How to Sell a Business Prospectus

Selling a business prospectus is a major challenge. As a business leader, this is your chance to develop a business from the ground floor. When you are selling a business you don't have to just sell the business idea, you need to sell yourself as well. You must have the trust of the investors if you are going to convince them to invest in your business.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Communication skills
• Ability to sell
• Self Confidence
• Research
• Reports
• Statistics supporting your business prospectus

Selling Yourself To Sell The Business Prospectus

1. Make your potential investors believe in you. When you arrive at the meeting to sell your business prospectus, make sure you are prepared. Have all of your documents, handouts, and visual presentations ready to present to your potential investors. Investors will be turned off by an unprepared businessman.
2. Dress the part. Make sure you are dressed in a way that will make your potential investors believe you are a successful business owner. Come in professional attire, and with your hair, makeup (if you wear any), and shoes properly presented. Remember that if an investor is turned off by your appearance they might not ever pay attention to one word of your presentation.
3. Be punctual when you arrive and stay on schedule. Know what your alloted time is, and stick with your schedule. If you are late, you might lose your opportunity to sell your business prospectus before you even arrive. Investors believe in the principle of time is money. Make sure you move your presentation along, and leave plenty of time for questions at the end.
4. Be engaging. Here is where you have to sell yourself along with the business prospectus. If the investors like you, they are more likely to be interested in your company. It does not guarantee you their money, but it will get their attention. As long as you get the investor's attention, you have the potential to sell your business prospectus.

Selling the Business Prospectus Itself

5. Make sure your documents are well prepared. These documents should be error free, and easy to read. Remember that your investors will only have a limited amount of time, so your documents should grab their attention. Format them in an easy to read manner with charts and graphs where appropriate.
6. Cite statistics that support your business prospectus in the business plan. Make sure you refer to other businesses that have succeeded in your field. Be careful with this though and don't mention too many competitors or your investors might view the field as too crowded to allow your business to enter and compete.
7. Prepare a stament of expenses that you expect to incur during your first three to five years of the business.
8. Be honest in your business prospectus. If there are potential roadblocks that you anticipate in your business succeeding, make sure you address these during your presentation. Tell your investors your plans to overcome these roadblocks and to help your business in succeeding.
9. Allow your investors time to analyze your business prospectus after the meeting and the question and answer period. Provide them with a way to reach you if they have additional questions before making their decision.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask your potential investors for a timeline on when they are hoping to make a decision. Do not be pushy, but by asking for a timeline you will show them how serious you are about starting your business.
• Do not get defensive. If you anticipate potential objections you will be able to answer them in a professional manner. Ask friends, family, and colleagues to come up with objections before you make your presentation. This will help you prepare and come across as more approachable and prepared.