Don't be annoying

I think there are several different levels of support. The first is just "don't be annoying". 

This might sound silly, but many investors are often annoying, so by not being annoying, you already separate yourself from the pack.

This starts with the decision making process itself. If you are writing, say a $5k check, you should streamline your investment process as much as possible.

Founders are busy, and for that size check, it doesn't make sense to do 3 mtgs with a founder.

Post-investment, I often hear about how new  investors get jumpy or nervous every time they hear bad news from the startup. Or every time a competitor raises a new round.

I hear about investors constantly calling founders. But that isn't helpful and only wastes their time.

Be a cheerleading investor

The second level after "not being annoying" is in being a "cheerleading investor".

Anyone can do this. You don't need a particular skill or bandwidth.

Starting a company is a lonely journey. And most investors don't acknowledge that. 

When a founder sends a founder update, send a quick "thank you" or "good job!" or "hang in there!"

You'd be surprised - most investors do not do this. Founders often feel like they are sending their investor updates into an abyss.

Pro-tip for newer investors: when you get monthly portfolio updates, always respond. Even if it's just a "Thanks!" or "Good job!" 

When I was a founder, it was always nice to receive an acknowledgement that someone was reading, because few investors respond to update emails.

Or send praise for a job well done even out of the blue. It takes < 30s to send a quick email or text.

The third level beyond being a cheerleading investor is to be a "feedback investor". 

Anyone can do this as well. You don't need particular skills but you do need some bandwidth.

You can offer to review a pitch deck or go through an early version of a product. 

Getting another set of eyes on copy or a user experience is often helpful for clarity and for getting feedback.

This is especially helpful right before a launch to make sure that everything is fairly polished. 

Or right before a fundraise to make sure a story is clear.

You can just offer that if a founder says they are raising soon or are launching something soon. 

"Congrats! Happy to provide feedback on your website / pitch deck / product if you want!"

The value-add investor

The highest level of help is truly the "value add" investor. Doing introductions, getting customers, and providing advice on a particular skill are all examples of value-add activities.

You need time and some specialization to do this.

For example, if your portfolio company is fundraising, maybe there are investor introductions you can make -- whether to VCs you know or other angels you know. 

Or even to other portfolio founders who may have raised recently.

Don't be annoying

I think there are several different levels of support. The first is just "don't be annoying". 

This might sound silly, but many investors are often annoying, so by not being annoying, you already separate yourself from the pack.

This starts with the decision making process itself. If you are writing, say a $5k check, you should streamline your investment process as much as possible.

Founders are busy, and for that size check, it doesn't make sense to do 3 mtgs with a founder.

Post-investment, I often hear about how new  investors get jumpy or nervous every time they hear bad news from the startup. Or every time a competitor raises a new round.

I hear about investors constantly calling founders. But that isn't helpful and only wastes their time.

Be a cheerleading investor

The second level after "not being annoying" is in being a "cheerleading investor".

Anyone can do this. You don't need a particular skill or bandwidth.

Starting a company is a lonely journey. And most investors don't acknowledge that. 

When a founder sends a founder update, send a quick "thank you" or "good job!" or "hang in there!"

You'd be surprised - most investors do not do this. Founders often feel like they are sending their investor updates into an abyss.

Pro-tip for newer investors: when you get monthly portfolio updates, always respond. Even if it's just a "Thanks!" or "Good job!" 

When I was a founder, it was always nice to receive an acknowledgement that someone was reading, because few investors respond to update emails.

Or send praise for a job well done even out of the blue. It takes < 30s to send a quick email or text.

The third level beyond being a cheerleading investor is to be a "feedback investor". 

Anyone can do this as well. You don't need particular skills but you do need some bandwidth.

You can offer to review a pitch deck or go through an early version of a product. 

Getting another set of eyes on copy or a user experience is often helpful for clarity and for getting feedback.

This is especially helpful right before a launch to make sure that everything is fairly polished. 

Or right before a fundraise to make sure a story is clear.

You can just offer that if a founder says they are raising soon or are launching something soon. 

"Congrats! Happy to provide feedback on your website / pitch deck / product if you want!"

The value-add investor

The highest level of help is truly the "value add" investor. Doing introductions, getting customers, and providing advice on a particular skill are all examples of value-add activities.

You need time and some specialization to do this.

For example, if your portfolio company is fundraising, maybe there are investor introductions you can make -- whether to VCs you know or other angels you know. 

Or even to other portfolio founders who may have raised recently.

If you are well-networked in an industry, maybe you can get your portfolio company new customers. 

Or if you have a large Twitter presence, you can announce something about the company or help with customer introductions.

If you have a relevant skill -- like you know engineering or design or marketing -- then you can advise on how to hire new team members or help with potential introductions to would-be hires.

One of my angel investors would sometimes host events to bring together his portfolio companies. I found that to be incredibly helpful.

It can be simple and casual and even BYOB.

There is a wide spectrum in how you can be a value-add investor. Even if you don't have any knowledge or specialty in what your portfolio company is doing, there are many ways you can still support.If you are well-networked in an industry, maybe you can get your portfolio company new customers. 

Or if you have a large Twitter presence, you can announce something about the company or help with customer introductions.

If you have a relevant skill -- like you know engineering or design or marketing -- then you can advise on how to hire new team members or help with potential introductions to would-be hires.

One of my angel investors would sometimes host events to bring together his portfolio companies. I found that to be incredibly helpful.

It can be simple and casual and even BYOB.

There is a wide spectrum in how you can be a value-add investor. Even if you don't have any knowledge or specialty in what your portfolio company is doing, there are many ways you can still support.