How to Get Traffic To Your Startup Website

Add your comments by clicking through to the Post and don’t forget to share with your friends!

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Sign up and we’ll post you a link with other “Buzz Creating” techniques as soon as we post them…. 

Related posts:

1. How to Get Cheap Money for Your Startup (Part 2)

Day 2 Video:

Day 3 Video:

Related posts:

1. Startup Funding Help
2. How to get cheap money for your startup
3. How to Get Cheap Money for Your Startup (Part 2)

So here’s the deal – I’m asking YOU and want YOUR opinion.

I would like to answer your Top 3 Questions on Funding. Anything…no question too small or too large.

If there is a question you have on getting your business funded either add it as a comment below or shoot me an email via the contact us page.

What will happen then?

Then I’ll pull the questions together and create a video answering the most popular questions. Might be fun to see how many I can answer if ten minutes or some such challenge and when I don’t have a good answer (and that happens often ‘cos no one has all the answers right?)…I’ll loop in some buddies who have deeper expertise in certain areas.  So one way or another – you should get an answer…

All you have to do is to wake up from your lethargic state – sit up a little straighter in your chair, lean forward, take action and hit that comment box below with your pearls of questioning wisdom.  And you will probably get a good answer back. Free consulting – can’t say fairer than that…

So either add your questions below or shoot me an email and lets get your biggest questions answered…

No related posts.

I was asked a question by one of my readers this morning which got me thinking…

The Question was….

“Andrew….What is the #1 BIGGEST mistake new startup founders make when hunting for Angel Investors?”

Good question – and it got me thinking…

So in no particular order – my…

Top 10 Angel Investor Mistakes Made by New Startup Founders:

1. Not having a game plan to find the right angel investors – shooting out arrows and thinking at least one will land
2. Thinking all Angel Investors are just focused on making money
3. Underestimating just HOW LONG it takes to find, engage, convince and lock in the right Angel Investors
4. Focusing on the money instead of the chemistry between you and the potential angels
5. Not understanding the underlying motives/needs of angel investors
6. Having no clue about the difference between a good and a lousy deal
7. Thinking a great idea is enough…
8. Being overly concerned about ‘protecting your idea’ (an idea which is probably in the market in at least ten different ways already…)
9. Asking for an NDA
10. Looking for money instead of relationships
11. Bonus…….Never taking real action

The reality is this list could quickly get into the hundreds and that’s not because Startup Founders aren’t really smart….

Its just because its new and somehow new founders come with all sorts of assumptions that just aren’t true….

So what should you do if you are a new Startup Founder?

Three partial solutions for you:

1) Find a good mentor

2) Research your socks off

3) Come along to the free webinar (Really recommend it! Well, I would wouldn’t I…)

Good luck and let me know your thoughts below. Also, feel free to reach out if I can help with #1 above.

Best

Andrew

PS – Just watched this video and found it useful. Hope you find it valuable too. Check it out!

John Hagel on the state of the company: GigaOM Startup Session

Top 10 Angel Investor Mistakes Made by New Startup Founders

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For those that haven’t had that good fortune – Eric is an advisor to some senior business people giving his expertise in the sales arena after created the GURUS Selling System.

Eric can do a better job than I can outlining how his selling system is different than other ‘techniques’ out there but as I tend to help entrepreneurs, perhaps you are wondering why this is relevant to you?

A few key reasons -

Eric approach resonates with me personally because one of the core components is focused on business people being their genuine selves. In my opinion, people, dogs and even babies are programmed to spot BS – and the only way you can truly have a long term relationship with ANYONE is if you are genuine and true to who you are and your core.

Why is that point and Erik’s Selling System relevant to you as a startup founder?

Because you need to ‘sell’ potential new employees, investors and would be customers and as an entrepreneur, you often have to conjure substance out of thin air like some business magician.

In my opnion therefore, learning how to ‘sell’ but from a place of authenticity and genuineness is CRITICAL.

Now as always, I’m thinking about how to give you (My wonderful readers) – some unique value and I’ve done it this time too – so make sure you read on to the bottom of this post.

Now Erik’s training is UBER expensive – we’re talking $70K for a five day intensive…and do you know what? People PAY it because Erik get’s results.

But Erik has just release a book called ‘Be Do Sale’ that encapsulates many of the key elements of his training – so being cheeky (a UK expression so Google it if you don’t get the reference)…I used the fact that Erik has a book tour going on to grab him for a one hour interview (Below!).

In this interview you will get so many actionable ideas and techniques that its worth you listening.

And….if you buy Erik’s book and send me the amazon receipt, Erik has promised to send you a bonus. And No, I have no idea what it is but knowing Erik it will be good value.

Listen to the interview below then click through to order Erik’s book at Amazon.

A few notices….

1) My mic was dying the day I recorded this interview so the audio is good but not great. Sorry about that but as always, its about the quality of the ideas and the content, not the studio production.

2) If you do buy ‘Be Do Sale’ via Amazon – don’t forget to email me the receipt for your ‘The Funding Guru’ reader BONUS! to andrew (at) the web address above.

Let me and Erik know what you think of his content and this interview via the comments below or again, shoot me a 1:1 email.

And AFTER you’ve read it, do Erik a favor and go BACK to Amazon and review it. After reading this book you’ll probably agree that you owe Erik a favor – one way to pay it forward is to add a review to Amazon with your thoughts and comments.

Erik Luhrs_Final

Be Do Sale: How to create more sales right now, regardless of what the competition or the economy is doing, using The GURUS Selling System!

[AMAZONPRODUCT=0615446671]

GURUS Selling System

Related posts:

1. Podcast: Raising Millions – An Interview with Erik Benson, MD @ Voyager Capital
2. Podcast: Raising Millions – Venture Capitalist Interview – Eric Hjerpe, Kepha Partners
3. Podcast: Raising Millions – Interview with Andreas Stavropoulos, MD @ Draper Fisher Jurvetson

Image via CrunchBase

Alright, I don’t rant often, in fact, I don’t rant period – its not my thing…

…and you can probably hear the ‘but’ about to arrive right?

So what’s got me hot under the collar?

The latest string of articles pounding the drum for Social Media and Social Networking – suggesting this phenomenon is the new secret sauce to raising angel investor funds. What utter and absolute BS!

Look – I love social marketing, its been a key way I’ve been able to get out and meet some really cool folks…but to try to say that social networking is the new panacea for entrepreneurs looking for startup capital is, well, its just pure crap! And more than that, it could be harmful if new entrepreneurs actually believe and act on it and think its the way to expedite funding their new businesses.

Why?

Because, and this is another reason why I’m getting a little frustrated, there is not ONE kind of angel investor and therefore there is not ONE general method for engaging and establishing a relationship with them if they don’t already pop over for Sunday lunch or for a bottle of Cabernet.

Just because we label them ‘Angel investor’ doesn’t mean they are all the same or are one type.

Their PRIME motivations differ just like any of us.

Now are there key considerations or ‘must haves’ when engaging with angels? Sure.

Does it need to be via twitter? Of course not.

Now this is where the social networking junkies will get all bent out of shape and claim that social networking is a more efficient way to network and connect with angels.

Again – underscoring my point – there are different kinds of angels (See a theme here?)

In my opinion – the angel investor community is going through an evolution – let me explain that…

Once upon a time angel investors were predominantly mature business people and the wealthy.

Angel investors are still mature business people and the wealthy but we’re seeing new-rich twenty and thirty somethings who have exited one software, internet or other meteoric rising company recently having being acquired by Google, Facebook et al – and when asked what they want to do now, being an ‘angel’ seems kinda cool as they watch Chris Dixon and others gaining cult followings. Sounds good at cocktail parties right and doesn’t require being in the same place every day.

Let’s all become angels – where can I get some new business cards made? Anyone?

What does this influx of new blood mean?

It means angel investing is getting shaken up.

It means that angels, what they want from investments, how they make decisions, and what startups can expect from angels is changing. Big time!

We’re seeing a new breed of super angel, and angel networks – both formal and informal.

But, and this is why I’m not climbing on the “Oh, isn’t Social Networking great for finding Angels” – is because I think, despite all the tectonic shifts occurring in angel investing, there are some threads which continue.

The best way to connect with an angel investor is to be referred by a trusted advisor, friend or contact. And having your investment begging tweet forwarded by one of your 5055 followers to an angel investor that is connected digitally just doesn’t cut it as a ‘trusted advisor or friend’. Sorry!

Another factor to consider is that angels want to ‘get it’ when they look at your business model. So, getting your concept out to everyone on the planet is just inefficient.

Angels will often invest in spaces /industries where they have experience or a strong interest – if you are looking for an angel remember this next point. Every hour you spend talking to investors is an hour taken away from your customers. And one could argue is therefore not where you should be spending 80% of your time and if you are not laser focused on what kind of angel you need, want and is most likely to say ‘yes’ then you are wasting precious time.  Yes angels are smart people (often but lets not forget that having cash does nothing to increase your IQ whatever an angel may tell themselves when they look in the mirror in the morning) but you should try to get the investment process resolved efficiently so you can focus on…your business (remember that?)

Finding the perfect angel is not a throw it at the wall and see what sticks process.

So – love twitter but:

1)  Understanding your angel needs beyond the cash (What I call your “Angel DNA Match”)

2) Finding the people who will refer you to the right angels (People respected and with some gravitas is always good)

3) Making sure you have the key proof points stacked right (Ask me if you want more info on this concept)

4) Being ready for the first, second, third meetings… (Your Angel tools to move them around the Angel Wheel of Yes…)

Should be your areas of focus when looking for investors.

And one last point – despite the changes, many angels invest in companies within 100 miles of where they’re based. Probably has something to do with the fact that investors are often ‘risk mitigators’ rather than ‘risk takers’. People (and angels are people too BTW) are prone to say ‘No’ when the risk seems to balance the benefit. The reality is that the benefit needs to be a multiple of the risk and you need to stack the proof as a way of giving as close to a guarantee as you can.

Here’s a weird recommendation – Learning the psychology of  creating offers in copywriting wouldn’t be bad idea for this part of the process. If that sounds strangely logical – here’s a course that might be worth taking a look at  - 3 Hour Copy

And how do Angels mitigate risk?

By meeting the company they considering investing in and seeing the white of their eyes and smelling their fear

So, arguably, any investor connections you make with twitter, facebook, whatever – beyond that 100 mile radius is just wasted effort.

Using that as a filter – this is where I would invest my time if looking for an angel investor:

My own network – friends, friends of friends, my social groups (Church, Sports, Wine Group etc), Alumni groups (School, College, military service)

Can you use twitter, facebook, linked-in etc as tools to mine your own extended local network – Abso-freaking-lutely!

But use these tools precisely - don’t – please – think that getting your message out to the whole world is going to get your an angel investor. It won’t. Leveraging your own network, finding the trusted advisor who will be your champion, will.

Let me know if I can help you go through this process and leave a comment or email me if you agree or not…

Andrew

++

NOTE: I grant permission for every reader to reproduce on your website or blog the article you are now reading. But copy this article ONLY, without any alteration and please include the copyright statement.

(NOTE: I am giving my permission to host on your website this article only. Reprinting or hosting my articles without express written permission is really not pleasant and a violation of my copyright.) Copyright © 2011, The Funding Guru. All rights reserved. Permission granted to reprint this article on your website without alteration if you include this copyright statement and leave the hyperlinks live and in place.)

Related posts:

1. What are Angel Investors Looking For? The Six Key Motivations of Angel Investors (#2)
2. What Are Angel Investors Looking For? Six Key Motivations of Angel Investors (#4)
3. 5 Simple Strategies for Finding Your Own Angel Investor

Image by Sister72 via Flickr

If there’s ever a great day to say ‘Thank you’ then Valentine’s day has got to be in the top five, so, after scratching my head on the best way to say ‘Thanks!”, an idea struck me….

Why not dust off a course from the archive that will give you one immediately actionable strategy to increase the speed of your fund raising and a strategy which will literally help skyrocket your startup.

Now, the course I pulled out is a little…um, rough around the edges…not least of which was my primitive graphic skills – but once you get past that and start making notes of the content – you should agree that the content will really help your business the moment you start deploying it.

If you are not starting a business right now then don’t worry – the course will give you some valuable pointers for when you do. You may never know when having the skills to raise large figure investments for a business idea might come in useful right?

Given it a hefty sized file, I’ll pull it down in about a week so – grab a coffee, a pad, pen and maybe even some headphones and dive in. You won’t regret it!

After listening. If you find it valuable – pass it on either by twitter or facebook and I’d like to hear your comments or follow up questions so come back and leave some or send me a note.

Happy Valentines to You!

YOUR VALENTINES GIFT! CLICK HERE

I wish you much happiness and success.

Best wishes

Andrew

PS – Watch it now as I will be pulling this down in a week….

No related posts.

I’m sure there are potentially hundreds of reasons why you haven’t closed your angel investors yet.

Now this is a blog and there is no way I can know who is going to come read this article right?

So – there are no cards up my sleeves, we didn’t meet each other previously and there are no obvious tricks here right?

Right…Good…glad we cleared that up….

So today, I’d like to try an experiment….

I’m going to propose three reasons why you have not closed your angel investors yet…

And here’s the deal – and this is where it starts to get really interesting…one of them is ABSOLUTLEY not the reason why you have NOT closed an angel investor yet…

…but I’m not going to tell you which one it is…you’ll have to figure it out.

That should make this experiment really easy right?

If one of the reasons is a fake then that only leaves two reasons why you haven’t closed your Angel Investors yet…

…(and just to give myself somewhat of an ‘out’ – elements of each reason may be accurate,other elements perhaps not so…well, hey, I’m the author, I can stack the deck any way I want!)

…and if there are only two big reasons why – if you know what those reasons are…then you are that much closer to addressing the reason right?

…right…

Here are the Reasons – now…don’t forget ONE is absolutely not the reason and one of the other two is!

YOU have to determine which is which and by all means add your thoughts to the comments or send me an email with your thoughts…

Three Reasons Why You Haven’t Closed Your Angel Investor Yet:

Reason 1

The reason you haven’t closed your angel investors yet is not your fault.  Basically the economy stinks and the amount of cash out there to invest in new businesses has dried up. You, your business, your business plan, executive summary, elevator pitch, your sector, your positioning and your vision for what your business can be and your understanding of how to get there are all PERFECT!

It is absolutely not your fault – it’s the market and it’s because you haven’t met the right angel investor yet. As soon as you meet the RIGHT angel investor (even though the economy stinks!) you’ll close that right angel and be on your way to business success and fulfilling your dreams to create a world changing, heavily lucrative, personally rewarding company.

Right – that was Reason #1 by all means read it again to determine if that is one of the real reasons or the fake one. Remember – one reason will be fake, the other two possibly your reason /s.

Reason #2

The reason you haven’t closed your angel investors yet is absolutely and categorically your fault!

You’re just plain not ready to have someone drop $500K…$250K or even $2.50 or a semi-eaten bagel on your business, for that matter.  You have the beginnings of a great idea – an idea which COULD become a great business – but you haven’t really jumped in and really owned making this happen, making sure you absolutely understand your market, your opportunity, the competition, and how you will deliver on the potential that your business has – you haven’t completely NAILED your business plan, your executive summary, your pitch deck, elevator pitch, your financials, you haven’t figured out how to creatively trial / test your business idea and you haven’t achieved many of the key milestones investors will evaluate you on as they go through the dating process. You have sort of determined your weaknesses – but you haven’t addressed them or completely determine a specific and tactical plan of action which will address them, like, yesterday.

Now – I could keep going but you get the gist…

So is this the real reason why you haven’t closed your angel investors yet (or is it the fake reason?!)

Reason #3:

The reason you haven’t closed your angel investors yet is absolutely and categorically your fault!

This reason is more around the ‘How to’.  Believe it or not, you can’t just throw out a few emails, make some calls, meet a few folks for coffees, have a couple of meetings, throw a Kinko’s bound business plan across the table and expect that after a few follow up conversations you’ll be watching the ink dry on a new check made out to CASH! It ain’t gonna happen – and if you think it will or thought it will then

“Don’t Quit Your Day Job!”

So picture this….

You go to a car lot – you talk with the car salesman – and he tells you how great the car is but here’s the weird thing….he doesn’t actually show you the car. He just asks you to imagine it, tells you how nice the speakers sound (without letting you listen of course..), he tells you how soft the naugahyde leather seats feel, he tells you how powerful the engine is and how fast it can accelerate from zero to 60 in first gear…

…but, he doesn’t actually show you the car. Not even to toot the horn!

All the while you’re looking around a vacant car lot…

No cars – not evens a hint of a car…

So let me ask you a question….

How big a check would you write that salesperson for that car?

Yeah – me too!

So again – what makes you think that with some fancy footwork (assuming you even HAVE a great business plan, executive summary, financials, pitch deck, elevator pitch, …yadda  yadda yadda…)

…that the investor will quickly see how great your business is and give you the cash you need?

Believe it or not – you have to know HOW to go through the investor funding process or at the very least, understand many of the dynamics, triggers and motivations involved.

++

Right folks…so which is the fake reason and which of the other two hit the nail on the head for you to some degree?

…and if today’s magic trick doesn’t hit the spot…

I challenge you to tell me why not…

…and if you’d like my help addressing any of the above – let me know through the contact page above.

Andrew

PS – Do you think I wrote this just because I was having a boring lunch? NO! I wrote it to help you. If you would like more help – join my mailing list (right column sign up) and my RSS feed (little orange icon…can’t miss it!)

PPS – take this survey and tell me what you need…and how you can start…really start growing, that great company of yours….

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SVMFLJT

Andrew

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Is raising funds for your new or growing business tougher than you thought it would be? Are you wondering what it will take to get an Angel to say “Yes!”

Well in this article I’m going to give you two things – one is a powerful angel investor suggestion which will help you (even though I don’t know about your specific business…magic huh?) and then I’m going to offer you something for free that could help you. How do I know? Because I’ve tried to spin my way to funding and I learned from the experience, so knowing this suggestion will help make sure you don’t fall into this trap.

Before we get into it – I’d like to stress one point – if you read this all the way to the end and then take action, you will be much better off than you were just ten minutes ago…but if you don’t then you will be no better off and perhaps you’ll end this day not making the progress you want to achieve and without positive action, why will tomorrow be any different too?

So read this very brief article, take a specific action and you’ll be make a move closer to getting the funding you need for your business – and we both know that more funding for your business will mean more growth, more success and a future that today you can only envision. Sorry to get all ‘Tony Robbins’ on you but I woke up today wanting to make more of a difference to you and your business and the best way I know how is to make sure you take action – and I want to help you do it…

So first the suggestion…and then I’ll get to the free offer…

Here’s Secret #1 – Angel Investors have SUPER powers…

Now they can’t leap tall buildings or see through clothing but the majority of them have a common super power which, when you know about it, will help you find and close your angel investor FASTER than you thought possible.

So what is that super power?

Angel Investors have invisible psychic tentacles which wave around their bodies.

You don’t believe me do you?

Well its true.  And these invisible psychic tentacles capture and filter every communication you make – from the words to the body language, to the presentations, phone calls and emails and do you know what they are filter for?

In short – bullshit, fudging, spin, exaggeration, guesses, gloss and hyperbole…

Now you don’t realize it yet (but you will after a few months of banging your head against a wall while you DON’T get funding…) but I have given you one of the golden keys to the Angel Funding Kingdom – and collecting and using these keys means you can pretty much raise what you want, when you want and take any business idea and make it real.

Again – Angels really do have these psychic tentacles and if they touch bullshit, spin, exaggeration and the rest then any trust you’ve created will likely disappear.

So what do you do about it? How do you neutralize these psychic tentacles?

The answer is “You don’t!”

If you learn how to raise angel funding and get your angels and your funding then you will WANT there to be absolute and complete honesty and disclosure BEFORE you sign any of the contracts and get that cash. Believe me – if you are ‘spinning’ your way into the cash and then they find out you’ve been secretly exaggerating your way into funding then your life will be a living hell.

So does that mean that you tell them absolutely everything, warts and all, from day one?

Day 1 should focus on the big idea…the story behind your business…the why you matter and how you will change the world. The first meeting is NOT for airing all your weaknesses.

But the reality is – angels expect weaknesses – they’re WHY you need they money? They know that.

Don’t try to hide it from them- your goal is NOT to look perfect…

Your goal is not to look like a $1m business when you are worth $50K – your goal is to create an open and honest working relationship with angel investors who can give you the money you need.

In fact, if you bring out your weaknesses – point to then – and start talking them through how you are thinking of addressing them – you will get a few amazing results – it could even get you the funding you need.

If you and they start to brainstorm what your business needs to be successful – this is magical – because the Angel is imagining how to make your business better….and here’s the really powerful element…by giving you their ideas, they are mentally investing their will and desire to making your business successful – you are making them WANT to see you business succeed because you are following their advice – when you succeed, they succeed. And this is about ego and self image – not just about making a financial return.

So get them focusing with you on what it will take to address your companies weaknesses and you HAVE them…

And here’s the alternative – if you show them your weaknesses and they couldn’t care less and don’t have any suggestions, ideas or contacts for you -THEN YOU DON’T WANT THEM AS AN ANGEL INVESTOR. Kick them to touch, go focus on angels delivering real value above and beyond the money.

I mentioned at the beginning of this article that I would share some critical information with you and give you a free offer. What you have just read really does have the power to save you months of running around trying to lock in funding and get you not only the cash your business needs to be successful but identify the RIGHT angels who will work with you, as partners, to make your business something to be proud of.

And the free offer is the action you need to take right now to progress the funding you need.

I have just had some slot come available and will offer the first ten people who respond 20 minutes of free consultation about your funding over the next two weeks. If you would like a free 20 minute consultation about your startup there are some rules.

1) If you schedule a call and need to cancel you need to give me at least 24 hours notice. If you don’t cancel 24 hours or more before then I will not work with you in the future.

2) You need to come to that 20 minute call with the ability to communicate what your business or concept is and with 5 questions already thought through and prepared. Ideally you will email them to me 24 hours before our call. The why of this is so I can really give you value when we talk.

So if you would like a free 20 minute consultation about your funding – contact me through the ‘Contact’ page right now.

Make progress on your funding now and contact me for a free 20 minute consultation.

If you are one of the lucky first ten people then we’ll be talking soon.

Best of luck in your business.

Andrew

Related posts:

1. How do I find an Angel Investor?
2. How to Close an Angel Investor
3. Three Reasons Why You Haven’t Closed Your Angel Investor Yet

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