You have a creative project, initiative or design business idea that you’re excited about.
For this idea to take off however, you either have the need to present it to a potential creative/business partner, investor or a customer to “sell” the idea to.
How do you go about it without being a flop and blowing your opportunity to gain support?
The following info and corresponding mini-workshop was designed to help you.
I’ve adopted a method developed by entrepreneur, author and venture capital expert Guy Kawasaki from his book "The Art of the Start". Although I teach the concept to many of my entrepreneur students, I have shared it with entrepreneurial artists and designers I coach who have found it to be a very essential resource.
It’s called the 10-20-30 Business “Pitch” and it’s designed to stimulate interest in your creative concept by consolidating your presentation using:
10 Power Point slides: Consolidating your plan into key areas.
20 minutes: Gets to the point while allowing time for discussion.
30 point font: Reduces the amount of detail on the slide and, again, gets to the point.
The following is what should be included on those slides. It allows you to ask yourself the hard questions about your idea and it provides a great working outline for a Creative Business Plan:
(Be sure to see the personal worksheet and two creative business examples in the corresponding mini-workshop)
Slide 1-Title: Who are you and what do you do?
Slide 2-Problem: Describe the pain that you’re alleviating. The goal is to get everyone nodding and “buying in.”
Slide 3-Solution: Explain how you alleviate this pain and the value that you provide. Ensure that the audience clearly understands what you sell and its value to those that need it.
Slide 4-Business Model: Explain how you make money: who pays you, your distribution channels, and your gross margins.
Slide 5-The “Shock and Awe”: Describe what gives your idea, product or approach the impact that it has. Whether it is the technology, the “secret sauce” or whatever the dazzle is behind your product or service.
Slide 6-Marketing and Sales: Explain how you’re going to reach your customer and the marketing leverage points.
Slide 7-Competition: Provide a complete view of the competitive landscape. Too much is better than too little.
Slide 8-Management Team:Describe the key players of your management team, board of directors, or advisors. The key players that provide the expertise needed for your business.
Slide 9-Financial Projections and Key Metrics (Investor or Partner pitch only): Provide a 5 year forecast containing not only dollars but also key metrics, such as number of customers and conversion rate.
(Excel spreadsheet with specifics)
Slide 10 (SALES VERSION)-Next Steps: Describe the sales fulfillment process, the projected expectations, and then ask for the business.
-OR-
Slide 10 (INVESTOR-PARTNER VERSION)-Current Status, Accomplishments to Date, Timeline, and Use of Funds: Explain the current status of your product or service, what the near future looks like, how you plan to use the money you’re trying to raise.
Be sure to see the personal worksheet and two creative business examples in the corresponding mini-workshop.
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