Can anyone write me a business plan that doesn't cost me an arm and a leg?

Can anyone write me a business plan that doesn't cost me an arm and a leg?

I haven't the slightest idea on how to write a plan or how to get started on my business!? Please help!!!

User Comments

1. Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can. Here are some book titles that are relevant:
   
   * Writing a Convincing Business Plan by Arthur R. DeThomas Ph.D., Lin Grensing-Pophal
   * The Definitive Business Plan: The Fast Track to Intelligent Business Planning for Executives and Entrepreneurs (2nd Edition) by Richard Stutely
   * The Complete Book of Business Plans: Simple Steps to Writing a Powerful Business Plan (Small Business Sourcebooks) by Joseph A. Covello
   * The One Page Business Plan with CD-ROM by James T., Jr. Horan
   
   There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.
   
   Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
2. You may want to go work for someone else. Once you learn the business you can start your own business.
3. Write it yourself. Write down how you intend to procure your raw materials, how you will find employees, how you will find start-up money, how you will market your product, how much money you think you need to keep operations going, how you will create that money, how you will account for taxes, how you will pay your lawyers, et cetera. You need to ask yourself every possible question about starting and keeping a business going. If you can't get a single thing on paper, you are not ready to go into business. You will fail. I guarantee it. Being in business is not about selling things right here and right now. It's about being prepared to meet the customers' needs before even they know what it is.
   
   I don't know if there's a software out there to help you do this, but there seems to be software for everything these days. Look into it. Failing that, see my source...
4. Call your local university. They may have a student looking for a project that could be your business plan.
5. Here are some resources that can help you write your business plan:
   
   - SBA Business Plan Basics http://www.sba.gov/starting_business/pla...
   - PowerHomeBiz.com Creating a Business Plan section http://www.powerhomebiz.com/startup/busi...
   - Entrepreneur.com Writing a Business Plan section http://www.entrepreneur.com/bizplan/0,72...
   
   You may also want to review some sample business plans to see how it actually looks like:
   
   - Bplans.com http://www.bplans.com/sp/businessplans.c...
   - MOOT Corp Business Plan competition winners
   http://www.businessplans.org/businesspla...
   - VFinance - View hundreds of real business plans in pdf format. http://www.vfinance.com/home.asp?bps=1&t...
   - Business Owners Toolkit Sample business plans and information on how to create a plan. http://www.toolkit.cch.com/tools/buspln_...
   - PlanWare Planning software and information. http://www.planware.org/
   - Virtual Business Plan Walk through the design of a business plan. http://www.bizplanit.com/vplan.html...
   -SBA Business Planning Guide http://www.sba.gov/starting_business/pla...
   - Small Business Advancement Center http://www.sbaer.uca.edu/business_plan/b...
   - Sample Business Plan General planning guide created by the Canadian Business Service Center. http://www.cbsc.org/servlet/contentserve...
   - Business Plans Index - A subject guide to sample business plans and profiles for specific business types from Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. http://216.183.184.20/subject/business/b...
   
   Some recommended books are :
   
   - Business Plans Kit for Dummies
   - The Complete Book of Business Plans : Simple Steps to Writing a Powerful Business Plan
   - Writing Business Plans That Get Results : A Step-By-Step Guide
   - Business Plans For Dummies®
   - Your First Business Plan : A Simple Question and Answer Format Designed to Help You Write Your Own Plan