How to write a killer company one pager (With steps & examples)

When you need to communicate a complex idea quickly, concisely, and persuasively, a one-pager can be your secret weapon. It’s more than just a summary—it’s a laser-focused document that tells a compelling story in a single page. Whether you’re pitching a business idea, summarizing a product for potential customers, or seeking investment, a one-pager forces you to distill your message into its most essential components.

But how do you create a one-pager that not only gets read but also sparks action? Let’s break down the process, step-by-step, and explore strategies, frameworks, and practical tips to ensure your one-pager leaves a lasting impression.

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What exactly is a one-pager?

At its core, a one-pager is a brief document that condenses the most crucial information about your product, service, or idea into a digestible format. It’s often used in business to provide a high-level overview in a single page, especially when time is limited and decisions are made quickly. A one-pager is meant to be concise, yet comprehensive, highlighting essential information that’s tailored to your target audience.

Whether you’re creating a startup one-pager, a business one-pager, or a marketing one-pager, the goal is the same: present your value proposition, solution, and key information in a way that’s easy to understand. Using a one-pager template can help ensure that your one-pager is visually appealing and well-structured, without missing critical details.

A successful one-pager includes:

• A clear statement of purpose or goal.
• An engaging overview of the problem and solution.
• Key points, often presented as bullet points.
• A strong call to action (CTA) that guides the reader on what to do next.

Its brevity forces you to focus only on what truly matters to your audience, whether that’s highlighting key benefits of your product, explaining the value proposition, or providing evidence of success. This strategic document serves as a snapshot of your business, offering a concise and compelling way to pitch to investors, potential customers, or clients.

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Critical situations to use a one pager

While one-pagers are versatile, they shine best in specific contexts. Understanding when to use one can amplify your messaging:

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1. Investor pitches

A business one-pager or investor one-pager summarizes your investor pitch, focusing on financial projections, market opportunity, and growth strategy. This one-page business template provides investors with the essential information they need to decide if your startup is worth their time and money.

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2. Sales proposals

For clients evaluating multiple vendors, a product one-pager can concisely summarize your sales proposal offering, including its key benefits, features, and value. It helps to make a one-pager that stands out visually and quickly addresses client pain points.

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3. Networking and events

When time is short, a company one-pager or project one-pager serves as a leave-behind after meetings or conferences. It gives your audience something to remember you by, highlighting the key points of your business in a visually appealing way.

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4. Cold outreach

A tailored one-pager makes a strong first impression. One-pagers can quickly summarize why a prospect should care about your business or product, without overwhelming them with too much information.

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5. Product launches

A marketing one-pager can be a powerful way to introduce a new product or service, summarizing its features, benefits, and competitive advantages in one concise document.

By recognizing when a one-pager is the most appropriate tool, you increase your chances of engaging your audience effectively. Whether it’s a business one-pager to investors or a strategic plan one-pager for internal use, understanding the context will help shape your approach.

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Step-by-step guide to building a winning one-pager

Let’s walk through the essential steps of crafting a good one-pager example that informs and persuades.

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1. Know your audience

A one-pager isn't one-size-fits-all. Before drafting anything, define who you’re speaking to and tailor the content to meet their specific needs. Are you addressing potential investors, current clients, or executive decision-makers? Each audience has different concerns, and your one-pager should reflect that.

Example:

• Investors want to know about return on investment, scalability, and market opportunity.
• Customers care about how your solution solves their pain points or improves their workflow.

Tailoring your one-pager starts with answering two critical questions:

• What does my audience care most about?
• What key information do they need to know right now to move forward?

For instance, a startup one-pager should focus on the business plan, market opportunity, and financial projections. On the other hand, a business one-pager for potential customers might focus more on solving their specific pain points and the outcomes they can expect.

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2. Craft a compelling headline

Your headline is your first—and possibly only—chance to grab attention. In one sentence, it should clearly communicate the core benefit or value of your solution. Skip the jargon and get straight to the point.

Effective formula for headlines:

[Solution] + [Action Verb] = [Tangible Benefit]

Examples:

• “Automated Marketing Platform that Increases Conversion Rates by 30%”
• “Streamline Workflow Efficiency with Our AI-Driven Project Management Tool”
• “Reduce Operational Costs by 20% with Our All-in-One Business Solution”

The goal is to frame your product or service in terms of the value it brings to your audience, not just what it is. Your headline should summarize the essence of the document in a way that is both direct and persuasive.

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3. Set the stage: Define the problem

Before presenting your solution, clearly outline the problem you solve. Be specific. You want to create urgency by identifying pain points your audience will instantly recognize and relate to.

Framework:

1. Define the problem: What’s the challenge that your audience is facing?
2. Exacerbate the problem: Why does this matter? What’s at stake if the problem isn’t solved?

For example, a one-page business plan might emphasize the struggle businesses face with managing data and automating tasks. This establishes the need for a solution, paving the way for your offering.

“Many small businesses hit a plateau because they lack the tools to efficiently manage leads and automate marketing processes. As a result, they miss out on growth opportunities and spend too much time on manual tasks.”

Once you’ve framed the problem, the reader will be more invested in hearing how your solution addresses it. This step sets up the foundation for presenting your value proposition and unique features.

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4. Introduce your solution (and make it irresistible)

Now that the problem is clear, it’s time to present your solution. But don’t just describe what you do—show how you solve the problem in a way that is unique, effective, and valuable.

Key elements to include:

• Unique selling proposition (USP): What sets your solution apart from competitors?
• Features and benefits: Highlight the most important features of your solution, but focus more on the benefits—what will your audience gain?
• Outcome-driven messaging: Frame everything in terms of the results your audience can expect.

For instance, rather than simply listing features, you could say:

“Our AI-powered marketing platform automates lead generation and email follow-up, freeing up time for your team and increasing conversions by 25% in the first month.”

A good one-pager balances details about features with the benefits they bring, making the content relevant and actionable for the reader. By using concise language, you avoid overwhelming your audience while ensuring they get the message.

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5. Add proof: Case studies, testimonials, and metrics

Your audience is likely skeptical. They’ve heard grand promises before. That’s why adding credibility through social proof is critical. Whether it’s client testimonials, case studies, or data-backed results, proof helps build trust and reinforce the validity of your claims.

Example:

“After implementing our solution, Company X saw a 30% increase in lead conversions within 60 days and saved over $50,000 in operational costs in the first year.”

Or, include a testimonial from a satisfied customer:

"Thanks to [your product], we’ve seen a dramatic improvement in productivity. Our project timelines have shortened by 15%, saving us both time and money."

Metrics and real-world results will make your one-pager stand out. Whether it's a business one-pager for potential investors or a personal one-pager for networking, proof helps establish credibility and increases trust.

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6. Break it down with visuals

In a one-pager, visuals play a critical role in making complex information easy to digest. Use diagrams, infographics, or charts to break up the text and clarify key points. Content that appeals visually also makes the one-pager more engaging.

For example, if you’re showcasing the ROI of your service, an infographic comparing time or cost savings before and after implementation can tell the story faster and more effectively than words alone.

Key visual tips:

• Avoid clutter: Make sure the visuals support the content rather than overwhelm the page.
• Keep branding consistent: Use your company’s color palette, fonts, and logo to maintain brand consistency.
• Highlight key points visually: Use icons or bold design elements to guide the reader’s eyes to the most important sections.

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7. Finish strong with a clear Call-to-Action

Every great one-pager ends with a clear and compelling call to action (CTA). You’ve just walked your audience through the problem, your solution, and the proof—now tell them what to do next. A well-defined CTA doesn’t just ask them to “learn more.” It guides them toward a specific, actionable step.

Effective CTAs:

• Schedule a Call: “Schedule a free 30-minute consultation to see how we can help you grow.”
• Request a Demo: “Request a live demo to see how our platform can streamline your operations.”
• Sign Up for a Trial: “Start your 14-day free trial and discover the difference firsthand.”

Make it as easy as possible for your audience to take the next step, whether it’s visiting your website, contacting you, or signing up for a demo.

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Examples and templates of great one-pagers

Here are a few examples of professional one-pagers and how they can be structured:

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Example 1: SaaS start-up one-pager for investors

• Headline: “Scaling Seamlessly: Automating Business Processes with 25% Cost Savings”
• Problem: “Mid-sized businesses are often overwhelmed by manual processes that drain time and increase operational costs.”
• Solution: “Our SaaS platform automates workflow, integrates with existing tools, and provides analytics that drive productivity and reduce operational costs by 25% within six months.”
• Proof: “Company X reduced their monthly operational costs by 20%, freeing up 10 hours per week for high-level strategic tasks.”
• CTA: “Schedule a 15-minute call to explore investment opportunities.”

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Example 2: Marketing agency one-pager for clients

• Headline: “Unlock 3X Growth in Your Digital Campaigns”
• Problem: “Many businesses fail to leverage the full power of digital marketing, leading to missed opportunities for growth.”
• Solution: “Our full-service marketing agency specializes in high-impact, data-driven campaigns that boost online visibility and deliver measurable results.”
• Proof: “We helped Client Y grow their website traffic by 300% and generate $200K in new business within six months.”
• CTA: “Contact us to schedule a strategy session.”

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Template 1: One Pager Annual Report Presentation Template

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Template 2: One Pager Executive Summary Presentation Template

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Template 3: One Pager Product Summary Presentation Template

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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

1. What is a business one-pager and how is it used?

A business one-pager is a concise document summarizing key information about your business. It’s used in pitches, meetings, and presentations to quickly convey your value proposition and important details.

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2. What should be included at the bottom of your one-pager?

The bottom of your one-pager should include contact information, a clear call-to-action, and any relevant legal notes or disclaimers, directing the reader to the next step.

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3. Are there different one-pager templates for various purposes?

Yes, different templates exist for business, orientation, and pitch one-pagers. These templates ensure a professional layout tailored to specific goals, making content creation easier.

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4. How can students use one-pagers?

Students use one-pagers to summarize complex subjects or projects in a visually appealing and easy-to-understand format, helping them present or study key concepts efficiently.

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5. What makes an effective one-pager?

An effective one-pager is concise, visually appealing, and includes essential information. It should focus on key points with a strong call-to-action, helping the reader take immediate action.

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Ways in which Prezent can help you create professional one pagers

Prezent offers a suite of smart tools that simplify the process of creating professional, effective one-pagers. Whether you're working on a business proposal, marketing plan, or pitch deck, Prezent can help streamline your workflow in the following ways:

• Story Builder: Prezent’s Story Builder comes with over 1,000 expert-crafted templates to help you quickly structure a one-pager for various needs—like business pitches or project updates. It simplifies how you tell your story, ensuring clarity and impact.
• Auto Generator: With the Auto Generator, you can create personalized, on-brand one-pagers in just minutes. It uses prompts to quickly craft a polished document that looks professional and speaks directly to your audience.
• Slide Library: Prezent gives you access to over 35,000 company-approved slide designs, making it easy to pull in visuals that are consistent with your brand. This is ideal for making visually appealing one-pagers without starting from scratch.
• Template Converter: If you have an existing presentation or draft, Prezent’s Template Converter can instantly transform it into your company’s approved format, maintaining brand compliance while saving you tons of time.
• Synthesis Tool: Need to create a quick summary? The Synthesis Tool helps you generate concise, branded executive summaries—perfect for highlighting key information in your one-pager.

By leveraging Prezent’s features, you can create professional one-pagers that are not only visually compelling but also tailored to the specific needs of your audience—whether you're pitching to investors or updating internal teams. Try all features by signing up for a free trial account or connect with our experts for a free demo.