10 Tips for a Successful Entrepreneurial Pitch
201
Business > Entrepreneurs
Mar 1, 2007
TJ Walker
10 Tips for a Successful Entrepreneurial Pitch
One of the hardest presentations to make is the entrepreneurial pitch. You have a great idea for a business and you want someone to give you money to make it happen. The problem is that venture capitalists, angel investors, and even rich uncles are heavily predisposed against you. Why? Because 99% of the pitches they hear sound like sure-fire prescriptions to lose money!
If you are pitching investors to give you money for a new venture, you should subscribe to the following rules:
1. Explain exactly what your business is within the first thirty seconds. Many entrepreneurs waste valuable time giving loads of data, background and other info?all the while investors are left scratching their heads thinking ?What does this business actually DO??
2. Tell your audience who your customers will be. Paint a vivid, specific picture of these people.
3. Explain why your customers going to give you there hard-earned money.
4. Explain who your competitors are. (And if you say you have no competitors, that is a certain sign you are unsophisticated and deserve no investment money!)
5. Explain why you are the ONE to make this happen.
6. Give your presentation with confidence and enthusiasm. Investors want a founder/CEO to be a chief salesperson; they want to see that you can convince the world of your dream?not just them.
7. Explain what star you can hitch a ride to. Has Best Buy or Radio Shack agreed to distribute your new product? Investors feel much more comfortable knowing you have an established player willing to distribute your wares.
8. Ask for a specific amount of money. If all you do is ask for money, then you can?t complain if an investor gives you $3.25 for a cup of Starbucks coffee.
9. Tell prospects exactly what you are going to spend the money on (hint:a trip to Maui for you and your friends will not impress)
10. Dress well, act confident, and put on the air that you don?t really need their money, but would be willing to accept it if they bring enough to the table to be a strategic partner for you. Sad but true regarding human nature, but people are much more likely to give you money if they feel you don?t really need it.
Finally, make each pitch presentation serve as a focus group for your next presentation. When one group of investors asks you a series of questions after you pitch, write down all of those questions and make sure most of them are answered in your next pitch so that the next group doesn?t have to ask them. Keep pitching and keep improving your pitch and eventually you may get funded. About the Author: TJ Walker is the worlds leading speaking coach, author of "Presentation Training A-Z." and "Media Training A-Z." He is the current host of http:// www.Speakcast.com and www.SpeakingChannel.tv and can be reached at info@speakcast.com. You can read more of his presentation and media tips at www.tjsinsights.com.
If you are pitching investors to give you money for a new venture, you should subscribe to the following rules:
1. Explain exactly what your business is within the first thirty seconds. Many entrepreneurs waste valuable time giving loads of data, background and other info?all the while investors are left scratching their heads thinking ?What does this business actually DO??
2. Tell your audience who your customers will be. Paint a vivid, specific picture of these people.
3. Explain why your customers going to give you there hard-earned money.
4. Explain who your competitors are. (And if you say you have no competitors, that is a certain sign you are unsophisticated and deserve no investment money!)
5. Explain why you are the ONE to make this happen.
6. Give your presentation with confidence and enthusiasm. Investors want a founder/CEO to be a chief salesperson; they want to see that you can convince the world of your dream?not just them.
7. Explain what star you can hitch a ride to. Has Best Buy or Radio Shack agreed to distribute your new product? Investors feel much more comfortable knowing you have an established player willing to distribute your wares.
8. Ask for a specific amount of money. If all you do is ask for money, then you can?t complain if an investor gives you $3.25 for a cup of Starbucks coffee.
9. Tell prospects exactly what you are going to spend the money on (hint:a trip to Maui for you and your friends will not impress)
10. Dress well, act confident, and put on the air that you don?t really need their money, but would be willing to accept it if they bring enough to the table to be a strategic partner for you. Sad but true regarding human nature, but people are much more likely to give you money if they feel you don?t really need it.
Finally, make each pitch presentation serve as a focus group for your next presentation. When one group of investors asks you a series of questions after you pitch, write down all of those questions and make sure most of them are answered in your next pitch so that the next group doesn?t have to ask them. Keep pitching and keep improving your pitch and eventually you may get funded. About the Author: TJ Walker is the worlds leading speaking coach, author of "Presentation Training A-Z." and "Media Training A-Z." He is the current host of http:// www.Speakcast.com and www.SpeakingChannel.tv and can be reached at info@speakcast.com. You can read more of his presentation and media tips at www.tjsinsights.com.
Write a Review
Add to My Favorite
Refer it to Friend
Report Article
Other links owned by this user
One of the hardest presentations to make is the entrepreneurial pitch. You have a great idea for a business and you want someone to give you money to make it happen. The problem is that venture capitalists, angel investors, and even rich uncles are
Category:
Other links at Business > Entrepreneurs
The essentials of an MLM business are simple but crucial to your success. Here are 7 keys to make sure you are in the right opportunity.
Category:
Franchising can be a great option for attempting a tried and successful business plan and running your own business, based on that model.
Category:
Something That You Have To Remember Is That Not Every Day Is Like The Other! A good business will not only have a business plan, but an operations checklist as well. The same goes for a restaurant.
Category:
Really, in 30 days or less! You can learn the basics of the home based business opportunity marketing in so a short time, but it needs much, much more to really learn to master it but still an affiliate program is maybe the quickest and cheapest way to st
Category:
Being a single mom and juggling your work and kids can take a very high toll on you. But have you ever thought of starting a work at home business? Discover the advantages and all the good things to do with starting your very own business.
Category:
Site Sponsor
Directory Statistics
Articles: 68228
Categories: 501
Yahoo Entertainment
