How to Be Better Prepared for Negotiating with Investors

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Negotiating with investors is one of the biggest challenges that you can face as a business owner. You need to convince them that your business is worth investing in, which is definitely tough when they could be considering a number of other prospects. How can you convince them that your business is the one that they should pay attention to? How can you make sure that you negotiate terms that are favorable to you but that also please the investors? Being well prepared for negotiations and going in with the right attitude can help you to achieve your goals when meeting with investors.

Create Trust Between You

Preparing to create trust between you and potential investors in your business will help you to get started on the right foot. It can be easy to fall into the trap of seeing investors as your energy. It feels like they hold all the power. However, if you feel like investors are against you for any reason, you probably need to seek someone else to invest in your business. The aim should be to form a partnership, and both you and your investors need to be willing to do that. You need to trust them and you need to establish their trust in you.

Know the Value of Your Business

It’s essential to know your position before you start negotiations. What leverage do you have that you can use when negotiating with investors? One of the most important things that you need to know is the value of your business. Valuing your business might seem like a difficult task, but it’s a lot easier with a tool like the Startup Falcon, an automated valuation calculator for startups. When you have a clear idea of how much your business is worth, you’ll be in a better position to negotiate with investors.

Be Open-Minded

You might go into negotiations with investors with a list of terms that you want. However, you must be willing to be flexible if you want negotiations to go well. Having an open mind and being prepared to adjust what you’re willing to settle on is essential. After all, you’re negotiating, not just demanding. Consider carefully which things you’re not willing to negotiate on and why, and which ones you are prepared to discuss. You can put yourself in a better position if you’re willing to be open-minded and find a solution that works for everyone.

Ensure Good Communication

Starting with good communication will enable you to continue communicating clearly and productively. Before you start negotiations with investors, take steps to avoid miscommunication. You need to ensure you can get on the same page and prevent misunderstandings from the start. As well as starting off correctly, have regular check-ins with your investors to check that you are on the same page at different stages of negotiations and throughout the process.

Be better prepared to negotiate with investors and ensure you’re in the best position to achieve the goals you have set.

Adam Hansen
 

Adam is a part time journalist, entrepreneur, investor and father.