1. Write a strong summary
Start your business plan with an executive summary. This should provide an overview of your business, including your company name, location, mission statement, and any planned products or services. Although it comes first, it may be easier to write this part last.
For startups seeking investment, the executive summary is especially important as it is your first opportunity to grab investors' attention and generate interest in your business. It should be clear, concise, and compelling, emphasizing why your business is destined for success.
2. Please enter your company profile
A company description provides readers, including potential investors and partners, with a clear understanding of what the company does. It's also an opportunity to communicate the unique qualities of your business and how your products meet current market needs.
Your company description must include:
- Formal name
- Real address
- Type of business structure (e.g. LLCcorporation or sole proprietorship)
- mission statement
- target market
- Biography
- Future prospects
3. Stock market analysis
Here you need to present your research on the industry. By providing a thorough analysis, you can demonstrate to potential investors and lenders that you have a unique perspective on the area in which your business operates.
Your market analysis should include:
- Industry overview
- Key audiences including demographic and psychographic profiles
- Market needs, trends and growth
- Competitor analysis by market share
4. Product or Service Overview
In this part, we will explain in detail what we sell and what services we provide. The purpose of this section is to convincingly explain your product and how it meets the needs of your target market.
Your product or service summary should include:
- An overview of your product or service, explaining its main features and how they work
- Customer benefits and competitive advantage
- Offering development stage
- pricing strategy
- life cycle
- Intellectual property such as patents, trademarks, and copyrights
5. Description of marketing and sales strategies
Here we outline a plan to attract and retain customers. The marketing and sales strategy section should include:
- Target market needs and motivations
- brand positioning
- Sales and marketing strategy
- Distribution channel
- Targeted and secure marketing partnerships
- outsourcing needs
- customer retention
6. Current Significant Financial Conditions
If you're looking for funding, explain how much you need over the next five years and what you plan to spend it on. You should include a projected income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, and capital expenditure budget.
7. Include additional details in a concise appendix
This section is optional, but may include key employee resumes, references, job descriptions and organizational hierarchy, contracts, legal information, and other related documents.
