- Market Directly to the Consumer
- Party Plan
- Direct Mail
- Telemarketing
- Multilevel Marketing
- Television Infomercials
- Pay-Per-Call
- Internet
- Market Through the Government
- Market Through Distribution Channels
- Market Through Foreign Trade
- Market Through Specialty Channels
- Market Through Email
- Retail Stores
- Sales Promotion
- Media Outlets
- Entrepreneur Profile
- Start-Up Costs
- Operating Costs
- 20 Financing Approaches
- Choosing a Bank
- 4 Cs of Credit
- Underwriting
- Loans
- Equity Financing
- Extending Credit
- Equipment Leasing
- Venture Capital
- Angel Investors
- Personal Guarantees
- Bookkeeping and Financial Statements
- Entrepreneur Profile
- Tax Basics
- Income Taxes
- When To Pay
- Minimizing Taxes
- Home Business
- Travel and Entertainment Expenses
- Automobile Expense and Mileage
- Retirement Plans
- Medical Expenses
- Sales and Use Taxes
- Property Taxes
- W-4 and I-9
- W-2, W-3 and Form 1096
- FICA, Social Security and Medicare
- Unemployment Taxes
- Form 1099
- Payroll
- Business Tax
- Excise Tax
- Tax Tips
- Audits
- Business Insurance Agents
- Workers’ Compensation
- Property Insurance
- General Liability
- General Medical
- COBRA
- Directors and Officers
- Employment Practices Liability
- Errors and Omissions
- Product Liability
- Operations
- Business Interruption
- Disability
- Life
- Claims
- IRS Section 125
- Home-Based Business
- Entrepreneur Profile
- Nondisclosure Agreement
- Sale of Goods Agreement
- Sale of Specialty Goods Agreement
- Terms and Conditions
- Promissory Note
- Guarantee
- Corporation Articles of Incorporation
- Corporation Bylaws
- Bank Resolution
- IRC Section 83 Election
- Independent Contractor Agreement
- Employment Agreement
- Sexual Harassment Policy
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Joe Kennedy
Author of The Small Business Owner's Manual |
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ORDER NOW: The Small Business Owner's Manual |
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Stephanie Chandler
Author of The Business Startup Checklist & Planning Guide |
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Steven D. Strauss
Author of The Small Business Bible |
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ORDER NOW: The Small Business Bible |
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Tom Severance
Author of Business Start-Up Guide |
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1 - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Executive Summary is the most important part of your business plan. Most business plans are judged and disregarded without reading beyond the Executive Summary, so make it perfect. Be brief and clear. Write this section LAST to ensure that it summarizes and conveys the best elements of your plan. It should not exceed two pages. One page is ideal.
COMPANY
What is your product or service? What is your market or industry? Describe your company’s history and plans as quickly and effectively as possible.
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Explain your product or service in one or two sentences. What makes it special? How will it be positioned in the marketplace? Who are your competitors? Are you going to compete on price, quality or uniqueness?
MARKET ANALYSIS
How large is your market? Will you seek customers locally, regionally, nationally or internationally? Where is your industry headed? What are the trends in your industry?
STRATEGY & IMPLEMENTATION
Elaborate on your plans for sales, marketing, publicity, distribution and strategic partners. What deals or relationships have you already secured? What tactics will you use to achieve your goals?
MANAGEMENT
Who are the key members of your team? Summarize their experience and strengths. What roles will they perform? What jobs will need to be filled?
FINANCIAL PLAN
Describe the main elements of your financials. How will the business earn revenues? What are your profit margins? When will your business reach its break-even point? What are your projected sales and profits?
SOURCES & USE OF FUNDS
How much money does your business require? What sources of funds are you proposing? Summarize how the funds will be spent, including startup costs and operations until the business reaches profitability.