Presenting is often cited as most peoples’ “greatest fear”. It’s unsurprising then that founders often lack confidence when pitching, especially if pitching is new to them. Layered on a high-stakes environment where a great pitch could open up a wealth of funding and business opportunities, a group of strangers, and a handful of tricky questions it’s understandable that many entrepreneurs struggle with nerves and self-doubt when pitching, especially if they are first-time founders.
The reality is, confidence is key in delivering a successful pitch. Investors want to see a leader who believes in their idea and has the ability to execute it. So, how can you build your confidence before pitching for investment?
In a recent article for Startups Magazine, Hatty Fawcett, Founder of Focused for Business shared her tips on how to build confidence before pitching for investment.
Hatty explored how preparation is key, which areas of your pitch are important to know inside and out, where investors are likely to focus their questions, and who to approach to practise with so you can feel confident when pitching ‘for real’ for the first time.
If you are a startup founder who is about to pitch, or if you’ve pitched before but your confidence has taken a knock, these tips will help you to put your best foot forward on pitch day to increase your chances of securing money for your business.
Further reading
- How to weave storytelling into your pitch deck to keep investors’ attention
- 3 things Investors Look for in a Financial Forecast: The Perfect Blend
- 3 things Angels look for in your startup valuation
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