Very few business ideas can get off the ground without securing investment from someone. Even those who have savings often require the help of venture capital, a bank, or funding from friends and family to really get things up and running.
As such, preparing to pitch in an investment meeting is a rite of passage for new business owners. It takes a lot of confidence to get up and deliver a speech, answer questions, and back it all up with facts, but it’s something you’ll need to learn to do for success.
Thankfully, millions of businesses have managed it before now. Most of them used the winning strategies down below as part of their pitch, so maybe you should too? Check them out.
Keep it Casual
It’s easy to walk into an investment presentation meeting and think you’re out of your depth. However, everyone in that room remembers what it’s like to be the person asking for funding for a business dream.
So be casual here, especially when you first introduce yourself. Talk to the people you’re presenting to on a one to one level; ask them about their day, how they found the commute, etc., and don’t just launch straight into your presentation.
And yes, they may still say no to your pitch, but they’re less likely to do so if you come in with this casual yet professional attitude. After all, it gives the impression you know what you’re doing via a breath of easy confidence. It also shows them you’re not just someone who only cares about their own needs and how to get them!
Present a Narrative
It doesn’t matter if you’re presenting to your best friend or to a representative of a business loan program; narratives are the most interesting kinds of presentations humans are primed to listen to.
If you want your potential investor to pay attention, use this sense of storytelling to get your message across.
Be sure to include all the same statistics you have to present your idea as market viable, but work them into the narrative. Use them as exciting turning points in your story, and filter them through the lens of innovation and discovery.
Have Your Business Plan Ready to Go
When you’ve got your business plan all written and ready to go, it’s a sign you’re serious about the business idea you’ve brought to the meeting today.
You know what it’s going to take to put the company together, and you’re dedicated to ensuring the right information, targets, and projections are down on paper for investors to see.
That’s a very impressive thing in the investment world, and it’s something you’ll want to jump on for a meeting like this. Even if they haven’t asked for a proper business plan ahead of time, make sure you bring it along anyway.
Presenting to investors will never be that easy, but it’s something you can manage using the strategies above. They can uplift your pitch tenfold.
(Disclaimer: This content is a partnered post. This material is provided as news and general information. It should not be construed as an endorsement of any investment service. The opinions expressed are the personal views and experience of the author, and no recommendation is made.)
