Writing A Business Plan:
How To Create A Business Plan With Snap

Learning how to create a business plan is similar to learning how create a sculpture.

• All the materials are there.
• The drive is there.
• The talent is there.

It's putting it all together that becomes the real challenge.

The Inspiration for a Business Plan

Easily 90% of all business plans are so dull and so poorly written that they give "business" a bad name. 

Creating a business plan with strength and influence doesn't take a genius. It does take some planning, and a bit of inspiration.

Where do you get that inspiration?

Look first at your own business materials, especially if you've been in business for a while. You should have begun to establish a "look" that is yours. That will probably form the foundation of your business plan very effectively.

If your business is new, take an inspiration from others in your industry. Don't copy anyone else -- that won't do either of you any good. But get a feeling for the kinds of styles used. Is a fancy Baroque style appropriate, or a formal modern style? How about a swingy bright red?

If you are comfortable in your "style", the writing seems to flow much easier.

How to Create a Business Plan in the Internet Era

It often feels like there are two distinct styles to strong business plans: those created pre-internet, and those created post-internet.

In the pre-internet world, those who knew how to create a business plan created a 20-30 page tightly written document.

The world has changed. Now, in the post-internet era, creating a business plan requires a much stronger presentation element. To stand out, we now create a business plan with internet linking in mind, whether or not it is placed on the internet. 

To really make a strong impression now, create the hard copy business plan, with a strong sense of style, of course. Then put a copy of the hyperlinked text on a disk in the front pocket of the business plan.

How to Create a Business Plan with Real Punch

How might you start out? See some great opening lines here.

What kinds of information is needed? Here's a basic outline of a business plan for you.

Your goal is to get a financing person interested. Don't worry about presenting every single thing about the company. In fact, don't present every single thing about the company.  Leave the door open for the banker to ask some questions. Create a dialog. If your business plan actually creates that dialog, it has more than done its job.

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