First impressions last forever. Even with businesses.

If you think your initial contact with investors or suppliers occurs on your first phone call, email or meeting – think again. Nowadays, a first impression with your company is usually made even before you reach out to them.

How? Through the world wide web, of course!

They came. They saw. They conquered.

More companies took on fresh concepts to improve investor communications at IRM’s recently launched seminar, "5 New Ideas for Better Online Engagement with Investors".

In March and April, IRM CEO Martin Spry led discussions in the “5 New Ideas” exclusive sessions for ASX-listed companies. The exchanges centred on latest ideas for online investor relations (IR) that businesses consider advantageous. Dynamic interactions where other IRM clients and advisers shared insights as well.

Not all investor presentations are created equal.

If you want to stand out, your presentation should be the kind that attracts investors’ attention. One that clearly communicates your company’s value. Because investors are happier to invest in companies they like and which they feel are professional in their business.

Your presentation should get investors excited about your company. So, they’ll be sold on committing capital into your business.

Investor relations. You're an expert already, of course! But what if you could be even better?

What if you could have 5 NEW ideas for your online investor communications? Fresh ideas you haven't thought of before?

Now that's a challenge! One that we're prepared to take on with you at our seminar series this year.

IRM is launching "5 New Ideas for Better Online Engagement with Investors" this March in several states. Boutique events offering small group sessions with ASX-listed peers.

Put yourself in their shoes.

Investors, after all, are human too. Just like you.

They know what facts they want when they research about your business. They want to find specific information immediately once they get to your website.

So, if you want to draw them into your site, you’ve got to give them what they want. The right content.

Do you realise how important your website design actually is?

It can make or break your business.

If it’s boring or is painstakingly slow to load... If it doesn’t show the information investors are looking for… then you’re in for trouble. That’s how the appearance and functionality of your site is crucial.

Even if your web page is simple, it will represent your company and will be key to your business.

As an ASX-listed company, you're continually marketing your shares to a largely unknown audience of potential investors mainly through an online process, worldwide.

It’s a daily competition. It’s a worldwide online competition. And there are plenty of other choices for investors.

But if you do this job better and more consistently than other companies, you will likely achieve more interest in your stock. The more competition for your stock, the better your share price.

Think about it. 

At this very moment, someone may be searching for your company online. 

It's how things work in this digital age. Clients and investors will search the web to engage with your business.

They expect your company to have an online presence, at least a website. And if you don't have one, they'll consider you less professional.

IRM CEO Martin Spry has been talking to leaders of ASX-listed companies about their online investor presence for 15 years. Hundreds of companies. Just recently, he completed a national series of small group sessions, “5 New Ideas for Better Online Engagement with Investors,” where he delivered over 200 useful ideas to more than 30 companies. IRMatters caught up with Martin to find out more about the boutique breakfast events. Following are some highlights of his insights from the recently concluded venture.

Investors are not always rational in assessing their investment decisions.

In the early part of their journey, some investors would not be decided on specific facts to look for about your company. And by looking at your website’s design, imagery and key messages, they will be guided emotionally about how they feel about your business.

Other investors, however, will just want facts, facts and facts. “Just show me the numbers!”

There must be a better way to do things.

Investor relations have more pressing matters to attend to than getting tangled up in the nitty gritty of sending out announcements.

You know the drill.

The first task is posting on your website. Logging on to ASX Online. Waiting for confirmation from the Issuers Office. Making sure the announcement’s correct version is uploaded on the right pages of your website. Sometimes having to ask help from web support when your uploads fail to work.

The power of the web.

You know this well enough. That's why your company has its own website.

It's not just developing the right website though. It’s also about maintaining the site for your business.

Your website needs to be regularly updated to echo your company's identity and business values in the online world. It doesn't have to be complicated for it to establish awareness and trust for investors. It just needs to provide the latest information that gives a significant impact. So, investors keep coming back to your site.

Attracting investors is a real-time global competition. Conducted online. 24/7.

As investors make choices in their investor journey, the challenge is how to help each investor take that next step towards more engagement and investment with you. Not the competitor.

Perhaps you’ve heard about the 10 Success Factors for your online investor presence? Discover for yourself how you can achieve this kind of success, as simplified under four headings.

Your website is the authority for investors.

It’s the source of all the information they need.

But investors don’t get to visit your website every day. That’s why your site needs to attract them when there’s news about your company. Or when there’s something they want to seek out.

Luckily, there are various ways to enhance your website without having to do a complete overhaul. Sometimes a supplementary device is all you need to boost your site’s efficiencies.

From an investor’s perspective, purchasing shares is not much different from buying shoes or a car.

Yes, investors are customers, too. They go through a buying process as they decide to spend their money.

Their buying process starts with their needs. Then it goes through a series of steps to an eventual decision. Parting with cash in return for shares. A process otherwise known as the investor journey.

Checking your mail. Managing your bank account. Chatting with colleagues across the globe.

Everything is online nowadays.

These tasks are just a few that can be done from the comfort of your office or while waiting for your train. All in a matter of seconds. All through the Web.

And when you’re running a business, it’s not enough to just have a website. More importantly, it needs to be mobile-friendly.

Triumphs over adversities.

Significant achievements.

Moments of inspiration.

These are just some milestones that have shaped your organisation. And perhaps you may be so used to these events that you've missed out on how they have marked your company’s evolution.

First impressions count.

As investors start to learn more about your company, they will usually check you out online first.

This helps them subconsciously decide whether to take the next step. Or to simply move on to other opportunities.

And when investors seek more information about you online, they’ll choose their touchpoints.

It can be a lot easier.

Meaning, you won’t have to start from scratch when you’re updating your website. Even for a rebrand.

As long as your content management system can handle the changes. Effecting your new name and logo won’t be any trouble at all.

Especially if you have an expert support team to help you with the modifications on your design and content. You won’t need to handle all the techy stuff of URLs, domain and what nots.

Some love and attention.

Yup! Your investor website needs those too!

This means you’ve got to do regular maintenance.

Come on now.

Don’t just build and forget your site. It’ll waste the hard work you put into creating that well-designed and engaging Web page.