1 min read To pitch investors online is a skill one can learn.
Here are some crucial steps in reaching out to potential investors through email to pitch your deal.
Choose investor prospects carefully.
Don’t spam an entire list but rather research each lead and identify qualified candidates. Search for connections to those candidates and topics of interest. Then devise strategies for how to reach out to them.
Indicate why you are reaching out to them.
Show why that person and company could be interested in your deal. They may be interested based on a past investment, a network connection, or a group affiliation.
Answering the “why” will keep them reading.
Show your connection to the reader.
Finding a common link will significantly improve your chance of a response, so it’s worth looking for someone who is in their network that can provide social proof that you are legitimate.
Show the problem you solve.
And not just the problem, but the solution that you offer and the market that you target. Do this in one or two sentences and not one or two pages of text.
Show indications of traction.
Use 3 to 5 examples of traction such as leads generated, sales closed, number of users in a beta program, etc.
Introduce yourself and show social proof.
There’s a tendency to start the email with this information but showing your position in the community and credibility comes after establishing a topic relevant to the investor.
Close with a one-sentence ask.
Make clear the next step such as a conference call, a meeting, advice, etc.
Also, remember the following points:
Write in a conversational but business-style tone; not marketing-speak.
Keep it short and to the point avoiding long blocks of text.
Use numbers to make your pitch stronger as it shows specificity.
Remember to attach the executive summary or pitch deck.
Read more in the TEN Capital eGuide: http://staging.startupfundingespresso.com/the-art-of-pitching/
Hall T. Martin is the founder and CEO of the TEN Capital Network. TEN Capital has been connecting startups with investors for over ten years. You can connect with Hall about fundraising, business growth, and emerging technologies via LinkedIn or email: hallmartin@tencapital.group
