Navigating the world of real estate investing often comes down to having sufficient capital to make the right deals. Raising private money offers the most straightforward and beneficial bridge to financial freedom, giving you access to funds without the hoops of traditional loans. In a recent episode of the "Raising Private Money" podcast, host Jay Conner and his dynamic team laid down a five-step roadmap designed to help both new and seasoned investors master the art of securing private money.

Step 1: Make Your List

The journey to raising private money begins with a well-curated list of potential lenders. Start by identifying people within your network, including friends, family, and business associates, who might be interested in real estate investments. Jay emphasizes the importance of having "a conversation in person" with each individual on your list. While scripts can serve as useful guides, your passion, and drive are your most valuable tools in those initial discussions.

Step 2: Casual Conversations

Once your list is in place, the next step involves reaching out to these individuals to initiate a casual conversation. The goal is to pique their interest without overwhelming them with details. According to Jay, asking the simple qualifying question, "Do you have any money not earning you a high rate of return safely and securely?" serves as an excellent conversation starter. This approach efficiently filters out those who may not be interested, allowing you to focus your efforts on warmer leads.

Step 3: The 16-Minute Audio

One of the standout tools Jay discussed is the 16-minute audio titled "Stress-Free Investing." This audio snippet serves as an excellent way to inform potential lenders about the benefits of private lending without requiring you to constantly explain the concept. Crystal, Jay’s co-host, explained that this tool essentially saves you time, energy, and money—a true system that works efficiently. The key here is to distribute this audio widely to pique the interest of as many qualifying individuals as possible.

Step 4: Teaching the Program

After your potential lenders have shown interest by engaging with the audio, the next critical step is to teach them your private lending program. According to Jay, at this stage, you're not pitching individual deals but educating your potential lenders on how the overall private lending program works. Providing them with comprehensive details helps build their confidence and trust in you. Jay advises mimicking an already successful program—his program details can be found in his book, and examples are shared during his live events.

Step 5: Securing a Verbal Pledge

The fifth and final step involves getting a verbal pledge from your potential lenders. This means understanding exactly how much they are willing to invest and the source of their funds. If their funds originate from retirement accounts, you may introduce them to a self-directed IRA company. Jay elaborates on the importance of this step, emphasizing that you don't need to pitch individual deals once they’re onboard with your program. They are already committed to investing their funds based on the terms laid out during your presentation of the program.

Leveraging Live Events

Attending live events such as Jay Conner’s upcoming event on October 23-25 provides an invaluable opportunity to dive deeper into each of these steps. These events offer a hands-on learning experience with expert presentations, real-life case studies, and interactive sessions. Participants can meet Jay's team members, including real estate attorneys, project managers, and acquisitionists, and even hear from private lenders who have invested in Jay’s deals. Additionally, these live events frequently feature a live bus tour, allowing attendees to view ongoing projects and see firsthand how strategies are implemented.