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[email protected] Editor and Project Manager: Marla Markman, www.MarlaMarkman.com Book Design by TLC Graphics: www.TLCGraphics.com Cover: Tamara Dever; Interior: Marisa Jackson Copyright © 2014 by Hal Shelton All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced, displayed, or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Purchasers of this book may copy worksheets from the book for their personal use when preparing their business plan. Although the publisher and author have used reasonable care in preparing this book, the information it contains is distributed “as is” and without warranties of any kind. This book is not intended as legal or financial advice, and not all the recommendations may be suitable for your situation. Professional legal and financial advisors should be consulted as needed. Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for any costs, expenses, or damages resulting from use of or reliance on the information contained in this book. Publisher’s Cataloging-in-Publication Data Shelton, Hal The secrets to writing a successful business plan : a pro shares a step-by-step guide to creating a plan that gets results / Hal Shelton. p. cm. Includes index. LCCN 2013949709 ISBN 978-0-9899460-0-1 (Print) ISBN 978-0-9899460-1-8 (Kindle) ISBN 978-0-9899460-2-5 (Other eReaders) 1. Business planning. 2. Small business. 3. Entrepreneurship. I. Title. HD30.28.S54 2013 QBI13-600168 658.4’012 Printed in the United States of America 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 eBooks created by www.ebookconversion.com For entrepreneurs thinking of starting or growing their small businesses or nonprofits, and especially to the many SCORE clients I have had the pleasure of helping to start and grow their business dreams. CONTENTS Ahashare.com Foreword by W. Kenneth Yancey, CEO of SCORE Association Introduction Section I BUSINESS PLAN BASICS Chapter 1 BUSINESS PLANS 101: What Is a Business Plan and Why Do You Need One? Chapter 2 WHAT’S YOUR STYLE: Finding What Type of Plan Is Right for You Chapter 3 THE 4-1-1: Where to Go for Business Plan Help Chapter 4 MAKE NO MISTAKE: Common Business Plan Writing Errors Chapter 5 FORGET ME NOT: Smart Things to Do When Writing Your Plan Chapter 6 FIRST STEPS: Starting With a Business Plan or Feasibility Plan Section II BUSINESS PLAN CONTENTS Chapter 7 IN A NUTSHELL: Why the Executive Summary Is the Most Important Part of Your Plan Chapter 8 GET ORGANIZED: Presenting Your General Company Description Chapter 9 LIKE NO OTHER: Describing Your Products and Services Chapter 10 GOING TO MARKET: Writing Your Marketing Plan Chapter 11 GO WITH THE FLOW: Detailing Your Operations Chapter 12 TEAM PLAYERS: Who’s on Your Management Team? Chapter 13 NUMBER SENSE: How to Prepare Your Financial Plan Chapter 14 JUST IN CASE: What You Should Include in Your Appendix Chapter 15 PASSION TIME: Business Planning for Nonprofits Section III FINANCING 101