Securing funds is not a walk in the park. From preparing your pitch to strategizing what happens after you take your chances, it can be overwhelming at times. Investors receive countless pitches every minute, making it challenging stands out and eventually secure funding.

Running a business for over two decades now, I've learned so much in chasing what I think would work for me versus what actually works for me and my agency.

Like most first-time business owners, my first thought was, “What do I put on the pitch deck?” That was until I realized that building a genuine relationship with these investors was what needed to be at the top of my checklist.

I have found that women entrepreneurs especially need to use their unique perspectives and strengths to do so provide the required financing for growth and innovation. This means highlighting our special knowledge and showing how our different approaches can lead to significant breakthroughs in the market.

With all the trials and tribulations I have gone through to ensure my business thrives and is recognized, I have presented six strategies for you that have been proven to effectively secure funding.

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1. Simplify your pool

Yours pitch it's your first impression. It should be compelling, concise, and easily understood by a diverse audience, even a fifth grader. Avoid using jargon and overly complex terminology.

Investors don't have time to look up the dictionary just to understand your message. They are looking for clear and realistic results. Present your solution in straightforward language and emphasize its potential value and impact.

2. Align with investors' portfolios

Make sure you research existing venture capital (VC) investors' portfolio companies before approaching them. Similarly, clearly identify how your business can complement their investment.

Let's say one of their companies has invested in a company that provides cash registers at restaurant kiosks, and your business supplies the software for these kiosks; focus on that synergy and emphasize yours Evaluate the preposition. The investor will easily see how investing in your company would be a good choice and how you are a potentially good partner.

3. Understand the different types of investors

Take the time to learn and understand the differences between angel investors, VC investors, family offices and private equity investors. Each type has unique goals and risk tolerances.

An angel investor, for example, may be more inclined to take risks on early-stage startups. On the other hand, private equity firms focus more on researching established companies. Be honest with yourself when evaluating why it would make sense for them to do business with you.

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4. Treat fundraising like sales

Take fundraising with the same rigor as sales. Set daily quotas to contact potential investors via email, LinkedIn and cold calling. Mass and consistent contact practices increase your chances of finding the right investor. Personal anecdotes can be powerful; for example, one client who eventually became a unicorn managed to raise his first millions primarily through LinkedIn.

5. Emphasize sustainability and learning

Investors want to understand how do you deal with adversity. Every business, especially startups, has its eyes fixed on the ultimate goal – success – and usually overlooks the bumps along the way. But investors don't just care about these obstacles; they want to know how you are able to overcome challenges and lessons learned.

Be transparent about how you've dealt with extreme stress in the past and what support you might need from them during similar times. Not addressing this leaves the investor with a big question mark and they may simply pass you up because you didn't have the business acumen to understand how important that discussion is.

6. Look for experienced and connected investors

Connect with investors who bring more than just money. Access those with significant experience and networks in the exact type of business you are in. When I was raising capital to buy agencies, I targeted people who had significant experience buying agencies that were 1,000 times my size and who worked with my specific target audience. It may seem like it's only money you'll need in the beginning, but their expertise will be invaluable and they'll be true partners in growth.

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Securing funding can be a tedious and sometimes frustrating endeavor. But when you understand how you can get on the “short list” in the queue – with proper preparationclear communication and solid networking — it's definitely fulfilling.

Don't haphazardly throw in long, complicated content fields. Instead, take the time to understand your audience and investors, and tailor your pitch to their interests and needs. Remember to prioritize what aligns with your goals.

After all, start by building strong relationships, whether on social media platforms or in person. You will see a huge impact on your business. These insights have helped me greatly in scaling, not only in terms of funding, but also in my business skills and market position, and I can't wait to see yours make a breakthrough!