The hardest part of starting a business is how to raise capital. This is a struggle for every entrepreneur who aspires to become the boss of his own. Raising finance, be it from a bank or a capital, has a lot to do with being able to sell your business idea. The best business idea can get nowhere if you cannot convince your prospective investors of its potential as an investment and your ability as a business owner of making it a success. You should keep the following ways in mind when trying to raise capital for your new business idea.
1. Create a business plan. Writing a business plan is often a lot of work and distracts you from doing what you want to do, which is running your business. But you won't get any funding without a solid written business plan. A business plan will explain exactly what you plan on doing with that money, why you need it and real numbers proving your business idea. Among other things, you'll need to be able to prove that you know your niche and the size of the market you plan on targeting, your marketing plans, your expected cash flow for the first few years and how will you deal with risks such as another competitor entering the market
2. Practice your pitch. Looking for investment is like selling your business idea to a person who knows a lot about what makes a good and profitable business. For example, a bank is often conservative and would be more interested in you showcasing how your business idea is a safe bet. However, an investor with an existing portfolio of top technological business may be more interested in listening to how your business is highly innovative and how it will give added value to your future customers. Do your research first before finalizing anything with the right investors. If you want to research on how to start a recruitment business, as a business idea, you have to get all the relevant details and discuss them with your potential business partners.
3. Create a strategic plan of strengths and weaknesses. Take note that at job interviews people asked you to name your weak points. In business, your investors are going to do exactly the same about your business idea. Do not say "Nothing can go wrong, everything’s under control” because at best you'll always get a reality check from your investors of what’s going to happen in the real business arena. Being secure of yourself is a right thing but realism is highly appreciated in business.
1. Create a business plan. Writing a business plan is often a lot of work and distracts you from doing what you want to do, which is running your business. But you won't get any funding without a solid written business plan. A business plan will explain exactly what you plan on doing with that money, why you need it and real numbers proving your business idea. Among other things, you'll need to be able to prove that you know your niche and the size of the market you plan on targeting, your marketing plans, your expected cash flow for the first few years and how will you deal with risks such as another competitor entering the market
2. Practice your pitch. Looking for investment is like selling your business idea to a person who knows a lot about what makes a good and profitable business. For example, a bank is often conservative and would be more interested in you showcasing how your business idea is a safe bet. However, an investor with an existing portfolio of top technological business may be more interested in listening to how your business is highly innovative and how it will give added value to your future customers. Do your research first before finalizing anything with the right investors. If you want to research on how to start a recruitment business, as a business idea, you have to get all the relevant details and discuss them with your potential business partners.
3. Create a strategic plan of strengths and weaknesses. Take note that at job interviews people asked you to name your weak points. In business, your investors are going to do exactly the same about your business idea. Do not say "Nothing can go wrong, everything’s under control” because at best you'll always get a reality check from your investors of what’s going to happen in the real business arena. Being secure of yourself is a right thing but realism is highly appreciated in business.