Welcome to “Building and Presenting a Pitch Deck,” the first course in the African Podcast and Voice Academy’s series on Funding and Sponsorship. This course is designed specifically for the ambitious African podcaster, voice artist, and spoken word performer who is ready to move from passion to profession. It is a cornerstone of the Academy’s “Commerce” pillar, which is dedicated to helping you transform your creative skills into a viable, flourishing venture.
In the competitive and evolving landscape of African audio, a great idea is only the beginning. To secure the resources, partnerships, and funding needed to grow, you must be able to communicate your vision with clarity, confidence, and strategic power. The pitch deck is your most essential tool in this endeavour. It is more than a presentation; it is a structured narrative that tells the story of your project, your audience, and your potential. It is the master key that can unlock opportunities across the entire APVA ecosystem—from making your profile stand out on the Creators’ Rolodex and facilitating powerful collaborations on APVA Match , to providing the compelling case needed to apply for prestigious programs like the APVA Fellowship for Young Africans.
This course moves beyond generic advice. It is built for Africa, by Africans, and is tailored to the unique realities and immense opportunities of our continent’s creative economy. You will learn not just what to include in your deck, but how to frame your project in a way that resonates with both local and international partners. We will teach you to see your unique cultural context not as a niche, but as your most powerful asset, aligning with APVA’s mission to “discover, institutionalize, amplify, and celebrate” the diverse creativity of African audio creatives.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you will have mastered the skills necessary to build and deliver a world-class pitch. You will be able to:
- Strategically align your creative project with the specific goals of potential African and international funders, brands, and partners.
- Structure and write a persuasive, narrative-driven pitch deck that tells a compelling story about your work’s value and vision.
- Leverage your unique cultural context, personal story, and engagement with the APVA community as credible points of traction and validation.
- Design a visually professional and compelling deck that reflects your personal or show brand, even with limited design experience.
- Present your pitch with the passion of a performer and the strategic clarity of a business leader, turning presentations into partnerships.
- Confidently handle questions and follow up with professionalism, building long-term relationships and securing the resources you need to succeed.
Course Structure Overview
This course is a comprehensive, step-by-step journey divided into three core sections. Each section builds upon the last, taking you from foundational strategy to final presentation.
- Section 1: The Foundation – Strategy Before Slides
In this first section, we lay the critical groundwork for a successful pitch. Before you create a single slide, you must master the ‘Why’ behind your project and the ‘Who’ you are pitching to. We will cover how to define your objectives, research potential partners, and craft a core persuasive message that resonates. - Section 2: Building Your Deck – The Essential Slides
This is the practical heart of the course. We will guide you, slide by slide, through the construction of a powerful 2-slide pitch deck. You will learn what information to include on each slide, how to structure your data, and how to weave your narrative through the entire document to create a cohesive and convincing story. - Section 3: The Presentation – Delivering for Impact. A great deck is only half the battle. In the final section, you will learn how to bring your pitch to life. We will cover visual design principles to make your deck shine, and then focus on the art of delivery—using your natural skills as a performer to present with confidence, handle questions like a professional, and secure the deal.
Lessons:
