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How to publish your own book
How to choose an e-book publisher
How to write a business plan
Ways to promote your book
Find a freelance writing job
How to write a business plan
When writing a business plan, it's important to note that the better you articulate your idea, the more likely you are to receive funding for your company. Many small businesses never make it off the ground because their purpose and vision are not clearly stated. Therefore, use the following tips to make sure that you plan is careful, concise and inspiring:
Step One: The Cover
The cover to your plan should be simple. It should include your logo, if you have one, and basic details about yourself and the company. Include the company name, address, your name, and the date. Place these things in bold, so that they stand out to the reader.
Step Two: Plan Objective
This should be a one-page, clear statement about what you hope to accomplish with your plan. State your intent to use the plan as a finance guide, operating guide, etc. Follow the Plan Objective with a table of contents.
Step Three: Business Profile
This should be a straightforward description of your business. Avoid saying the same thing twice. Outline the name, location, organization and market of your business. Outline your business goals and objectives.
Step Four: Market Profile
This is a profile of your customers and their characteristics, as well as your plan to reach them. Identify your target market, or the section of the population that your business is aimed at. Tell the reader why your business is necessary. Include information on the factors that will affect you, such as traffic, location and the economy. Include your prices in this area.
Step Five: Competition Profile
You have to look at your competition in depth to figure out whether or not your company will make it. You should indicate why your company is better than other companies that provide the same service, if any. You should also include any knowledge of the moves of your competition, and how you will counter them.
Step Six: Location, Facility and Management
This section will describe the practical aspects of your company. Indicate how the company will be managed, located and how you will deal with issues like rent, office space, etc. Include the reasons that you have chosen to run and locate it in this manner. For example, if your company is strategically located in a populated place, indicate that here.
Step Seven: Management Profile
When you are starting a business, you will want to have a management team behind you to help you with aspects of your work. You'll need a financial advisor, a legal advisor, in some cases a management advisor. For a web-based business, you'll need a graphic designer and site creator. Give a summary of these people here, with bios and plaudits. Split your advisors into two groups: the management team, which is involved in all company decision, and the advisory board, which acts solely as a source of advice when needed.
For the more prepared, the next section will be a financial section. You'll need a loan application, if asking for a loan, a list of start-up expenses, a list of equipment, an income projection sheet, a balance sheet and a cash flow projection. If you can, add projections on the company's performance during its second and third years. You will need to hire your financial advisor for this purpose.
Finish the plan with a resume, as well as any other relevant resumes you may feel are important. Add your credit rating, so that investors can see that your credit is good. Add graphics and supplemental materials if this is necessary. Good luck!
Written by genevieve thiers
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