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[W1062]Writing A Business Plan Free

by Danny Austin, Dan

Make Believe Financial Projections
This is the area one has to be very careful with.
A business plan will need to include everything
from break-even projections to proposed return on
investments to cash flow forecasts. And if you
have forecast the numbers outrageously high, you
better have somebody in your team who can discuss
these issues confidently.

Lack of a Viable Opportunity
Your business plan must show what are the
opportunities and how to exploit it profitably.
The Plan must also show how and what is required
and will be delivered.

Marketing Plan Are Not Clear
How is the company intending to secure access to
their target market in a cost-effective manner?
In this era there are thousands of web sites that
are available to help market but how to get
noticed in amongst the others is easier said than
done. Your business plan must include a
comprehensive and credible analysis of a
marketing plan.

Cash Flow Management
It is easy to overlook the most obvious when
writing a business plan. Ask yourself - "What is
the main purpose of this plan?" Once the primary
objective of the plan has been ascertained, it
will be easier to ensure that the key
requirements of the reader are met.

Inconsistent Business Plan
A business plan must be consistent throughout. It
is sensible for one person, if possible, to write
the plan as this helps eliminate the possibility
of inconsistencies.. Similarly anybody presenting
the plan must present a coherent delivery.

Down Play of Competition
It is not uncommon to downplay any competitors in
order to promote the idea or product. There are
always competitors to everything. However I feel
that it makes more sense to acknowledge your
competitors rather than ignoring them, honesty is
the best policy.

Don't Rush It Out!!
Business plans usually need to be completed by a
certain date and it can be easy to rush to get
things ready to submit. If this happens the
result does not do justice to the proposal.
Remember this, The business plan MUST be right
when it is submitted, with the contents accurate,
clear and spelt. Some top tips include:-
-Tables and Charts have been edited to ensure
they are formatted correctly;
-The Plan has been independently proof read by
someone not involved
-The presentation should be a true reflection of
the plan.

And it's all a big bore.

There's a reason for this. The "how to write business plans" books are classics. That means they are old. They were all written pre-internet. And that's an important consideration in capturing and holding an audience.
The writing style of the internet has changed the way people think. And the way they read.

For instance, glance through this web site, or most any other successful web site, and you will see some real differences in style and layout, such as:

1. Short Paragraphs. Computer monitors don't have the tight resolution of a printed page, so our eyes get tired. To help us focus, good writers use shorter paragraphs.

2. Bulleted Lists. But sometimes there is still a great deal to be communicated, so bulleted lists have become quite popular (or indented lists).

3. Block Indents. Block indents give visual variety, so your eyes don't get so tired and I can hold your attention a bit longer.

4. Left Align. In the old days, nearly all paragraphs were indented five spaces. No more.

5. Judicious Use of Color. A bit of color is nice. Splashes of color all over is yucky.

6. Style that Reflects the Topic. Your business plan layout, like your web site, is going to pick up on the style of your business. A presentation for stylish clothes for teenage girls will look a lot different than one for biotech research. Other than that, your business plan layout is pretty much up to you. Make sure that all the pertinent parts are there, but put them in any order that makes sense for your business.

7. The Tiny Font Stuff. And when you've got a glump of stuff that really needs to be included, but it is in tiny print and long paragraphs, put it as an attachment, either in hard copy form or on a disk, or both. That way, the information is still there for those who want it, but you wont' lose your reader before you get started.

8. How to Use Your Logo. Incorporating your logo is important too. I very small logo in a corner of the page, or on the first page of each section is fine. A big, intrusive logo splashed over every page is not fine.

As straightforward as this advice seems, I am continually astounded by how poorly written most business plan area. Many follow the rather dorky outline of business plan software. Most haven't a clue how to include a chart or an image.

My “Bad Example”: I have one business plan that I got a couple of years ago that I hold onto as a “bad example”. The business was actually pretty good. It was for an online business incorporating a particular ethnic style of art. The owner was from that ethnic group, so it was a nice fit. But the business plan was 100+ pages of tight, tight paragraphs. And not a single solitary image of the art. Not one. I just couldn't believe it.

Just as an entrepreneur can't plunk down three pages and shout, “Here I am! Drop your money in the bucket!”, neither can he expect a serious lender or investor to overlook a lousy business plan. This business plan represents you and your company.

Make it professional.

Make it real.

Make it reflect your energy and your style.

The money will follow.

Article Source : How Many Times Can You Take Plan B

About Author

Both Danny Austin & Maryann Shank are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Danny Austin has sinced written about articles on various topics from Finances, Vitamin and Mineral Supplement and Small Business. If you want to learn some Power Principles of Maximizing Your Business Success for FREE, subscribe to my FREE Newsletter by visiting http://www.ministryofbiz.com/eproducts.html. Danny Austin's top article generates over 450000 views. to your Favourites.

Maryann Shank has sinced written about articles on various topics from Network Marketing, Network Marketing and Business Plan. MaryAnn Shank, founder of has helped literally thousands of entrepreneurs raise funding for their businesses, large and small. Her advice is g. Maryann Shank's top article generates over 60500 views. to your Favourites.