Any potential investor wants to see a highly readable and credible business plan with a summary, finance and management team overview, but after submitting their plan, many people think funding will come when in reality it may take time. By following the steps below, you can avoid some of the most obvious mistakes when raising funds for your project.
One: if you are a company that has brilliant technical knowledge and no real sales experience, don’t advertise it. The information on your website, including management team biographies, will clearly state the management teams background, including their technical expertise, their degrees, their patents and the like, but surprisingly, their go-to-market strategy in the business plan. it is generally incomplete and sometimes missing. The solution, make sure you have a credible go-to-market strategy with a credible sales leader. No one will invest if you don’t.
Two: make sure your website is impressive. Too many companies think that running a business is all about the product and the skills of the technical team; frankly, it’s not like that. This may be true, but investors today will always expect to see more. They want to be convinced and when they go directly to your website they want to be amazed! Unfortunately, many people provide what seems more like a school project. Make sure your website is absolutely brilliant and doesn’t look cheap. Ask a variety of people if it looks modern, if it looks attractive, particularly the photos, and ask if it’s easy to navigate. Also make sure it’s relevant – it’s not about how great it is, but about how you and your company will solve your challenges.
Three: If you’re raising money through a lead or private list, make sure your flyer racks up. Many people don’t put enough time and effort into the visual appeal of a Private Listing Brochure, and again, you don’t want to provide a substandard document that will fail on every level. Spend some time and money to make sure you get your message across in a professional, crisp, and professional way, and that it’s logical and easy to read. Also, don’t use unverifiable random facts – make sure you back up anything you claim will be possible with the latest research, etc.
Oven – don’t use jargon. Anyone who goes to your site or takes a look at any promotional material designed to answer questions will not put up with the jargon that normally means nothing to them. If you must use slang or acronyms, make sure there is an explanation – people won’t ask, they’ll vote with their feet! A well-written website and brochure are music to the ears of potential investors.
Five: Make sure your website and all other materials have the same font. Make sure your supporting marketing material looks good, and make sure the stories you tell are verifiable and relevant. Lastly please don’t be controversial People will decide on quality and this includes appearance, overall professional approach. If you can use the right references from the right companies. Don’t add something for the sake of adding something as it has to be contextual and relevant!
Follow these tips and life on the road to fundraising will be much easier.