How can you connect with investors and win their trust?

This is another question that investable entrepreneurs frequently ask us, thinking there must be some ‘one size fits all’ answer. But the question has two parts, and it’s essential to get both those parts right if you’re going to land the investment you’re looking for.

Part 1: How can you connect with investors?

1. Leverage your network

This might sound like a no-brainer, but it’s easy to overlook the power of your existing network. Maybe that’s because they’re people you interact with all the time, who follow you and you follow them back, so you take those relationships for granted.

Related: Beyond the Pitch: Giving Your Potential Investors Even More Reason to Believe In You

You don’t think of them as prospective investors or allies who could connect you to investors who don’t currently have a clue who you are. Instead, you think of your network and your investors as two separate entities, and never the twain shall meet.

That’s a big mistake because somebody inside your network could very well hold the key to your investment success. In fact, they could help you secure it right now.