The Closet Entrepreneur:
Writing a business plan…

As mentioned before, there are no hard and fast rules for writing a business plan. Do you really need an executive summary, 3-Year pro forma, and sales forecasts for the next five years? Only if you’re going to find a benefit from these things.

The example below is the structure I used to get started, so feel free to mix it up, reorder, and modify it to suit your needs:

- The Vision -

What exactly is my business?
What problem does it solve and why is my solution the best/most unique?
What benefit does it provide to my customers?

- Branding -

What is my story and/or message?
What is my product’s personality, soul, and voice?
How will I translate the above into an identity, logo, website, business card, et cetera?

- The Numbers -

What does it cost to build my product and/or provide my service?
What are my expenses and are there any hidden costs?
What profit can I expect to make per item and is it acceptable/realistic?
What is my budget and what will I do if I go over?

- Beta Testing -

What existing resources/products can I use to help create my product?
Do I have someone in mind to try out my product/service?
How will I collect and utilize feedback?
How will I turn my beta users into paying customers?

- Sales and Marketing -

How will I get my initial customers?
How will I provide customer service and collect/utilize feedback?
What marketing channels should I explore - web, radio, print, et cetera?

As I mentioned before, this is what I used to get started and there are other pieces to the puzzle that can be incorporated such as funding, an exit strategy, employees, management structure, break-even analysis, profit and loss, et cetera. Ultimately, utilize items that will help your business grow and succeed now, and…

Writing the Dreaded Business Plan [The Closet Entrepreneur]

• 0 Comments

  

Comments

 Add your own comments

Name:

Email Address:

URL:
Remember Me? YesNo

Comments: (you may use HTML tags for style)

What next?

 Digg it

 Save This Page

 Subscribe to GetEntrepreneurial.com

 Leave a comment

Next Article: Is It Possible To Work From Home? »

Previous Article: How To Go Easy On Filing Tax »

Steven Teo is a GE Network Expert. View Steven Teo's profile or read more articles from Steven Teo. Learn more about the GE Experts Network.

Have an expert opinion on issues entrepreneurs and small business owners face everyday? Join the GetEntrepreneurial.com Experts Network and share your expertise with the community!

The new GE Experts Network is inviting seasoned entrepreneurs and small business owners to come on board and contribute small business advice to our community of aspiring entrepreneurs. If you have an effective way of generating sales or you know how to use social networking to connect with your customers, join us in providing wider entrepreneurial content that would benefit small business owners worldwide.

Click Here to Learn More >>

Related Articles

 The ARCA Launch for the Google Lunar X Prize » The Aeronautics and Cosmonautics Romanian Association (ARCA) has announced that it will be ready to launch it’s 92-pound rover called the European...

 Nuebbo Business Contacts » Nuebbo is a new digital and virtual business card holder for the Internet. The free service provides you with all of the...

 Ikea Guerilla Marketing Stunt » Ikea have done an amazing job of creating a brand that everybody considers when needing good quality cheap and cheerful furniture. We...

 TerraCycle » The Wall Street Journal: TerraCycle has formed deals with large food and beverage makers to collect discarded wrappers and juice pouches and...

Need more brand new promising business ideas and innovations around the world you wish you'd thought of? Visit CoolBusinessIdeas.com now!

Ever wanted to be the CEO of your very own Starbucks or Amazon.com? Fire your boss and be your own boss? Now you can, with BIZNESS! - the free biweekly business newsletter about new business ideas, opportunities and innovations from around the world. More than just new business trends, BIZNESS! helps the aspiring entrepreneur (you!) with small business advice, business tips, and entrepreneur resources and opportunities.

   Subscribe for free now!    

---