How to Create a Powerful Teaser Deck [That Actually Works]

Shivam Batra | Creative Director, Ink Narrates

5 min read

"Do we really need a teaser deck, or can we just send the full pitch?"

That’s what David, one of our clients, asked while we were working on his presentation. And honestly, we get this question a lot. As a presentation design agency, we work on countless teaser decks every year, and we see the same problem repeatedly—companies either overcomplicate them or oversimplify them.

Some businesses think a teaser deck is just a watered-down pitch deck with fewer slides. Others turn it into a dense, text-heavy document that tries to do too much. Neither approach works. A teaser deck is not a substitute for a pitch deck; it’s the bait that gets investors interested. Its job is to make them want to see the full presentation.

So, in this blog, we’ll break down exactly what a teaser deck should do, what to include (and what to avoid), and how to make sure it actually gets results.

Want us to design your presentation? Calculate Pricing & Start Your Project Here

How to make a teaser deck [Step By Step]

Step 1: Gather and Organize Your Information

By now, if you’re reading this, you likely have a vast amount of information on hand. Most of our clients do, and it’s often one of the biggest challenges they face. If you haven’t done so already, put down everything you feel inclined to include in the presentation. Go beyond the surface-level information and jot down all the points you think convey your message, product, or solution’s value. Often, our clients feel that every detail is important, but that’s rarely the case.

The goal here is to get a big-picture view of all the material you could potentially use. This includes product benefits, market insights, success stories, and any unique approaches your company takes. Resist the temptation to start editing at this stage; you want all the raw content laid out first. Once you have a complete view, you’ll be ready to take on the real challenge of sorting and selecting the right elements for your teaser deck.

Step 2: Sort with a “Teaser” and “Deep Dive” Approach

Here’s where we find many teams struggle: turning that wealth of information into a concise, enticing teaser deck that holds back just enough. This phase is about filtering out the details that won’t immediately capture attention. To do this, use a "Teaser" and "Deep Dive" approach:

Teaser: Think of this as the “hook” content—the details that spark curiosity and prompt your audience to say, “That’s interesting! I want to know more.” Teaser information is carefully selected to inspire statements like, “Oh really? How did they do that?” or “This sounds impressive, but I need to see it for myself.” It should be benefit-driven, highlighting unique outcomes, impactful results, or fresh insights that make people lean in and want more.
Deep Dive: This is where you provide detailed answers to the questions raised by the teaser content. These could be processing specifics, in-depth case study analyses, or technical explanations. Think of it as the “why” and “how” behind the teaser statements. Deep Dive information is meant for later discussion or Q&A, so keep it on hand but out of the core deck content.

We often see clients try to cram both types of content into the initial deck, diluting the impact of their message. By sticking primarily to teaser information, you’re positioning your deck to be lean, focused, and powerful. Deep Dive content is still useful, but keep it for when your audience is engaged and asking questions—it will have a far greater impact in response to curiosity than if included upfront.

Step 3: Start Writing

Once you’ve sorted your information, it’s time to bring in your best copywriters and start crafting the deck. From our experience, creating a teaser deck requires a unique writing approach that’s quite different from traditional presentation storytelling. You don’t need to follow a rigid narrative structure; instead, focus on presenting high-impact, teaser content in a way that flows naturally and keeps your audience’s attention.

Look for a copywriter who understands not just the language, but also how to “read the room.” They should be able to imagine the audience’s thoughts, anticipate what will hook them, and write accordingly. It’s crucial to keep the language crisp, clear, and direct. Avoid jargon or overly complex explanations. Remember, this is a teaser, so leave out the technical deep-dive information and focus on conveying value in a straightforward, accessible way.

As you draft each slide, ask yourself: Does this add to the intrigue? Does it bring out the “wow” factor without giving too much away? This ensures each slide is purposeful, drawing the viewer in and making them eager to learn more.

Step 4: Seek Feedback and Finalize Content

Before moving to the design phase, take time to review the content with fresh eyes or get input from colleagues or trusted advisors. Feedback is incredibly valuable—it allows you to gauge if your teaser deck hits the mark, or if there are areas that could be refined for clarity and impact. A different perspective often provides insights that you may have missed and can highlight if any information comes across as confusing or overly detailed.

If you don’t have anyone in-house to review, feel free to reach out to us. We’ll be happy to provide a second opinion and offer suggestions for improvement.

Step 5: Design the Deck

Finally, it’s time to visually design your deck. Here’s where you want to make a strong impact. For a teaser deck, we recommend going for a bold, eye-catching design that still aligns with your industry’s aesthetic. While minimalist designs have their place, they’re often too subtle for teaser decks, which should aim to grab attention and keep it.

Choose visuals that enhance your message, rather than distract from it. Effective teaser decks balance strong imagery with focused typography, which directs attention to the core message of each slide. Invest in high-quality visuals and graphics that highlight your teaser points without overpowering the information.

Good typography is needed here—it should be clear and readable, drawing focus to the key ideas. By using contrast and hierarchy in your design, you can make sure the audience’s eyes go exactly where you want them. The right design elements keep attention on the message while making it easy for viewers to absorb and remember the highlights.

Why Hire Us to Build your Presentation?

If you're reading this, you're probably working on a presentation right now. You could do it all yourself. But the reality is - that’s not going to give you the high-impact presentation you need. It’s a lot of guesswork, a lot of trial and error. And at the end of the day, you’ll be left with a presentation that’s “good enough,” not one that gets results. On the other hand, we’ve spent years crafting thousands of presentations, mastering both storytelling and design. Let us handle this for you, so you can focus on what you do best.