You started your business and now you are faced with the need of raising capital to fund your business. There are many ways to fund a start-up or existing business but when you are looking for funding beyond your friends or family you need to have your ducks in a row before you even venture into the world of investors to ask them about money.

Truth to behold is that many business owners to not spend enough time to get their ducks in a row to secure their financing and later just fall back on the old, cost cutting method. Richard Brandon with his post about building a strong reputation had some great input.

You need to be able to build a trusting relationship with the investor and you need to have a favorable reputation. When you have an “I don’t give a dang” reputation it will translate right back into your business. Your personal conduct needs to reflect your business conduct.

You need to find out what the investor is looking for before you run your investment ideas across their table. Brad Sugars in his blog about how to position your startup as a good investment said is best; “Investors are looking for three things: the people behind an idea, the idea itself and an answer to the question: How will I get my money back?” A company either has a great goal and a great team but not a clue how to return the ROI. Or they have a great Idea and a solid understanding on how to return the ROI but don’t have the team support.

Be prepared that the investor will ask you some questions and you better be able to answer them truthfully. Caroline Cummings has put together a great list of possible questions you should be ready to answer in her blog called”10 great questions I never thought investors would ask a startup”.

Come prepared and you might be surprised what could happen.