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Follow the enclosed outline as closely as possible
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Answer the most meaningful questions in the outline
– not necessarily every one
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Add information you feel is important even if it is
not in the outline
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Try to allocate about the same amount of time to
each topic in the outline
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Don’t get bogged down trying to describe products
or technologies, just talk about what the technology is used for.
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Try to answer the questions in the outline crisply
and directly. No time for long explanations. You can
elaborate later.
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Don’t exaggerate.
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Be as factual as possible. Be prepared to
defend any claims you make if possible.
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Quantify claims whenever possible. (Don’t
say, “we’re going to make the best widget in the industry.”
Say, “our widget will have 200% more performance than existing
widgets and it will cost 30% less.”)
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If you don’t know the answer to an important
question, don’t be afraid to say so. No one expects you to
have all the answers at this stage. (“One of the reasons we
need some money is so we can answer that question.”)
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Don’t use busy charts. It takes too long to
explain them. You have a little over one minute for each major
topic. A good format would be to have nine charts with simple
reminder phrases for each of the important topics to be addressed on
each.
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Use graphics, pictures, charts, graphs, etc. if
they will dramatize a point. But make sure they are simple and
easy to understand. Explain the graphics carefully if
necessary.
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Keep asking yourself, “Would I invest in this
business? Why?” The audience is interested in the
investment promise of your business – not the technology.
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Don’t try to say everything in the 10-minute
presentation. It is just an “attention getter”. You can
explain the details later, assuming you succeed in creating some
interest. Distill the essence of your business into a few key,
memorable points.
