How Long Should a Pitch Deck Be? A Comprehensive Guide

Creating an effective pitch deck is essential for any entrepreneur seeking to secure funding, partnerships, or support for their business idea. However, one of the most common questions that arise during this process is: How long should a pitch deck be?

The answer to this question can greatly influence how well your message is communicated and how engaged your audience remains.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the ideal length of a pitch deck and provide a step-by-step guide to creating one using MagicSlides, a free AI pitch deck maker.

Ideal Length of a Pitch Deck

1. Slide Count

Generally, a pitch deck should consist of 10 to 15 slides. This range strikes a balance between being comprehensive enough to cover essential points while remaining concise enough to keep the audience engaged.

Too Few Slides: If your pitch deck has too few slides (e.g., less than 10), you may not provide enough information to convey your business model effectively. Key elements like market opportunity, financial projections, and team qualifications might be glossed over, leaving investors with unanswered questions.

Too Many Slides: Conversely, a pitch deck with too many slides (e.g., more than 20) can overwhelm your audience and dilute your message. In a world where attention spans are short, it’s crucial to maintain focus and ensure that each slide adds value to your presentation.

2. Time Duration

When considering the length of your pitch deck, it’s also essential to think about the time allocated for your presentation. Most investors typically expect a pitch to last between 15 and 20 minutes, allowing time for questions and discussions afterward.

Timing Your Slides: To maximize your time, aim for approximately 1-2 minutes per slide. This means that with a 10 to 15 slide deck, you can cover your material effectively within the typical pitch timeframe while leaving room for engaging conversation.

3. Content Density

While the slide count and presentation duration are important, the content on each slide matters as well. Each slide should be straightforward, focusing on one main idea or concept. Here are some tips for maintaining effective content density:

Bullet Points: Use bullet points to convey key information succinctly. Avoid lengthy paragraphs that may overwhelm your audience.

Visuals: Incorporate visuals such as images, charts, and graphs to support your points. Visuals can convey complex information quickly and keep your audience engaged.

Clear Headers: Use clear headers to indicate the main idea of each slide. This helps your audience follow your presentation easily and understand the flow of information.

Creating a Pitch Deck Using MagicSlides

Now that we’ve established how long a pitch deck should be, let’s explore how to create one using MagicSlides, a free AI pitch deck maker. Follow these steps to efficiently design a professional presentation.

Step 1: Visit MagicSlides.app

Start by opening your web browser and navigating to MagicSlides.app. This platform is designed to simplify the presentation-making process by utilizing artificial intelligence to assist you in generating pitch decks quickly.

Step 2: Go to "PPT with AI"

Once on the MagicSlides homepage, look for the section labeled "PPT with AI." This feature enables you to leverage AI technology to create presentations, including pitch decks, based on the information you provide.

Step 3: Click on "Generate Pitch Deck with AI"

In the "PPT with AI" section, find the option to "Generate Pitch Deck with AI" and click on it. This will take you to the interface where you can start building your pitch deck.

Step 4: Enter Your Details in the Required Steps

You will be prompted to enter specific details about your business, including:

Problem Statement: Articulate the problem your business solves.

Solution Overview: Describe your product or service.

Market Opportunity: Provide insights into the market size and target audience.

Business Model: Explain how your business will generate revenue.

Traction: Include any relevant metrics or milestones achieved.

Team Overview: Introduce your team members and their qualifications.

Funding Request: Clearly state your funding needs and intended use of funds.

Step 5: Generate Your Pitch Deck

After entering all the necessary details, click on the "Generate" button. The AI will process your input and create a customized pitch deck tailored to your specifications.

Review and Customize Your Pitch Deck

Once your pitch deck is generated, take the time to:

Preview Each Slide: Ensure that the content flows logically and that each slide clearly communicates its intended message.

Edit as Necessary: MagicSlides allows you to make adjustments directly within the platform. Feel free to modify text, add visuals, or change layouts as needed.

Finalize Your Presentation: Once satisfied with your pitch deck, you can download it in various formats (PPTX or PDF) for easy sharing and presentation.

Conclusion

Determining how long your pitch deck should be is crucial for effectively communicating your business idea.

By adhering to the recommended slide count of 10 to 15 and ensuring your presentation lasts between 15 to 20 minutes, you can engage your audience without overwhelming them.

Using MagicSlides as your free AI pitch deck maker allows you to create a professional presentation efficiently, incorporating the essential elements needed to capture your audience's attention.

Start building your pitch deck today and take a significant step toward securing the support your business needs!