3 ways to get investors to take your pitch seriously
When I give talks about selling, I always kick things off with one simple question: What's the most important part of sales? The answers I get are all over the place and sometimes hilarious: persuasion, charm, bringing good snacks . . . but few people get it right. The most important part of sales is listening. This fact is just as true when you're pitching investors as it is when you're closing a deal.
If you want investors to take you seriously, your pitch can't be a one-size-fits-all presentation. It has to be tailored to their interests and needs. Your goal should be to meet your audience where they are, not where you are. Here are three surefire ways to make sure you stand out the next time you're pitching a crowd.
1. Know your audience
Before you craft a single bullet point on your deck, ask yourself: Who am I pitching to? What do they invest in? What gets them excited? What have they backed in the past? If your business doesn't immediately fit into their portfolio, find a commonality to draw them in. Help them draw the line from what they know to what you're offering. Show them how your vision connects to their world, even if it takes a little creativity.
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