Thursday, February 24, 2011

How to be a Business Plan Consultant

Business plans are definitely an essential part of every entrepreneur's startup. If you desire financing or small business partners they are going to need to see a good proposal. Even for anybody who is on your own and don't think your business requires a proper strategic business plan, it really is advisable to do some investigating and jot down some kind of system before you get started.

Should you be trying now to be self-employed for the very first time, you simply will not be able to achieve this profession right away, considering that you are just now getting exposure to composing your first business proposal. If you are currently independently employed, though, and have drafted official business plans previously, you can offer your services as an expert for entrepreneurs that need counsel.

The Positive Factors
If you love developing business ideas, you are likely to love this job. You're going to be researching, preparing and writing just as if you are beginning your own personal small businesses over and over again. Also, aspiring entrepreneurs frequently have a positive liveliness and optimism that makes them all fun to do business with.

The Negative Factors
Your customers' desires and dreams are going to be sitting on your shoulders. A substandard plan may bring about a business's failure, which is definitely a very big concern for your customer. You will be under a considerable amount of strain to write a good approach.

Education / Knowledge Needed
One doesn't inevitably require a business college degree, however, any sort of knowledge can help. Of course, the best training is normally practical experience; you'll need business development experience and practice with the following abilities:

-Researching marketplaces and opposition
-Developing marketing plans
-Projecting fiscal necessities and earnings
-Handling legal and insurance coverage factors for a start up business

Again, practical experience is the perfect instructor. If you have created a company (or an array of businesses) you will be acquainted with these competencies.

Gear / Tools Needed
You can create each of your business plans in a word processing program, like Microsoft Word or OpenOffice. However, you might want to spend money on business proposal software, such as Business Plan Pro. Business plan applications provide you with a common outline that addresses all the elements you need. After putting in all the required material, the application gives you a nicely prepared, completed business strategy plan. This will save you a lot of energy that you'd otherwise devote to formatting and making every aspect look nice in a word processor.

Setting
You'll be able to operate this company out of your home, but may need to visit clients in some cases. If you've got a convincing web page, you may get clients from all over the world.

Start-up Expenditures
If you already have a PC and everything required for your home office, your startup expenditures will likely be minimal. You can find business plan software for about $200 or less.

It is important to put money into marketing your company, such as by making a web site, advertising in local business or industry publications, etc.

Legal / Insurance coverage Issues
Your customers should complete Non-disclosure Agreements (NDA) with you to defend their creative ideas. These agreements basically state that you will not steal your client's ideas and employ them for your own benefit.

You must be sure you can't be held to blame for unsuccessful enterprises. If you compose a strategic business plan and your customer then fails to launch or preserve that business, they could try to take legal action against you. Be sure that you sign legal agreements with each of your clients that hold you harmless against any fault.

Where to Begin
Start with an Internet site that describes your services and contains past samples of strategic business plans you have developed (alter the actual names and records to safeguard your clients' privacy). Stress your positive elements, for example "fast development," "economical charges," or "95% of my clients' small businesses are still operating right now."

Put classified ads in the phone book under "Business Creation" or "Business Instructors." Promote your business on regional small companies' web sites. Speak to the local chamber of commerce for potential leads or marketing possibilities. Ask friends and pleased clients to pass on your message.

Potential Customers
Aspiring entrepreneurs will be your main customers. You may also find work with established small businesses that want to get capital, because they need a solid proposal to provide to lenders.

Charges
You may be able to ask for a few hundred dollars or possibly a few thousand bucks for each business proposal, dependant upon your working experience and the size of the plans. Try to determine the rates of the competitors in the area. While you are beginning, you could bill less than your rivals to get some customers and establish expertise.

Some customers may be cautious about paying you thousands of dollars to obtain a business plan. Remind these clients that you have a lot of practical experience that enables you to write the plan in far less time than they would need to write it independently.

Additional Reading
- The Small Business Administration (SBA) has tips for writing a business plan and a template that tells you what's needed in a good plan.
- Successful Business Plan: Secrets & Strategies by Rhonda Abrams
- Business Plan Pro Software | From Amazon

If you are interested in finding more self-employment ideas, please visit my web site at http://www.bestselfemploymentideas.com.

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