Sales decks are everywhere, and most of them are forgettable. If you’re part of a B2B sales team, you know the pain: endless PowerPoints, half-listening prospects, and that sinking feeling when you realize your pitch looks just like everyone else’s. If you want your next sales pitch to actually stick, it’s time to try something different.
This guide is for B2B teams who want to make sales presentations that don’t just look good, but actually help you sell. We’ll walk through how to use Prezi, step by step, with a focus on what really matters — keeping it simple, making it interactive, and not wasting your prospect’s time.
Step 1: Know Your Audience & Goals (Don’t Skip This)
Before you open Prezi or start picking templates, stop and think:
- Who are you pitching to? (Their roles, pain points, industry quirks.)
- What do you want them to do? (Book a demo, sign a pilot, bring in their boss, etc.)
- What do they care about? (Hint: it’s not your product features.)
Write this down somewhere. If you skip this, no amount of slick visuals will save you. The best Prezi in the world can’t fix a pitch that’s off-target.
Pro tip:
If you’re recycling the same deck for every meeting, you’re probably losing deals. Customize at least 20% of your content for each audience.
Step 2: Plan Your Story — Not Just Your Slides
Prezi isn’t just PowerPoint with zoom effects. Its whole thing is about showing relationships and context. So instead of thinking “slide 1, slide 2,” think about how to guide someone through your story.
- Map out your big points: What 3-5 things must they remember?
- How do they connect?: Is there a journey, a problem/solution, or a “choose your own adventure” path?
- Visual cues: Can you literally zoom in on a pain point, then out to show the big picture?
What works:
Prezi’s “canvas” approach is great for showing how pieces fit together — way better than a parade of bullet points.
What doesn’t:
If you just recreate your old deck in Prezi, you’ll have wasted your time. Use the tool for what it’s good at: context, flow, and flexibility.
Step 3: Set Up Your Prezi Account & Pick the Right Template
Head over to Prezi and sign up (there’s a free version, but business features cost money). Once you’re in:
- Browse templates — but don’t get too precious. Pick one that matches your story structure, not just what looks flashy.
- Ignore most of the “cool” effects — if it distracts from your message, skip it.
- Start with a blank canvas if templates feel too rigid.
Pro tip:
Simple layouts are easier to edit later. Fancy templates can box you in or break when you change things.
Step 4: Build Your Narrative Path
This is where Prezi shines. Instead of a straight line, you can jump around, zoom in, and respond to the room. Here’s how to build that:
-
Create your main topics
Think of these as your big chapters. (e.g., “Your Challenges,” “Our Solution,” “ROI,” “Next Steps”) -
Nest subtopics
Under each main topic, add details — but don’t go wild. Two or three layers deep is plenty. -
Map the journey
Lay out your topics on the canvas so you can zoom between them. Don’t just stack them in a row. -
Set your path
Prezi lets you control the flow — you can go in order, skip around, or even jump to topics based on audience questions.
What works:
- Bringing up relevant sections on the fly (e.g., skipping to pricing when someone asks).
- Visually showing how your solution ties to their challenges.
What doesn’t:
- Overcomplicating it with too many branches. If your pitch looks like a subway map, simplify.
Step 5: Add Content That’s Short, Sharp, and Visual
Don’t dump your usual wall of text into Prezi. The platform punishes clutter.
- Keep it brief: Headlines, a few words, maybe a stat or quote.
- Use visuals: Charts, icons, diagrams — but only if they make your point clearer.
- Avoid clip art and cheesy stock photos. You’re not making a high school project.
- Embed short videos or demos for complex features, but keep them under 90 seconds.
Pro tip:
If you want people to remember something, make it big and central on your Prezi canvas.
Step 6: Make It Interactive (But Not a Circus)
One of Prezi’s best features is interactivity. You can respond to what the room wants, not just read in order.
- Ask questions and jump to relevant sections.
- Show before-and-after scenarios: Zoom between the “problem” and “solution” areas.
- Use live analytics (if you have Prezi Business): See which parts of your deck get attention and tweak accordingly.
What works:
- Letting the client guide the conversation.
- Using Prezi’s zoom to highlight how your product solves their specific pain.
What doesn’t:
- Randomly jumping around with no plan.
- Adding interactive bits just for the sake of it (“Look, it spins!”) — unless it helps you sell, leave it out.
Step 7: Practice — Then Ruthlessly Edit
No matter how smart your layout is, if you can’t navigate it smoothly in real time, you’ll look unprepared. Here’s what to do:
- Practice running through the path — and jumping around.
- Time yourself. If it takes more than 12-15 minutes, cut.
- Show it to a skeptical colleague. If they get lost or bored, fix it.
Pro tip:
If you get lost in your own Prezi, your prospects have no chance. Simplicity wins.
Step 8: Prep for Tech Glitches
Prezi looks great, but it’s browser-based. That means:
- Test your presentation on the actual meeting setup. (Conference room PC, Zoom, etc.)
- Have a PDF backup, just in case. Prezi lets you export a static version — not as dynamic, but better than nothing.
- Don’t rely on embedded videos playing perfectly. Always have a summary slide ready if the video doesn’t load.
What works:
- Having a backup link or offline version ready.
- Keeping your pitch flexible if you have to go “old school.”
Step 9: Present — Guide, Don’t Lecture
When it’s game time:
- Start with your audience’s main pain point.
- Let the conversation steer the path. Go deeper only where there’s interest.
- Zoom out occasionally to remind them of the big picture.
- Wrap up with clear next steps — no wishy-washy endings.
What works:
- Adapting on the fly, showing you listened.
- Using Prezi’s structure to show you “get” their business.
What doesn’t:
- Clicking through like it’s PowerPoint — if that’s all you’re doing, you might as well use PowerPoint.
Step 10: Iterate Based on Real Feedback
After each pitch, don’t just move on. Ask yourself:
- What confused people?
- Where did they lean in?
- Did you actually use all those fancy Prezi features, or did they sit unused?
Update your Prezi. Kill the fluff. Keep what works.
Pro tip:
Your best deck is never “done.” The tightest pitches are usually the 10th version, not the first.
Final Thoughts: Keep It Simple, Stay Human
A dynamic Prezi presentation can make your B2B sales pitch stand out — but only if you keep it focused, flexible, and based on what your audience actually needs. Don’t chase every new feature or effect. Start simple, test in the real world, and adjust as you go.
Most prospects don’t remember the fancy transitions. They remember if you understood their problem — and showed a clear, credible path to solving it. That’s where the real value is. Now go build something they’ll actually pay attention to.