If you are planning to start your own service-based business, writing a simple business plan can really help put your wheels in motion. Taking the time to sit down and organise your thoughts can make all the difference.
And you may be thinking – where do I even start!
The truth is that solopreneurs don’t need a complicated and lengthy business plan. Writing a short, simple and concise one page business plan can give you the clarity that you need to start moving forward!
In this article I will give you some tips on how to write a one page business plan and will even give you a template to make things even easier for you. Read on!
What is a business plan?
Since you are in the early stages of your business, a business plan will serve you well in strategising your direction and priorities.
In your business plan, you will be answering the main questions asked of your business:
- What is my business name?
- How do I describe my business?
- Who is my customer?
- What problems will I solve for my customer?
- What services do I offer?
- How am I different from my competition?
- How will I promote my business?
Once you can answer these questions in a way that is quick and easy to understand you will have a solid base from where you can grow your business.
Why are business plans important?
Sometimes it is easy to get lost in the details. When you are first starting your business, you have a million tasks and to-dos to get your business off the ground.
By solidifying your business idea in a clear, concise business plan, you are grounding yourself and your priorities.
It will keep your goals in mind as you make other decisions for your business.
For example, as you are deciding what usernames to create on social media platforms, you will be able to reference your business plan to know exactly how to align your branding with your core values and goals.
Also, business plans can make it easy to share what your business is about with others.
As you talk about your business with potential clients, other business owners, or friends and family, you will have the “elevator pitch” of your business ready to share.
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Write a simple business plan
Your business plan will need to fit a single page, so there is no room for being wordy or including any extra information.
Try to keep your plan as simple as possible. This might mean writing a few drafts and whittling down the information until you get to the core, bare minimum of your business objectives. Some tips to keep in mind: condense your ideas and consider the big picture.
7 Must-have business plan sections
Business Name
Seems like a no-brainer, right? But this is one of the most important steps of planning your business – finding a name.
Keep in mind the big picture when selecting a name. Your business name will be used everywhere as your social media username, your website domain, your brand logo, and anywhere you promote your business. Choose something that is easy to remember but not too boring.
Remember to check that your chosen name is not being used by someone else already. You can use this handy tool that checks url and social media availability too!
Brief Description
In this section, write a brief description about your business and services. Compare this section of your plan to a book synopsis. When you want to get a general idea of what a book is about, you look at the back cover to read a brief overview.
Do the same thing in this section! Write an overview of your business in a way that is brief and informative.
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Ideal Customer
This is where you can answer the questions: who is my customer? Talk about the demographic you are reaching with your services and what they look like. Are they men, women, or both? Are they in their 20s, 30s, 40s, etc.? Where do they live – locally or globally? And what does their lifestyle look like in relation to your services? Finally, how does your business serve this ideal customer?
Read this article for more info: How to define your ideal customer
Problems That You Are Solving
Speaking of serving your ideal customer, let’s dive into how you are solving problems in this section. Include the details of how your services are going to add value to your customer’s life by working with you.
By offering your services, list out the A), B), and C) reasons how your business will address your client’s needs. Acknowledge where your customer may be struggling and write how your business will bring them a great solution.
Services to Offer
Now it’s time to shine! In this section, you can tell all about the services you offer. In simple, direct terms, outline what types of services are included in your business when a client works with you and what results you guarantee. If you can keep it concise, break down the tiered offerings in your business from basic, standard, and premium packages and their outcomes.
My Point of Difference
Chances are you are not the only business available with your set of offerings. So how do you stand out from the crowd?
In this section, write a few sentences about what you offer that is better than the competition. For example, are your prices more competitive? Or do you promise a better customer experience? Make sure you include anything that makes your business unique.
This is How I Will Promote My Business
Here is the fun part – promoting your business! What channels will you use to market your services and how will you measure the success of your promotions?
Consider both digital, print, and in-person marketing options such as social media, website, brochures, affiliate marketing, referral programs, and other channels that make sense for your business.
In Conclusion: How to Write a One-Page Business Plan
You are now equipped to get started with your own business plan! You can use my one-page template as you prepare your own business plan. Simply enter your details below to receive your free copy!
Remember to keep it simple and easy-to-read for anyone learning about your business for the first time. Get ready to set a sturdy foundation for your new business by having a clear and concise plan at your fingertips!
DOWNLOAD ONE-PAGE BUSINESS PLAN TEMPLATE
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