Estimated reading time: 4 mins
If you have a great business idea, you’ll need enough funding to make your dreams come true.
Unfortunately, many business owners don’t have enough money to bootstrap their startup ventures, so giving a great pitch to prospective investors is the best way out.
Statistics say that only 2 out of 5 startups show profits, whereas other startups will either run into losses or lose money.
So, to create a great impression on your investors, you’ll have to employ some creative tips and tricks. Want to know what these tricks are? Then keep reading!
1. Show commitment toward your company
Sure, when you speak to investors, you need to show them why you need money and how you’re planning to spend it. But unless you highlight a greater purpose, they won’t be impressed.
Emphasize your actual ambition and tell them why you wish to help people. Highlight the pain points of your target customers and explain how your company can provide them with products and services that differ from competitors.
For example, if you want to open a clothing company for people with plus sizes, you can tell your investors how most clothing companies don’t target inclusivity. Once you show them your uniqueness, they’re more likely to fund you.
2. Network efficiently
One of the best ways to network is to distribute business cards. But in today’s world, conventional paper-based business cards are not enough.
If you truly wish to create a great impression on your investors, you must think out of the box. Go with smart business cards that have NFC chips embedded in them.
These cards are not only stylish but can also accommodate a lot more information than traditional business cards.
When the receiver taps your card against their smartphone, they will be redirected to your company website or any other link you want.
Smart business cards are also environment-friendly, which can give you brownie points!
3. Craft good emails
The art of writing good emails is a lost one. Even if you’re not confident communicating directly with investors or customers, you must know how to craft professional and creative emails.
The first thing to remember while writing a mail is to keep it short and clear. If you use wordy sentences with complicated words just to sound smarter, your investors might look right through you.
Instead, keep the message crystal clear. Next, add a bit of personal touch by asking open-ended questions. You have to tell them why you wish to partner with them and what they’ll miss out on if they don’t invest in your company.
4. Show that you’re adaptable
One of the most important things that a potential investor will look at is your sense of flexibility and adaptability.
For example, most businesses today use more technology and digital marketing. Even if your company believes that traditional methods are the best, you’ll still have to adopt digitalization.
If you pitch to your investors that you’re rigid and unwilling to change with evolving times, they won’t consider your company profitable.
Therefore, you have to develop strategies that reflect your ability to be flexible. Show them ways you can build emergency management systems and on-the-spot solutions.
5. Avoid over-promotion
Promoting your company and yourself is essential during an investor pitch. However, you need to be careful not to overpromote. Avoid excessive call-to-action plans that will give investors a negative impression.
Try to focus on how to sell your products in a compelling way that will resonate with the investors. Highlight the unique benefits of each product and how they can benefit both the investors and customers.
When you talk about the products, highlight both strengths and weaknesses. Remember, when you discuss the disadvantages of your products and services, your investors will see you as an honest business person.
6. Be yourself
One of the best ways to impress your investors is to be yourself. Of course, you still need to maintain professionalism, but make sure it doesn’t look fake.
For example, give everyone in the meeting room a warm smile before you start your pitch. Open with a memorable quote, and start introducing yourself and the company.
When you’re warm and inviting, investors will automatically perceive you as someone worth doing business with.
Keep your body language open and friendly. After your pitch ends, keep a time slot open for questions and feedback.
Conclusion
These are a few of the many different ways you can instantly make a great impression on investors. Most importantly, be confident and passionate about your company; the rest will fall into place!
