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<p>A successful equity crowdfunding raise takes work. Have you decided
<a href="https://www.thecrowdfundinglawyers.com/is-equity-crowdfunding-right-for-your-company/">equity
crowdfunding (Reg CF) is right for your company</a>? Great! You have joined a
revolution in business capitalization. You will lead your industry. And you
some earned media and free marketing is on the way. And, oh yeah, cash! &nbsp;</p>
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<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img src="https://www.thecrowdfundinglawyers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Steve-Harvey-Dancing.gif" alt="" class="wp-image-3700" width="475" height="323"/></figure></div>
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<p>But saying yes is only the first step. A long sometimes
difficult road awaits. But as an entrepreneur you already know nothing worth
doing comes easy. Luckily for you, there are industry professionals (<a href="https://www.thecrowdfundinglawyers.com/">like me!</a>) to guide you
through the process of a successful equity crowdfunding raise.</p>
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<p>Here are four keys to a successful equity crowdfunding raise:</p>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>1. Hire a lawyer to help your equity crowdfunding raise succeed &nbsp;</strong></h3>
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<p>Some entrepreneurs don’t like lawyers “in their way” or believe
that standardize forms reduce representation needs. Yes, as a lawyer who helps
companies succeed in the equity crowdfunding process, I am biased. </p>
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<p>But consider these facts: </p>
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<p>The <a href="https://www.thecrowdfundinglawyers.com/reg-cf/">Reg
CF</a> regulations are <a href="https://www.sec.gov/rules/final/2015/33-9974.pdf">685 pages</a>. They are
full of mind-numbing jargon and securities legalese. (And <a href="https://www.thecrowdfundinglawyers.com/shallow-end-jay-treads-water-while-reg-cf-sinks-but-is-help-on-the-way/">Reg
CF changes may be coming</a>). Plus, they cover a range of topics not directly
related to the legal documents like solicitation rules, adherence with state
laws, year-end reports etc. A competent lawyer will guide you through the
process soup to nuts.</p>
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<p>Also, you may need other legal work to prepare your company
for a successful equity crowdfunding raise including amending and restating
your articles of incorporation, reviewing bylaws, converting legal entities, and
other compliance issues that always arise. </p>
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<p>A lawyer can discuss pros and cons of particular financial
instruments, different portals, and recommend CPAs, marketers, and other
professionals you may need. </p>
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<p>The bottom line is if you don’t think you need a lawyer for
a potentially million-dollar securities transaction you’re not ready for this
and may want to consider Kickstarter. </p>
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<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img src="https://www.thecrowdfundinglawyers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Homer-Simpson-GIF.gif" alt="" class="wp-image-3701" width="493" height="370"/></figure></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>2. Lead Investors jump start a successful equity crowdfund raise</strong></h3>
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<p>One question that arises when explaining the process to
potential clients is why they need a lead investor. After all, isn’t that what
the crowd is for? A lead investor signals the larger investor community you
have a serious raise. The worst thing that can happen in a <a href="https://www.thecrowdfundinglawyers.com/reg-cf/">Reg CF</a> equity
crowdfund raise is for the issuer to languish weeks without substantial
investment. No marketing, superior product, or brilliant team can overcome a
lack of initial investment. </p>
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<p>Even before that, lead investors provide the big portals
with confidence your company is worth hosting. The big portals don’t want for
companies trying to access their investor lists. Lead investors can also ensure
a raise will hit its minimum target giving the portal confidence to place your
company. </p>
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<p>Portals also usually have minimum investment triggers before
they will promote you to their investor list. If you don’t have that minimum
guaranteed up front the chances having a successful equity crowdfunding raise
greatly drops.</p>
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<p>At the least that minimum should be $25k but you may want to
hold out for $50k. And remember what the wise man says: The better you are to
the crowd, the better the crowd will be to you.&nbsp;
&nbsp;</p>
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<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img src="https://www.thecrowdfundinglawyers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/dwight-2.gif" alt="" class="wp-image-398" width="527" height="297"/></figure></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>3. Together Everyone Accomplishes More</strong></h3>
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<p>You’ve likely heard the acronym for TEAM since little league.
And as an entrepreneur you’ve chosen your team carefully. These are the people you
grind with, who accept the long days and stressful situations. But not all are
salesmen, maybe you have technical people, or financial people who don’t
usually sell your company. </p>
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<p>Everyone is part of your raise. That includes your lawyer!
Everyone has social media, Linked In, Twitter, Minds etc. Everyone should be
responsible for bringing in investors. And it’s not just those directly employed.
Your lead investors, board members, friends, family, acquaintances that believe
in you are your “ambassadors.” You need them for buzz. They should be on board
beforehand and be willing to open their networks to you. (SEC regulations
apply). Keep up with them even after you’re live. After all we’re all salesman
whether we like it or not. It’s three months out of your life. Do it. </p>
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<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img src="https://www.thecrowdfundinglawyers.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/do-it.gif" alt="" class="wp-image-980" width="374" height="370"/></figure></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>4. Commitment to a successful equity crowdfund raise is a commitment to your company and your vision</strong></h3>
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<p>If people told you this would be easy, they lied. You’ll
have to manage your company and the raise simultaneously. You’ll have potential
investors asking you questions on message boards, media and marketers
contacting you, complaints, concerns, congratulations. You should prepare for
this and prioritize what is most important, delegate what you can, and plan how
to maximize your raise daily and weekly. </p>
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<p>A successful equity crowdfund raise signifies that not only
are you an industry leader but that you can effectively multi-task. And at the
end you should have a big pile of money, because that’s what it’s all about
right? </p>
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<p>Of course, you now have investors and the responsibilities
that go with that (psst you need a lawyer!). But you will have taken a major
step toward achieving what you started the company for in the first place. &nbsp;</p>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;"><strong>A good team a great plan and you’re on your way</strong></h3>
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<p>These are few things you can do to ensure you have a
successful equity crowdfund <a href="https://www.thecrowdfundinglawyers.com/reg-cf/">(Reg CF</a>) raise. For
more insight check out <a href="https://startups.co.uk/makes-equity-crowdfunding-successful/">this
article</a>. From the portal perspective <a href="https://medium.com/@jonnyprice/regulation-crowdfunding-three-years-in-29766d0b80a2">see
here</a>. Click here evaluate whether your company is right for equity
crowdfunding. For other options beyond Reg CF see here about <a href="https://www.thecrowdfundinglawyers.com/reg-a/">Reg A+</a> and <a href="https://www.thecrowdfundinglawyers.com/reg-d/">Reg D</a>. See here for an
overview of <a href="https://www.thecrowdfundinglawyers.com/cfl-landing/">Jossey
PLLC equity crowdfunding services</a>. </p>
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<p><a href="https://www.thecrowdfundinglawyers.com/cfl-scheduler/">Schedule a call or
video conference</a>. </p>
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<p>By <a href="https://twitter.com/thecrowdfundlaw">Jossey PLLC</a>
via <a href="http://www.thecrowdfundinglawyers.com">www.thecrowdfundinglawyers.com</a>
</p>
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<p>Disclaimer </p>
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<p>This post is for informational purposes only. It does not
represent a contract, offer, or any legal obligation on the part of Jossey
PLLC. Many factors go into a successful raise including appeal of the product,
competition for the product, the quality of the marketing, operating history of
the company, experience of management, and ability to self-generate crowd
investors. Legal and regulatory compliance is only one part. Investing in small
companies and startups carries lots of risk, there is no guarantee your company
will have a successful raise.</p>
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