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How to create the financial projections slide [By experts]

“Honestly, every time we hit the financial projections slide, I see people’s eyes glaze over,” said Sarah, the CFO of a growing tech startup in New York. “It's not that the numbers are boring – they’re essential! But translating that spreadsheet chaos into something people actually understand and care about? Now that is the challenge.”


Sarah’s comment struck a chord. How often have we all sat through presentations where financial slides feel like a code we don’t quite know how to crack? Like a dense fog, the numbers come at us – but instead of making things clearer, they often just leave us more confused.


As a presentation design agency, our blogs are always inspired by real client interactions, focusing on the challenges they face and perspectives we’re eager to change.


So, let’s talk about how to create financial projections slide that won’t just have your audience nodding politely or checking their phones under the table. Because trust us – your financial projections deserve more than just a bullet-point list of numbers. They deserve to be understood, remembered, and, dare we say, appreciated.


Crafting the financial projections slide


Step 1: Start with Clarity, Not Chaos

When it comes to financial projections, it's easy to fall into the trap of dumping a ton of raw data onto a slide and hoping the audience “gets it.” The truth? That rarely works. You’re not there to overwhelm; you’re there to guide. Think of your financial projections like a roadmap: the numbers are your destinations, and you’re the trusty guide showing everyone how to get there.


Start by asking yourself: What’s the one big thing I want my audience to understand? Whether it’s your projected revenue growth, the profitability timeline, or investment return, decide on the core message. From there, trim down everything that doesn’t directly support that message. Simplicity is key. And we’re not just talking about language here, but the visual structure too.


Tip: If you’re tempted to include every single detail, fight the urge. The audience isn’t going to have time to dive into the weeds during your presentation, so give them the highlights and leave the rest for the Q&A (or a follow-up document, if absolutely necessary).


Step 2: Visualize, Don’t Just Summarize

Let’s face it: people hate reading. And even more so, they hate reading numbers in a spreadsheet format. But here’s the secret: people love visuals, especially when they can convey complex ideas quickly.


Take your key financial projections – whether it’s revenue, profit margins, or customer growth – and turn them into compelling visuals. Charts, graphs, and infographics should become your best friends. But be careful: not every chart is created equal. Use the right type of chart for the right message. Here are a few to keep in mind:


  • Line Charts: Great for showing trends over time. If you’re projecting steady growth (like sales or profits), this is your go-to.

  • Bar Charts: Use them to compare different figures. Want to show revenue across different regions or product lines? Bar charts got you.

  • Pie Charts: Best used sparingly. They work well for showing proportions – say, the distribution of your revenue sources.


A little tip here: avoid 3D charts. They might look fancy, but they can distort the numbers. Stick to clean, flat visuals for maximum clarity.


Tip: You can also use icons to represent key financial categories – an icon of a dollar sign for revenue, a briefcase for operational costs – to help reinforce the narrative without overwhelming your audience with text.


Step 3: Tell a Story with Your Projections

Look, no one gets excited about dry statistics. But everyone loves a good story. So, why not tell the story of your numbers? Connect your projections to the larger narrative of your business journey. When you’re showing growth projections, explain why that growth is happening.


For example:

  • “We expect a 30% increase in revenue next quarter because our new product launch has been met with exceptional interest from early adopters.”

  • “We’re forecasting a steady increase in profitability as we scale our operations and reduce costs per unit.”


This gives your audience context, and more importantly, it anchors the numbers to something they can understand and relate to.


Tip: If possible, use a timeline alongside your projections. Whether it's projected growth over 6 months, a year, or 5 years, a timeline allows your audience to visualize the journey from “here” to “there.” You can even mark key milestones along the way, like product launches or strategic partnerships, so they can see how these factors contribute to your projections.


Step 4: Don’t Just Show Projections—Show Impact

It’s easy to get caught up in numbers, but the real question is: How do these numbers impact the business? How will achieving these projections transform the company?


Make sure your projections reflect tangible outcomes.


For instance:

  • What does a 15% growth in revenue mean for your team? It could mean more hires, new departments, or the ability to launch new products.

  • How will a decrease in operational costs impact profitability? It could translate to higher margins or more competitive pricing.


The key here is to highlight how these numbers contribute to the bigger picture of business growth, stability, and strategic direction.


Tip: Highlight the “human” side of your projections. If you’re forecasting an increase in revenue, show how this will lead to more jobs, better salaries, or enhanced benefits for your team. The more relatable your projections are, the more compelling they will be to your audience.


Step 5: Use Projections to Build Trust, Not Just Confidence

It’s tempting to make projections sound overly optimistic – after all, you want to impress your audience, right? But here’s the thing: over-promising can actually damage your credibility.


Instead, focus on being realistic and transparent. If you’re forecasting a significant dip in revenue during a specific quarter, don’t sweep it under the rug. Acknowledge the challenge, and demonstrate how you plan to overcome it. This honesty not only builds trust but also shows you’re prepared for the ups and downs of business.


Tip: If possible, show multiple scenarios (best case, worst case, and most likely case). This approach gives your audience a clearer picture of the risks involved and shows them that you’ve thought through different possible outcomes.


Step 6: Make It Interactive (Yes, Really)

Here’s a fun thought: Why not turn your financial projections slide into an interactive experience? While you’re giving your presentation, invite your audience to play around with the numbers.


For example, you could use a live tool like an interactive spreadsheet or a financial calculator that updates projections in real-time based on different variables. Your audience gets to engage with the numbers, and it adds an element of personalization and excitement.


Now, you might be thinking, “That sounds like a lot of work!” And sure, it might take a little extra effort, but the payoff is huge. Not only will your audience be more engaged, but they’ll have a better understanding of how your projections work – and how they can change depending on different inputs.


Step 7: Keep the Design Clean and Simple (Yes, Really)

We get it: you’ve got great visuals and compelling data. But don’t get carried away with the design. Flashy animations and complicated backgrounds can distract from the main message – and in the case of financials, that’s the last thing you want.


Stick to a clean, professional design with a simple color palette. Use your company’s brand colors for consistency, but keep the background white or light gray to avoid overwhelming your audience with too many visuals at once. A minimalist approach always works best here.


Tip: Ensure your fonts are legible and your graphs are clean. If your audience can’t read the numbers or understand the visuals, all your hard work will be for nothing.


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pitch deck experts

If you want to take your pitch deck to the next level, reach out to us at Ink Narrates. We specialize in making even the most complex presentations clear, compelling, and memorable. Let’s make those numbers shine.

 

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