Most of us have sat through a pitch deck that felt more like a sleep aid than a conversation starter. Slides full of text, buzzwords stacked on buzzwords, and no real story being told. It’s easy to fall into that trap, but it doesn’t have to be that way. The way we design a pitch deck can shape how people feel about our idea before we’ve even said much. In fact, a few small shifts can help our deck feel more natural, clear, and actually worth watching all the way through.
As February brings fresh starts and early-year project plans, many of us are preparing to present ideas to investors, partners, or creative backers. That’s the perfect time to rethink what a pitch deck can be and how to make one that people remember for the right reasons.
Stop Overloading: Keep One Idea Per Slide
When we pack too much into one slide, it becomes hard to follow. Instead of helping others understand our idea, we end up giving them too much to process.
1. Strip back the content so every slide does one job well
2. Don’t try to explain five points at once, line them up across separate slides
3. Use short phrases instead of blocks of text
White space isn’t empty space, it’s breathing room. Letting just one clear idea fill each slide gives it weight and helps the people watching stay with us. Simple layouts help more than complex ones, and the clearer each message is, the better it will land.
Make It Feel Personal, Not Polished
Professional doesn’t have to mean stiff. People connect with people, not scripts. If we want others to relate to our message, we need to show the human side of what we’re talking about.
1. Skip the buzzwords and speak how we’d talk face to face
2. Share quick, honest explanations instead of trying to impress
3. Let visuals support the story instead of getting in the way
That doesn’t mean leaving things messy, just that we focus more on feeling real than looking perfect. When a deck sounds and feels like it was made by people who care, it’s much easier to trust and remember.
Start with the Slide That Matters Most
Most decks begin with background, who we are, what we do, and why we’re here. But what if we swapped that? What if we led with the strongest thing we have?
1. Try putting your best point first to grab attention early
2. The “why it matters” often says more than the “who we are”
3. Set the mood fast so people want to stay with the story
When we wait too long to make an impact, we risk losing the room. Leading with what people really want to know builds early interest and shows we’ve put thought into what they care about.
Use Simple Visuals to Say More
One good image or phrase can do more than five bullet points. So instead of crowding each slide with data or charts, we let one clean visual do the talking.
1. Stick with one strong image or word per slide
2. Use calm colours and open space to make it easy on the eyes
3. Keep visuals consistent in style to avoid distraction
Simplicity here helps people focus on the message. If something looks busy or hard to follow, they’ll skip ahead. Our goal is to make each slide feel like part of one clear thought, not a set of disconnected pages.
Reuse Styles to Build Rhythm
A good pitch deck doesn’t only tell a story with its words, it also builds a feeling through its rhythm. When style, pace, and layout look and feel the same throughout, it becomes calmer to follow.
1. Use the same layout, font, and spacing each time
2. Repeat colours and transitions to avoid mental whiplash
3. Keep slide changes smooth and predictable, not sharp or sudden
This kind of visual steady hand helps the story settle in. It’s harder to stay engaged when every slide feels like a restart. Repetition makes it easier for viewers to track the flow and remember what matters most.
Pitch Decks People Remember
When we design a pitch deck that feels human, clear, and calm, it sticks in people’s minds without needing to shout. It doesn’t rely on big buzzwords or flashy moves. It earns attention by being thoughtful and to the point.
Little things make a big difference, clean slides, personal tone, simple visuals, and a smart flow. If we plan our decks with this in mind, we’ll be speaking to people, not just showing them slides. And that’s the part they’ll remember.
Move Your Story Beyond the Slides
On Air provides hands-on support for those wanting pitch videos and visual content filmed in a professional studio, at your location, or anywhere ideas come to life. Our team handles everything, from coaching presenters in delivery, to shooting and editing video clips, so your story can live on screen and beyond the deck.
Bringing Your Pitch to Life
When it comes to making an idea stick, the right combination of slides, video, and genuine delivery sets you apart. If you’re curious about ways to present a deck that is easy to follow and has real presence, working with a team that understands the story from start to finish makes all the difference.
Bringing a strong story to life on screen makes all the difference when it’s time to share your idea. When you want a pitch deck that connects with people and feels as polished onscreen as it does on paper, film can help carry that impact through. We’ve worked on stories that need clarity, energy and a visual edge to really land. See how we approach visual storytelling and how we can help design a pitch deck that sticks. Get in touch with On Air to chat about the support you might need.
