Your investors are arguably one of the most important assets of your business, so knowing when, and when not to approach them for capital is crucial.
It’s easy to get wrapped up in the numbers, and only think of your investors in times of need, but it takes real foresight to loop them into the conversation on a quarterly basis so that they feel as if they are part of your company’s continued growth, rather than just merely funding it.
Keeping your investors apprised of company achievements or setbacks with regards to topics in addition to money is a great way to show that their investment serves more than just balancing a checkbook.
Here are a few tips for connecting with your investors on a deeper level, so that when the time comes to actually approach them for money, the ask is much simpler.
Customer growth
Quarterly projections are a great way to quantify growth within your company. Showing where you’d like to be by a certain date regarding customer acquisition, and then following up on that date with actual growth rates fosters trust within your investors for your ability to bring projections to fruition.
Clearly delineating goals is also a great way to remain transparent on deliverables so that your investors can rest assured that regardless of successes or setbacks, they are being apprised of all movements within your company.
PR/marketing achievements
Sharing the successes of your PR or marketing campaigns with your investors is a great way to foster their confidence in your business or brand. If your company was just featured in a major magazine or newspaper, don’t be afraid to show that off with pride.
Investors want to see an ROI for what they’ve contributed, and one of the best ways to quantify growth is to show them the exposure your company has garnered.
Quarterly and yearly goals
Clearly delineating where you’d like your company or brand to be over the next quarter and year shows that you are thinking beyond the here-and-now, and that your requests for capital are to fund these clearly delineated initiatives.
Being able to define the future goals of your company makes it easier for an investor to decide whether or not they want to join you for the ride. And if they do decide to join, it will be more than likely at a higher rate of involvement because you’ve made it easier for them to envision what the next six months to a year would look like by your side.
New hire announcements
Announcing new hires is a great way to show that your company is successfully growing at a healthy rate. A new hire signifies internal stability, increased available revenue, and additional opportunities in the pipeline that warrant an additional team member.
Showing that your team is flourishing and taking on new products and tasks further demonstrates to investors that your long-term goals are that much closer to becoming a reality, and that their investment is a way to help your company get to that next level by increasing your workforce. ●
Sheri Atwood is founder at SupportPay by Ittavi.
