The meeting went brilliantly.
The investor smiled.
Asked questions.
Requested your deck.
You leave feeling fantastic.
Then something happens that you don’t see.
They Google you.
Welcome to the second pitch.
Your Website Is Doing Due Diligence Without You
What happens when someone searches your company?
Do they find a sophisticated website?
A clear explanation?
Professional leadership profiles?
Product information?
Video?
News coverage?
Active social channels?
Or do they find a website last updated three years ago and a LinkedIn page whose most recent post says:
“Happy New Year 2024!”
That’s a problem.
Tiny Signals Create Big Impressions
Even the email address you use can matter.
In his guidance on how founders should approach investors, Y Combinator’s Michael Seibel recommends using a company email address with your name in it and stresses being able to clearly describe what the company does.
Why does something as tiny as an email domain matter?
Because credibility is cumulative.
Professional email.
Professional website.
Consistent brand.
Strong presentation.
Credible leadership.
Current content.
Relevant press.
Clear product information.
None proves that your company will succeed.
Together, however, they tell a consistent story:
These people take their company seriously.
Think Like the Investor
Search your company.
But don’t do it as yourself.
Pretend you know nothing about it.
Look at the homepage for ten seconds.
What does the company do?
Why is it different?
Does it look active?
Does it look credible?
Can you understand the product?
Can you identify the leadership?
Is there independent coverage?
Does the company look like it’s going somewhere?
If the answers aren’t obvious, you have work to do.
PR Can Strengthen the Digital Footprint
Your own website tells people what you say about your company.
Third-party recognition can add another dimension.
Relevant media coverage, interviews, partnerships, awards, conference appearances and credible industry mentions can become important digital assets.
And if your company is preparing a major launch or funding announcement, preparation matters. Y Combinator’s guide to pitching launch and funding stories recommends assembling materials including high-resolution imagery, screenshots, logos, leadership photos, multimedia assets and demo or launch videos.
In other words:
Be ready to tell your story everywhere it may travel.
Your Pitch Doesn’t End When the Meeting Does
At Genesis Digital, we approach investor readiness as an ecosystem.
Presentation.
Website.
Video.
Branding.
Product imagery.
Social presence.
Promotion.
PR.
Search visibility.
Follow-up materials.
They should feel like pieces of one company—not projects produced by seven different vendors.
Because the investor may meet you for 45 minutes.
Your digital presence meets them whenever they want.
Make sure it has something good to say.
