How to Start Investor Presentations

Can your investor presentations have more impact with a stronger start?

The first part of decision making (thinking fast) is instant, efficient and completely unconscious. Ie your brain makes a decision before you do. For example, if you meet someone in your company reception, within milliseconds you will judge whether they are selling or buying; if you like them and what attitude you will show to them.  And all this is done unconsciously by your brain.

In his bestselling book Thinking Fast Thinking Slow, Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman analyses how our brains make decisions.

When you are presenting to investors you want to make a positive first impression.  If you start well, you are more likely to have a successful meeting.

Here are five powerful ideas to start your next investor presentation:

Start Investor Presentation Tip #1: Show something 

Too many investor presentations are more about the theory than the practise.  If you have a product, a video or a sample, use that to start the conversation. For example, we helped a gold mining company we worked with present to city analysts by showing a gold nugget and then describing how it was mined.

 

Start Investor Presentation Tip #2: Make a bold statement

Grab attention at the start with a big idea.  For example: The secret to good communications is to listen.  One mouth, two ears:  use them in that ratio.

 

Start Investor Presentation Tip #3: Reveal something new and interesting 

Help your audience see the world in a new way.    For example, did you know that Warren Buffett used to be scared of public speaking?  He was coached to overcome that fear because he knew how important public speaking was for his career.

 

Start Investor Presentation Tip #4: Refer to the last meeting/the past

That means you have listened and you show that you care what they think.

 

Start Investor Presentation Tip #5: Ask a question

One of my favourite starts to an investor meeting.  For example, imagine asking:  So what was it about our teaser that made you want to meet us?  If you listen to this answer and explore what they say, you will be much clearer about how to pitch your investment to that investor.

 

When we work with our clients preparing them for investor meetings, we probably spend more time polishing the start of the meeting than any other part.  When your start works, you will find the rest of the meeting much easier.

Investors are more demanding today than ever before. Competition has increased; the barriers to convincing investors are higher. You need to do more to stand out. How you present is as important as what you present. If you want the best chance of securing investment from your investor presentation, talk to us.

Benjamin Ball Associates works with teams to help them impress investors. We deliver award-winning results, helping firms to raise money, improve investor days and prepare companies for sale.