Business Ideas
Business Plan Writer
By Richard D. Alphonse
Jun 26, 2006, 11:06

Do you enjoy doing research and writing? Do you have a background in business, marketing or finance? If you answered yes to these questions then may be you should consider becoming a business plan writer.

A business plan is a document that provides a comprehensive description of a business. It includes details on the business’ management team, products and services, and goals. A business plan evaluates the business’ existing competition and position in the market place. It should act as a map to the future that includes plans for obtaining the business’ goals.

Business plans serve several functions and are intended for multiple audiences. A business plan’s first audience is the business' management team. Business plans give the management team the "road map" or "battle plan" it needs to achieve future goals. Business plans are also essential in many of a company’s interactions with other business entities. They are a prerequisite for raising venture capital and help when forming banking relationships. To these audiences, a business plan shows that a company has done its homework and is on solid foundations for the future.

Writing business plans is difficult and time consuming. This is why there is a demand among start-ups, growing businesses, and established businesses for the services of professional business plan writers.

A business plan is essentially written in three phases. First, business plan writers interview business owners, management teams, and outside agencies such as the company’s accountants. Next, they research publicly available information as well as company-provided documents, such as financial statements. Finally, business plan writers research the competition. This involves extensive market research and thorough analysis of any findings. The finished product can be anywhere between 25 to 100 pages of material depending on the complexity of the plan. It should give a picture of where the company stands now, where it plans to be in the future and how it plans on getting there.

Due to the complexity of writing business plans, significant business expertise and great writing skills are prerequisites to starting a business as a business plan writer. Start-up costs are essentially the costs of setting up a home office. Software is available to aid in the process of writing business plans and represents another possible investment. Marketing yourself as a business plan writer essentially amounts to resourcefulness and legwork. Join local business organizations, such as the chamber of commerce, and network as much as possible.

Do you have what it takes to become a business plan writer? Why not start working on your own business plan today and find out?

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