Pitch Deck vs Sales Deck [Know the difference]
Client: “Hello, we need a pitch deck for our upcoming efforts”
Me: “Absolutely, I’d be happy to assist you with that. Can you provide me with more details about the investors you’ll be pitching to?”
Client: “Oh, no, we don’t mean for the investors. We actually need a pitch deck for our sales team.”
Me: “Okay, I think you mean a sales deck. I know why this can be confusing because the term “pitch” is commonly used in sales as well. As a presentation design agency, we refer to this presentation as a sales deck”.
During my discovery calls with clients, this confusing conversation is more common than you think.
Hence, I decided to write an article on “Pitch Deck vs Sales Deck” to address this confusion once & for all. If you’ve come to this article because you’re looking for an answer, you’re in the right place.
Pitch Deck Vs Sales Deck (What’s the difference? How can you know?)
Let’s differentiate using a few parameters…
1. Target Audience
When it comes to the parameter of “target audience,” the pitch deck and sales deck stand on opposite ends of the spectrum.
The pitch deck is tailored to captivate potential investors, showing the potential of a business venture and enticing them with financial returns.
On the other hand, the sales deck is designed to engage and convince prospects, highlighting the unique value proposition and addressing their specific needs. While both decks aim to make an impact, their distinct target audiences shape the way they communicate and deliver their message.
2. Narrative Structures
In a pitch deck, the narrative follows a strategic storytelling approach, focusing on capturing investors’ attention and generating interest in the business idea. It typically includes elements such as the problem statement, solution, market opportunity, and financial projections.
On the other hand, a sales deck is crafted to guide prospects through a persuasive journey, emphasizing the unique value proposition, addressing pain points, and showcasing how the product or service can solve their specific challenges.
When it comes to the narrative techniques used in a pitch deck vs a sales deck, both approaches differ in terms of their emphasis and content, driven by their specific objectives and target audiences.
3. Visuals
When comparing pitch decks vs sales decks, it’s important to know their distinct approaches to visuals.
Pitch decks commonly feature charts, graphs, and data-driven visuals to support the business case and validate market potential, emphasizing compelling evidence and statistics to convince investors.
On the other hand, sales decks prioritize captivating aesthetics, leveraging high-quality product images, interactive demonstrations, and captivating visuals to capture the interest of potential buyers. Sales decks often showcase customer success stories, testimonials, and case studies, highlighting the value and benefits of the product or service.
4. Call to Action
In a pitch deck, the call to action is typically geared toward securing investment or further discussions with potential investors. It may include requests for funding, partnership opportunities, or follow-up meetings.
In a sales deck, the call to action is focused on driving a specific action from the potential buyer, such as scheduling a product demo, requesting a quote, or making a purchase. The emphasis is on guiding the audience toward taking the next steps in the sales process.
5. Length
Pitch decks are known for their concise and focused nature, designed to convey key information efficiently within a limited number of slides. They typically range from 10 to 20 slides, ensuring that the presentation remains engaging and to the point. This condensed format allows pitch decks to capture the attention of investors who are often pressed for time and need a clear overview of the business opportunity.
On the other hand, sales decks have more flexibility in terms of length. The number of slides can vary depending on the complexity of the product or service being offered and the sales process involved. Sales decks may require more slides to provide comprehensive details about the product features, benefits, and pricing options. This allows the sales team to delve into greater depth and address potential questions or objections that prospects may have.
Reach out to us!
As a presentation design agency, we specialize in both pitch decks and sales decks. Whether you need a captivating pitch deck to impress investors or a compelling sales deck to engage your prospects, our team has the expertise to deliver exceptional results.
Feel free to reach out to us through the contact section of our website. We look forward to assisting you with your pitch deck or sales deck.
Do you want your presentations designed by professionals? Check out our Presentation Design Services.