BY Strive Masiyiwa
When investors listen to a "pitch," establishing whether or not someone has a good business idea is the easy part. Most investors walk away because they're not convinced they can trust you with their money. It's really that simple. If I don't tell you this, I will have done you a disservice. It's nothing to be angry or bitter about.
This post must be read with the other two posts I've done on this subject. If you haven't yet done so, I suggest you read them carefully, including my comments and those of your colleagues.
For those of you who missed last week, here's a summary of Neil Patel's first four pitching "tips": 1) Take only ten minutes; 2) Turn your pitch into a story; 3) Be laser-focused; and 4) Explain EXACTLY what your product or service is.
Neil's article continues with Tips #5 thru #8:
"5. Explain EXACTLY what is unique about your product or service.
If you are not producing or providing anything different from the run-of-the-mill widget, don’t even go to the meeting. Go back to your drawing board, and design something better.
6. Explain EXACTLY who your target audience is.
Use demographic and psychographic features to pinpoint your customers. Show investors a picture of a customer along with relevant data points.
7. Explain EXACTLY how you intend to acquire these customers.
Business success comes down to marketing. If you have a marketing idea, method, technique or process, this is your chance to showcase it. Contrary to pithy maxims, great products don’t sell themselves. You sell the product. To be persuaded, investors have to see an airtight strategy for getting the product to market.
Most VCs are well aware of the advantages of digital marketing and won’t take a second glance at a product that isn’t backed by a tactical plan for online marketing.
8. Explain your revenue model.
Investors invest because they want to make a return on that investment. An investor will care about your pitch if you can answer this question: 'How will my company make you rich?'
The answer, in investor-speak, is your revenue model. Specifically identify which type of revenue model you are embracing, and how you intend to apply it. . ."
***
__By now you know that one of my favorite TV shows of all time is Shark Tank. I hope Neil's excellent tips #1 thru #8 are preparing YOU to "swim with the sharks"! In my comments last week, I drew your attention over and over again to the need for you to understand investors. When you do your pitch, you must remember:
# Investors are not donors.
# Investors are not tourists.
# Investors are not philanthropists or charities.
# Investors have options.
If you have the opportunity to pitch to an investor, consider it a privilege rather than an entitlement:
# A good investor will never put money into a venture run by someone who comes across as arrogant, cocky or argumentative.
# A good investor will never put money behind someone who is dishonest, corrupt, or a thief. If you have a tendency for dishonesty or misuse of other people's money, a good investor will find out before they give you a cent!
# A good investor will not put money behind someone who is careless or disorganized.
# A good investor will not invest in someone who is highly emotional. Being passionate is one thing, but being emotional is not acceptable!
# A good investor will not invest in someone who is political. You should understand the politics of your country from an economic perspective, but not come across as an active participant in politics.
Being a good investor is very hard!
__Your job is to show them that you can be trusted with someone else's money.
To be continued. . .
Google indexing fast tool
The Google Indexing Fast Tool is a valuable method for webmasters and content creators who want their pages quickly recognized by Google’s search engine. Although Google no longer has a direct “Request Indexing” button in Search Console, fast indexing can still be achieved through methods like using the URL Inspection tool in Search Console, regularly updating and submitting XML sitemaps, and building internal links. Social media sharing and earning backlinks can also prompt faster indexing. By following these steps, you can effectively use a Google Indexing Fast Tool strategy to improve your website’s visibility in search results. https://medium.com/@xiwico9618/aroosat-al-emarat-perfume-a-luxurious-fragrance-experience-c9617132ce91 https://medium.com/@xiwico9618/price-of-leyden-eau-de-parfum-maison-alhambra-a-comprehensive-guide-368745492513 https://medium.com/@xiwico9618/leyden-maison-a-comprehensive-guide-c31e9e3f1b15 https://bookmarkservices.net/page/other/daar-al-shabaab-royal https://getdofollowbacklinks.com/page/other/royce-black-parfum https://secretonlinewealth.com/page/other/ameerat-al-rehab https://onpageseoservices.net/page/other/leyden-eau-de-parfum-maison-alhambra https://seoanalyzersite.com/page/other/ahlaamak-ard-al-zaafaran https://vexagon.mn.co/posts/70728107 https://louhangaround.mn.co/posts/70728278 https://israelafrica.mn.co/posts/70728430 https://vividgram.mn.co/posts/70728607 https://medium.com/@newar28551/party-bus-in-nj-the-ultimate-guide-to-your-next-celebration-1589eb4fb849 https://medium.com/@newar28551/party-bus-rental-nj-your-ultimate-guide-to-celebrations-on-wheels-ca488d617059 https://medium.com/@newar28551/party-bus-new-jersey-the-ultimate-guide-to-an-unforgettable-experience-c1f2432b59ef https://medium.com/@newar28551/new-jersey-party-bus-rental-your-ultimate-guide-bca6aad6ce2b https://vexagon.mn.co/posts/70732908 https://louhangaround.mn.co/posts/70733091 https://israelafrica.mn.co/posts/70733267 https://vividgram.mn.co/posts/70733543 https://ourclass.mn.co/posts/fencing-for-swimming-pools-essential-safety-and-design-considerations
Oct. 30, 2024, 4:09 p.m. Reply
Qudratullah
Janamaz Price in Pakistan - Looking for affordable janamaz in Pakistan? Explore our collection at QudratUllah, where you can find beautiful and durable janamaz at great prices. Elevate your prayer experience without overspending.
Nov. 19, 2024, 11:58 a.m. Reply
Milky way idle game
I green submarine game Classic Arcade Games appreciate motocross zombie game the content; tiny football cup game I ninja sword adventure game discovered winter gifts game move to gram game a Sport Skills Training Game simple 8 pool game speakerman skibidi dop yes yes game lot of color hoop stack game bffs unique halloween costumes game badugi card game game useful simple spider solitaire game power free kick game escape ball game stuff here. rescue rangers game shark killer game Continue destroy asteroids game to archery hero game collect balloons game animals memory game provide steve alex drive game doodlecube io game kick soccer game daily puzzle game rotating santa game such daily puzzle game geo metric run game insightful grand crime auto 6 game articles.
Nov. 21, 2024, 7:01 a.m. Reply
Preparing your children for a future as entrepreneurs and job creators.
I have told you before how my mother encouraged my entrepreneurial zeal when I was a child. She did so many things that I marvel at as I look back, more t…
Control or growth? (Part 2)
The first question you must answer is this: What “kind” of money are you looking for? Is it debt or equity? I always let the business decide!
First of all, let me show you the proce…
Control or growth? (Part 1)
Watching Shark Tank on Kwesé Inc, as well as other shows on Kwesé Inc like The Profit, you should by now understand one of the big dilemmas of an entrepreneur who has made the decision…
#JobsMatter (Part 4)
When I was a young engineer, the government of India sent some retired executives to Zimbabwe as part of a mentoring exercise. They were assigned to various departments of the public telephone company…
#JobsMatter (Part 3)
I always appreciate reading your comments, and one of my favorite quotes from last time (by Steve Jobs shared by Desmond) was: "It doesn't make sense to hire smart people and then tell them w…
#JobsMatter (Part 2)
Over the years I have talked a lot about the importance of #People in building your business. Now let me tell you something which should be obvious: Allow them to do their jobs! This…
#JobsMatter (Part 1)
Congratulations to the 12 #GoGettaz finalists I announced a few days ago at the Abuja Town Hall. At win.kwese.com you'll see fellow entrepreneurs from the Democratic Republic o…
By Strive Masiyiwa
The Lion and the Ranger (Part 5)
Is the greatest opportunity in your life right in front of you?
There is a story told about a village near a game park which suffered from problem…
By STRIVE MASIYIWA
The Lion and the Ranger (Part 4)
__Keep your eyes open. There is something going on!
My first contact with mobile telephony was actually at university in the early 1980s in a telecommunications…
By Strive Masiyiwa
If you have just failed your exams, lost your job, or had a setback in your venture, I want you to declare: "#NothingTurnsOnThis.
It will not change the outcome concerning my destiny.&quo…