(Contributed by Joshua Baer, Capital Factory Executive Director)

I talk to at least a dozen new entrepreneurs each week and probably review two dozen email pitches. Here’s what to expect the first time you contact me.

The bar is much higher if you contact me, instead of getting someone else to introduce you. This is a pretty common practice in every industry. It’s always best to get an introduction from someone trusted by the person you want to meet. If you contact me cold then we’re probably going to exchange a few emails before I invite you to meet in person.

There are some people for whom I will immediately accept any introduction because I know that they already have a very high bar for the type of introduction they would send to me. Those are the people you want to have send me an email on your behalf.

Regardless of how you are introduced to me, here is the thought process that goes through my head and drives the questions I’ll ask you:

1. Can I help your company?
2. Are you someone I want to help?
3. What is the idea?
4. How do you make money?
5. Do you have any traction?
6. Is this a big enough market to support a venture funded business?

Read the full blog post here.