Creating sales presentations can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be that way!
For businesses in the products or services industry, sales presentations play a very important role in growing the business. With that being said, not every sales presentation can have the desired outcome unless you do it right.
To create a winning sales presentation you need to pay close attention to various aspects of presentation design. If you are a sales manager or business professional who wants to get better at creating sales presentations and achieving the best results from them, you have come to the right page.
In this article, we will share with you some time-tested tips and professional advice on how to create effective sales presentations that inspire your audience to take action and help you win more business, time and again. But before we dive in, let’s have a look at some important slides that you should include in your sales presentation.
Must have slides in your sales presentation
There are some types of slides that you must include in a sales presentation to have a better chance of success. Here is a list of some of the most important ones in the right order.
- Introduction
- Problem of concern
- Proposed solution
- Market size and opportunity
- About your offer, product or service
- Cost
- Traction
- About your team
- About your competition
- Current financials
- Proposed investment
- Closing or summary
Of course, this list is not definitive and you can add, remove, or rename the slides, depending on the purpose of your sales presentation.
Tips for creating a winning sales presentation
Do your research
Know your audience and their specific needs. Learn about their goals, purchasing habits and market activity. Have a deep understanding of their industry the kind of problems they face and how it connects to your offering.
Keep it short and simple
Your sales presentation needs to be clear concise and easy to understand in order to get your point across and keep their attention till the end of the presentation. Use short sentences and precise language that conveys exactly what you are presenting in front of them and why they should pay attention.
Pay attention to the presentation design basics
Needless to say, the design of your presentation can have a lasting impression on your prospects. This is why you need to know the basics of presentation design really well and pay close attention to the finer details. Here are some tips in this regard:
- Use standard fonts in your sales presentations.
- Share only one story or message for each slide, using a main headline, sub-headlines, some text and possibly even an image.
- Make sure the content is highly readable and doesn’t look clumsy.
- Make use of the colours and theme that align well with your overall branding strategy.
Narrate a relatable story
When it comes to delivering sales presentations and closing deals you need to put your storytelling skills to work. It will not only help them memorise your offer, but also help you connect deeper with your audience. Apart from this, narrating a relatable story can also make your presentation more engaging and a bit less boring for them to sit through.
Show that you understand your client’s needs
Nothing can help you build a rapport with your prospects better than you showing that you clearly understand their needs. Instead of focusing primarily on pitching your product or service, address their areas of concern and unmet needs that can be resolved with the help of what you are offering. Unless you operate in the same industry or field of work, this part will require thorough market research from your end.
Ask the right questions
Asking the right kind of questions in the middle of your presentation can help strike a conversation with your prospects and make them feel that you truly care about their opinion. With that being said, make sure your questions are relevant and not very open-ended.
Build the foundation
It’s important to create an agreement with your potential clients on what could be their pain points and what could be an ideal solution to resolve them. By explaining to them the problem and providing them with a solution that works, you can connect better with your audience and expect a better outcome from your sales pitch.
Give them reasons to trust
It’s hard to make a sale or close a deal without building trust. This is why it’s important to give them reasons why they should invest in your idea, product or service offering and not your competitors. Share about your current client base, your financials, your team or anything that helps build trust and make them consider your proposal.
Share your value proposition
Talk about your offering in detail and share your value proposition. Highlight the important features of what you are offering and give them reasons for exchanging hands with you. It should make them feel that it would be a missed opportunity if they fail to take action on your proposal.
Summarise with a call to action
Highlight all the main points you have shared in your sales presentation and why it’s important for them to take action now. Don’t forget to include a call to action towards the end to create a sense of urgency and let them know what you are expecting from them if they decide to move forward with the proposal. Also, include your contact information in case they wish to reach out to you later.
Final Thoughts
By keeping in mind the ideal presentation layout and the tips we have shared above, you can get remarkable results from your sales presentations. Remember that you may need to tweak your presentation over time and do some testing to further improve the results you get. With adequate time and practice, you can master the art of creating winning sales presentations and get consistent results from them.
With that being said, nothing beats professional presentation design. Not only can it save you a lot of time, but also allow you to focus on things that matter the most. Our team of in-house presentation experts have decades of combined experience in creating sales presentations for various industries. We can help you get your message across in the best way possible and make sure it leaves a lasting impression on your prospects. If you feel your upcoming sales presentation is crucial for your business and you would like to get professional assistance with presentation design, feel free to contact us today!