Vicky
In order to get your startup off the ground, you need to find investors.
However, if you’re an entrepreneur with a young startup, you’ll know what it’s like to run on a shoestring budget. Not only are you wondering how to find investors, but you’re also figuring how to get investors on board! There are a lot of things you’d like for your startup but you simply don’t have the funds.
Eventually, you’ll have to find investors if you want your business to grow and thrive. The good news is that there’s a whole world of freelance talent that can help propel you towards investment. And, it’s not as expensive as you’d think…
Sure, if you’re hiring permanent staff or getting an agency in – your budget’s probably going to be blown in one swoop.
Some first-time entrepreneurs even have a go at doing everything themselves, just to save costs – as a disclaimer, we wouldn’t recommend this.
Even if you’re a fantastically ambitious entrepreneur, nobody’s an expert on everything. Not to mention, it’s pretty noticeable when a logo or website hasn’t been created by a professional… is that the message you want to be sending out to investors? A half-baked brand doesn’t exactly inspire confidence…
Hey – have no fear! This is where your friendly neighbourhood freelancer comes in. At such incredibly low overheads, it’s no wonder freelancing is becoming the number #1 outsourcing method for businesses around the world.
How can freelancers help me find investors?
1. Design:
Design is a great place to invest your money when you’re trying to get a startup off the ground. Business investors aren’t waiting for your business to be successful – you have to make it happen. So, when first impressions count in this game, it’s crucial you don’t cut any corners – hire an expert.
Let’s face it, your company needs to look professional in order to inspire confidence in both yourself as a leader, and your business. It’s imperative that you can stand out from the crowd. Investors are bombarded with new startups every day and the market is completely saturated – if you have great design and branding, you may very well be the one they remember.
The good news is, Twine‘s got you completely covered in that department. We have creative freelancers in every skill, from branding to logo design, banner ads to infographics.
2. Pitch Decks
If you want to find investors, you’re going to need a great pitch deck to send out to VCs and angels. Even small business investors are looking for the latest and greatest, and you don’t want to fade out amongst the noise…
This is often the first and only contact an investor will have with your product or company, so it’s massively important. Even if your business idea is the best thing since sliced bread, a badly designed investment deck will turn potential investors off in seconds.
You need to be sure you get your message across in a clear and concise manner – a professional pitch deck designer can help you do this, bringing you one step closer to that lucrative investment.
3. Website
Having a company website is considered a business’s lifeblood these days, so if you don’t have a strong one, say goodbye to all those potential business investments…
Almost every business has one, which means there is a huge abundance – the last thing you want is for your business to have one of those templated or (heaven forbid) free websites. Trust us, this won’t give the best impression of your business.
Luckily for you, there are plenty of professional web designers who will build you a fantastic company website. In many cases, web designers are sensitive to an early-stage startup’s budget restrictions, so may very well offer a discount package.
What’s that? An original, on-trend website – with a bargain? You’re welcome.
4. Apps
Apps are one of those things that many entrepreneurs consider to be extremely expensive and time consuming to make. However, this isn’t always the case – the majority of the time, a well-made app can reap huge rewards. When you’re looking for investors, don’t you want to impress?
Depending on what you need your app to do, advances in technology mean that freelance app developers can put together an app for you in almost no time. Not to mention, it’ll cost you less to outsource a single professional, rather than negotiate with an entire team of app creators.
5. Email newsletters
When finding investors, you want to make sure you have your target audience down to a T. Creating and maintaining an email newsletter list is a great way to grow your initial audience. But, each newsletter needs to contain new and exciting content – no pressure.
Before you know it, this task will become a priority and will take up a large segment of your time. And, don’t even think about getting your newsletters wrong – the numbers on your subscriber list will start dropping like flies!
Email newsletters are an art form in themselves. Concocting subject lines requires expert technique, and the placement of CTAs is a fine art. A freelance copywriter can help you craft the right newsletters, day after day, month after month, to keep your audience engaged and converting into customers.
6. Videos
You’d be surprised just how popular video is truly getting.
Deemed as one of the most engaging, and converting forms of media, plenty of businesses are using their resources to churn out fun, new video content. This can work for you no matter what industry your business in, and a business investor overlooking a strong video would be bound to invest…
Whether you’re after a fun new video pitch to set up your startup, an explainer video to walk through your services, or even a brand new product launch video – there’s an expert out for whatever you need.
Take a look at Twine‘s incredible bank of freelance video designers, here.
7. Photography
If you have a great product, you need equally great photography to show it off. Customers will be viewing your products and services from a multitude of devices – so don’t just think you can cheat it by taking a quick snap on your phone!
As with logos or other designs, amateur photos are instantly recognisable and will give your product a bad vibe. Now, if you’re just starting off with a fledgling company, you don’t want that.
If you don’t want to invest in your company, how will you find investors who do? That extra bit of time and money will go towards a fantastic product, that can be viewed and displayed on all devices – with not a pixelated, poor-quality image in sight!
The creative decisions can be covered also, with freelance photographers knowing all about angles, light and equipment. When you hire a freelance photographer, your brand and product are in truly safe hands.
8. Social Media
Freelancers can offer many different levels of service when it comes to your social media channels. You know that if a professional has decided to go freelance, they must be pretty damned skilled with social media…
They can run the show entirely for you, taking care of finding content, scheduling posts, or work on analytics. This allows the experts to do what the experts do best, and you to put your mind and attention toward the things you want to with your business, like how to find an investor.
Or, they can even create custom visual content packages for you to use across your social media channels. These usually contain a mix of images, gifs/animation or video, for you to use in any way you like on your networks.
If you’re in the market for a new social media expert, check out Twine‘s range right here.
9. Business cards
The old fashioned printed business card is not dead just yet, so still worth an investment.
As an entrepreneur, it’s really important to get networking as soon as you can. To do this properly, you’ll need a solid business card – yes, a business card that will make even Patrick Bateman jealous.
Again, eye-catching, memorable design is key here. Everyone who’s ever been to a networking event before will know you get hundreds of business cards thrust into your hand – make sure yours stands out from the pack by hiring a professional business card designer to do the job.
10. Blogging and writing
Blogging is a great way to drive traffic to your website and to state your claim as an expert in your field. But, it can be time-consuming – and, writing long articles is not everyone’s cup of tea.
The last thing you want is articles that are hard to read, badly written or worse… just plain boring. It gets even harder when you throw SEO into the mix (don’t get us started on keyword analysis!).
Clearly, there’s only one solution that makes sense for your writing and blogging needs. Turn to a professional freelance copywriter – they can create articles on topics that your audience are interested in, whilst bringing in a new audience with their fresh content. Score.
A copywriter can also help you put together your elevator pitch (a 30-second pitch, intended to be either spoken or written, that will explain your business and convince someone to invest). An elevator pitch is an essential marketing tool that you’ll use time and again – you want to get it right, don’t you? A freelance copywriter will provide a fresh pair of eyes and help you nail home your argument.
So, there you have it! 10 things freelancers can create to help secure investment for your business. Take our advice on board, and hire an expert in the trade you’re after – before you know it, you’ll find investors that are ready to support your business!
Ready to hire? Our marketplace of over 410,000 freelancers have the skills and expertise needed to skyrocket your business to the next level. From marketers to designers, copywriters to SEO experts – browse the talented bunch here!
Stuart Logan
Raksha
