If you’ve got to land a deal, you need a sales presentation that’s actually good—not just flashy. This guide is for anyone who’s tired of clunky slides, endless “best practices,” or decks that make your audience zone out. Whether you’re brand new to Tome or just want to get more out of it, you’ll find real, step-by-step advice here. Let’s keep it practical and honest—because your time (and your prospect’s) matters.
Step 1: Know What You’re Selling—and Who You’re Selling To
Before you even open Tome, get clear on two things:
- What problem are you solving? If you can’t say it in one sentence, keep working.
- Who’s in the room? Tailor your pitch. The CEO cares about the big picture. The IT lead wants details.
Pro tip: Write down your main goal for the meeting. Is it to close? To get a second call? Don’t build a deck until you know.
What to ignore
- The temptation to “show everything we do.” Don’t. Stick to what matters for this client.
Step 2: Set Up Your Structure Before You Touch the Slides
Tome is pretty slick for visual storytelling, but getting sucked into design before you know your story is a trap.
Here’s a dead simple outline that works:
- The Problem
What hurts for the client? Make this relatable and specific. - Your Solution
How do you fix it? Show, don’t just tell. - Proof
Quick wins, testimonials, data—whatever builds trust. - Fit
Why you (and not the next guy)? Keep it brief. - Next Steps
What do you want them to do after this call?
Jot down a one-liner for each section. You’ll thank yourself later.
What to ignore
- Overstuffed outlines. If you have more than 5-7 main sections, it’s too much.
- Generic “About Us” slides. Unless someone asks, skip the company history.
Step 3: Start Building in Tome
Now open Tome and create a new presentation. The interface is pretty intuitive, but don’t let the AI features distract you from your outline.
Laying Out Your Slides
- Title slide: Your name, company, and one sentence about the value you bring.
- One section per slide: Don’t cram. Tome makes it easy to add extra slides if you need them.
- Use visuals, but only when they help. Charts, product screenshots, or even a customer quote in big text. Skip generic stock photos.
Using Tome’s Features (and What to Skip)
- Tome’s AI Slide Generator: Fast for rough drafts, but don’t trust it to nail your message. Use it to beat writer’s block, not as gospel.
- Templates: Tome’s templates look clean, but don’t let them dictate your story. Pick something simple and edit as needed.
- Embedding content: If you have a quick demo video or a chart from another tool, embed it. But don’t overdo it—tech issues can kill momentum.
- Collaboration tools: If you’re working with a team, use Tome’s commenting and sharing. Just keep the feedback focused.
Pro tip: Preview your slides in “present” mode early and often. What looks good in edit mode can flop when presented.
Step 4: Keep the Copy Tight
Long paragraphs are where sales decks go to die. Here’s what works:
- Headlines: Every slide should have a clear, punchy headline.
- Bullets over blocks: Break ideas into bullets. If it takes more than 5 seconds to read, cut it.
- No jargon. If you wouldn’t say it in a real conversation, don’t write it here.
- Call out the “so what?” Make it obvious why each point matters to this client.
What to ignore
- Buzzwords (“innovative,” “game-changing,” “world-class”) unless you can back them up.
- Walls of text. If you need to explain, do it verbally—not on the slide.
Step 5: Make It Visual—but Not Distracting
Tome shines with visuals, but it’s easy to go overboard. Here’s the balance:
- Use screenshots over mockups. Show the real product or actual outcomes where possible.
- Simple charts, not data dumps. One chart per slide. Label everything clearly.
- Keep colors and fonts consistent. Tome’s defaults are fine; don’t waste time customizing unless you have a good reason.
Pro tip: If you’ve got a killer customer quote or a short testimonial, make it the centerpiece of a slide.
What to ignore
- Animations or transitions. They rarely impress and sometimes glitch.
- Slides with more than one main idea. If it feels crowded, split it up.
Step 6: Cut, Edit, and Rehearse
The best presentations are short and easy to follow. Here’s how to clean things up:
- Cut slides. If a slide doesn’t move the story forward, delete it.
- Check for jargon and filler. Read your slides out loud. If you stumble, rewrite.
- Rehearse in Tome’s present mode. Time yourself. If you’re over your target time, trim.
- Test embedded videos and links. Technical hiccups kill flow.
Pro tip: Ask a colleague (who isn’t close to the deal) to review the deck. If they don’t get the point right away, you’ve got more work to do.
Step 7: Prep for Delivery (and the Follow-Up)
Even a great deck can flop if you’re not ready. Before you go live:
- Check your tech. Make sure Tome works on your setup, and always have a backup PDF.
- Have notes handy. Use speaker notes in Tome or a separate cheat sheet.
- Plan your follow-up. Decide what you’ll send after the meeting: a summary, the deck, a next-steps doc.
What to ignore
- The urge to “wing it.” Even if you know your stuff, prep beats improvisation.
- Overly designed handouts. Keep follow-ups simple and actionable.
A Few Final Tips
- Keep it simple. Most sales decks are too long. Aim for clarity over flash.
- Iterate. After each meeting, tweak your deck based on what worked (and what didn’t).
- Focus on conversations, not monologues. Your slides are a tool, not a script.
A good sales presentation isn’t about dazzling with tech or cramming in every feature. It’s about making your prospect’s life easier and showing them you get what matters. Use Tome to keep things clear, honest, and human—and don’t be afraid to leave stuff out. The best decks always feel a little unfinished (because they make room for real discussion).
Now, go close that deal. And remember: you can always fix your slides later. Just don’t let “perfect” get in the way of “done.”