Financing is crucial for businesses of all types and sizes but it is especially important for startups. New companies often have trouble securing traditional bank loans and have to pursue other avenues of financing. Venture capitalists offer an alternative source of funding and can provide additional assistance in the form of business expertise and networking connections. These high-profile businessmen rely on pitches to decide which companies they want to invest it, so if you intend to secure this avenue of financing, you first have to develop a dynamic pitch that captures their attention. Here are six steps for developing the perfect pitch.
Research Your Audience
The most engaging pitches are tailored to the interests of your audience. For example, if you are pitching to an investor who has a specific interest in philanthropy, such as Mark Stevens, the managing partner at S-Cubed Capital, you should focus your pitch on the philanthropic culture of your company. Before you approach investors, do plenty of research to make sure you choose people who have room in their portfolios for your company. This research will also help you determine the interests of the investors you are approaching.
Tell a Story
Pitches that only include statistics come across as cold and boring. Investors want to hear about what makes your business unique and you can best accomplish this by using a sentimental angle to spin your pitch into a story. Include a real customer experience or tell the story of what prompted you to pursue the business idea. The more relatable you can make your pitch, the more likely it is that you will entice investors to take a risk on your business.
Include Important Statistics
After you make your pitch, investors will have a lot of questions about the numbers associated with your business. They need this information to make a decision about whether or not they should invest in your company. You can save yourself some time if you include the important statistics in your pitch. You don’t want to bog down your pitch with numbers but you can sprinkle them in to answer questions before they are asked. Include all of the vital numbers such as expenses, total revenue and projected yearly profits. You should know all of this information without having to use flashcards so you can appear knowledgeable and confident.
Focus On the Essentials of Your Business Model
Potential investors need to know your business model. While they don’t need to know every aspect, they should know the more pertinent details. Pare down your pitch to include the bare essentials of your business model. You should include your vision for the company so the investors know how you want to grow it. You should also have a marketing plan so you can advertise effectively and prove to investors that you are serious about sustainable growth. Finally, know how you intend to spend the money you receive from investors. If they see that you plan to spend their money wisely, they are more likely to invest in you.
Use a Visual Representation of Your Product
If your business is a startup, you may not have a working prototype to show investors. However, it is still a good idea to have a model to show potential investors. They want to see the product they are investing in. You can choose to show them a diagram of what you intend to build but it probably will not have the same impact as a visual representation they can actually hold and examine. It is best to invest in a mock model so you can share an accurate representation of your business idea.
Show Your Passion
Investors are taking a risk on you as much as on your company. If you have a solid business model, venture capitalists will likely examine your passion to determine if you are a good investment. If you are not passionate about your project, you are less likely to put in the necessary work to ensure the business is successful. However, passion is often enough to build your startup. You will put in the hard work and dedication necessary to grow your company if you are truly passionate about the business. If you let your passion show throughout your pitch, investors are more likely to take a chance on you.
Developing a good business pitch to entice potential investors may seem challenging. Not only does it need to be clear and concise, but it also needs to be engaging so it piques the interest of investors. If you use these six tips, you can develop a dynamic pitch that will help you secure the financing you need to help your business get off the ground. A creative pitch is necessary for enticing venture capitalists to take a risk on you and your new company.