Although they take different forms and have several objectives, they all have one thing in common: business plans help you achieve your objectives and help you determine the means to achieve them. Our simple business plan template covers everything you need to start a side gig, solo operation, or small business. By following this step-by-step process, you can discover several alternative paths to success.
Why are business plans important?
Whether you're a first-time entrepreneur or a business owner, the planning process forces you to consider the costs and responsibilities of bringing a product or service to market. The process helps you identify new revenue opportunities and leverage more profitable business models.
While important, creating a business plan doesn't have to be a chore. Business plans for startups and small entrepreneurs can easily provide a business concept, a sales plan, target customers, and an action plan to market the product or service. However, if you are looking for funding or partnership opportunities, you should write a business plan detailing market research, operating costs, and revenue projections.
No matter which startup category you fall into, Square One, our simple business plan template will point you in the right direction.
Get Your Simple Business Plan Template
Download our simple, free business plan template to help you fill in the blanks as you review each element of your business plan. Need help bringing your ideas to life? You can also find sample startup scripts below.
How to write an effective business plan in 6 steps
Whether you need a quick start-up overview or a detailed plan for investors, every business plan should include the six key elements listed in our free template and explained below. The main difference between starting a small business and a business backed by venture capital is the market research and the operational and financial details needed to sell the concept.
1. Your mission or vision
Start by articulating your "dream statement" for your business. You can call it your vision statement or your mission statement if you are an abstract. Whatever its name, the first part of your business plan summarizes your idea by answering five questions. Keep it short like an elevator. You will expand on these answers in the Simple Business Plan Template section.
- What does your business do? Are you selling a product, service, information or combination?
- Where does it take place ? Do you do business online, in-store, on mobile, or in a specific area or location?
- Who does your business use? Who is the ideal customer for your target market and your idea?
- Why do potential customers care? What makes your ideal customers understand your business?
- How do your products and/or services differ from your competitors? What makes your ideal client choose you over your competitors?
If you have a solid concept for your business, these answers will come easily, but don't worry if you get stuck. Use the rest of the planning template to gather ideas and strategies. You will quickly find these answers and perhaps new directions by exploring your own ideas and possibilities.
2. Offer and price idea
This is where you list your offerings, whether you sell products, offer services, or both, and explain why everyone should care. This is a value proposition. Specifically, expand on the answers to the first and fourth points of your mission/vision.
As you complete this section, you may find that the value proposition analysis will reveal business opportunities that you may not have considered. So take some time to think about the options in this section.
3. Audience and ideal client
Here are three things that can benefit your business. Identifying your ideal customer and finding a wider audience for your products or services is key to defining your sales and marketing strategies as well as refining your offerings.
There are many ways to research your potential audience, but one shortcut is to simply identify a problem people can solve with your product or service. When you start problem-solving, it becomes easier to define your audience and identify your customers' needs and wants for your marketing efforts.
4. Revenue, sales and marketing channels
Thanks to our internet economy, startups have multiple revenue opportunities and can reach their target audience through multiple channels. Revenue and sales channels serve as marketing tools, so you'll cover all three in this section.
come
Income There are many ways to earn money in your business. In your plan template, outline how you will initially fundraise and include ideas for future expansion. You will also be surprised at the income opportunities. A few things to consider:
- Sale of products: online, pop-up stores, wholesaler and (future) store
- Affiliate Income: Earn money from affiliate links on your blog and social media posts
- Advertising revenue: book a website for advertising
- eBook Sales: ( coming soon) Publish Gluten Free and Keto Friendly Dessert Recipe eBooks
- Video Monetization : Monetize your YouTube channel (coming soon) with videos of gluten-free and keto desserts.
- Webinars and online courses: Win webinars and online courses with unique cooking tips and techniques as a (future) trainer .
- Members Only Content: Earn money in the members only section of the website for exclusive (future) content by completing webinars and online courses.
- Franchising: (Future) Generate revenue with a unique concept and sell franchises to entrepreneurs.
Sales channels
Sales channels drive your revenue. This section answers the question "where will she be" in the second point of your vision.
Product sales channels can be:
- Mobile Point of Sale (POS): A mobile platform to manage physical sales at farmers markets, fairs and village festivals.
- E-commerce platform: online store for retail and wholesale orders
- Social media channels: I bought Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest posts and pins on social media channels to sell online
- Physical Location: For in-store sales, once the business has grown to the point of supporting a physical location.
Other revenue support channels may include:
- Affiliate Earnings: Ecommerce Website Blog Section and Affiliate Accounts
- Advertising revenue: reserved advertising space on an e-commerce site
- eBook Sales: Amazon eBook Sales via Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing
- Video monetization: YouTube channel with advertising monetization
- Webinars and Online Courses: Online courses and webinar platforms that support member accounts, registration, and playback.
- Members-Only Content: Password-protected content for subscribers
marketing
Today, the line between marketing and sales channels is blurred. Social media, e-books, websites, blogs, and videos serve as marketing tools and income opportunities. Since most of them are free and have very affordable advertising options, they are perfect marketing channels for small startups.
However, many businesses still find value in traditional advertising like local radio, television, direct mail, newspapers and magazines. You can include these advertising costs in your business plan template to help you develop your marketing plan and budget.
5. Structure, suppliers and operations
This section of your simple business plan template explains how to start and run your business. Details include the type of business your startup will run, roles and responsibilities, vendor logistics, and day-to-day operations. Also include in this section any certifications or licenses required to start your business.
The following initial structure and planning can be used:
- Company Structure: Sole Proprietorship “Doing Business As” (DBA).
- Licenses and Certifications: Government issued food license.
- Roles and Responsibilities : Soloist with all roles and responsibilities.
- Supply chain: bulk products and food packaging. Annual membership costs for companies like Amazon Prime. Cooperation in the field of transport provision; No membership required.
- Daily Tasks: Obtain ingredients and bake three days a week to fulfill local and online orders. Organize special sales, member requests and marketing events as needed. Submit online orders every other day. Update website and create blog posts for holiday marketing and membership.
6. Financial projections
Your final task is to outline your business start-up forecasts, ongoing expenses, and profit projections in your simple business plan template. Thanks to free business tools like Square and Free Social Media Marketing, solid startups can get started with little start-up costs. In many cases, the only reimbursable expenses are merchandise, shipping and packaging, business licenses, and business card printing.
at least
It's always important to get focus and detail into a business plan, but don't over-plan and never hit the start button to launch your business. Also remember that business plans are not set in stone. Markets, audiences and technologies change, as do your goals and the means to achieve them. Think of your business plan as a living document and review, expand, and restructure it regularly based on market opportunities and business growth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is there a business plan template?
Yes, you can copy our free business plan template and fill in the blanks or customize it in Google Docs, Microsoft Word or another word processing program. This free business plan template covers six key things every entrepreneur should consider when starting a new business.
