When you have a great idea for a venture or product, it can still be hard to share your vision with the people who can help bring it to fruition. You aren’t alone in this, but there are some convincing methods you can try, from visualization to intimate product or service knowledge. Of course, there is much more to securing funding for a venture. For the most part, an investor is betting on you and not the product. So, go in armed with knowledge and tons of passion!
Have a Prototype Ready
Investors love it when they can see what you are trying to develop. A prototype, even if it doesn’t work, is a major advantage. Turning up with something created in a big 3D printer that only outlines your product is always better than nothing at all. A mockup model allows investors to get up close and personal with at least the image of what you want. You can always fill in the blanks and explain what each part of the model, or the model as a whole, actually does.
Share Your Vision with Visualization
A model or prototype is always welcome when attending an investor meeting. But it isn’t always possible. In this case, investors need to be convinced in some other way. Capturing the imagination and attention of investors isn’t easy. However, it is necessary since 90% of startups go under within one year. Helping investors visualize what your product does is a significant advantage. Imagery, animation, and CGI methods can help capture the attention of investors.
Let Your Passion Shine Through
If you don’t appear enthusiastic about your venture, you can’t possibly hope anyone will be! Before you even unveil a product or service, you are the face and first point of contact between the venture and investors. Because of this, your passion needs to shine through. When done correctly, this can be contagious. Never undersell your product, and highlight its positive aspects. If you believe in your venture 100%, you can more easily convince others of its value.
Describe the Milestones Involved
All ventures began as an idea. Then, there is something of a journey from thought to product. Every product, service, or business venture has a journey, and these are filled with special milestones. Often, a product is developed and even sold independently. But the time comes when investment is needed. Make sure you highlight essential milestones in your presentation. This includes business generation steps such as pre-orders, retail shipped units, and profit.
Share Your Vision with Data
Data is something you can’t avoid because it is generated all the time. As a business owner or product developer, you are probably very familiar with data. However, around 60% of business decisions are made on a gut feeling, so you need to wow investors with the data you have:
- Use visual charts and graphs that are appropriate for the presentation.
- Change the visuals for each type of audience so they can easily understand them.
- Always provide context and explain the data source and how it relates to the pitch.
- Keep the audience’s attention with rich media such as videos and bold and bright colors.
- Keep the presentation of data clean and simple, avoiding too much at a time.
- Explain how the data you show impacts the business or product.
- Engage with investors by asking if they have any questions about the data.
You may have masses of data available. But you won’t impress an investor by bombarding them with everything. Tailor each presentation to the audience. Some investors are very data-driven, while others like to see simple explanations. The trick is relaying easily digestible information.
Explain in Simple Terms
Einstein once said that if you can’t explain something in straightforward terms, then you don’t understand the subject. Or something to that effect! Therefore, you must fully understand the product, service, or venture more than anyone else. Failing to do this guarantees trouble with investor presentations. Even though investors might fully understand what you are saying, they also need to ensure you do, too! Otherwise, you will end up bumbling and convincing no one!
Stay Professional At All Times
Professionalism in business meetings cannot be understated. Always ensure you are presentable, well-dressed, and have had enough rest before a big event. Investors are putting their money and faith in you as much as the product. Would you give someone money if they keep you waiting and haven’t bothered to at least shave or even have a hangover? And remember, even a laid-back person like Mark Zuckerberg is deadly serious about business!
Anticipate Questions to Share Your Vision
It’s likely you will be bombarded with questions before, during, and after an investor meeting. This is your chance to shine because some will try to throw in some curveballs they think you haven’t thought of. And you really need to catch those. A tiny 0.91% of pitches are accepted by angel investors in the US, and you won’t get a second chance. Try to think of absolutely everything an investor could ask, especially when it comes to projections and branding.
Tell Your Story
If you have started the lifecycle of a product or service, then ensure you can demonstrate how you got to where you are today. Begin with the beginning and engage the audience with a story. Include the struggles of starting a venture, how you overcame obstacles, and the road ahead. Investors love a good story as much as the next person. They are more willing to invest if you can touch them on an emotional level and engage with the human, not the business person.
Summary
Having a prototype ready to demonstrate is a huge advantage when you want to share your vision with investors. Of course, some love to see data they can understand to form a comprehensive vision. But try to present data in a meaningful, relevant, and understandable format. Some investors provide funding to projects they feel connected to. So don’t be afraid to tell your story. Relay how you came up with the idea, why, and the challenges you faced.
