Meetings that don’t end with a defined next step—whether it's a specific task or a follow-up date—are generally a sign that the investor may not be genuinely interested.
Investors who are truly engaged will provide clear, actionable steps, like “I’ll bring this to my partners meeting on Monday” or “I need X materials by X days.”
To further clarify and set expectations, a useful tactic is to ask directly: “On a scale of 0-10, how compelling is this?” This helps frame their level of commitment and gives you a better sense of whether the conversation will move forward. It's a simple but effective way to determine if it's worth investing more time into the relationship.
If they respond with a 9 or 10, follow up with, “What’s your process, and who needs to be involved?” If they give an 8 or less, ask, “Why, and what would you change?” This helps uncover any potential concerns and gives you an opportunity to address them directly.