- Present yourself not just the Idea: Your ideas and skills are obviously important, but your personality might matter even more. Some research published in the Harvard Business Review found that when venture capitalists are considering whether or not to invest in a startup, they’re less concerned with whether the founder is competent and more interested in whether the founder seems trustworthy and like someone they would want to work with. So if you’re trying to raise money for your business, make sure you show off your great personality as well as your business idea.
- Know your audience :Some entrepreneurs get ahead of themselves when they think about approaching investors. It’s not just about getting money from them; it’s also about entering into a partnership. You have to be careful and make sure that the person or firm you’re talking to is somebody you can trust and who knows what they’re doing. Do your homework first, and then make your pitch. Customize your pitch according to the type of investor you’re talking to. For example, venture capitalists will be looking for a different return on investment than angel investors.
- Be clear and concise: When you’re pitching your business idea to investors, you need to be concise. Get to the point and explain why your business is a good investment. Tell them what problem your business will solve and why it’s worth investing in. If you can give investors a solid reason to invest in your business, you’ll be more likely to get the funding you need.
- Growth potential: An investor will want to know what the future holds for your company. How are you planning to use the money that you’re raising funds for? What are you planning to do with the profits? What are your future plans? Make sure the investor knows that they can expect the money to be put to good use and that the business is in good hands. So be prepared to answer their questions clearly and confidently.
- Explain the Problem: Even if you’re absolutely in love with your business concept, it won’t mean anything to investors if your product doesn’t solve a problem or fill a need for customers. Make sure that you’ve done your research and you know that there is a market for your product before you start trying to raise money.
Mistakes to Avoid
There are some important things you should avoid doing when you’re crafting a pitch:
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- Try to wing it: You might think you can just go with the flow and make it up as you go, but this is likely to result in a disorganized and incoherent pitch that will lose your audience’s interest.
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- Go overboard with the slides: A few key slides are fine, but don’t overload your presentation with too much text or too many visuals. This will only serve to distract from what you’re saying.
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- Rely on jokes: Jokes can be a great way to break the ice, but don’t rely on them too much. If your entire pitch is one big joke, chances are it won’t land well.