As an exercise, try identifying each of your slides by type (Type A, B, C, D, or E) and multiplying by the appropriate "typical" time requirement shown above. Hmmm.....

When I’m first organizing a pitch on my own, for planning purposes I figure on an average of 3 minutes per slide. Then I generally don’t like the arithmetic implications of my trying to pack so much info into the budgeted time. So (A) I decide to eliminate (or condense or combine) some of the slides, (B) I decide to change some of the slides from Type B (above) to Type C (the content of the slide remains unchanged; only the length of time I talk about it has changed), and (C) I re-figure the timing based on an average of 2 minutes per slide.

Then because I know I’m probably lying to myself, I DO THE PRESENTATION OUT LOUD and actually TIME IT (just as I am suggesting that you do).

When I do my own presentation out loud, I confront the fact that — smooth-tongued devil that I know myself to be — I still can’t make the words come out sounding like a normal person.

So I set off to practice.

My personal rule:

I try to do a presentation at least half a dozen (i.e., six) times OUT LOUD.

It’s amazing.

This technique really works.

My very last piece of advice (to be re-read the morning of the presentation or incorporated into your presentation as a note that you will see before you start talking). It’s simple:

And, oh yes... as you proceed through your presentation, KEEP SMILING (this is called the "Figure Skater’s Rule).

You don’t have to look goofy. Just look pleasant.

Remember, you enjoy talking about this stuff because, yes, you enjoy what you’re doing.

With luck, your pleasant demeanor communicates to your audience (A) that you may be a decent guy to work with and (B) that they too might enjoy coming on board.

So here’s a large-print version that you can toss on top of the foils as a reminder:

Bear in mind that you yourself know so much detailed information about the industry that you naturally talk "at the margin" (because this is where, for you, the information and the distinctions are most meaningful).

But for folks outside the industry or (worse) for people who have just a little knowledge, it is critical for you to be clear and concise and focused and always organized and compelling in what you say. "Basic" is better than "fancy."

Remember, you will start your presentation with a clean slate. The bias is in your favor because the participants know that you wouldn’t be there to make a presentation unless your company had somehow been judged to be worthy of the opportunity to do so.

You can employ the time in any way you deem to be effective. But you get only one shot.

In this setting, details are your enemy rather than your allies. Therefore, use detailed info to buttress your "big picture" themes and the arguments in favor of the investment opportunity. Resist the temptation to use details as the fundamental building blocks of your presentation.

Your goal is not to have → investors "sign up" at the end of your presentation. Your goal is actually "negative" goal. It is to prevent "bombs" being lobbed at you in the form of questions from the audience. Your "positive" goal is to motivate investors to contact you subsequently for a more serious discussion.

Whenever an entrepreneur "just talks," he or she is usually a true master of his or her field. It happens quite naturally. Go with this side of your personality.

Remember that you never get a second chance to make a positive first impression.

Here is one effective way to get listeners on your side by beginning with something sort of self-effacing such as

You’re on your way!