How to Grab the Investors You Need to Start Your Business

With such an up and down economy, it can be discouraging to know that you need the help of investors. However, there are plenty of people who believe in small businesses and believe in the good that small businesses can do for the economy, so you might not be under quite as much pressure as you think. If you can convince an investor that they should work with you, you’re off to a great start.

Unfortunately, sometimes getting a meeting with an investor doesn’t actually mean they are going to work with you. You have to be a salesman and have a plan of action before a meeting with an investor. If you’re a first timer, don’t sweat it. Below are the four things you’ll need that will help get you to the end of the meeting with an offer:

Creating a Presentation Investors Won’t Be Able to Ignore

1. The Presentation – Remember when you used to give a presentation in high school? You were graded on eye contact, the pace of your speaking, fidgeting and saying the word “uhmm,” and the clarity of your voice. This is exactly what you need to do when talking with investors. Practice what you are going to say before you say it. Make sure that they know exactly what you’re saying, and pause often for questions. Everyone understands that there will be a few nerves, but you want to get your point across with minimal distractions.
2. The Facts – This is, of course, the most important aspect of a presentation. You want to make sure that you have statistics and facts to back up your claim. However, some people are caught off guard when an investor asks about facts and figures for the future. In other words, be prepared to explain everything about your specific company. You should prepare for every question and try to answer all questions during your presentation.
3. The Creativity – You want your presentation to be creative because this is what will distinguish you from the dozens of other pitches the investor has heard. You will want to give creative examples about how your product will succeedand add in a few anecdotes to make sure you stand out.
4. The Passion – It’s very important that you incorporate passion into your presentation. You want to show investors that you won’t give up easy. After all, if you can’t believe in your business idea, who can?

The important thing to remember is that talking with investors is one of the most difficult parts of starting a small business. Fortunately, if you take the time to perfect your presentation, nabbing those investors won’t seem so hard.

Photo Credit: youngentrepreneur.com

About the Author: Autumn Levitt gives financial advice to small business and entrepreneurs at Credit Card Help. You can compare credit cards at CreditCardHelp.com.au and obtain credit cards with an instant decision. In her spare time Autumn likes to cook and play piano.