How to Write a Business Plan for Start Ups

Written by Tom Clegg on .

Putting together a business plan is the most significant step within the business start up process. Even if you don’t require a business plan, the task of simply writing down your ideas, goals and thoughts can help focus your mind on the key aspects of the business which you may otherwise have overlooked. Unrealistic goals will put off potential partners and investors so make sure your projections are realistic and can be met.

So, to give you some inspiration and help set you out on the right path, here are some tips to help you create the perfect business plan:

Research

You need to first, research your market thoroughly and ask yourself, if there a market for your service? Who is going to be the competition?

Finding the answers to these key questions, will set out the future for your business and here is how you’ll discover your USP.

Your USP

What is your unique selling point? What sets you aside from the competition and why will customers want to buy from you and not them? You need something that will make you stand out from all the other businesses within your industry and will remain that way.

Risks

Successful entrepreneurs can identify their weaknesses and potential risks as well as their strengths. This way of thinking needs to be applied when setting up your business. This again will keep your ideas and projections realistic and achievable when calculating potential risks or setbacks.

Consider Your audience

Depending on the purpose of your business plan, will mean your audience will differ. If you are putting together a plan for investors, or potential partners, be sure to tailor your plan to suit your audience.

Structure

Following a simple structure when writing out your business plan will help keep it precise, informative and professional. Consider some of the following sections to include;

  • Introduction/objectives
  • Market, demand and environmental analysis
  • Company analysis
  • Analysis of competition
  • Success factors
  • Economic analysis
  • Finance
  • Conclusion

Remember that your business plan also acts as an indicator of your success as time goes on. Be sure to update and reflect on your plan from time to time to prevent you from straying away from your initial objectives.