At DMA Solutions, we frequently get asked what projects brands should take on in the fourth quarter (which is quickly approaching!). For most clients we work with, the one thing that will make the biggest difference to your bottom line is updating your sales deck. Whether you’re selling to retailers, buyers, or prospective clients, this can be a daunting task! The good news is, we’ve helped countless brands structure their sales meetings with an impactful sales deck, so we know how it’s done.
Why You Need to Update Your Sales Deck
If you’re not closing deals with your current sales deck, it’s time to make some changes. Your audience might listen to dozens of presentations, so it’s important that your time with them leaves a lasting impression. An impactful presentation does the following things:
1. Addresses pain points of the audience
This may sound obvious, but your sales deck should address the pain points of who you’re selling to. You should address the needs of your audience early and often throughout your presentation.
For example, if you’re presenting to a leading nationwide organic grocer and your organization is Fair Trade Certified, include several slides telling that story and why it’s important for the stores’ shoppers. Or, if your organization is dedicated to using recyclable packaging and you’ve got a meeting with the largest retailer in the world, it’s a good idea to spend several slides telling this story because it is important to your audience.
Your presentation and messaging should clearly communicate why you’re different than the other brands that may be presented to the retailer, and it should clearly express why you’re the best partner for them.
2. Sparks a conversation
Your sales deck should guide a discussion, and not turn into a lecture. Ask direct questions and lead a two-way conversation through your presentation. Don’t read everything off your slides, instead, study up on the main points your audience needs to know, and only include the need-to-know information on the slides themselves. This helps keep your audience more engaged!
3. Includes a clear Call-To-Action
At the end of your presentation, make sure that everyone is crystal clear on the next steps, and what you want the outcome to be. Give your audience an idea of what it’s like to work with you – give them an idea of what to expect from the beginning and throughout the process. Make sure your contact information is on the last slide, and ask for the business!
When your sales deck is doing these three things, you’re going to stand out from the crowd. So this begs the question – how much business are you missing out on because your sales deck isn’t memorable? Contact us today to start getting your sales deck ready for your next meeting!
