How to Prepare to Meet Potential Investors

If you're a budding entrepreneur, booking a meeting with a potential investor is a huge step forward. Some may consider this a once-in-a-lifetime chance; a rare opportunity many entrepreneurs would do anything to grab.

So if you're one of the lucky entrepreneurs to score a meeting, you'll want to prepare thoroughly. It's definitely a meeting you won't want to mess up. After all, this could be your big chance to raise some sorely needed funds for a venture you've mulled over for years.

Here are six ways you can prepare successfully for a meeting with that all-important investor.

1. Target an Investor with Specific Interests

As an entrepreneur, beware the urge to approach every potential investor you come across. You'll save yourself from wasting time with an investor who has no interest in what you're doing. Stay conscious of the fact that most venture capitalists and angel investors usually specialize in specific ventures and enterprises. This means you must never think of a potential investor as a jack-of-all-trades.

An investor will also express interest in specific sectors and companies that have achieved a certain stage of development. They're likely to be interested in companies that can achieve a particular return and exceed expectations. Of course, no investor wants to risk their money in a business that's likely to fail.

2. Thoroughly Research the Investor Before You Meet

Thoroughly research your target investor before you actually meet them. Use publication information that's readily available on their website, news articles, or social media accounts. What's their current portfolio look like, what are their investment preferences, and what successes and failures have they been a part of?

Also, contact other entrepreneurs who may have sought out funding from this investor in the past. How did they go about it? Did they succeed? Find out. The more you learn about your valued visitor, the better prepared you'll be.

3. Prepare an Excellent Executive Summary and Powerful Business Plan

Keep in mind that, when you meet, a potential investor will want to go over your business plan as well as the executive summary. These documents are what helps the investor decide on whether to meet with you in the first place or not. Make sure your business plan is designed to sell the idea of your company.

Highlight the facts that are particularly relevant to your company, services and products, and your target market. Use your executive summary to demonstrate your deep understanding of your demographics, market size, and customer profile. Use this opportunity to expound your value proposition to the target audience.

Show the investor that your business is worth their money.

4. Get Ready to Present and Defend Your Milestones

Identify the crucial milestones in your business plan. For instance, what do you want the investor to help you achieve a year from now? Let the investor know. Make sure your team writes these points clearly and concisely. Even so, be prepared to discuss these persuasively during the scheduled meeting.

Do you have a well-designed growth strategy for your business? If you don't, make one. Your investor will, most likely, want to hear about it. They will not be satisfied with a random list of projected figures.

Moreover, be prepared to present your ideas on the potential return on investment. Try to make your presentation sound realistic. Be ready to support your expectations with real data.

5. Have a Well-Rehearsed Presentation and Pitch

An elevator pitch is a carefully-rehearsed summary of the essential factors that make your business a fantastic investment target. It is generally more sales-oriented than a typical business plan -- and it is your time to make your business sound as appealing as possible.

While preparing your pitch, try to use charts, images, or a slide show presentation. It will make it lively, engaging, and exciting. Delve into your business history and demonstrate how this is likely to translate into money for the investor.

Do not take too much time during your presentation; keep it between 15-30 minutes, max. Don't talk your investor to sleep.

6. Let the Investor Know What You Plan to Do with the Money

What do you plan to do with the money? Map this out. Since the startup's primary factors are subject to change, don't make absolutes. Instead, craft a plan which galvanizes the idea of the desired venture. For example, do you wish to buy extra space or want to hire employees? Make sure your plan says that.

Be aware that the investor may not agree with every idea you have. They'll likely want a committed entrepreneur who knows what they want. Make it clear to the investor that you have a roadmap. Let them know you're in full charge of the business's direction.

Conclusion

Most business owners relish the opportunity to grow and tag-in investors to ensure maximum success. Once you get an investor involved, it takes your business game to a whole new level. No longer are you working with pennies, you're working with big-time money.

But it's crucial that you, to put it plainly, don't blow it. That first meeting is critical in securing the investor you want. So take time to learn about the dos and don'ts of meeting with a potential investor. Experience shows that with proper preparation, you won't be taking a chance. Instead, you'll be ready to strike the ultimate deal.