What’s one slide you never skip in a pitch deck?
I’ve been reworking my pitch deck framework lately and noticed something:
The most effective decks I’ve seen don’t try to impress they aim to clarify.
That one insight changed how I build:
Less storytelling, more signal
Less fluff, more structure
Less "how it works," more "why it matters"
Numbers that justify
Curious to hear from the community:
What’s one slide or section you always include and why?
Would love to learn how others approach it.
Replies
minimalist phone: creating folders
In a fresh startup, also the team and their track record, because when you see that developers, marketers founders have a solid background, you can be sure they have good chances to scale something and have previous experience in complex processes.
@busmark_w_nika Absolutely agree! especially in the early stages, the team slide carries a lot of weight. It’s often the first signal of whether this group can really pull it off. Have you seen any creative ways founders highlight their team beyond just bios and logos?
minimalist phone: creating folders
@faseeh_yasin I remember how they positioned into the roles of Power Rangers :DDD
1 slide with the following in a simple and straight forward way...
What problem you are solving.
How you are solving i.e. differentiated solution.
Proof points to show that your solution works
Final outcome
@manu_goel2 love how it keeps the focus on what actually matters. I’ve been leaning into this kind of structure too, especially around proof points. Curious do you ever test that slide with potential users before sharing it with investors?
@pitchsmith First of all I really like what you are doing I've done some freelancing in the past and I know the problem you have target is real and crucial. I love the idea of using visuals like inbox chaos to create that emotional connection. Do you ever test variations of that slide to see what hits hardest with your audience?
@faseeh_yasin Thank you, I really appreciate that!! And yup, I’ve tested a few versions of that “inbox chaos” slide to see what actually lands. Screenshots of real client emails or chaotic message threads usually hit way harder than clean mockups. I’ve found that people feel it more when it’s relatable (or slightly unhinged 😅).
Lately I’ve been leaning into red flags and awkward client quotes too, especially for freelancers. Feels like the more human and chaotic it gets, the more it resonates.
(Actually testing that theory again on June 11 — dropping a little red flag decoder with some of the worst quotes I’ve seen 👀)
Chronicle
Clarity is definitely number 1 when it comes to winning pitch decks.
To do this it's often a case of show don't tell
show the numbers - the real ones, not just the vanity metrics
show the story of a real customer using your product
show a real demo of the product in action (chronicle let's you embed videos and prototypes directly)
I also think a slide that is key to getting investor interest is - why now?
Sure, it's a problem, and you've found a solution, but why is this the right time to invest and make it a reality?
Love this topic - it's something we think about a lot at @Chronicle
ps. we're launching today and any support would be so helpful:
https://www.producthunt.com/products/chronicle-6?utm_source=other&utm_medium=social
@clairetaylor Totally agree “why now?” is such a powerful (and often overlooked) slide. And showing is of course better then telling especially with early traction and user stories.
Congrats on your launch today! Just checked it out and dropped a upvote
Great insight, Faseeh! I completely agree that clarity beats flashiness in a pitch deck. For me, the one slide I never skip is the “Problem Statement.” Clearly defining the problem sets the stage for everything else and helps investors immediately understand why the solution matters. Without a compelling problem, even the best product can feel irrelevant. Focusing on the “why it matters” rather than just the “how it works” really shifts the narrative toward impact, which is crucial. Looking forward to hearing what others prioritize!