Why You Shouldn’t Email Your Pitch Deck

I often advise founders against sending their pitch decks via email. While this isn’t an inflexible rule for investor interactions or fundraising efforts, it is a perspective born from experience and numerous observations. The rationale behind this advice is quite straightforward, even though it might not apply to every founder in every situation.

Let’s explore the common scenario: a founder sends their meticulously prepared pitch deck to potential investors via email, excited about the prospect of funding their venture. In reality, however, this approach rarely results in an immediate commitment from investors. Instead, it more often elicits responses along the lines of “it’s not for us,” or “wrong industry,” or “wrong vertical,” or simply a vague “wrong size.” The crux of the problem lies in the fact that these pitch decks, sent without any personal narration or context, often fail to convey the founder’s vision, passion, and unique selling points.

Given this, it becomes evident that sending a full pitch deck via email is more likely to result in rejection than progression to the next stage of discussions. Recognizing this, I urge founders to consider an alternative strategy.

Rather than sending the full deck, consider sending a succinct email that piques the investor’s interest. If they ask for a deck, communicate that you’re not distributing it at this time. Instead, provide a teaser or brief overview that leaves them wanting more, then express your eagerness to personally present your vision.

Securing an in-person meeting allows you to showcase your passion, articulate your vision, and sell your journey in a way that a standalone deck cannot. As Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, once said, “People don’t care about what you say, they care about what you build.” This suggests that it’s not just about crafting a perfect deck, but about effectively communicating your vision and the tangible progress you’ve made in bringing it to life.

I urge you to consider this alternate strategy – not as a hard rule, but as a nuanced approach to capturing investor interest. Good luck on your journey.