Have been doing alot of reading at entrepreneur.com and related sites on finding investors. Downloaded a few pre screen aps and the content within them is way beyond my expertise.
Wording like:
product/service/technology, business model, market overview, target segments, competitive advantage, marketing and sales strategies, key executives’ experience, intended us of funds being raised, exit plan/timing, current monthly burn rate $ ??? HUH???? etc etc etc!
All I want to do is turn my realestateschool.tv into a similar business as www.usarealestatelicense.com and www.realestateexpress.com only with better features, products and services, streaming online videos and more.
Entrepreneurs don't always get bogged down with the details of a company. Look at Richard Branson, he is dyslexic and gets other people to do the stuff he doesn't like.
These all look like parts of a business plan. You definitely have to give them a detailed well thought out business plan. Here are my definitions for the words you listed:
product/service/technology - Explanation of site/vision, what's going to be making money
business model - How are you going to make money, what other companies are using this business model
market overview - More information on competitors, how much annually does this product make nationwide/worldwide
target segments - Who are you targeting, how are you targeting them
competitive advantage - Why go to your site or use your ideas as opposed to the competition
marketing and sales strategies - How will you market and make money from the site, what expererience do you have in marketing and sales, why would someone want to buy your product
key executives’ experience - What experience do you or others that are or will be working with you have especially for this particular product/market
intended us of funds being raised - Why do you need the money, what are you going to do with it
exit plan/timing - How long do you think it will take for them to receive a return on their investment, do you plan to or can you buy them out at one point in time
current monthly burn rate - How much negative cash flow the business will have and how long will it take you to turn it into positive cash flow
It's actually surprisingly simple. In essence, all these questions point towards a few business core principles: What are you going to do? How are you gonna go about it? Who's going to buy it and why would they need it? How will you let them know that your stuff is available and ready to change their lives?
What is your experience in this field - can we rely on your knowledge or are you a newbie with this yourself? How much money will you need to get started and where will you get it from? How much and WHEN will you start making money with your idea? Can you show a projection of profit within, let's say 12 months (it's the graph thing with investment, costs, revenue, taxation, profit)? What are you going to do if you "bomb out" - will there be anything to salvage so that investors can at least make up some of their losses?
And that's about it: If you have an answer that exceeds the "Yes/No" and you can actually explain everything in detail, then you have a legitimate shot at succeeding.
Now, i'm guessing that since you have a vision and you know where you want to take your project, that you're easily able to put that in words. All the "business mambo-jumbo" shouldn't worry you, it's just how we (yes, me too) try to sound almighty important, while we can easily condense it down to what i wrote above. It's all a question of interpretation.
The first tip; getting a professional to write a business concept for/with you, is a very pricey undertaking. If you experience difficulty writing the business plan, especially the financial projections, consult with your local chamber of commerce and unemployment office, they have specialists on staff or can direct you to a (hopefully) free workshop where you can learn these skills.
The other option would be to read some more forums, however, pro's - especially in the business world - hardly ever hand the true advice over for free.
Best of luck!
@Halobitt: Sir Richard Branson, just like Dietrich Matteschitz (Red Bull) have both overcome insane hurdles to get where they are today. From dyslexia to the willingness to invest every single cent, even borrow and beg, they're the true form of success. To take it with Dietrich Matteschitz' words: "My product (Red Bull) didn't have a market, so we had to create one! (needless to say, both are 2 of my business idols)
I'm certain that quite some answers can be found locally, some can be found online and on boards. Put them all together and the heavy lifting should almost be done.
Well, i really hate to point out the obvious or brag or ...yeah, just that...but that's what IntelBank is concepted for. a business forum - Intelligent Banking & Business No real action there,..yet. but i'm hoping that's going to change as more people have your needs and questions.
Heres the email I got back from an angel investor rep.
Robert, your goals are admirable. As a first step, I'd encourage you to try to learn what it took to create and grow a business like the two you mentioned, why a 3rd business like that would be desirable, how you would assemble the people with the right talents to make such a business viable, if you were able to raise the money, what you would do to differentiate from your competitors, and what you would do to enable your investors to make money.
When you've thought those things thru, write a 3-5 page summary that answers the key questions, provides a forecast of the financials for the first few years (including at least 2 years after you become profitable), and start sharing it with friends, family, etc. to raise some seed capital.
Use that to make some progress (e.g. recruit some partners/collaborators that share your vision, begin to implement your products and test them with prospective customers, etc.), showing that you have both vision, the passion and the skills to launch a venture, then start talking to angel investors like us.
hope that helps.
Why is my life so complicated
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Censorship is a cancer [Mod Add on: so is not following NP rules.]
What he's asking is standard. At this time, you need to get your concept together and basically answer the questions that we outlined in this thread, he's jut reworded them a little, essentially they are the same though. The only hurdle is an accurate financial projection. If you're not versed in all the ins and outs that need to be considered, which are basic book keeping in combination with financial forecasting, consult with a professional. There is free help available within your community.
Once you've done that, you have 2 options. Check with relatives and see if they want to invest. Downside: It's most often difficult to work with relatives, even if they're only silent investors. Upside, you're gaining more independence and ability to make decisions without having to report every single move or having your books inspected. OR
Talk to a bank or venture capitalists, there are thousands of them around, depending on the amount of investment of course. To them you will have to
1, prove that you're the next best thing
2, that their investment is in save hands
3, that they will get out of the investment what your forecast assured them
4, accept the fact that they might monitor your every move
5, that they will require access to your books, customer base, etc.
6, lots more legal aspects need to be considered when working with them
7, on the positive side, if your plan doesn't work - you haven't tainted any personal relations and your family, friends and acquaintances will see you as the HasRob that you are already to them.
Ultimately, it depends on what you're most comfortable with, how much skill, knowledge, determination and faith in your project you can bring to the table.
Again, don't let too many business terms scare you, most of them can be reduced to simplicity. You don't have to counter with business terms (although it would help), what matters is that your concept is crystal clear.
Also, should you decide to present at Investment Bankers, Venture Capitalists, etc. consider a Non-Disclosure agreement that must be signed before you roll out your concept. Better safe than sorry, it would also demonstrate that you're protecting your intellectual assets. If a VC is not willing to sign an agreement, walk away.
Not sure how much that helped, if any. Best of luck!
It's all a question of interpretation. 
No real action there,..yet. but i'm hoping that's going to change as more people have your needs and questions. 
