If this is your first time raising funding, you'll shortcut a lot of hard lessons if you enlist an advisor who's raised money before. Make sure you properly vet the advisor.

Ensure they've raised money recently, in your sector, in your geography, and from the type of investors you'll be approaching. Investment terms change with time, by industry, by location, and based on the type of investment.

If you've already researched possible funding sources, had some feeler discussions, and mapped out your funding milestones, this is a good time to discuss the plan with an advisor.