Business Planning, huh... there's a thought....

I see so many people launch a business with no clear path to success. "Build it and they will come" is what they think... it just doesn't work that way.

So, what is a business plan?

Well... It is written (a "thought" is not a business plan), BUT it can be less than a page long to start.

It includes:

• a mission statement (your brand)
• a revenue model (how you will make money)
• projections (how much money you expect to make, per customer - add a growing number of customers each month) over the next 90 days through a couple years
• a sales plan (how people will buy)
• a marketing plan (how you will get the word out)
• a management plan (how much time it will take and the work involved)

I write these things up for people all the time, usually one page to start. It's a living document, so it changes... projections change the most as you fail (as you learn)... It's a fun process. As you fail, you learn... with each new endeavor, you get better at planning... you get more realistic in your expectations about what you can accomplish with a little or a lot of effort.

If you really want to start a business, take an hour and write out your plan... again, a thought is not a business plan. Write down your thoughts. Update it frequently, at least once each month. Actually see how your plan changes, and learn.

What's an hour or two each month compared to acquiring the ability to successfully monetize your passion!