How to write Business Plan Proposals that showcase your strengths...
and attract funding

How to write business plan proposals: Are you looking to start a new business? Do you have a product or service you want to sell? Do you have a new invention or a better way to service customers? Do you need an investment or a loan to get your business started? Then you need a business plan.

Think of a business plan the same way you'd think of a resume...

If you were applying for a job, you would present your skills, experience and knowledge and tailor it to the position you seek. You would 'sell' yourself to prospective employers. You would focus on why they should hire you and what benefits and results you would bring them.

You wouldn't apply for a job without putting forth the most convincing resume, would you?

And if you're hired, your employer would pay you a salary and expect a greater return from you than what you would be paid, right? You bet. After all, they've invested in you!

Business plans are like resumes for your business. In the same way you'd convince an employer through your resume that investing in you is worthwhile, a business plan sells your business concept, product or service to:

• Investors
• Lenders
• Suppliers
• Key members involved in managing, marketing and financials of your business

Business Plan Pro For the entrepreneur who is starting a new company, launching new products, or seeking funding or partners, Business Plan Pro produces professional business plans quickly and easily. More entrepreneurs have chosen Business Plan Pro than any other software. Learn more about Business Plan Pro.

So if business plans are so important, why do so many small businesses avoid them?

That's a good question! And there are many answers to that question...

Business plans take time - why bother writing a plan when you can get down to business, right? Wrong!!

Business plans require research - many small business owners don't know how to do the research, and many small businesses are indeed afraid that that the research findings won't go in their favor. The truth sometimes hurts!

Business plans involve financial accounting - apart from the fact a lot of people don't like number crunching, the task of forecasting numbers also scares a lot of people...again, the truth sometimes hurts.

Not everyone knows how to write business plan proposals - especially if the plan's purpose is to convince or attract investors or lenders to your business, then it needs to be well-written. I don't know about you, but writing never was one of my favorite subjects!

Writing a successful business plan is vital to the long-term success of your business

Despite all the reasons mentioned, business planning is a crucial skill for any business owner to have. And while you need to take the time and make the effort, the rewards of learning how to write business plan proposals effectively far outweigh the inconvenience.

Remember - a business plan is a resume for your business concept. Just as there is a standard format for a resume which you would tailor to highlight your career achievements, business plans have a standard format which can be tailored to showcase the key points of your business.

Useful Links:

• Creating a business plan - getting started
• Basic Business Plans
• Who are you writing a business plan for?
• Steps to Write Business Plan
• Do you have the right mindset for developing a business plan?
• Learn about the key elements of a business plan
• A suggested business planning format
• How do all of the business plan components fit together?
• Follow an effective business plan layout to structure your plan
• What makes a successful small business plan?

Share your ideas and experiences!

Do you have your own ideas or experiences about how to write a business plan? Share them here.

Enter Your Title

Tell Us Your Idea or Experience! [ ? ]

Close Help Entering your submission is easy to do. Just type!... Your comments will appear on a Web page exactly the way you enter it here. You can wrap a word in square brackets to make it appear bold. For example [my story] would show as my story on the Web page containing your story. TIP: Since most people scan Web pages, include your best thoughts in your first paragraph.

Upload 1-4 Pictures or Graphics (optional) [ ? ]

Close Help Do you have a picture to add? Great! Click the button and find it on your computer. Then select it.

Add a Picture/Graphic Caption (optional) 

Click here to upload more images (optional)

Add a Picture/Graphic Caption (optional) 

Add a Picture/Graphic Caption (optional) 

Add a Picture/Graphic Caption (optional) 

Author Information (optional)

To receive credit as the author, enter your information below.

Your Name	(first or full name)
Your Location	(ex. City, State, Country)

Submit Your Contribution

Check box to agree to these submission guidelines.

(You can preview and edit on the next page)

Click here to see the rest of the form and complete your submission.

What Other Visitors Have Said

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...