At the Online News Association 2013, Dr. Michelle Ferrier presented tips from experts and across the web on using the business model canvas to refine business ideas and capture them in a short pitch deck.

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What is the
problem my
company is
solving?
What is
the
business
model?
What is the
market
size?
What Does My
Pitch Deck Look Like?
@mediaghosts
Dr. Michelle Ferrier, Scripps College of Communication, Ohio University

2.  Associate
Dean for
Innovation, Research/Creative Activity
and Graduate Studies at the Scripps
College of Communication, Ohio
University.
Digital
Content
Architect
 Ph.D.
in Texts and Technology from the
University of Central Florida.
 Worked
as a lead researcher with the
Banner Center for Digital Media in Florida
and developed a core digital media
curriculum.
 “Mother
of Google Maps”: Digitized
Landsat data for current GIS systems.

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4. Online News Projects
• NEAOnline
• HighlandsFamily.com
• MediaPowerLunch.com
• MyTopiaCafe.com
• LocallyGrownNews.com

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Are You a Local Bakery or
Panera?
 Which
sources of early-stage funding should
you seek?
 What
are the expectations of those providing
funds?
 Will
VC be interested in investing in my
company?

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Venture
capitalists invest in
“scalability.”
Venture
capitalists invest in
teams, not ideas.
“Hacker, Hipster, Hustler”

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What is a “pitch deck”?
 Elevator
Ride (30-second quick pitch on
your solution to the problem)
 Show
and Tell (Demo, Screen Shots, Video)
 Market
Matters (Market opportunity)
 Business
Model (Customers and business
metrics, not revenue projections)
 SuperHeroes
(Your Team)

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10-20-30
10
Slides
20
Minutes
30-point
type minimum size
Don’t
read slides, use key words to
prompt your narrative.
Use
authentic voice, tell a story

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13. Business Model Generation: Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur

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Title Page: Company Name
Must include name of what you are doing; tag line; contact info. Quote
from credible person

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The Problem/Need
 “Grabber”:
Story/scenario that shows current
pain points
 What
problem are you solving?
 “My
company is _____ and we are/do
_____.” We help solve [this problem] by [X].”
 Add
data here

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Basis of Your Solution
 Unique
technology
 Partnerships/Relationships
 Unique
processes
 What’s
your secret sauce???

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Product: 3 Must-Have Features
 In
order of importance, so prioritize
 With
adjacent wireframe

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Sustainability
 Revenue
Model: Direct sources:
ecommerce, subscription. Indirect:
advertising, affiliate marketing. Include
price points of comparable products.
 Number
1 Marketing Method: How will you
acquire new customers and what does it
cost?

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Competition/Risks
 Competitors:
Create a chart of features you
have and they don’t.
 Challenges:
Why do you feel you can
succeed where others have failed?
 Legal
Issues

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Sample Pitch Decks
http://www.businessinsider.com/airbnb-
a-13-billion-dollar-startups-first-everpitch-deck-2011-9#-7
http://www.pitchenvy.com/gallery/insta
mojo-pitch-deck/

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Contact Me
 @mediaghosts
 FB:
DrMichelleFerrier
 LinkedIn:
Michelle Ferrier
 ferrierm@ohio.edu