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.

This edition is updated to reflect best practices for raising money (from SBA loans to equity crowdfunding).