SME Investor Magazine Jun-Jul 2017 | Page 9

2. Savvy Psychology Selling an idea in any form really comes down to "talking to people". Think about how they feel when they read, see and/or listen to your selling idea. The principle of writing up a good selling idea is in the presentation. Learn to involve others in your selling idea and presentation. Test your ideas out on friends, family and peers involved in your industry. Listen to what they have to say. They will often have very valuable input and will help make you sell your idea better. Pay close attention to the psychology of the potential investors. The investor will have one question in mind, "What's in it for me"? Understanding that one point alone can be the difference between success and failure. You need to gain insight into how the investor will feel and react to your presentation. This is Savvy Psychology in action! 3. Slick Presentation A good presentation makes people want to read, watch or listen to what you have to say. Presentation (other than audio alone) requires the joint effort of two distinct facets. One is the actual copy; the other is the layout and graphics. One is an integral part of the other. Presentation of selling idea is not unlike presenting a play. Writing and presenting it is like writing a script and staging it. It requires a believable script, rehearsal and timing. Layout and graphics are more important now than ever. The investor can often fight back the words, but visual stimulation is an unconscious reaction and a strong selling tool. A great layout and a good storyboard will make the investor want to "do" the presentation meaning want to be part of the play which is the plan. . 4. Structural Persuasion: How do you persuade people? It's simple! By meeting their needs and aspirations, which is not always so simple. Persuasion is not a science, but an art. Art is a form of expression and so is presenting your idea. The most critical part is the entry or the beginning. First impressions are important in any part of life. Presentation is no exception. In everything that you communicate, whether it's the first sentence in your copy or the first thought in your presentation, you must be concerned with that vital step. In today's "advertising congested" world, you must fight to get your presentation noticed. That's why the first words and visual stimuli are so important. You must literally capture your reader or viewer immediately. So what about the rest. Try starting out with a rough outline of the presentation with titles and subheads for each part of the presentation sequence. Think about the toughest questions that will be asked and supply them with the answers. The more doubt an investor has, the less likely they are to believe in what you have to say. Always know what you are doing and where you are going with it. Know where the investor is and how to get them where you want them to be. Be organized and sequential. Do things step by step and by the numbers. For the best results, learn to organize your thought processes and develop good presentations will reflect this. 5. Solving the Problem: What's the problem? The problem, or should I say problems, are "needs and answers". Investors and your market have needs. Knowing what those needs are is an essential factor in solving the problem. You can't present a solution to people without first knowing that they have a need. You must also provide the investors and your market with the answers, answers to questions they haven't asked. If you can fill the "needs" and answer the "questions" you can "Solve the Problem"! Remember: Salesmanship = Strategy + Structure + Style - Doubt “Your idea is very important, just as the conception of a child by his mother is important. Without conception of a child there won’t be a child. Once conceived, it must be nourished and nurtured for it to grow.” Your idea, once it is conceived in your heart it must be nourished and nurtured through information and development. START ACTING ON THA T IDEA! How To Sell Your Biz Idea Seminar Date: 22 Jul’ 2017 Time: 10h00 – 13h00 Venue: Vanderbijlpark (TBC) Registration Fee: FREE Breath life into your IDEA and WATCH it GROW! RSVP NOW! www.atmconsulting.co.za