Getting a meeting with an investor is just the first half of the battle. What you do (or don’t do!) afterward can be even more important. It hasn’t been luck that’s connected me with my investors—or that’s sustained those relationships. The Verge recently asked me and 11 other entrepreneurs our best tips for nurturing those relationships.
My advice is to track absolutely everything. I like to send a pitch deck directly after the meeting, and track its journey. I use PandaDoc, but there are a number of software solutions available. With PandaDoc, I can see what pages they’re checking out, which ones they’re skipping, and how long their attention is held at each. This tells you how and when to follow up.
Other great advice includes checking in in a timely manner, acting on their feedback (it shows respect, and that you can follow directions), and asking questions. Open-ended questions open up the conversation and keep discussions flowing. Keep them updated with changes and news, and don’t forget to improve your fundraising deck. This should be done with or without investors, but having one on the line gives you that extra kick in the pants to get it done.
