It's rare for entrepreneurs to stand while presenting their PowerPoint slides.  However it does happen, so it's worth writing about.

In your meeting with a VC ignore those magazine ads that show an executive standing and pointing at a pie chart while other executives sitting around the board room clap.  Those images don't apply to venture.  Plain and simple, don't stand unless you have to.

Here are some reasons why you shouldn't stand:

1. It makes the format feel more formal, reducing your ability to develop a rapport with the VCs and making the interaction more awkward.
2. It implies that you expect to walk the VC through your presentation slide by slide which may make you look green - seasoned entrepreneurs know that the flow of the conversation will be anything but predictable.
3. It limits the length of the meeting, as few presenters can stand for the length of a meeting.
4. Your partner will be forced to focus on flipping slides rather than engaging in the dialogue.
5. Most people look awkward when it comes to delivering a standing presentation.

I'm certain that there are more reasons, but those five should make the case.  When you are in the meeting with a VC just relax and enjoy talking about your business.

Comments

[kv]

Excellent tip. This is often overlooked but its critical for presenters ( usually techies with weak presentation skills) to get the partners to interact informally.

[Marc Hedlund]

Oh, please. Don't listen to checkbox rules about venture pitches like this one.

Pitch however you're most comfortable. Give your company the best presentation you can. *Anyone* will be far more compelled by a pitch from a confident, secure, prepared presenter than they will from someone who hides behind a checklist.

[You Mon Tsang]

I don't think "not standing" is a RULE. In smaller groups (4 or fewer), I generally sit. More than four, I generally stand.

Moreover, I am probably projecting on a screen and while I walk through the slides, most eyes are on the screen. Being next to the screen reinforces my presence and association with the company and its ideas. After all, the investors are really investing in me.