Backup slides in a pitch deck are usually a sign of uncertainty, not good preparation: they collect slides the founder could not decide on. For readers they are a random mix of fragments that weakens the story, like extra scenes after a film ends. A slide is either part of the story or does not belong in the deck.
I’ll admit it: I once had 10 backup slides in my pitch.
Just in case someone asked. Just in case I forgot something. Just in case we wanted to go deeper.
But honestly? It wasn’t a sign of being well-prepared. It was a sign of uncertainty.
There were slides I wasn’t sure about–do they belong in the core deck or not? So I dumped them into the backup. Sound familiar?
That’s the thing: If I’m already questioning whether a slide is important enough to be in the main story–chances are, it’s not.
Backups often feel like a safety net. But really, they’re often just a sign that I couldn’t make a clear decision. Or didn’t dare to cut something.
And for the reader? Backups are frustrating. A random mix of unrelated fragments. You’re left unsure whether to keep reading–or stop. No narrative. No closure.
Imagine this: You’ve just watched a powerful film. A story that moved you. The final scene fades, the credits roll–but then suddenly, an extra chapter starts. A bunch of random scenes. Bits that didn’t make the cut. Unclear tone. No arc. Just... stuff.
It doesn’t make the story better. It weakens the emotional payoff. It confuses the narrative.
And I’m not talking about funny outtakes that make you smile. I’m talking about leftover scenes where the director wasn’t sure: should we include this or not?
That’s exactly how a pitch deck feels when it ends with a “backup” section.
These days, I believe: A slide is either part of the story–or it’s not. And if it’s not, it doesn’t belong anywhere in the deck.
It’s not about being minimalist. It’s about being decisive.
What helped me:
- Crafting my deck like a story, not a brochure.
- Letting each slide earn its place.
- Being okay with leaving things out.
That shift made my decks not just clearer. But braver.
What’s your experience with backup slides? Do you still use them?
Frequently asked questions
Should a pitch deck have backup slides?
Iskender Dirik argues against it. A slide is either part of the story or it isn’t, and if it isn’t, it doesn’t belong anywhere in the deck.
Why are backup slides a problem for investors reading a deck?
For the reader, backups are a random mix of unrelated fragments with no narrative and no closure. Like extra scenes after a film ends, they weaken the emotional payoff and confuse the story.
How do you decide which slides belong in a pitch deck?
If you already question whether a slide is important enough for the main story, chances are it isn’t. Craft the deck like a story, not a brochure, let each slide earn its place and be okay with leaving things out.
