No matter how reasonable your business plan is, your readers or listeners will be turned off if you start the presentation on a negative footing. As such, you have to use the correct strategies for presenting your business plan. Here is how to go about it:
Ensure the document looks beautiful
From the get-go, ensure that the cosmetics of the document are right. Use clean paper, clear pictures, and professional font; these things go a long way in securing a good hearing or reading of your business plan. Remember to ask your listeners or readers which format of the document they want to go for; e-copy or hard copy. Additionally, ensure you are well dressed as well. There is no point in having a business plan that looks good when you are poorly dressed. Remember that you are not only presentingyour business plan, you are presenting yourself as well. Some of the companies that can help you improve the aesthetics of your business plan include Deep Art Effects and Digiarty.
Research your target investors
Every business requires investors to flourish. If you want to scale as high as possible, you should get enough capital to fund your business. as such, you need investors. Before you present your business plan, look for the phone numbers and names of the investors you want to be involved in your business. ask for referrals from the people you know. Increase your network as much as possible. Learn about what drives your target investors and the key challenges they are experiencing in their industries. You can start by searching venture capital articles to get the information you need. Once you have gotten the essential information, use it to back up your claims when presenting your business plan. This will make the hearts of your readers or listeners yield to you.
Pitch to your target investors
It is advised that you mail a letter to your target telling them about your business plan. You have to be wise with sending this introductory letter. This is because no one wants to be sued for stealing someone else’s ideas when they never opened the mail in the first place. In your letter, ask your target if they would be interested in taking a look at your business plan. Briefly and compellingly, explain the why and the what of your business plan. Also, say what you want: a loan, a supplier relationship, etc. If someone referred you personally, state it in your pitch. Ensure your state-specific details that are pertinent to your business plan in the introductory letter. Leverage the power of networking because it helps to get your foot in the door. Follow up on the emails you have sent and appreciate your target for taking the time to read through. Do not be bitter if you do not get a positive response.
Have face-to-face meetings
The current situation of the world has made virtual meetings a compulsory part of our lives right now. Meetings that were held in person now take place over Zoom calls or other video conferencing apps. However, try to meet your target face to face, especially if you are looking to have your business funded. You may not get such huge commitments through emails. When you meet your targets in person, you will be able to vibe more with them and gain their trust. Therefore, getting major financial commitments from them will not be difficult. However, if your targets want to have electronic communication, follow their lead by all means.
Prepare answers to objections
Do not fall into the trap of thinking that your business plan has answered every question. The truth is that your business plan has not. As you prepare to talk eloquently about your business plan, prepare possible objections and answers to them as well. Investors will want every doubt to be cleared before they put their money in your business, so you should be ready for that. Have people in your social circle play devil’s advocate and go through your business plan. Together, come up with reasonable answers to every objection.
Secure commitments
It is not enough to do all of the above and leave it at that. Secure a commitment from your target after presenting your business plan. Ideally, if your presentation pleased your target, they should be the first to give you a response, either positive or negative. If you get negative responses, do not be deterred. Go for other targets. You have to tell more potential investors about your business plan. The more you play the game of numbers, the more your chances of getting positive responses. And when you get positive responses, get to work with the target immediately.