Writing A Business Plan:
Your Business Plan Template. Take The Basics Out For A Spin

The standard information needed in a basic business plan is pretty straight forward, so we provide this free basic business plan template for your use.

All of the business plan software programs and business plan templates, whether they are free templates or expensive ones, include this type of information for small business presentations.

Of course, use the method of writing that "works" for you -- the one that captures your voice in your business proposal. I present here the one that I often use. It begins with

Step 1: Outlining the material on hand (See below).

Once I know what I have, then I can begin to mold it into a business proposal. I often skip to Step 2, but if you haven't written many business plans, it's a good idea to pause and examine a bit more closely the kinds of information that goes into different types of business plans:

Step 2 -- First Draft of Your Business Plan . Then turn your information into something really great:

Step 3 -- Creating the Stunning Presentation that Your Business Needs.

This is where you make your company -- and you -- shine. Using the materials from your Marketing Plan, your Financials, and your draft, here is where the "stunning and successful" part begins.

For your business plan, include those sections that seem appropriate, and ignore the other sections. Each business plan is unique and distinguishes a single business from all the others.

OUTLINE OF A BASIC BUSINESS PLAN

SUMMARY. A 1 - 3 page outline of the business concept, highlighting the strengths of the particular business.

MARKET ANALYSIS. Present both the overall market, and the market for your specific company. (Note: Take a look at Marketing Plans for information on how to find the statistics you need.) Where possible, include:

Current changes in the market;
Market segments
Target market, with quantification of client base;
Customer characteristics;
Customer needs;
Customer buying decisions;
Industry overview;
Basic outline of competition;
Emerging opportunities in the marketplace;
Potential risks;
Marketing strategy; and
Sales strategies

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION on all key players, including officers, directors and other key people.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION to include the following. (Note: BizMiner has excellent financial summaries, including ratios, on over 12,000 industries. Check it out to see if your industry is represented -- it will save you a lot of time and money if it is.)

Historical financial statements
Pro forma financial statements

ADDED INFORMATION, as needed

Patents and copyrights
Articles in major publications
Research material
Drill downs of financial summaries

Having listed this information, let me emphasize that having all of this information in a written package does NOT constitute having an effective business plan for your small business.

Your business plan needs to be crafted to showcase your company. Many ideas for accomplishing just that are presented in this web site, and many more are provided in the publications and recommended sites.

This free business plan template is the first step in your creation process. Please use the free template -- and refer back to it often -- to create the most effective business plan possible.

Because you want your business plan to be unique, take a look at some of these sample business plans. Each one is over 90 pages, just stuffed full of everything that you need to know: sample plans, sample language, sample financials, considerations for your particular type of business, and more. It may well be the best few dollars you spend in developing your business.

Next, gather all of the information you have to date and take at look at free business plan templates included with every single one of our financing kits, and begin drafting your own business plan.