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David Kessler,
Do the Basics
Be organized
Look presentable
Speak English not jargon
Talk at a reasonable speed
David Kessler,
Beyond the Basics
Have fun!
Engage and respect your audience
Advance your goal – which is to get to the next stage
Listen to the feedback
Have fun!
David Kessler,
Have Fun
If you can make this search enjoyable, you’ll be more relaxed and probably do better
Share your enthusiasm
We want to learn about you and what you’re doing
David Kessler,
Engage and Respect Your Audience
Get us to care about you and your ideas
Know your audience Some groups are technical, others not
If your product is aimed at women under 40 with kids and your audience is mostly men over 50, adjust your pitch appropriately
Remember your asking for something –time, advice, introductions, money
If there’s a time limit, respect it.
David Kessler,
Advance Your GoalThe Next Stage
Your goal is to get to the next stage – which changes as you progress
Presenting to screening: next stage is to present to the whole group
Presenting to a group: next stage is to get into deep dive/due diligence and find a champion/deal lead
In diligence: you’re in discussion with interested people. Impress us, get recommended and get checks.
David Kessler,
Advance Your GoalLots of Deals Seeing Funding
Lots of angel groups
Most have members writing their own checks
In my group, Boston Harbor Angels, we see 40 companies/year
Many (most?) don’t get funded
David Kessler,
Advance Your GoalStand Out
You could be doing many things. Why this?
Keep your presentation crisp. Don’t try to tell us everything.
If you have a time limit, respect it. (I know I wrote this before, but it bears repeating.)
David Kessler,
Advance Your GoalKnow Your Business
Know how you’re going to market your product or service
Projections and exit plans are important –even though we won’t believe them They tell us:
How you think about your business and its potential
That you are capable of strategic thought
That you understand your market space
David Kessler,
Advance Your GoalKnow Your Competition
If you put up a feature chart be prepared to:
Explain why your view is right
Explain how a competitors version of the chart would appear
How and why you will win in the marketplace
David Kessler,
Advance Your GoalDue Diligence
Your audience is interested. Make us enthusiastic supporters.
Now you can tell us everything in detail
You’re still on stage, but now it’s more of a conversation
If you do well, your company will be introduced to other people/groups. Your supporters will want to share with their friends/colleagues.
David Kessler,
Listen to the Feedback
At each stage, you’ll get feedback. Pay attention.
We may be wrong, but remember that we may also be right.
Sometimes, you will get turned down but will be asked to fix some things and come back. There are follow-on chances.
David Kessler,
Summary
I hope these thoughts have been useful
I hope you are able to improve your presentations and chances of success
Enjoy what you do
…and have fun
