034: Why Investors Don't Trust You Yet And How to Change That with Shams Merchant

038: What Capital Raisers Must Do Differently in 2026 with Christy Schnurle

If you've built a solid network but still find yourself relying on the same investors for every raise, it may be time to rethink how you're building trust, creating content, and expanding your reach. Amy sits with multifamily investor and fund manager Christy Schnurle for a conversation about moving beyond friends and family capital while navigating today's rapidly changing investment landscape. Together, they discuss how to vet operating partners, communicate with investors during uncertain market conditions, create authentic LinkedIn content, and build meaningful relationships that lead to long-term investor trust. This episode is for you if you've ever wondered: * How do I find trustworthy operators to partner with on real estate deals? * What due diligence should I perform before investing with another sponsor? * How do I communicate market uncertainty without creating fear? * What should I be telling investors about today's economic environment? * Why are my webinars, emails, and content getting less engagement? * How do I stand out when investors are overwhelmed with AI-generated content? * What type of LinkedIn content actually attracts potential investors? * Should I be using cold LinkedIn DMs to raise capital? * How do I balance educational content with personal stories on LinkedIn? By the end of this episode, you'll walk away with: * A clearer understanding of how experienced sponsors evaluate potential operating partners * Practical ideas for communicating market risks while maintaining investor confidence * A better perspective on why authenticity is becoming more valuable than ever in today's content landscape * Insight into creating LinkedIn content that connects with investor goals instead of simply teaching real estate concepts * A practical framework for using lead magnets to nurture investor relationships over time * Clarity on why relationship-building consistently outperforms cold outreach for capital raising * Actionable strategies for choosing content and graphic pillars that improve engagement on LinkedIn * Confidence in building trust with investors through education, transparency, and consistency Hit play to learn how to build stronger investor relationships, communicate with confidence during uncertain markets, and create content that attracts the right investors without sacrificing authenticity. Connect with Christy Schnurle! Website: https://theopalfund.com [https://theopalfund.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyschnurle/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyschnurle/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christy.schnurle/ [https://www.instagram.com/christy.schnurle/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christy-Schnurle/61567999375009/ [https://www.facebook.com/people/Christy-Schnurle/61567999375009/] Want To Increase Your Capital Raising Capacity? Are you ready to raise capacity beyond friends and family and feel confident in your ability to close deals? Our on-demand course is for you! 🔗 https://www.sylviscapital.comLinkedIn Capital Raising Secrets on Demand http://www.capitalraisingsecrets.com/www.capitalraisingsecrets.com [https://www.capitalraisingsecrets.com] Connect with Amy on LinkedIn Stay updated on her latest strategies, deals, and insights for capital raisers. 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/amysylvis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amysylvis/]

037: 3 LinkedIn Mistakes that will Keep you from Closing your Next Deal

If you're posting on LinkedIn but still not attracting the right investors, the problem may not be how often you post. It may be how LinkedIn is reading your activity. In this solo episode, Amy breaks down three common LinkedIn mistakes that may be limiting your reach, weakening your credibility, and keeping qualified investors from finding you. She explains why engagement pods can hurt your account, why chasing virality can confuse the algorithm, and why strategic commenting may be one of the biggest missed opportunities for capital raisers right now. This episode is for you if you've ever wondered: * Why am I posting on LinkedIn but still not getting investor conversations? * Could engagement pods or comment groups actually hurt my account? * Why did my LinkedIn reach suddenly drop? * What does the new LinkedIn algorithm want from my content? * Should I focus on going viral or staying consistent with my topics? * How many content pillars should I be posting about? * Why does LinkedIn care about my profile and content alignment? * Am I commenting in a way that actually builds relationships? * How can I get in front of my target investor without relying only on my own posts? By the end of this episode, you'll walk away with: * A clearer understanding of why engagement pods can damage your LinkedIn visibility * Insight into how LinkedIn may throttle accounts that use inauthentic engagement tactics * A practical reason to stop chasing virality and start building consistency * Clarity on why two to three content pillars matter for capital raisers * A better understanding of how the algorithm evaluates your profile, posts, and topics together * A new strategy for using comments as relationship-building opportunities * A clearer picture of where to show up so your target investors can find you * Confidence in using LinkedIn in a more authentic, strategic, and investor-focused way Hit play to learn how to avoid the LinkedIn mistakes that may be costing you visibility, credibility, and investor capital, so you can start building stronger relationships with the right investors. Want To Increase Your Capital Raising Capacity? Are you ready to raise capacity beyond friends and family and feel confident in your ability to close deals? Our on-demand course is for you! 🔗 https://www.sylviscapital.comLinkedIn Capital Raising Secrets on Demand www.capitalraisingsecrets.com [http://www.capitalraisingsecrets.com/] Connect with Amy on LinkedIn Stay updated on her latest strategies, deals, and insights for capital raisers. 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/amysylvis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amysylvis/]

036: The LinkedIn Algorithm just blew up - now what?! (LinkedIn profile audit with Brian Armstrong)

If your LinkedIn engagement has dropped and you're wondering whether the platform is still worth your time, this episode may completely change how you think about the new algorithm. Amy sits down with capital raiser and structural engineer Brian Armstrong to discuss how LinkedIn's evolving algorithm is changing the way capital raisers attract investors. Together, they explore profile optimization, credibility-building, content alignment, and the strategies that can help investors find and trust you online. This episode is for you if you've ever wondered: * Why are my LinkedIn impressions and engagement suddenly lower? * Does my LinkedIn profile impact how my posts perform? * What does LinkedIn actually look for when evaluating expertise? * How do I optimize my profile for the new algorithm? * Should I include my W-2 career in my LinkedIn profile? * What should my headline say if I'm raising capital? * Which skills should I highlight to support my content strategy? * How can I position my background as an advantage for investors? * Why are some people getting more investor conversations despite lower impressions? By the end of this episode, you'll walk away with: * A clear understanding of how the new LinkedIn algorithm evaluates your profile * Insight into why profile alignment now impacts post distribution and reach * A practical framework for optimizing your headline, About section, experience, and skills * A better understanding of how to connect your professional background to your investing expertise * Clarity on why profile optimization is no longer optional for capital raisers * A strategy for building authority and credibility with potential investors on LinkedIn * A new perspective on measuring success beyond impressions and vanity metrics * Confidence in adapting to LinkedIn's changes and using them to your advantage Hit play to learn how to optimize your LinkedIn profile, increase your visibility with the right investors, and make the algorithm work for your capital raising business instead of against it. Connect with Brian Armstrong! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianarmstrongse/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianarmstrongse/] Email: brian@progresscapitalgroup.com Want To Increase Your Capital Raising Capacity? Are you ready to raise capacity beyond friends and family and feel confident in your ability to close deals? Our on-demand course is for you! 🔗 https://www.sylviscapital.comLinkedIn Capital Raising Secrets on Demand www.capitalraisingsecrets.com [http://www.capitalraisingsecrets.com/] Connect with Amy on LinkedIn Stay updated on her latest strategies, deals, and insights for capital raisers. 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/amysylvis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amysylvis/]

035: 3 Strategies to Make Sure You Have Enough Capital to Close Your Next Deal

If you're posting on LinkedIn but still not attracting enough investors to confidently close your deals, you may be focusing on the wrong activities. In this solo episode, Amy shares three proven strategies to help capital raisers consistently fill the top of their funnel with qualified investor leads. She explains why defining your target avatar is the foundation of effective marketing, how to create content that actually resonates with potential investors, and why a lead magnet is essential for turning attention into relationships. This episode is for you if you've ever wondered: * Why am I posting on LinkedIn but not getting investor leads? * How do I attract strangers instead of relying on friends and family? * What should I actually post about on LinkedIn? * Why aren't people engaging with my content? * Do I really need to define a target avatar? * How specific should I get when identifying my ideal investor? * What is the difference between demographics and psychographics? * How do I create enough content without constantly scrambling for ideas? * What should I offer potential investors before asking them to book a call? By the end of this episode, you'll walk away with: * A clear framework for identifying and refining your ideal investor avatar * A better understanding of how psychographics drive investor engagement * A practical system for creating 90 days of LinkedIn content in advance * Insight into why real estate is the vehicle, not the destination, in your marketing * A strategy for creating content that speaks directly to investor fears, goals, and pain points * A clearer understanding of how to use LinkedIn to expand your capital raising funnel * Actionable ideas for lead magnets that help investors know, like, and trust you * Confidence in building a scalable investor acquisition system instead of relying on chance Hit play to learn how to attract more investor leads, build stronger relationships, and create a LinkedIn strategy that helps you raise capital beyond friends and family. Want To Increase Your Capital Raising Capacity? Are you ready to raise capacity beyond friends and family and feel confident in your ability to close deals? Our on-demand course is for you! 🔗 LinkedIn Capital Raising Secrets on Demand http://www.capitalraisingsecrets.com/www.capitalraisingsecrets.com [https://www.capitalraisingsecrets.com] Connect with Amy on LinkedIn Stay updated on her latest strategies, deals, and insights for capital raisers. 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/amysylvis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amysylvis/]

034: Why Investors Don't Trust You Yet And How to Change That with Shams Merchant

If you've raised capital from people you know but aren't sure how to consistently attract and convert new investors, this episode will help you build a stronger foundation for growth. Amy sits down with real estate private equity attorney and capital raiser Shams Merchant to discuss what it takes to move beyond friends and family capital. They explore investor acquisition strategies, the difference between one-to-one and one-to-many marketing, how to create content that actually resonates with potential investors, and why education and trust-building are essential before presenting an opportunity. This episode is for you if you've ever wondered: * How do I find accredited investors outside of my existing network? * Should I focus on networking, social media, podcasting, or speaking opportunities? * What makes LinkedIn such a powerful platform for capital raising? * Why aren't potential investors responding to my deals the way I expected? * Am I leading with returns when I should be leading with something else? * How do I create content that attracts the right investors? * Why do investors seem interested but never actually commit? * How many touchpoints does it take before someone is ready to invest? * What kind of educational content helps investors build confidence? By the end of this episode, you'll walk away with: * A clearer understanding of the difference between one-to-one and one-to-many capital raising strategies * A new perspective on using LinkedIn to build credibility and attract investors at scale * Insight into why investor motivations matter more than deal metrics at the beginning of the relationship * A practical framework for creating content that speaks to fears, goals, and desired outcomes * A better understanding of how investor education accelerates trust and confidence * Clarity on why most investors need multiple touches before making a commitment * Actionable ideas for webinars and educational content that nurture investors effectively * A stronger strategy for moving interested prospects toward investment decisions Hit play to learn how to attract the right investors, build trust faster, and create a capital-raising process that doesn't depend solely on your existing network. Connect with Shams Merchant! Email: shams@mwfirm.com Phone: (832) 451-2594 Website: https://www.mwfirm.com [https://www.mwfirm.com] Want To Increase Your Capital Raising Capacity? Are you ready to raise capacity beyond friends and family and feel confident in your ability to close deals? Our on-demand course is for you! 🔗 LinkedIn Capital Raising Secrets on Demand www.capitalraisingsecrets.com [http://www.capitalraisingsecrets.com/] Connect with Amy on LinkedIn Stay updated on her latest strategies, deals, and insights for capital raisers. 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/amysylvis/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amysylvis/]