{"id":52198,"date":"2022-10-04T19:30:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-18T19:30:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/?p=52198"},"modified":"2023-03-27T14:25:44","modified_gmt":"2023-03-27T03:25:44","slug":"advice-on-pitching-to-investors-from-the-shark-tank","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.salesforce.com\/au\/blog\/advice-on-pitching-to-investors-from-the-shark-tank\/","title":{"rendered":"Advice on Pitching to Investors, From the Shark Tank"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You don\u2019t need to have a business degree or a corporate background in financial investment to have a crack at the entrepreneurial game. Australia\u2019s start-ups are on the increase and anyone can get involved. Why? Not only to challenge the status quo but also breathe life into the current business markets. It all starts with an idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is a plethora of means to bring your business idea to life. One of these is to dip your toe into the Shark Tank community. On Network Ten\u2019s real-life business investment series, entrepreneurs pitched their ideas and businesses to \u2018Sharks\u2019 in the hope of securing investment. Pitching an idea to these industry heavyweights, for some, represented a priceless opportunity to start their business or take it to the next stratosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a world of free digital marketing<\/a> tools and a technology boom that\u2019s been fast-tracked during the pandemic, starting a new small business has never been more possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As entrepreneur and Shark Tank investor Naomi Simson said in a Salesforce blog on preparing for the new normal<\/a>, \u201cI think that we\u2019ll see a massive wave of innovation, ideas and startup entrepreneurs. We need to look after the startup ecosystem. We will see a lot more innovation as we choose the road we want to take forward.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether pitching to the Sharks or other potential investors, you need to know how to make your ideas count. Here\u2019s a few handy hints straight from the mouths of Sharks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be brief<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ensure your responses are succinct and specific, but be sure not to omit crucial details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practicing your pitch in front of others can help you to strike the right balance. Ask whether you\u2019re providing enough context, and try to gauge if you\u2019re losing your audience part way through your pitch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be personal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s your idea, your product, your solution to a problem, your hard work and your journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People will connect with your story \u2014 the highs and the lows, your interests, passions and drives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But being personal isn\u2019t only about sharing your own story. It\u2019s also about viewing your customers as individuals with their own values, interests and needs. Customers want to feel that you understand their values, wants and needs \u2014 and more importantly, that you\u2019re able to meet them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Australian businessman Mark Bouris says customers\u2019 needs have become front and centre<\/a> in the last few years.<\/p>\n\n\n

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It\u2019s no longer a matter of spraying products and offerings and praying that customers jump on board. The cues are no longer coming from within institutions, but from the wants and needs of customers.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n