How to Write a Business Plan

Step-by-step advice on preparing a business plan

You need a sound business plan to start a business or raise money to expand an existing one. For over 30 years, How to Write a Business Plan has helped fledgling entrepreneurs from small service businesses and retailers to large manufacturing firms write winning plans and get needed financing.

This bestselling book contains clear step-by-step instructions and forms to put together a convincing business plan with realistic financial projections, effective marketing strategies, and overall business goals. You ll learn how to:

figure out if your business idea will make money

determine and forecast cash flow

create profit and loss forecasts

prepare marketing and personnel plans

find potential sources of financing, and

present your well-organized plan to lenders and other backers.

The 13th edition is updated to reflect best practices for raising money (from SBA loans to equity crowdfunding)."