Don't Read, Own the Story: How to Make Your Pitch Feel Like a Conversation

Ashish Kumar
April 12, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

Have you ever sat through a presentation where the speaker just read directly from their slides?

Boring, right?

Now imagine an investor experiencing that during a pitch.

No engagement.

No energy.

Just someone reading words on a screen.

That’s an instant deal killer.

Investors don’t want a script.

They want a story.

More importantly, they want to see that you own it.

The Founder Who Read, But Didn’t Pitch A talented startup founder had a golden opportunity—a pitch meeting with a top VC firm.

She had a solid idea, impressive traction, and a well-designed pitch deck.

But there was a problem.

When she joined the call, she simply read from her slides. Line by line. Her voice was monotone, her delivery flat.

When investors asked questions, her responses were vague and cautious.

No enthusiasm. No confidence. No conviction.

The investors passed. Not because the startup wasn’t promising, but because they couldn’t see her leading it to success.

Why Reading From Slides Kills Your Pitch When you read directly from slides, a few things happen:

You Sound Disconnected – It feels like you’re presenting someone else’s startup, not your own.
You Lose Engagement – Investors tune out when they don’t feel a connection.
You Seem Unprepared – If you need to read, it suggests you don’t fully understand your own business.

What Makes a Great Pitch?

It’s a Conversation, Not a Presentation – The best pitches feel like a compelling discussion, not a scripted performance. Investors should feel like they’re getting to know you as a founder.
Example: Y Combinator’s startup pitches are famous for their simplicity and clarity. Founders talk naturally about their business instead of relying on slides.
The Founder Owns the Story – The most successful pitches come from founders who know their story inside out and can deliver it passionately.
Example: When Airbnb pitched, the founders didn’t just present numbers—they told their journey of struggling to pay rent and how that led to their business idea.
Confidence and Energy Matter – Investors want to see a founder who believes in what they’re building. If you’re not excited, why should they be?
Example: Steve Jobs never needed a slide deck to sell a vision. He made people believe through storytelling and passion.

👉My Pick: How to build future : Sam Altman