Presentation for Investors

If given a time for presentation, then you have done a good job so far. The best process begins with preparation. It has to be suitable, efficient and productive to the end-result. You will fill the gap and prove everything you have been saying to the investors. It is about sculpting stories from anecdotes that investor(s) could possibly find as an interesting angle. It is not about creating a tall tale that might come back to haunt you. For example, don’t promise your investors 200 million ROI within 10 years! If you have a complicated business, try to focus on the solution. Proof to the investors that you are passionate about your business. You must genuinely connect with the audience.

It is a closure of the whole process. One of the greatest challenge is getting the points through. The best strategy to tackle this challenge is using maximum 10 slides in PowerPoint. These slides are combination of a problem, solution, your team, and other information that tells a compelling story. These are cover (1), opportunity (problem and solution) (2), team (they are actually investing in you) (3), the product (4), market size with research to support it (5).

The business model that tells how it would make money (6), discuss competition – describe what makes you better than your competitors – without disrespecting or back-talking your competitors (7). Market strategy (8), traction – things you already achieved in life (9). You can use the business’ current success. It strengthens your credibility – you are not just saying it, you are living it. What your business needs to circulate for achieving the objectives (10).

Have financial projections, milestones or timeline in your possession to show when asked. It makes you look good. The next thing to do is to rehearse until you can do the presentation without reading on the screen. Start the presentation from an interesting basis. Depending on the situation, use a suitable strategy to tell your story. After you finish telling your story, ask them if they have any question. If they didn’t ask any question, then you did a poor job!

When the ask questions, answer them accurately. If they ask you something you don’t know, just admit it! You are better off saying, “I will answer you later” than fabricating an answer. In the end, if they have asked questions, and you provide satisfactory answers, just ask for the check – politely!