As a funding strategist, John Livesay helps CEOs craft a compelling pitch that engages investors in a way that inspires them to join a startup’s team. He hosts The Successful Pitch podcast with investors from around the world. He is the Pitch Mentor at Startfast.net, the number one accelerator in Upstate New York. After a successful 20 year career in media sales with Conde Nast where he worked across all 22 brands in their corporate division [GQ, Vanity Fair, Wired, W and Vogue] and created integrated programs for clients such as Lexus, Hyundai and Guess, John won salesperson of the year in 2012 across the entire company. John’s book, The 7 Most Powerful Selling Secrets and has been translated into Spanish and Russian. John has a B.S in Advertising from the University of Illinois. Show Highlights: Not only do you need to have a solid pitch, you need to know the answers to the questions investors will ask you. @John_LivesayThe moment you lose credibility, the answer is no. @John_LivesayThe entire purpose of a sales pitch is to get people interested, not to over inform them. @John_LivesayInvestors invest in the jockey, not the horse. Your horse is the idea, but you make it happen. @John_LivesayThe two reasons people go out of business are 1) lack of customers 2) lack of funding @John_LivesayYour network is your net-knowledge. Who you know is everything. @John_LivesayThe more you understand the problem the more investors think you have the solution. @John_LivesaySell the problem before you sell the solution. @John_LivesayConfident people are quietly humble. Arrogant people are loudly braggadocios.When you become comfortable with the silence in your head, you become comfortable with the silence in the room. @John_Livesay The Action Catalyst is a weekly podcast hosted by Dan Moore, President of Southwestern Advantage, the oldest direct-sales company in America, and Partner with Southwestern Consulting. With more than 45 years in sales leadership and marketing management, Dan has a wealth of knowledge to share on how to make better use of time to achieve life, sales, and other business goals. Each week, he interviews some of the nation’s top thought leaders and experts, sharing meaningful tips and advice. Subscribe on iTunes and please leave a rating and review!

The Action Catalyst

Southwestern Family of Podcasts - Southwestern Family of Companies

REMASTERED: Perfecting Your Sales Pitch, with John Livesay | (Selling, Networking, CEO, Engagement)

MAY 26, 202617 MIN
The Action Catalyst

REMASTERED: Perfecting Your Sales Pitch, with John Livesay | (Selling, Networking, CEO, Engagement)

MAY 26, 202617 MIN

Description

John Livesay, funding strategist and author, reveals expert insights into how entrepreneurs and startup founders can craft compelling investor pitches that win funding, including a shift from feature‑based presentations to emotionally driven storytelling, how to structure a winning pitch, grab attention in the first 90 seconds, demonstrate traction, show empathy for both customers and investors, and position the founder as the “jockey” investors want to back. Livesay also covers practical startup fundraising strategies, including angel investing, venture capital, valuations, and family offices, making this episode a must‑listen for entrepreneurs looking to raise capital and communicate their vision with clarity and confidence.Mentioned in this episode:Dr. Jeremy S. Owoh: Leading Today, Transforming Tomorrow. Click here to learn more.Create Your Own Luck / Dr. Jeremy S. Owoh