10 questions for preparing a presentation to investors
After listening to several business presentations from start-up entrepreneurs, I noticed that most tell too much unnecessary information that could “sink” their project. They delve into such details of their business that investors simply begin to get bored. It doesn’t matter how colorful you present your project, if you do not speak in essence, then the chances of investment are extremely small. The following are some mandatory questions that you must include in your presentation in order to speak only in the case and in the language of investors.
1) The name of the project and its description. The ideal description should be as short as a post on Twitter. Clear and to the point. After it, you can tell a little more about the essence of the project, but try to keep within 10-15 seconds so that the investor does not lose the essence.
2) The existing problem in the market and your solution. Decide for yourself: do you think of a problem because you just like your project. To understand the need for your service or product, you need to conduct tests and research in advance. Investors are not stupid people, and, for sure, they will be able to understand what's what.
3) Your current results and stage of the project. In 3-4 sentences, tell us what you have achieved all the time, focusing on your income (if it is not there, then say so). Do not exaggerate the numbers - in the future this will create only additional problems and a bad reputation.
4) Market size. Briefly describe how big the market already exists, and what part you plan to take by a certain time.
5) How much do you need, and what.Think about what you really need to do business. If you write that you spend all the money on creating a prototype, advertising and employees, then the chances of getting an investment will disappear. No one is going to test your idea, create a business for you and, moreover, pay you a salary.
6) The financial model. Here, talk about how you are going to make money. Remember, investments, and especially venture investments, suggest that for every ruble spent by an investor, he will be able to return 10.
7) Competitors.Tell us about 5 - 6 direct and indirect competitors. Investors need to show that you know who works in the market with the same products as you. It will be better if you make a comparison chart with competitors explaining why your product is better. Never say that you are the only ones on the market with a unique product.
8) Risks. Consider all possible risks that may arise in further work. Write 2-3 main risks in the presentation and tell us how you will insure yourself if such situations arise. Be sure that investors will find a couple more points that you did not foresee. Do not worry, say that you will solve these problems and provide an answer at the next meeting.
9) Team.Tell us honestly about the people who work with you on the project. Their experience, achievements and shares in the company. It’s a big plus if you have at least three people in your team.
10) Summarize. Once again, name your project, development plans and necessary investments.
Your whole presentation should be no more than 5 minutes, so as not to tire investors and concentrate their attention.
Here are also some tips on how to make your presentation more interesting:
1) Do not read on paper. Practice at home in front of the mirror to speak without papers. You can make yourself a small speech plan with the main points and peek at it afterwards. But remember that in public presentations there is nothing more important than eye contact with investors and the public. Do not forget to smile too!
2) Do not speak abstruse phrases. Even if you have an innovative business using special terminology, you can always find the right words so that everyone present can understand.
3) Do not use such things as “we are the only ones on the market”, “we are a national product”, “we have a unique product, this is not yet”, “our product is revolutionary”, “we have many likes on social networks”, “we have no competitors ”and so on. Investors hear these words every day, and they immediately change the mood for your project.
4) Adequately perceive criticism. Yes, there will be criticism. Humble yourself. There will always be people who will not like your product or service. The main thing is how you feel about this.
5) Try not to put a lot of text on the slide. Listeners will be too lazy to read the whole text and, probably, by the end of the presentation they will not remember what was at its beginning. One or two sentences in large print will suffice.
You can also now prepare a presentation of your project and “tear it to pieces” to the community of entrepreneurs. There are several popular sites where entrepreneurs communicate with each other and help their colleagues find the right solutions. They will be happy to find all the flaws of your presentation and give advice on how to improve it.
1) The name of the project and its description. The ideal description should be as short as a post on Twitter. Clear and to the point. After it, you can tell a little more about the essence of the project, but try to keep within 10-15 seconds so that the investor does not lose the essence.
2) The existing problem in the market and your solution. Decide for yourself: do you think of a problem because you just like your project. To understand the need for your service or product, you need to conduct tests and research in advance. Investors are not stupid people, and, for sure, they will be able to understand what's what.
3) Your current results and stage of the project. In 3-4 sentences, tell us what you have achieved all the time, focusing on your income (if it is not there, then say so). Do not exaggerate the numbers - in the future this will create only additional problems and a bad reputation.
4) Market size. Briefly describe how big the market already exists, and what part you plan to take by a certain time.
5) How much do you need, and what.Think about what you really need to do business. If you write that you spend all the money on creating a prototype, advertising and employees, then the chances of getting an investment will disappear. No one is going to test your idea, create a business for you and, moreover, pay you a salary.
6) The financial model. Here, talk about how you are going to make money. Remember, investments, and especially venture investments, suggest that for every ruble spent by an investor, he will be able to return 10.
7) Competitors.Tell us about 5 - 6 direct and indirect competitors. Investors need to show that you know who works in the market with the same products as you. It will be better if you make a comparison chart with competitors explaining why your product is better. Never say that you are the only ones on the market with a unique product.
8) Risks. Consider all possible risks that may arise in further work. Write 2-3 main risks in the presentation and tell us how you will insure yourself if such situations arise. Be sure that investors will find a couple more points that you did not foresee. Do not worry, say that you will solve these problems and provide an answer at the next meeting.
9) Team.Tell us honestly about the people who work with you on the project. Their experience, achievements and shares in the company. It’s a big plus if you have at least three people in your team.
10) Summarize. Once again, name your project, development plans and necessary investments.
Your whole presentation should be no more than 5 minutes, so as not to tire investors and concentrate their attention.
Here are also some tips on how to make your presentation more interesting:
1) Do not read on paper. Practice at home in front of the mirror to speak without papers. You can make yourself a small speech plan with the main points and peek at it afterwards. But remember that in public presentations there is nothing more important than eye contact with investors and the public. Do not forget to smile too!
2) Do not speak abstruse phrases. Even if you have an innovative business using special terminology, you can always find the right words so that everyone present can understand.
3) Do not use such things as “we are the only ones on the market”, “we are a national product”, “we have a unique product, this is not yet”, “our product is revolutionary”, “we have many likes on social networks”, “we have no competitors ”and so on. Investors hear these words every day, and they immediately change the mood for your project.
4) Adequately perceive criticism. Yes, there will be criticism. Humble yourself. There will always be people who will not like your product or service. The main thing is how you feel about this.
5) Try not to put a lot of text on the slide. Listeners will be too lazy to read the whole text and, probably, by the end of the presentation they will not remember what was at its beginning. One or two sentences in large print will suffice.
You can also now prepare a presentation of your project and “tear it to pieces” to the community of entrepreneurs. There are several popular sites where entrepreneurs communicate with each other and help their colleagues find the right solutions. They will be happy to find all the flaws of your presentation and give advice on how to improve it.