Getting investment in your business venture is not an easy task. Naturally, investors are protective over their money—they want to ensure they are funding the right ventures. One of the most effective ways to receive the investment you need is to pitch to investors with an accompanying visual presentation. To win their interest and perhaps the funds to get things off the ground, you must present your ideas to investors in a clear and compelling manner. If you do not possess the necessary expertise to create a presentation yourself, consider hiring a presentation agency to do it for you.
How to Create a Compelling Investor Presentation
You can take several steps to craft an impressive investor presentation that captures their attention and leaves them wanting to know more.
Know your audience
You must ensure that you tailor the presentation to the people you are presenting it to. For example, if they are not experts in your chosen field, try to avoid industry-specific jargon that may confuse them. The last thing you want is to lose the investor’s interest. So instead, explain your venture in clear, easy to digest terms that everyone in the room can understand.
Structure your slides well
Another important aspect of your presentation is how you structure the slides. A good rule of thumb is to include only the most vital information. For example, include an executive summary, goals and challenges, your strategy for reaching said goals, the scope of your work, key financial information, competitor analysis and a short conclusion that summarises your presentation and has a call to action.
Keep it concise
Make sure your investor presentation is not too long. A lengthy presentation that delves into excessive detail will make it difficult for investors to connect with your main message. Ideally, your presentation should be between five and ten slides. Remember, you do not need to include all information, as investors will likely ask various follow-up questions where you can delve more deeply into topics of interest. Plus, if an investor is seriously considering investing in your venture, they will likely ask to schedule a one-to-one meeting with you to talk in more detail about your proposition. Keep in mind that your initial presentation aims to pique their interest rather than delve too deeply into specifics.
Present your team
Investors will want to learn more about the team they are considering investing in. However, suppose key team members are not present at the pitch for whatever reason. In that case, you should describe their skills and experience in your presentation so that investors know who will be managing their investment should they choose to support your venture.
Discuss risks
It would be best if you addressed the risks of your venture in your presentation. Show the investors that you have considered all the risks and devised workable solutions. Plus, if you do not address risks upfront, investors will likely address the risks in the question and answer session after your presentation. It is better to address any threats to your venture early on so that investors know you are ready to take the necessary action if problems occur.
Create a visually appealing presentation
It is important that you create a visually appealing investor presentation. A disorganised, inconsistent presentation will be off-putting to investors as it will appear unorganised and unprofessional. You must present your business in the best light, and a consistent, well-designed presentation will give your company much-needed credibility. Working with a presentation design agency will equip you with an impactful presentation that engages your audience.
Practice your presentation
Make sure to run through your presentation several times. This will allow you to see what is working and what needs to be tweaked. If you feel like your presentation skills need work, for example, you’re struggling to maintain eye contact with your audience, practising in front of a group of people will help to refine your skills. After a few run-throughs of your presentation, you will likely find yourself speaking in a natural, confident manner, which will keep your audience engaged.
Prepare for difficult questions
After your presentation, interested investors are likely to ask you several questions. Therefore, before the presentation, you should devise a list of questions you think investors are likely to ask and come up with insightful but concise answers. The last thing you want is to be caught off-guard by a difficult question that you cannot answer.
Presenting to Investors for the First Time
Presenting to investors for the first time is incredibly daunting. However, with the right vision and preparation, you can wow them into supporting your exciting new venture. By creating a well-designed presentation that explores your vision and commercial viability, practising your presentation and preparing for difficult questions, you are giving yourself a better chance of receiving investor backing.