A good business plan will identify the target market segments and then provide some data to indicate how fast each segment is growing. When identifying target markets, a classic method is to use the TAM, SAM, and SOM breakdown to look at market sizes from a top-down approach as well as a bottom-up approach.
If you are selling a product, the packaging of that product is critical. If you have images of your packaging, including those in your business plan is always a good idea.
In the upcoming sections of this article, I’ll dive into the details of each section of your business plan and focus on building one that your investors and lenders will want to read.
Writing a business plan is about establishing a foundation for your business. You’re not predicting the future, you’re working through the core strategy of your business that will help you grow. This initial document isn’t meant to be perfect but is designed to be reviewed and adjusted to help you identify and reach your goals.
Problem and solution
Now that you have detailed your problem and solution in your business plan, it’s time to turn your focus toward your target market: Who are you selling to?
This section doesn’t need to go into excruciating detail about how every last dollar will be spent, but instead, show the major areas where the investors’ funds will be spent. These could include marketing, R&D, sales, or perhaps purchasing inventory.
For product companies, a distribution plan is an important part of the complete business plan. For the most part, service companies can skip this piece and move on.
Also, there are websites offering different business templates in PDF, you can have a preview on these template and download a needed one. Here we pick top 4 for you to choose from, if you deem these resources valuable and useful, please spread the word by sharing on your social media to extend your thanks for those great file contributors.
If you want more samples for reference, you can go to dynamicbusinessplan for 3 more alternatives.
But what should a business plan include to take effect? Here are the essential parts you should write into a business plan:
At the beginning of each year, people in business fields always start their newly prosperous year with a business plan. Creating a business proposal is indeed a big task, you have to cast your eyes into the future and include a definitive guide to shape your business. And luckily, we got open source for business plan templates that fit our needs, which greatly save our time to draft a feasible business plan.
Free Business Plan Template PDF with Download Link
A web-based platform to offer paid and free templates for different usage, including CMS, Web, eCommerce, Design, Business and so on. Users can free download those general templates, while those with creative and advanced design will require a commercial investment.
Steps to Create Your Own Business Plan with Readiris 16 for Windows
- Create business plan in PDF from other document type (Word, PowerPoint, ePub, HTML, Text, CHM, Image, etc)
Although even the best-crafted plan may not survive its first contact with reality, the act of planning is still invaluable for any business owner.
Once you’ve done the strategic work, it’s time to put it into action and write your plan. Download the business plan template, and review our guide on writing a business plan for additional information.
Before you write your own, read through the following business plan example. You can download a copy in Microsoft Word or Google Docs and use it to inspire your own planning.
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A professional business plan example to inspire you
Business plans often are used to secure funding, but plenty of businesses find writing a plan valuable, even if they never work with an investor. That’s why we put together a free business plan template to help you get started.
The sample is set up to help you get a sense of each section and understand how they apply to the planning and evaluation stages of a business plan. If you’re looking for funding, this example won’t be a complete or formal look at a business plan, but it will give you a great place to start and notes about where to expand.
This template is designed to ensure you’re thinking through all of the important facets of starting a new business. It’s intended to help new entrepreneurs and small business owners consider the full scope of running a business and identify functional areas they may not have considered or where they may need to level up their skills as they grow.
The easiest way to simplify the work of writing a business plan is to start with a business plan template.
Logistics and operations are the workflows you’ll implement to make your ideas a reality. If you’re writing a business plan for your own planning purposes, this is still an important section to consider, even though you might not need to include the same level of detail as if you were seeking investment.
For example, a college student has different interests, shopping habits, and pricing sensitivity than a 50-year old executive at a Fortune 500 company. Your business plan and decisions would look very different based on which one was your ideal customer.
To define your values, think about all the people your company is accountable to, including owners, employees, suppliers, customers, and investors. Now consider how you’d like to conduct business with each of them. As you make a list, your core values should start to emerge.
A business plan can help you identify clear, deliberate next steps for your business, even if you never plan to pitch investors—and it can help you see gaps in your plan before they become issues.
Financial plan
Business planning is often used to secure funding, but plenty of business owners find writing a plan valuable, even if they never work with an investor. That’s why we put together a free business plan template to help you get started.
Here’s a spreadsheet template that includes everything you’ll need to create an income statement, balance sheet, and cash-flow statement, including some sample numbers. You can edit it to reflect projections if needed.
You’ll always have competition in the market, even with an innovative product, so it’s important to include a competitive overview in your business plan. If you’re entering an established market, include a list of a few companies you consider direct competitors and explain how you plan to differentiate your products and business from theirs.
Some sources to consult for market data include government statistics offices, industry associations, academic research, and respected news outlets covering your industry.
Management Team: An overview of the people behind the business and why they’re the right team to make the business a success.
Market Analysis: Describes your customers and the size of your target market
Instructions and help at every step Get help with clear, simple instructions for each section of the business plan. No business experience necessary.
If you’re interested in learning how to write a business plan, read our free in-depth guide to writing a business plan , download our free Business Plan Template , and check out LivePlan —our award-winning business planning software.
Key Sections Included in our Example Business Plans:
Discover the sample plan that best fits your business. Search our gallery of over 500 sample business plans and find the one that's right for you.
Strategy and Implementation: Provides the details of how you plan on building the business.
Executive Summary: A quick overview of your plan and entices investors to read more of your plan.
A Word doc you can edit We don’t just have PDF documents that make editing a challenge. Each plan is available in Word format so you can start editing your business plan example right away.