The first quarter is the perfect time to review and refresh your pitchbook template and content.  But it’s not just the quantitative and qualitative data that needs updating. Pitchbook housekeeping should also include a review of your template design to ensure your visual identity is still accurate and clear.  While software can quickly automate the data updates, ensuring that your design and messaging still meets your brand guidelines requires a human eye.

To help, here are our five suggestions for your 2025 pitchbook housekeeping project:

Move beyond the numbers: While the focus of pitchbooks is on performance, qualitative data is also key to making a good impression. Don’t forget to update (either manually or automated) firm tenure, years in the industry, new professional designations or certifications, promotions and new titles, and new hires or staffing changes.

Spotlight growth and achievements: A pitchbook clean-up is the perfect time to highlight key milestones, firm growth, and achievements from the previous year. Don’t be shy, make sure you include notable new partnerships, market expansions, new product launches, awards, leadership changes and new firm capabilities or services.

Reset design elements: From a heading font size that was decreased to a chart legend in the wrong color, small changes to branding can occur throughout the year. Pitchbook housekeeping is the perfect time to reset your template and ensure your visual identity is accurate. If needed engage your design team or partners to handle this phase of the housekeeping project.

Make it picture perfect: If your pitchbook includes any photographs or images of your team, make sure they are still current. Add in any new headshots (a good thing to do every couple of years) and make sure all the people highlighted in images are still working at the firm.

Dive into the details: With a cleanup there will likely be small changes throughout the pitchbook template.  At the end of the process make sure you review the “small stuff.” Small changes such as copyright year, privacy statements, firm address, page numbers, URLs etc. are necessary but often overlooked.

Your pitchbook is your calling card, and making sure it sends the right message is essential. For more on pitchbook design check out our blog series or contact us to see how the Emerson Ward team can help your firmleave an impressive and lasting impression.