Pitching anyone on LinkedIn with a connection or meeting request is a risky proposition, but more so with some professionals than others.
For example, not to diminish their importance, but an insurance agent pitching group health insurance to a small business owner on LinkedIn can afford to mess up a pitch more than an author attempting to connect with an editor from one of the three major publishing houses in New York.
Likewise, an entrepreneur who wants to land a round of funding from a venture capitalist (VC) has a limited market to approach and may not get a second chance if their first pitch goes poorly.
How Not to Pitch a VC on LinkedIn
There are some “cardinal sins” that you must not commit when pitching VCs.
DO NOT:
Instead, Do This…
Increase your chances of success by:
Successful Connection Messages
Here are several messages that have proven to be concise, yet successful.
Initial Connection Message:
Hello Sally,
I’ve spent time reviewing your profile and Rock Star Venture’s website. Since you invest in FinTech, I think a connection will benefit us both. I’d love to be on your radar.
Best Regards,
Follow-up Message (a few weeks later):
Hello Sally,
I wanted to let you know we’re currently raising $2M to $6M in a seed round. We have $2M already committed, including $1M from Best Lead VC. Our company has already generated over $500k in revenues, and we expect to reach $1.5M this year (our pitch deck is attached). Please email or message me if you or a colleague would like to chat.
Best,
Final Message (a few weeks after follow-up message):
Sally,
I promise not to approach you again after this communication, but I wanted to let you know our round is 90% full. I’d still love to chat about our opportunity with you. If you prefer, I can put you on our investor update memos. You can email me at…..
Yours Truly,
If You Receive a “Thanks, But no Thanks” Response:
Sally,
Thank you for the courtesy of your response; I won’t initiate further contact. If you think of any VCs I should reach out to, please let me know. Thanks again for getting back to me.
Sincerely,
3 Final Pro Tips:
And remember – – your goal is to get the conversation off LinkedIn, not close a deal.