Don't use the second slide of your presentation to talk only about yourself – harness the data.

Don’t describe yourself.

“How else will they know why I’m there? Silly Ashley.”

But think about it! They know you’re there.

Unless you’ve stormed the building and interrupted a meeting in the manner of a 1980s blockbuster, that conversation is part of a natural, growing relationship… but this pitch, your product— this is why you’re there!

The first few moments of a pitch are precious. This isn’t time to waste. Stop using that time to talk about your life story.

You aren’t meeting to talk about your passions as a person, you’re there to discuss a problem and how you plan to take the solution and make a shitton of money for the investors who entrust you with their capital.

So. Listen up.

When you’re wondering what to talk about after the title slide is out of the way and you’ve presented any disclaimers, listen closely. You’re going to be tempted to discuss who you are, and how you came to be. But resist!

Don’t describe yourself. Describe the problem.

This does not count as an applicable problem for your pitch deck. But we’re on the right track..

Take your story – and find the data that can support why it’s a problem with a market. If you saw a trend happening when you were going through a specific problem, when you look at the slide, think about that problem as a whole – not just your story.

You as a presenter are going to bring the passion and any emotion – the deck needs to show a specific plan, because it’s a visual support of the story you bring.

5 Ways to power up your Powerpoints from the comfort of your kitchen table.

These tweaks can help your presentations go from “hello, and welcome to my kitchen” to “let’s make a deal today.”

1 - A Backdrop Curtain that looks super expensive… but isn’t.

Simple Houseware Standard Rod Garment Rack

And when I say that, I mean that bad boy right here.

Placed behind you, this is now a frame–from which you can hang anything you want.

Plants, curtains, a series of different backdrops – a clothes rack is the ideal way to separate your living space from your video backdrop. I really enjoy wool felt – it’s sturdy, classy, and has a really lovely, warm quality to it.

Want to make it part of the scene and stand out? You can choose contrasting hooks, a quirky fabric, or hang lights to bring some ambience.

(If you use a lighter fabric, or a shower curtain–weigh it down with a dowel if you want to keep it from looking like a shower curtain.)

3. A good microphone.

The best gift you can give yourself is confidence in the quality of your voice, and how you sound. That way, you can concentrate on pitching your business. There are some incredible microphones out there for every price point. If you are a working engineer who wants to keep their hands free, try a good quality headset.

4. Natural, filtered light through sheer light curtains…positioned well, facing you.

5. A high quality, black sweatshirt.

Combine these 5 things to get a lovely, balanced and professional space to pitch from… wherever you are.