It's All in the Pitch

So you've got a grand plan for a financial company. You've put a lot of thought into it, researched the market, come up with some numbers, and you know what you need to get started. So how do you sell the banks on your idea?

More and more people are turning to entrepreneurship. The bank is the one cute girl in the Navy school, getting swarmed by dozens of dudes, so how do you convince her of what you already know -- that you're more worthwhile than any of these other half-baked schmucks? I'm not saying you should bring flowers or serenade the teller window. Let's just drop the romantic analogy. You need a pitch book.

A pitch book is a bit of an archaic name for something which has evolved with the digital age, but "pitch slideshow" just doesn't have the same ring to it. And it's all about the ring. Your pitch book is basically an advertisement -- or closer to an infomercial -- for your future company. It should contain, in simple, straightforward language, the general idea for your service, what need it fills, how it differs from potential competitors, and how you'll go about with implementation.

This should be pretty specific, and in many cases statistical. For instance, a chart containing the price and service breakdowns of you versus your competitors, or a pew study that demonstrates the presence of your niche, or the specific investment you're asking for and what exactly you plan to do with all their precious money.

This is all essential to your pitch, but it still sounds pretty boring. What we've mentioned so far doesn't exactly make you jump out from the crowd, though it does give your investors an idea of what it is you're up to (and your idea is good in itself, right?), and it also gives them something to keep. The fools behind you talked themselves up pretty well, but without visuals or something to hold on to, that information has all but evaporated from the investors immediate consciousness. Sure, they've got some notes jotted next to an impressive doodle, but when you've left the office, they get to keep the pitch book. Maybe it sits open in their browser for the evening. Maybe they just need something to read on the pot. But either way, persistence of information is an important thing. So that's a good start.

Going back to the dating analogy, you've gotta make yourself look gooood. Make it clean, organized, tastefully flashy but not over the top, make it match. This might be an area where you want some outside help. You're financial planners, after all, not artists. If you don't already have a graphic designer in your black book, there are plenty of services that actually specialize in pitch book design. You ever see local used car dealership commercials where the owner is yelling at you in a junky suit? Yeah, let's not do that. Remember: It's all in the pitch.

The Hamptons New York: A Beach Resort Area You Won’t Want to Miss

If you’re traveling to the East Coast, you won’t want to miss a stay at The Hamptons New York. They are situated on the outer stretch of Long Island about 100 miles north of New York and are accessible from Long Island by vehicles, as well as from New York by ferries. The area is made up of collections of hamlets and townships, with one group forming Southampton and another group forming East Hampton. They are a part of what’s referred to as the Summer Colony due to the increased population of celebrities who live and vacation there during summer months. Many people are attracted to the area due to the celebrity population and because it holds some of the highest priced real estate in the nation.

Montauk, in East Hampton, is the site of a 200 hundred year old lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in New York. There are tours of the lighthouse, a gift shop, a museum, and walking areas for those who choose not to take the tour.

In addition, there are many interesting historical sites and other places to visit in The Hamptons New York. One of the top-rated beaches is Cooper’s Beach, a large, pristine stretch of sand that gets the cool breeze off the ocean during the hot summer months. Since parking is relatively expensive, it is not as crowded as some of the other beaches.

Another favorite tourist destination is the LongHouse Reserve where there are walking trails through beautiful gardens decorated with finely rendered sculptures. Inside, is a small museum displaying the textile art created by the resident artist.

In addition to the dunes, the beaches, and historical sites, there are many places to shop, dine, enjoy artwork, watch musical performances, and play golf. Some of the most extravagant golf courses can be found in The Hamptons New York.

The Hamptons New York is such a popular beach resort area, that you’ll want to be sure to book your accommodations well in advance to ensure you have a place to stay. Another alternative is to visit during the off-season months when hotel rates and other venues cost less. You’ll still be able to enjoy everything and there will be fewer people. Be sure to check out the events that are scheduled during the time you plan to visit New York, and don't miss visiting The Hamptons.

Graphic Design: Bringing a Vision to Life

Businesses of all types rely on eye-catching designs of all kinds to attract customers. Graphic design services are able to meet a variety of marketing and advertising needs, using teams of artists, copywriters, designers and others to help businesses and other organizations appeal to customers and others each day.

Whatever type of service a business needs, graphic design services are there to provide their time and talent to bring a vision to life. Maybe it's brochures describing a business, or colorful envelopes used to send out bills to customers. No matter the need, graphic design services help businesses each day connect with customers in ways that keep them coming back for more.

One of the most popular services offered by graphic designers today is custom website services. In today's highly-competitive business world, not having a presence on the world wide web can spell almost certain doom for any place of business. Graphic designers work with customers to find out what their needs are, what they expect and need from a strong web presence and what they hope to accomplish by having a website. Many of these websites can be created and presented to a client for under $500, making this valuable service very easy for most businesses to afford.

Logo design is another item offered by graphic design services, helping businesses stay connected to customers by being recognizable all the time. Logos are not talked about often, but having one that stands out from the crowd can make all the difference in the world for a business. Examples of great logos, such as the Nike swoosh, point to the power of positive advertising materials. Maybe it's posters, a custom-designed newsletter, business cards or a big banner to announce a grand opening. Whatever the needs of a business, graphic design services can deliver every time, helping to build a partnership that brings a business vision to reality.