How to write a business plan

Need step-by-step guidance to help you write a business plan? We can help, with dozens of articles on business plan writing, from writing a mission statement to how to do financial projections and beyond. Also, be sure to check out our free sample business plans to see how other successful businesses did it.

Business planning basics

• What is a Business Plan?
• Do I Need a Business Plan?
• Who Needs a Business Plan?
• How Will You Use Your Plan?
• How Long Should a Business Plan Be?
• The Different Types of Business Plans

What Sort of Plan do You Need?

Business plan format

• A Complete Business Plan Outline
• A Simpler Plan for Startups
• Start With an Initial Assessment
• How to Write an Executive Summary
• How to Write a Mission Statement
• What You Sell (Your Products and Services)

• Your Industry and Competition
• Your Management Team: The People Behind the Plan
• What Financial Forecasts do You Need in Your Plan?

All about business plan financials

• Precise, Accurate Estimates are More Than Guesses
• How to Create a Sales Forecast
• How to Simplify Your Sales Forecast
• How to Create a Break-even Analysis
• All about Cash Flow
• The Difference Between Cash and Profits
• International Business Planning

• A Guide to Business Plan Financials
• How Do I Start a Sales Forecast?

Pitching your plan

• Are You Pitching Your Business Naked?
• Personalize Your Pitch
• Angels vs. VCs on Business Pitches
• Pitching Your Business: How Not to Answer A Tough Question
• 5 Things Missing From Most Entrepreneur Pitches

How to Create a Perfect Elevator Pitch

Keys to successful business plans

• What Makes a Good Plan?
• Keys to Better Business Plans
• Successful Budgeting Involves People
• Common Business Plan Mistakes

Business Plan Fundamentals

Getting help with your plan

• How Much Should You Pay a Business Plan Consultant?
• How to get Business Plan Consulting for Free
• Business Planning Software