If there's one thing that's just as important as your business plan, it's the PowerPoint presentation you use to pitch potential investors. The reason it's so critical is obvious: while the investors might not read your business plan, they'll actually be forced to watch your presentation.

Unfortunately, a lot of entrepreneurs trip up when it comes to their PowerPoint. That's because, as with their business plan, they over-think it and try to cram too much information into just a handful of slides. Even worse, they end of with a presentation that's 100 slides long and takes two hours to present.

Remember this: the same advice holds true with PowerPoint presentations as it does with business plans. Keep the information on each slide simple, clear, and to the point. No one will read a slide jam-packed with bullet points. The reason is two-fold. One, it's boring. And two, if you've got too much information on a slide, it's likely too small to read. Make the font big. If investors are squinting to read your slides, you have a problem. Use catchy, simple language. Never use the word synergize, systems, or value-add. It makes investors' heads hurt.

Also structure your presentation much the same way you have your business plan. Include a slide on your business model, the problem your business is solving, how it will solve it, your management team, your marketing strategy, and how you will be profitable. Each of these slides should only include a few sentences that are succinct and drive the point home.

Here's another secret: you don't have to be super creative or arty to come up with an effective presentation. The truth is that investors don't care what types of borders or fonts you use. While sure, it's an added bonus if it's pretty, it's not going to make or break your chances of getting investment.

This guy got the message.