a video narrated presentation before the discovery call.
• Don’t underestimate the power of insight.
• Personalize your pitch to position yourself as an advisor.
• Don’t memorize your sales pitch, but practice it.

B2B sales presentation tips #1: Establish value then talk price.

When giving a B2B sales presentation, your first step is to demonstrate the value of your product before you start talking about the price. This is because decision-makers want to know that your product will be worth the investment before they commit to anything. If you are selling to small businesses that are very price sensitive, establishing value is even more important. Many decision-makers also are looking for solutions that will improve their bottom line.

Too often, sales reps focus solely on the price and fail to establish the value of their products and services. As a result, the prospective client is left feeling like they don’t really need what you’re selling. To deliver successful sales presentations, you need to focus on the value of your products and services. Talk about how it will benefit the client and eliminate their pain point.

By showing them the value of your product first, you’ll be able to make a stronger case for why it’s worth investing in.

Once you’ve demonstrated the value, you can then talk about pricing and how it fits into the overall picture. By taking this approach, you will be able to demonstrate the value of your solution and position yourself as a partner rather than a vendor.

B2B sales presentation tips #2: The best reps proactively bring up competitors.

Most presentations don’t include the competition slide and it is a big mistake!

In today’s business world, your competition is just a Google search away and a common mistake that sales reps make is to avoid talking about their competition.

They may think that by doing so, they are giving their competitors “free publicity” or making themselves look bad by comparison. However, in many cases, the opposite is true. By mentioning your competition in your sales presentations, you can actually make yourself look more professional and credible. This is because you are showing that you are aware of the landscape of your industry and that you have done your research.

By acknowledging your competition in your sales pitch, you can show that you are confident in your products and services and that you are not afraid to bring up your competitors.

This is one of the most powerful sales presentation techniques that the best reps use, as it shows that they believe in their product and are willing to put it up against the best that the competition has to offer.

Additionally, by proactively bringing up your competitor’s products and offerings, you can address any objections that your prospect might have before they even have a chance to bring them up. By proactively bringing up your competition, you can take control of the conversation and help to close the sale.

Furthermore, by showing that you are aware of your competition and are actively working to improve upon their product features. It also demonstrates that you are dedicated to meeting the needs of your clients. This shows that you are a company that can be trusted and that you will work hard to ensure that the client is satisfied.

Finally, discussing your competition in your sales pitch can help you come across as a trusted adviser rather than just another sales rep looking for a naive buyer.

So don’t be afraid to mention your competitors in your sales deck. It can actually work in your favor.

B2B sales presentation tips #3: Share a video narrated presentation before the discovery call.

The discovery call is a crucial step in the sales process. It’s an opportunity to learn about the prospect’s needs and pain points, and to establish whether there’s a fit between the product and the client. One way to make the most of this opportunity is to share a general presentation before the call. This gives the prospect a chance to get a general understanding of your products and services.

Sharing a video sales narrated presentation or a sales deck is even more effective as it can greatly amplify the impact of your presentation. It will make it easier for the recipient to digest the important information. Not only that but it can help the buyer get used to your voice, see your body language, and it will also give them a better sense of who you are as a person. It will help you establish a human connection with your client before the discovery call. Ultimately, sharing a video sales presentation is a great way a sales rep to connect with their clients on a human level and showcase their expertise.

Read our video selling guide to learn about video sales best practices and key tactics and watch some great sales presentation examples.

Sharing an asynchronous video presentation before the discovery call will allow you to have a more natural conversation with the client.

Moreover, sharing a video sales presentation before the discovery call also allows for more efficient use of time on the call itself. As both parties will already have a good understanding of what’s being discussed. This will ensure that you spend more time engaging in a more natural conversation with your client.

If you are looking for a tool to quickly create video presentations, you should try DeckLinks . It allows inside sales teams to create video narrated sales presentations by simply video narrating an existing PDF slide deck or a powerpoint presentation. This asynchronous video presentation is then can be shared in a single trackable link.

A trackable sales presentation can help you sell better by allowing you to see how recipients interact with your content. This data can be used to improve the effectiveness of your slide deck, strategically prepare for an upcoming discovery call, identify the most engaged decision-maker, or get some sales presentation ideas. You will get access to very granular analytics, like open rate, time spent on each slide, clicks, downloads etc. This information can help you determine which topics, products or services are most interesting to your prospect or a client, and which parts of your presentation are most effective.

For example, if you see that recipients are not viewing your entire presentation or skipping slides, you can change the order or reduce the number of your slides. You can also make your slide deck more visual or adjust your messaging to make your content more engaging.

By using a trackable video sales presentation, you can gain valuable insights that will help you sell more effectively. And the best part part? There’s a free plan!

Make sure to read our guide on how to make video presentations and when to use them.

In short, sharing video presentations before a discovery call is a good way to make sure that everyone is on the same page from the start. Win win for both sides!

If you want to learn about what video presentation types all fast-growing companies use , read our article here.

B2B sales presentation tips #4: Don't underestimate the power of insight.

Gong Labs data show there is an 8% increase in close rates when the sales rep and the buyer curse on the sales calls, compared to nobody cursing at all 🤯.

When delivering your killer sales presentation, it’s important to start off with an insight that will grab your audience’s attention and set the tone for the rest of the presentation. This is one of the most popular sales presentation techniques employed by high-performing B2B sales professionals to pique their customers’ interest.

An insight is a piece of information that helps your audience see the pain point in a new light. It can be something as simple as an interesting statistic or a surprising fact. An insight could be something that challenges their assumptions, highlights a new trend in your industry or brings up an interesting case study.

Whatever you choose for your next sales presentation, make sure it’s something that will resonate with your audience and make them want to hear more. By sharing an insight that is relevant to your product or service, you can demonstrate your expertise and build trust with a prospective client.

Additionally, insight can help to clarify the benefits of your offering and make it more relatable to your audience. Once you have their attention, you can move on to the rest of your pitch deck.

So if you’re looking to give your next sales presentation a boost, be sure to include an insight or two. It could make all the difference in closing more deals.

B2B sales presentation tips #5: Personalize your pitch to position yourself as an advisor.

When creating a B2B sales presentation, it is important to remember that no two clients are exactly alike, so a cookie-cutter approach is bound to fall flat. You can try to find sales presentation examples or sales presentation templates online to get some inspiration but you still need take the time to get to know your prospect and tailor your sales pitch accordingly.

While there are certain elements that a good sales presentation should have, such as an engaging opener and a clear call to action, the best sales decks are tailored to the specific needs of the client. What pain points are they trying to solve? What objectives do they hope to achieve? For example, if you know that your prospect expressed interest in saving money, you can focus on how your product can help them to reduce costs. By addressing these questions in your sales deck, you’ll be able to create a more meaningful connection with your prospect – and increase your chances of making a sale.

A generic slide presentation that doesn’t take into account the specific needs of the client is often met with resistance or indifference. On the other hand, a sales deck that is tailored to the client’s industry, company size, and specific pain points is much more likely to be well-received. Not only that but sales deck personalization can help to build rapport and trust, which are essential for making a successful sale.

It can be tempting to take shortcuts when preparing a sales presentation, but if you want to close the deal, personalization is key. Your prospect will appreciate the effort you put into understanding their business and crafting a sales deck that resonates with them. Furthermore, by putting extra effort and time into understanding the client’s business and challenges, you can position yourself as a valuable resource and advisor.

Positioning yourself as an advisor rather than a salesperson can be extremely effective. Businesses are always looking for ways to improve their RevOps and bottom line, so they’re always open to new ideas that can help them achieve their goals. As an advisor, you can provide them with insights and recommendations that will help them make the best decisions for their business. This sales presentation technique requires more initial investment than simply pitching a product, but it can be much more effective in the long run.

By positioning yourself as an advisor, you build trust and credibility with potential clients. This will make it much easier to close deals and build strong long-term relationships with clients.

B2B sales presentation tips #6: Don't memorize your sales pitch, but practice it.

Pitching is an art form, one that takes practice to master. When you’re giving a sales presentation, it’s important to sound natural and confident, not like you’re reciting a script. If you memorize your sales pitch, you’ll sound robotic and unnatural, and you’re likely to forget key points or get tongue-tied if you get thrown off by a question. There’s a fine line between being prepared and sounding like you’re reading a script. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t practice your pitch beforehand.

There are a few simple sales presentation tips that can help you hone your pitching skills. The key is to memorize the structure of your sales deck, not individual words or phrases. Try to memorize the key points you want to hit. You want to sound natural, more spontaneous, and confident, but you also don’t want to get tripped up on the details. Practice your next sales presentation until you know it inside and out, and can deliver your pitch smoothly and confidently. The more practice you get, the more comfortable you’ll feel when it comes time to give your pitch. This way, you’ll be able to deliver it in a conversational and engaging way, and you’ll be able to improvise if necessary.

So don’t try to memorize your sales pitch – instead, practice it until you have complete confidence in your ability to deliver it flawlessly. And if you do happen to forget something, don’t panic – just take a deep breath and move on. Your audience will appreciate your candor and professionalism!

Key takeaways

As you prepare to create your sales deck, keep in mind that your goal is to deliver value to your audience.

• Your sales deck should be designed to educate and inform your audience, not simply sell them your product or service.
• A good sales presentation is well-researched and relevant to your audience’s needs.
• In addition, it should be focused on delivering a clear and concise message.
• Tell a story but don’t turn it into a novel with a big reveal on the final slide.
• Share successful customer stories and social proof.
• Be ready to provide any relevant case studies.
• When delivering a sales presentation use simple language and avoid jargon, make it easy for prospects understand your sales pitch.
• Make sure to practice your elevator pitch and body language ahead of time so that you can deliver it with confidence.
• Finally, don’t forget to have a clear next step at the end of your sales deck!

Follow our sales presentation tips and tricks, you can be sure that your next sales presentation is engaging and informative and that it leaves a positive impression on your audience.

For more presentation tips and tricks be sure to read our article.

How to create the most engaging and impactful sales presentations?

Focus on showcasing the value proposition in a compelling story format focused on quantifiable customer benefits. Use data visualizations, relatable success stories, and relevant examples tailored to your audience’s specific needs and pain points. Make the presentation conversational with two-way dialogue.

How to develop sales presentations that drive results?

Thoroughly research your target audience and market. Establish credibility and build trust from the start. Highlight ROI, business outcomes and quantitative results. Acknowledge competitors proactively. Practice an authentic yet confident delivery. Always have a clear and actionable call to action.

What is an optimal length of a sales presentation?

Limit your core sales pitch to 10 minutes or less with 8-12 slides focused only on key points. Lead with the agenda and value proposition. Make the presentation scannable, conversational and interactive. End with a summary and call to action.

What types of visuals make the biggest impact on a sales presentation?

Effective visuals include charts demonstrating ROI, screenshots showing product capabilities, logos of current customers, data visualizations like graphs, relevant images reinforcing key points, short customer quotes and statistics.

How to craft impactful, memorable openings and closings for sales presentations?

Start strong by leading with an insightful statistic or compelling example tailored specifically to your audience. Wrap up by clearly stating next steps, contact info, and a specific call to action.

What common mistakes to avoid when delivering sales presentations to prospects?

Avoid rushing through your pitch, overloading slides with too much text, using complex industry jargon, focusing solely on product features rather than benefits, and sounding overly scripted or salesy.

How to make sales presentations interactive, conversational and engaging for prospects?

Pause frequently for questions and feedback. Invite audience participation. Leverage interactive product demos relevant to the prospect’s needs. Use thought-provoking prompts related to their business challenges.

How to practice and prepare before presenting a sales deck?

Memorize your sales pitch structure rather than a word-for-word script. Practice until your delivery is fluid, natural and authentic. Time yourself when practicing to perfect your pacing.

How important is the cover slide of a sales presentation?

Cover slide is often the first chance you have to make good first impression on the audience. Successful sales presentation cover slide should be attention-grabbing and should set the tone for the rest of the sales presentation. It should provide just enough information to pique client’s interest and get them curious.

What is the solution slide and why is it important?

Solution slide is the slide that outlines exactly how your product or service will solve the prospect’s pain points. It should be clear and concise. Most presentations start talking about the problem the client may be facing. Your client already knows about the pain point they are facing! This is the slide that outlines exactly how your product or service will solve the prospect’s pain points.

Lidia Vijga

About the author.

Lidia Vijga is a seasoned professional with nearly 10 years of first-hand experience in B2B sales and B2B marketing. She has a proven track record of driving growth for companies across various industries. Throughout her career, Lidia has led numerous successful sales campaigns and implemented innovative marketing strategies that have significantly increased revenue and reduced customer acquisition cost for her clients. Lidia regularly shares her insights and experiences on LinkedIn, webinars, and public speaking engagements. Lidia believes in the power of personal qualities such as kindness, empathy, and the willingness to understand others. She is committed to empowering client-facing teams with tools that enhance their talent instead of automating it, and she firmly believes that teams that show their human side grow companies much faster.

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The Best Templates for Onboarding New Clients

You’ve closed the deal, now what? Onboarding new clients or external partners can look a lot like onboarding new employees. Setting expectations, and laying out a roadmap for what’s to come, is an important part of the initial process to get everyone up to speed and aligned. Onboarding is a chance for you to establish roles, scope of work, project goals, processes, and give or receive feedback. It helps you outline a communication plan and maintain relationships with each new client. 

Onboarding clients can be done more effectively and efficiently with presentations. By creating an onboarding presentation you can easily educate new clients, define and analyze customer or client habits, and provoke user engagement. It’s important to have a strong onboarding process to establish trust and confidence early on with your new clients. 

Whether you are training or onboarding internal partners or external clients we have the essential pre-built templates you need to jumpstart your program. We’ve rounded up a list of the top four best presentation templates that can be customized to communicate with and onboard your new clients more efficiently. 

Sales Proposal

Sale proposals are used to demonstrate how your business, brand, service or product will positively influence a buyer, partner company, new client, or investor. This template might be used to bring new business in, help close the deal, or define the relationship with a new client. For a sales proposal to be successful it must include a straightforward message, be visually impactful, and show specific stats or data that reference your company’s strengths. 

Operations Plan

Once you secure the deal with a new client, you need a plan to nurture that relationship. Use an operations plan to outline your business strategy, or align on responsibilities and goals. An operations plan presentation keeps all of your team members—internally or externally— on the same page, ensuring that they understand their roles, responsibilities, and how they fit into the overall project. An operations plan is an essential component to your project’s success, and can show new clients what to expect when they choose to adopt your product or service.

New Hire Onboarding

New employee or client onboarding is the process of integrating said newcomer with a company and its culture, as well as getting them the tools and information needed to become a productive member of the team. There’s a lot of information to share with new clients such as what the company is all about, how to use the product or service, case study examples, what they can expect from the team and who to work with, contact information, and so much more. With this template, you can create roadmaps for each new client one month to six months out to ensure they’re familiar with the business. A new hire template can be customized to fit your welcome packet and is a great resource for new clients to keep on hand and refer back to over time. 

A good training presentation can provide structure to your onboarding process. Our template is customizable, making it easier than ever to get new clients up to speed on the processes and functions of your product or service. You can use our training template to educate your new clients, provide how-to instructions, or re-engage with them when you release new features or offerings. A good onboarding will include training so that the client is getting the most out of the tools provided to them. 

Beautiful.AI Team

Beautiful is an AI-powered presentation tool that makes it fast and easy for anyone to build clean, modern and professionally designed slides that they can be proud of.

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Published: December 15, 2022

Client onboarding is a "first" experience. It's just like the first time you visited a new place, got a new job, or went on a first date, and as such, it falls into the category of the unknown — for both sides.

It’s easy to think far ahead of the onboarding stage as you plan ways to prove your value with new clients (e.g. What goals can I meet now? How can I get this relationship up and running as quickly as possible?), but before you start planning too far in advance, nailing the onboarding stage takes a little bit of Zen — that is, remaining in the present.

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What is client onboarding?

Client onboarding is a process at the intersection of customer service and sales with the purpose of transitioning them from the sales process to being a successful, informed, and satisfied customer.

Why is client onboarding important?

Customer onboarding is much more than a series of follow-up meetings asking the client if they're happy with their purchase. It's a part of the purchasing decision that many customers weigh heavily when signing a deal.

Still not convinced? Here are the top reasons client onboarding is top of mind for many companies.

• It's a deciding factor for customers: UserGuiding reports that 63% of customers consider the onboarding process when making a purchase.
• You can preempt customer churn: One of the biggest reasons customers churn is because they don't see the value in the product or service they purchased. Customer onboarding exists to ensure they understand all the options available to them as a customer.
• You'll encourage repeat purchases: When your customers are happy, engaged, and have positive experiences with your business, they're more likely to make repeat purchases.

These insights about client onboarding should inform your process. But what should the process for client onboarding be? And where do you start? A free onboarding template can help, download the one below for free.

6 New Client Onboarding Best Practices

Recommended resource: free onboarding templates.

Download the Templates

What is the client onboarding process?

The client onboarding process establishes a customer relationship through pre-onboarding, after-signing communication, a kick-off call, a post-kick-off meeting, and SLA development. The goal of this process is to assure the client that your team will carry out the promises it made during the sales process.

The onboarding stage is a rarely overlooked, but often underutilized part of the sales process .

After the client has completed each task, they’re taken directly to the next relevant task for them. Reducing the need for the user to decide what action to take next helps ensure that they maintain momentum toward their goals.

Onboard New Clients with Ease

The onboarding process should span throughout the beginning of your engagement. Following these best practices will help you build trust that is so crucial to the beginning of client relationships — and establish an excellent foundation that will benefit you both in the long run. Go forth and onboard! Your future sales numbers will thank you.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in May 2020 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

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How to Create Slides That Suit Your Superiors: 11 Tips

When you’re pitching ideas or budgets to execs in your organization, you need to deliver slides that fit those particular people just right. This checklist identifies the key considerations.

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I recently interviewed 20 of my customers, all in senior roles at Fortune 100 companies, and asked them their biggest pain point in presenting to higher-ups and even colleagues. What I heard consistently was that it can feel like Goldilocks bouncing from one option to the next, testing to figure out what’s “just right.” Does the audience want deep reports? Sparse slides? Something in between? Like … what?

Teams often come to presentation meetings with vast amounts of backup content just in case an exec wants to take a deep dive on any given point. There’s often a struggle to anticipate every direction attendees might want to go. It’s frustrating, and it’s not efficient.

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There are many ways to build slides. I’m not just talking about crafting them well versus poorly. I’m talking about all of the important decisions regarding how to organize them, how much text to use, when to lean into a chart, the best ways to use bullets and color, and whether to include an appendix with additional information. Before you make your next proposal or request of the executive team, use this list of 11 tips for your next set of slides as a guide.

Four Things You Must Have in Every Exec’s Slides

Before we drill down into the harder aspects, the ones where your executives’ tastes may vary widely, let’s quickly cover four aspects that you can consider the building blocks — the basics you should never proceed without.

Start with an executive summary. Begin the slide deck with a tight executive summary that follows a three-act structure. First, start with stating the current realities. Second, clearly state the problem or opportunity your idea addresses and its potential impact. Third, explain how your recommendation solves the problem or exploits the opportunity and the next steps you’re proposing.

Have a logical organization. The arc of the deck — the package from beginning to end — should make sense. If your audience reads only the headline of every slide, the order should be coherent and make most of the case for you. The content below each slide’s headline must support the statement made in the title. Remove everything that doesn’t support your point; as writers will tell you, you sometimes need to “kill your darlings” when you’re editing.

Begin the slide deck with a tight executive summary that follows a three-act structure.

Make it skimmable. Help your audience to quickly grasp the point without getting bogged down in details. Create a clear visual hierarchy. Guide the reader’s eye through the content: Use bold headings, bullet points, and numbered lists to break down information into digestible pieces. Highlight key takeaways or conclusions in a different color or font size to draw attention to these critical points.

Focus on concise insights. Succinct statements with clear insights are everyone’s jam. Every slide should serve a purpose and contribute directly to the decision-making process. Distill complex information. Don’t use 100 words when 20 words will nail it. If you’re having difficulty trimming, consider using company-approved AI tools to help you take out the fluff.

Five Preferences to Confirm With the Person You Want to Reach

Now we’ll delve into what your particular audience does and does not want. If you haven’t yet, start by asking the person you’re presenting to what they generally prefer. They probably know themselves well but have not been asked to articulate how they like to receive information.

Ask how dense is too dense. Some executives prefer detailed slides with comprehensive data. Others favor a more high-level approach. You’re weighing how to balance informative content with readability, ensuring that slides are not overloaded yet are sufficiently detailed to support decision-making.

Confirm the delivery format and timing. Some execs like information presented to them. Others prefer a pre-read of the material followed by a discussion. I always recommend our tool Slidedocs (I’ve written a free e-book on them), which are visual documents using both words and images. The templates help presenters organize their thoughts into a document for a pre-read or a read-along. They are designed to be skimmable and able to travel through your organization without the help of a presenter.

I’m a huge fan of pre-reads and prefer to use my time in meetings to ask questions and build alignment. If your audience didn’t review your material in advance, ask at the top of the meeting whether they would like you to present it or would prefer to read through it and then discuss it.

Find out how much data visualization they prefer. Charts, graphs, photos, and illustrations often communicate complex data more clearly than words alone. When execs can see what you’re saying, they often can better understand the impact of your idea. Does the exec want to understand exact numbers? Bar charts allow them to move their eyes across a series of specifics. Does the exec want to know the shape of a trend over time? Line charts can show the pattern. (See “Classic Charts Communicate Data Quickly.”) Some prefer charts with annotations that draw attention to what you think is the most important point. Others want to make their own conclusions from the data.

One of my clients, the CEO of a massive commercial real estate company, doesn’t want anything visualized. He prefers numbers, only in a table, and only in two colors — black and red. You might think this is archaic. But the fact that he’s clear to his teams about what he wants takes all the mystery out of how to communicate with him.

When the stakes are high, have a conceptual thinker help with diagrams and concepts. If you don’t have one on your team, and when it’s high stakes, find an internal designer to help you or hire one. You can’t afford to have the baby (your idea) thrown out with the bathwater (terrible slides).

Identify which details need spelling out. How well do the people you’re presenting to know the landscape and function of the company and products you’re talking about? For example, if your engineering team threw a slide into a deck about an issue that requires executive approval, do the execs all speak geek? Or do you need to explain the technology so that they will really understand the ask? Either eliminate internal jargon and acronyms or unpack those bits, especially if your proposal deeply involves expertise outside of the executives’ domain.

Ask whether appendices will be useful. When you’re organizing a presentation, you often troll data, read through complicated reports, and even hire external experts to figure out what’s best for the company. Do your execs want access to that supporting data? You can add a document to the end of the presentation as an appendix to show all of the data and source material. This allows the main content of the slides to remain focused and accessible while still providing comprehensive background information for those who want more.

Two Tips to Improve Your Presentation Skills

Getting materials in place is the biggest step. They will be your best tools for selling your ideas. But there are two extra areas to pay attention to as a presenter: how you handle questions and how you use every experience to improve.

Anticipate questions, and practice your answers. Before you have your meeting, gather a small team to challenge every point you make. Invite colleagues you trust to role-play as “a rapidly inquisitive exec” or “the doubting naysayer exec” so you are prepared to present your idea well. They’re gonna grill you, and practicing will help you remain unruffled when it happens.

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Ask for feedback after the presentation. Establish a feedback loop with those you presented to. Ask what worked well and how you can improve. If attendees don’t have the time, find people who have had their ideas funded and talk to them about what they did that worked. Advice and some perspective will help you nail your performance even better next time.

Empathetically understanding your audience members and how they process information, whether it’s executives or peers, sets up your ideas for success. Clarity creates efficiency. When a presentation fits just right, you’ve given your great thinking the best chance of moving through your organization and having maximum impact.

About the Author

Nancy Duarte is CEO of Duarte Inc. , a communication company in the Silicon Valley. She’s the author of six books, including DataStory: Explain Data and Inspire Action Through Story (Ideapress Publishing, 2019).

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20 Tips to Master The Art of Client Presentation for Interior Designers

13 Mins Read

February 4th, 2024

Kimberly Elizabeth

With over a decade of expertise in the design realm, Kimberly is trained at the prestigious FIT in NYC, she excels in curating harmonious spaces with a keen focus on symmetry and function.

Currently at

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Importance of Client Presentations to Close Deals

What is the one thing that can improve your chances of landing an interior design project? A presentation ! It is a visualization of what interior designers will offer for any customer. As a result, your customers will have a better idea of what they will achieve at the end of the project. However, the question that most interior designers may ask is, how do you present the interior design to close the deal?

When designing for any interior design client, there are several important factors to consider like the space (office or home design), budget, clients and their family members, client’s style, and way of living. As a designer, these are your styling cues that help create better visualizations for the client. 

In the typical interior design process, it can take up to 2-4 weeks to collate design inspirations, elements, quotes and create a presentation board. However, it is essential to have a signed contract or a retainer before you begin the process of creating a presentation board.

The interior design contract clearly defines the budget, pricing and other prerequisites for the project, so you keep that in mind while planning the design. Also, sourcing the data related to the client’s vision of the space and expectations are crucial for your deadline planning as a part of project management. Once all of these activities are over, the next phase is a one-on-one presentation with the client.

It is here that you need to have a presentation plan ready to execute. There are several elements of a successful client presentation, and here we will discuss twenty of them.

Read also – 14 Tips To Build Strong Brand for Your Interior Design Business

20 Best Client Presentation Tips for Interior Designers for Successful Deals:

1. design rendering.

When it comes to client presentation tips for interior designers , 3D rendering is an approach used as a last resort. However, we are discussing it first here for two significant reasons. First is the advanced form of visualizations that a render may offer to the clients. It allows them to visualize the exact design in a three-dimensional format that resembles the final result. 

The second reason is how it can positively influence the client. It is more than just a design mockup that digitally enhances the look of furniture pieces, floor plans, and even entire spaces like the living rooms. Your clients get to know what the design will be once the project is complete. 

However, it is not so popular among designers as most of them outsource rendering. Thus, there is an extra cost that is to be reimbursed.

Read also – 15 Best 3D Rending Software

2. Design Boards

One of the critical foundations of interior design presentations is design boards that help clients understand different design elements and their final outlook. Design boards can be created with cork boards, pins, and paper. It is a simple board that does not need anything fancy and can yet convey the design effectively. 

You can print images of furniture pieces, create swatches for color schemes, print pictures of rugs, different features, lighting, and flooring, and pin them on the board. Adding fabric samples and upholstery or curtains can make it more intuitive.

Image Credit: Unsplash.com

Design boards allow you to get all the data related to different design ideas, and space heuristics can help in better visualization. However, it is essential to understand that a design board is different from a mood board. The presentation is related to the real design of space with a design board than inspiration images used in a mood board. 

With modern technologies and digitization, you can now use software like Photoshop to create a digital design board. Then, you can either print out such a digital design board or present it directly from a device like a tablet or PC. 

Read also – 15 Best Interior Design Software To Design Digital Boards

3. Dress Code

It may sound stupid to many, but dressing up relevant to the client’s style, space, and environment can make a difference. According to Victoria Sanchez , a prominent interior designer and founder of Victoria at Home, “Walking into a client’s home with your four-inch high heels when you will present designs for a family with kids can be awkward.”

Youtube Video – The Art of Client Presentation by Victoria Sanchez | FoyrTalks2020 | September 23 – YouTube

She further states that walking in with a pair of jeans on for presenting an interior design for a country club project may not be a great idea. Thus, the concept is to dress according to the project’s theme, adding to the aesthetic element of interior design and aligning with the space heuristics.

4. Organized Presentation

Victoria also asks interior designers to stay organized for their presentations. She emphasizes that if your interior design presentations are not organized, they will act as an indicator of how inefficient your services will be for a client.

Here are some tips that she shares:

• Try to have every aspect of the presentation planned before the meet.
• Don’t have the swatches, material samples, or even a digital board unorganized.
• Keep all the design elements in chronological order, which can assist you in explaining the process.
• Don’t waste time going back to your studio for little things related to the presentation, as that can be deemed inefficient.

Read also – Digital Marketing Strategies for Interior Designers

5. User Experience of Presentations

While interior design is an aesthetics-based concept, there are some design elements that you need to have in physical form. In layman’s terms, the feel of touching a material can be more stimulating than just visual appeal. This is related to the fabrics, material of furniture pieces, curtains, carpets, etc. 

Adding physical samples of the fabrics and allowing your clients to feel them through touch will help drive the decision-making. You can even create a sample board with all the materials pinned for a better experience. There can be one hero sample with other options, which will enable clients to make a choice.

6. Moodboards

Apart from the design boards and sample boards, mood boards are also a great way to design presentations. It is a collation of different design inspirations that offer cohesive visualization for clients. However, mood boards are highly suited for presentation to a new client. But if you are looking to close a design project deal, you may need a more comprehensive design board. 

Read also – 14 Tips To Create Mood Boards for Interior Design

7. Master of the Art

There is no denying that you should be at your best for the entire project, but you need to assert your expertise when it comes to a design presentation. However, it does not mean you throw jargon that your clients don’t understand, but help them with expert advice and choices.

Also, try to communicate your anecdotes from different projects you have worked on over the years to showcase your expertise.

Read also – How To Revive Your Interior Design Business Post-COVID-19?

8. Optional Concepts

Sometimes a single design concept is enough for your client to be impressed, and most of the time, it might not be a possibility. It’s a luxury that every interior designer does not have, and you should be prepared for it. 

Especially when it comes to new clients that do not have an extensive idea about interiors or your work, you need to offer multiple options of design concepts. One way to do that is by creating multiple mood boards for presentations. 

In such a scenario, when you need to present multiple concepts and there is a shortage of time, you can leverage mood board-creating software for multiple digital iterations. For example, you can create three iterations:

• A design concept of your choice
• Your client’s choice
• The middle ground

Read also – AI-Powered Interior Design Software

9. Design Context

Most designers get the presentation wrong when they attempt to present too many aesthetic-based concepts out of context, making it a beauty contest. One of the critical client presentation tips for interior designers is to showcase a single concept contextual to the client’s needs rather than showing multiple options without context.

You can use a PowerPoint slideshow, which will help clients better understand the design plan and visualize the project. 

Read also – 10 Best Interactive 3D Presentation Software

10. Naming Your Idea

Showing exuberance and confidence is essential to ensure that your client understands the potential in your design plan and design firm. One way to ensure confidence is to name your concepts. If you don’t name it, these ideas will be just vague thoughts in your mind. So, name your design concept suitably to present your idea better.

11. Design Sketches

One of the best ways to express your ideas during the design presentation stage is using the age-old hand drawing technique. You can create hand-drawn design sketches and include them in the presentation slideshow. However, it can look messy, and you may opt for software that can help you create 2D sketches digitally. 

Image Credit: nda.ac.uk

It can offer a rough idea of the floor plan, furniture pieces, and even different design elements that fit the space. The sketch may not define the exact elements and measurements,  but it will offer a fluid design for early-stage visualization. 

There are three types of sketches that you can create: 

• Floor plans sketches (showing space heuristics)
• Sketches to define space zones
• Elevation sketch

A word of caution, don’t skip a sketch just because it’s a conventional method.

Read also – How To Draw A Floor Plan?

12. Layouts & Materials

When you move on from a basic design sketch to a more enhanced presentation plan, you will need a layout with accurate measurements. You will define your clients’ placements, sizes, and materials, from the floor plan to the furnishing. However, while you can offer options for materials, quantity can be discussed during the presentation, especially if the agreement is signed.

13. Storyboards

Storyboards are an old-school method related to any concept presentation, but you can use the concept of storytelling for design presentations. For example, if you are designing an office for an online platform like LinkedIn, you need to have that vision embedded in the design.

The best way to ensure visualization of the vision is to employ a storytelling-type design presentation with several anecdotes from the client’s journey.

14. Keeping It Realistic

Interior designing is a profession where creativity meets excellence to create the magic of aesthetics and comfort. However, it is essential to understand that there is a budget on the line, and you need to create the design plan according to it. So, make a realistic and practical interior design solution for the presentation.

Read also – Pricing Strategies for Interior Designers

15. Client-Specific Approach

As a designer, you will have to present your designs to different types of clients. While it can be a little easier presenting a new concept to clients you have worked with before, new clients need a solid design plan. So, devise a client-specific approach to create presentations as per the client’s sensibility, behavior, and requirements. 

16. The Problem-Solving Game

A design is not just about aesthetics but also has to offer solutions to the client’s problems. For example, a corporate client might be looking towards a work-from-home setup that is more functional than aesthetic during the pandemic. So, your design presentation needs to be innovative and offer solutions for the client’s problems.

Read also – How To Get Clients for Interior Design Business?

Image Credit: unsplash.com

17. Self-explanatory Details

Apart from being contextual and using the storytelling approach, your design presentation should be self-explanatory in many ways. For example, furniture piece designs, placements, and even the overall look can be self-explanatory by leveraging 3D mockups that you can design using software like Photoshop. 

18. Attention to Clients

Your design presentation is not just yours, and that is the most significant thing to keep in mind. Being attentive is one of the best client presentation tips for interior designers . Try to listen to what your clients want from the interior design, and then fuse your expertise to bring that ‘wow’ element to the project.

Read also – How To Pick The Right Interior Design Clients?

19. Business Aspects

Apart from all the design elements, materials, mockups, and aesthetics, you need to discuss the business aspects of the project. These factors can include budget, material procurement, vendor details, and a timeline for the project.

19. Noting Inputs

Throughout the design presentation, you need to note down each input from your clients. It will help your design sync with what your client wants and help you quickly adjust your presentation. 

Read also – How Do Designers Get Interior Design Clients On A Low Budget?

With all these client presentation tips for interior designers, the recipe is ready for any professional to win their projects. 

Having the right business tools will make each stage of the interior design process simpler and more efficient. Foyr Neo is a powerful interior design platform built with you, the designer, in mind. Take design ideas from concept to a photo-realistic rendering in just minutes with a suite of advanced tools, including:

• The ability to choose from thousands of preloaded items like furniture, plants, accessories and much more – or upload your own 3D models to create the exact look your clients want.
• Produce 4K, photo-realistic renderings on demand.
• Advanced lighting options and visualization settings.
• Real-time 3D editing capabilities.

By combining the functionality of multiple tools in one platform we empower designers to spend less time with software and more time with their clients. You can try Foyr Neo free for 14-days now and experience the power of limitless design.

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How to Get Free HVAC Leads

• December 28, 2021

As the owner of a HVAC company, the quest for cost-effective lead generation is continual, with the ultimate prize being the ability to attract customers for free. But with costs typically ranging between $200 and $300 per customer , it’s easy to see how acquiring customers could be costly and painful.

With over a decade of experience in customer engagement , we’ve uncovered and tested a multitude of marketing strategies that not only reduce costs but also capitalize on less traditional, yet highly effective methods of HVAC lead generation. 

In this article, we’ll teach you:

• How to identify where you’ve been losing marketing money
• How to turn old leads into new leads with word of mouth marketing
• How to get free HVAC leads just by chatting online
• How to be seen as an HVAC expert by giving presentations in-person and online
• How to make your Google Business Profile stand out in just a few clicks

Let’s get started.

Identify Where You’ve Lost Money Before

It’s time to answer the hard question: Where have you been losing money in marketing? To get the answer, find out how much each of your customers has cost you with customer acquisition costs.

You can calculate your customer acquisition costs (CAC) by dividing total HVAC marketing expenses by the number of new clients acquired within a specific period. Marketing expenses include every dollar that you spend to promote your company. A few examples of lead costs you might run into include:

• Publishing Costs: Expenditures on marketing materials like brochures, leaflets, flyers, and newsletters.
• Cost of Your Sales Team: Salaries of your sales personnel, hiring costs, training expenses
• Creative Costs: Graphic designers’ fees, content creators’ fees

For a more in-depth look at your CAC, check out this Customer Acquisition Cost Calculator !

Real-World Example:

Consider an HVAC company that spent $12,000 on social media marketing in the first quarter and acquired 120 new clients. This results in a CAC of $100 per new client ($12,000 / 120 = $100).

Customer acquisition cost is a key component of customer lifetime value . Customer lifetime value is the amount of money a customer will spend with your company over the lifetime of your relationship.

Turn Old Leads Into New Leads: Acquisition and Retention

Customer loyalty serves as a bridge between acquisition and retention . Don’t underestimate the value of keeping your existing customer base engaged; a 5% increase in customer retention yields more than 25% increase in profits , according to Bain & Company.

In his video Contractor Lead Generation: How I Get Customers for My Construction Business , Chuck the Contractor underscores the importance of customer retention with your old leads:

“ If you’re not getting customers by referral, then you’re probably not doing a very good job. Because if you do a great job, people will hire you back, and they’ll tell their friends and family about you because it’s tough to find a good contractor. And you know, this isn’t some kind of minuscule transaction; you’re inviting somebody into your house, they’re working on your home, which is probably the largest investment you’ve ever made, and you have to live in it all the time. So, it’s a pretty big deal for people.”

But what are customer acquisition and retention?

Customer acquisition involves attracting and converting a potential client into a paying customer. Strategies might include:

• Digital marketing (Informative blog posts on AC maintenance, Facebook ads for emergency HVAC repair services …)
• New customer promotions (20% discount on your first service call, a free seasonal maintenance service for each customer you refer…)
• Attending events (having a booth at a home/garden or builders’ fair, sponsoring local sports teams, giving out coupons at farmers’ markets…)

Customer retention represents the marketing efforts and resources dedicated to keeping existing customers making repeat purchases. Effective retention strategies could include:

• Loyalty programs (annual maintenance memberships, ‘points’ systems that can be redeemed for free emergency call-outs)
• Exceptional customer service (24/7 availability, detailed notes about customers’ service history, preferred brands, most important concerns…) 
• Regular maintenance reminders (automated email/SMS reminders, service anniversary discounts…) 

(Curious about those automated reminders? Check out our guide 3 Ways HVAC Professionals Can Use Marketing Automation !)

Comment on HVAC Blog Posts

Commenting on other HVAC contractors’ blog posts can increase the visibility of your HVAC company. You can start by identifying the four most popular blog sites in your niche by Googling topics like ‘hvac near me’, ‘ac repair near me’, and ‘commercial hvac companies near me’. Your target is to comment on as many of their NEW blog posts as possible. 

Homeowners seeking efficient air conditioning and heating systems will start to notice your HVAC business, especially if your comments provide additional insights on topics like ventilation. Don’t use the comments section as a sales pitch! Engage consistently, answer questions from other readers, and aim to participate with genuine interest in the community. 

Here’s an example of a good comment that can lead to a new HVAC lead:

“Fantastic read! I appreciate how you focused so much on proper insulation here. People need to consider the role of ventilation in maintaining indoor air quality…do regular maintenance checks and find the little things before they turn into mountains. Too many people overlook the importance of changing their filters. I have a guide here (link) on the biggest insulation mistakes I’ve seen.”   – John Smith HVAC of Atlanta, GA

And here’s a bad comment sure to get you marked as spam:

“This was good. Keeping everything working efficiently before it gets bad is something not enough people get. For anyone in the area, check out my website www.johnsmithhvacatlanta.com if you need HVAC like this. Best installation in town at the lowest prices. Check out the Coupons section for 20% off your first service” – John Smith HVAC of Atlanta, GA

Providing genuinely informative content, even if it’s through a comments section, is the same thing we do in content marketing. People respect and want to buy from people who can explain what they’re doing, and why! 

Keep in mind that with commenting instead of owning full content, the long-term value of your comment is dependent on how popular the original blog post stays. Since you have far less control, it’s important to comment consistently if you’re going to use this HVAC lead generation method.

How to find out if this strategy works for you: 

• Add UTM parameters to any URLs you share in your comments to track how many clicks they create to your website.
• Track the number of likes and comments your own comments get to figure out what people are most receptive to.
• Collect feedback from new customers on how they found your business.

Give a Presentation on HVAC

Another way to get free leads is through a speaking engagement. Here are a few examples of places you could share your expertise:

• Home and garden tours and expos
• Landscape technology conferences
• HVAC, energy, and refrigeration trade shows
• Hardware stores and community centers (offer to host a free workshop!)
• LinkedIn, Facebook Live, or other live social media platforms

As before, remember to not make your presentation a sales pitch. Teach them how to clean their air filters, or give them your thoughts on ice storage air conditioning. If you already have followers, tell your email subscribers and/or social media followers to join you at the event. 

Afterwards, you can expect lots of questions from people who will want your contact information. You might even want to provide an email newsletter signup.

• Track an outside event, like social media follows or email newsletter signups, before and a few days after the event. Note whether this is a significant difference from the type of growth you’re used to.
• If you announce your presentation to your email list, track open and click-through rates for those emails.

Optimize Your Google Business Profile

Having a high quality GBP profile can help create trust in potential customers who are still in the research phase. But GBP (formerly Google My Business) is an acquisition method of its own; by optimizing it, you’re improving one of your best ways to get free leads through local SEO and Google Search. 

Everyone knows that your profile should include basic contact information like your HVAC business’ address, website, hours, and phone number. But there are some additional things you can add that will help you really stand out in the search engine:

Special Services :

Identify and highlight specific HVAC services you offer that meet the unique needs of your local area. For example, you could add a sentence like these to your bio:

• If you live in an area that experiences harsh winters, you could add “Specialized in advanced heating solutions, including geothermal heating and high-efficiency boilers.”
• If you live in an area facing unusually high pollen counts or air quality concerns, you could add “Offering comprehensive indoor air quality services, such as air purifiers and humidifiers.”
• If you live in a hot area with people who tend to be more environmentally conscious, you could add “Experts in the installation of energy-efficient and solar-powered air conditioning systems, aiming to reduce your energy bills and carbon footprint.”

Use Relevant Categories :

Choose business categories that precisely match your services. Being specific beyond just ‘HVAC’ can help you stand out if it doesn’t actually encompass what it is that you do. For example, if you only clean air ducts, ‘air duct cleaning service’ is a better fit than ‘HVAC contractor’. 

Here are some of the most prominent HVAC categories that GBP allows:

• Air conditioning contractor
• Air conditioning repair service
• HVAC contractor
• Heating contractor
• Air duct cleaning service

Check out PlePer Tools for a full list of the current GBP categories. 

Still looking to optimize? Visit Propel’s in-depth guide to optimizing every part of your GBP profile. However, keep in mind that optimizing the page yourself may be more time-consuming and less effective than it would be if you hired a professional for HVAC SEO services. 

• Track the number of phone numbers or emails you receive before and after you update your profile.
• Check your business’s position in local search results for relevant keywords before and after optimization (give it a few weeks for the search engines to catch up)

Key Takeaways

• Calculate your CAC to find where you’re losing money within your marketing strategy.
• Customer retention can give you both new business and word of mouth referrals.
• Comment on HVAC blogs to show readers that you have the answers they’re looking for.
• Offer presentations or workshops (in-person or online) to attract free leads by teaching them something.
• Optimize your Google Business Profile with detailed services and relevant categories.