Do you need to write a business plan? Maybe you need a business plan and want to know who can write one? Or are you curious about business plans and want to know more? Whatever the reason is that brought you here today, we have the answers for you!
Finding out who can write a business plan can be tricky, especially if you are new to the business world. You head online for some guidance but are met with pages and pages of conflicting and contradicting advice.
Stressed and frustrated, you are left wondering if you will ever know if anyone can write a business plan.
Well, no more! Today, we are here to help! Keep reading to find out if anyone can write a business plan and everything else you need to know about them. Get ready to become a business plan expert today.
What Is A Business Plan?
Before we dive into today’s article, let’s have a quick recap for those that need it. A business plan is a document that has the company’s objectives listed and how it plans to achieve the goals. It is a road map for the firm, covering operational, financial, and marketing standpoints.
Business plans are used not only for employees to know the goals they are working towards, but to help attract potential investors. If you have a good business plan with clear objectives and a roadmap to achieve these objectives, you are sure to find interested investors.
Business plans are useful for new businesses, but they are also good for established businesses too.
The plan can be updated and reviewed regularly to check the progress of the company and if the goals have been met or need to be changed. Businesses evolve and change constantly, the initial objectives might not apply a year down the line.
Business plans are a good internal guide for the executive team and other employees too. The plan is often used to set short and long-term goals that will help the company achieve the goals outlined in the plan.
They vary in length depending on how detailed they are, but business plans tend to be at least a page long.
Now that we have briefly established what a business plan is, let’s dive in to see who can write them!
Can Anyone Write A Business Plan?
Yes, anyone can write a business plan! To write a good business plan, though, you want someone with experience to write a business plan. Essentially, anyone who can develop a business can write a business plan.
The more experience someone has writing business plans, the better the plan will be, especially if they are experienced in the same field as the business.
You can also hire a consultant or business plan writer who will write your business plan for you. They tend to be financial and business experts and can guide you through the process.
While they will take on the majority of the business plan writing, you will be involved in the process, learning about the business plan and helping outline your goals.
The cost of hiring a business plan does vary depending on the consultant you hire and how experienced they are. As a general rule, the more experienced the consultant is, the more expensive they will be.
Some companies can match you with a business consultant to write the plan, or you can hire a freelance consultant to do the work. The choice is up to you! Make sure you spend some time with your consultant before they draw up the plan.
They should know what you want your business to achieve, what it has already achieved, and any other factors that might influence the plan.
What To Look For When Hiring A Business Plan Writer
If you choose to hire a business plan writer, there are a few things you should look for. Keeping these in mind will help you find the right fit for your business and will help you to create a solid business plan.
1. Someone In For The Long-Haul
You don’t want to hire someone who writes your business plan and then disappears. The business plan isn’t a document that is written once and is set in stone forever, businesses evolve and change regularly.
You will want someone who will regularly review the business plan with you, track the progress, and make changes where necessary.
You want to work with someone who can be viewed as more of a coach, rather than someone who gives you the plan and then vanishes! Make the intention clear when screening prospective plan writers to ensure the writer is on the same page.
2. Someone With Experience
We touched on this earlier, but you should hire someone that has relevant industry experience. This way, they can offer clear and relevant advice and guidance.
You want someone that knows the industry you are in, they can tell you if your goals are accurate given the current climate and offer you helpful guidance. They can create accurate metrics and targets for you to use to measure the progress of your business.
These might not be a number, but conversion rates, traffic, or other metrics can indicate the success of a business. Plus, the more experience the writer has in your field, the more tips and tricks they will be filled with!
3. Someone On Your Team
There is a good chance your future business plan writer is already on your team! Consider your managers and advisors to see if any fit the bill.
Ideally, your business plan writer is someone who will stick around long-term, has relevant experience, and knows your industry. We bet you have a few of those on your team!
Consider reaching out to members of your team to see if any of them have experience writing a business plan. You could even set up a team consisting of a few of your best employees to write a business plan.
Long-term employees will know the business and how it has performed previously and can help to create realistic and attainable goals. You can work on the business plan with them too, allowing you to actively be involved in the process.
This can also help to boost morale and a positive culture within your business too. It always helps when people see the boss getting actively involved!
Final Thoughts
And there you have it! While anyone can write a business plan, we think it’s best to have the plan written by someone who has the experience, especially in your industry.
Whether this is you, someone in your company, or an external hire, there are a few qualities they should have.
Your business plan writer should know your industry well, be prepared to stick with you for the long haul, and possibly be someone on your team! Consider these factors and your budget when looking for someone to help write your business plan.
If you have never written a plan before, make sure you hire someone that will walk you through the process to ensure you become a business plan expert too!
