If you’re tired of sending out generic sales decks and getting crickets in response, you’re not alone. Most buyers spot a cookie-cutter pitch from a mile away—and they ignore it, too. This guide is for anyone who’s ready to ditch the “spray and pray” approach and actually build a sales deck in Buyerdeck that fits a real buyer’s journey.
No fluff, no jargon—just a clear walkthrough of what works, where you can skip the hype, and how to actually get moving.
Why Personalize Your Sales Deck? (And When Not To)
Let’s get this out of the way: not every deal deserves a custom deck. If you’re talking to a hundred cold leads a week, keep it simple. But if you’re working real opportunities—deals you want to close—personalization pays off. Buyers have seen enough one-size-fits-all PowerPoints to last a lifetime.
Personalized decks work because: - They show you get the buyer’s world (not just your product features) - They make it easier for buyers to sell internally (that’s usually your real audience) - They stand out from the endless noise
But they also take time. The trick is to personalize just enough to matter, without getting bogged down making “art projects” for every prospect.
What Makes a Good Sales Deck in Buyerdeck?
Before you open Buyerdeck, get clear on what you’re actually trying to do:
- Guide the buyer: Map your content to their buying journey, not your sales process.
- Keep it concise: More slides do not mean more value. Less is often more.
- Make it collaborative: Buyerdeck’s value is in sharing, commenting, and interactive content.
- Tell a simple story: What’s the buyer’s problem? What’s the impact? How can you help?
If your deck can’t answer those questions, it doesn’t matter how pretty it looks.
Step 1: Map Your Buyer’s Journey (Before You Touch Buyerdeck)
Here’s the part everyone skips—and regrets later.
Ask yourself: - Where is this buyer right now? (Just learning, comparing options, ready to buy?) - Who’s actually involved? (Decision-makers, influencers, users?) - What are their headaches, blockers, or fears?
Pro tip: If you can’t answer these, you’re not ready to build a deck. Hop on a quick call or send a few targeted questions. This is 10x more valuable than guessing.
Step 2: Gather (and Ruthlessly Edit) Your Content
Buyerdeck makes it easy to dump in a bunch of stuff—case studies, PDFs, product one-pagers, demo videos, etc. That’s also the fastest way to overwhelm your buyer.
Do: - Pick 3-5 pieces of content max. Only what’s directly relevant. - Use real-world stories or examples your buyer can relate to. - Cut jargon, internal lingo, or “about us” fluff.
Don’t: - Include every feature sheet “just in case.” - Add slides nobody reads (like your office dog photos). - Assume more is better.
If you’re not sure if something’s useful, leave it out. You can always add later.
Step 3: Set Up Your Deck in Buyerdeck
Now, open Buyerdeck and start a new personalized deck. Here’s how to keep it simple and effective:
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Choose a template. Don’t reinvent the wheel—start with a template closest to your buyer’s stage (e.g., “Evaluation,” “Demo Follow-Up,” etc.).
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Give it a clear name. Use something your buyer will recognize, like “Acme Corp – Solution Overview.” Avoid internal codes or project names.
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Add your core slides or sections:
- Intro/Context: Briefly restate their challenge in their words.
- How We Help: One or two slides, max. Show exactly how you can help.
- Proof: Case study, testimonial, or short video tailored to their industry.
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Next Steps: Make it obvious what happens next (call, demo, pricing, etc.).
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Drag and drop in your content. Buyerdeck lets you add links, files, or dynamic content. Don’t overdo it—stick to what the buyer actually needs to move forward.
Hot tip: You don’t need to make it fancy. Clarity > design.
Step 4: Personalize Without Wasting Hours
Here’s where most people get stuck. Don’t try to rewrite your whole deck for every deal. Small tweaks go a long way:
- Swap in their company name/logo on the cover.
- Reference their specific goals or pain points in the intro.
- Use an example or case study from their industry.
- Drop in a quick video or voice note (if you’re comfortable) to humanize things.
Stuff that’s not worth your time: - Making every slide a work of art - Changing all your product screenshots - Custom animations (nobody cares)
Step 5: Share and Collaborate (Don’t Just “Send and Pray”)
Buyerdeck’s biggest upside is the collaborative sharing. Don’t just email a link and hope for the best.
Instead: - Send the deck with a short, personal note: “I pulled this together based on our chat—let me know if I missed anything.” - Nudge them to comment or tag colleagues directly in the deck. - Use analytics (if Buyerdeck shows them) to see what’s being viewed—follow up with specifics.
What doesn’t work: Sending a deck and then disappearing. Buyers need reminders, nudges, and help getting others involved.
Step 6: Keep It Updated (But Don’t Obsess)
Deals drag out. People change. Priorities shift. If you notice your buyer’s needs evolving—or they ask for something new—update the deck. Don’t start over; just swap out what’s changed.
Good habits: - Check deck engagement every week. If nobody’s looked at it, reach out. - Add new resources only if they’re relevant. - Remove anything that’s no longer helpful.
Don’t stress about perfection. The best decks are living documents, not monuments.
What to Ignore (Seriously)
- Over-customizing: If you’re spending more than 30 minutes personalizing, you’re overthinking it.
- Design for design’s sake: Pretty slides don’t close deals—relevant info does.
- Every feature Buyerdeck offers: Stick to what helps your buyer move forward. Ignore the rest.
- Internal approvals: You’re building for your buyer, not your boss.
Pro Tips for Busy Sales Teams
- Build a “core” deck for your main buyer types. Just tweak the intro and proof points.
- Reuse content. If a slide works, save it as a snippet for next time.
- Ask for feedback. After you close (or lose) a deal, ask the buyer what was useful—then improve your next deck.
- Don’t be afraid to keep it short. Most buyers appreciate brevity.
Wrap-Up: Keep It Simple, Keep It Moving
The best personalized sales decks don’t try to do everything—they just help the buyer take the next step. Buyerdeck is a useful tool, but it won’t do the thinking for you. Focus on what your buyer actually cares about, keep your decks light and useful, and don’t be afraid to iterate.
If you’re stuck, start small. Build one deck, send it, see what happens, and improve from there. That’s how real sales get done.