When you are trying to secure financing, you find yourself competing with other entrepreneurs with just as many ideas and in all likelihood, more contacts.

What do you do? How do you proceed?

AIDA

AIDA is a simple acronym that stands for Attract, Inform, Desire and Action. The challenge is to put the two A's side by side. If your goal is to get the investor to act, then you must first attract their attention. Only then will they be interested enough to have the desire to invest in your dream, in you and in your company.

How Do You Attract?

Attracting investors will require you to do far more than to think out-of-the-box. This is simply not enough. You need to shatter the box and create a new shape that piques their interest. At the same time, you have to keep it simple so that your users will have no choice but to go with you.

Raise Their Interest Level

Once you have attracted them, the challenge is to test their level of interest. You need to go in with a solid contingency plan to come out with one course of action. Even if you have nothing more than a prayer, extend your wing and make them think that you are doing them a favor by sharing your dream.

Brew The Desire

Two down, two to go. Investors need the desire to take the risk to invest in your project. Become familiar with their risk profile and study their investment criteria until you know it like the palm of your hand. Anyone can see the back of your hands, but only those that you open up to should know the composition of your palm.

Action, Not Words!

As you get close to sealing the deal, how can you ensure that they act? You stay the course, focus on the message and keep it simple.