1. What do you have? Is your company making money? If you are a startup company, you will find it hard to raise money. The industry in which your company operates is important. If you are in a fad industry, your odds of finding money are better. Where are you selling your product or service? The larger your market, better your odds of finding money.

2. How is company structured? You must be incorporated somewhere. I think that a company with an international market for its products or services should incorporate in a tax haven. Your management team must have a relevant education and work experience to make your company succeed.

3. What do you want? You want money. How much money? Do you need all money now or can investment be spread over time. You are more likely to find money if investment can be spread over time. The reason is investors have opportunity to see their initial investment produce positive results before they risk more money on your company.

4. If you had what you wanted, what would you do? Expanding company's market is your best answer. Poor answers are R&D, raise managements' salaries, or paying down debt. If your company isn't growing, why should anyone invest?

5. What are you willing to pay for help? Concisely answer what you are offering an investor to risk their money on your company. Do you intend to rely on professional help in raising money? Then, concisely answer what you are willing to pay professionals for their help. If you are unwilling to pay current cost of investment, you won't find an investor. If you aren't willing to pay for professional help, you won't find professional help.

The trick is to summarize your answers into a 300-350 word email message. I'm willing to read your summary without charge. Most people in finance business will review a clear, concise, and short email and reply with a "yes" or "no." Please don't send me your investment package unless I indicate an interest in your company. -----

Before you pay anyone a retainer, investigate. Swindlers are attracted to money. The essence of equity finance is money. There's no shortage of crooks involved in Stock Market.

Relying upon business references is a mistake. Honest business people refer you to associates that they know will give them a good reference. The crooks use a business reference service, run by swindlers. The crook's references appear to be key people in major industries. The referral's recommendations are always glowing. It's a business scam that can cost you money.

Start your "Due Diligence" research on Net. Visit Netcheck at: http://www.netcheck.com and Better Business Bureau at: http://www.bbbonline.org/consumers/safesurfing.html

Here are two websites that cover stock fraud. http://www.endfraud.com/ http://www.financialweb.com/stockdetective/

You can use Net to do a credit check on most people in United States and Canada. While most entrepreneurs have bad credit histories, professionals should not be on verge of bankruptcy.