Writing a Business Plan


Recent Writing a Business Plan Articles

How to Write a Business Plan for Your Online Business

By Lou Dubois |  Jul 19, 2010

The barriers to starting an online business are lower than ever, and that includes the writing of the traditional business plan. Here's a guide to tapping in...  Read more


How Business-Plan Competitions Reward Innovation

A Special Report by Adam Bluestein and Amy Barrett |  Jul 1, 2010

Business-plan competitions have fostered a "contest economy" that promotes start-up activity and much-needed innovation.  Read more


Elevator Pitch: DivotCard

As Told to April Joyner |  Jul 1, 2010

The DivotCard offers customers discounted golf rounds. Can it raise $1 million from investors?  Read more


How to Break Into the Fashion Industry

By Christine Lagorio |  Jun 14, 2010

Emerging designers, beware: Even if you are able to create a beautiful product, the fashion world is fraught with tricky choices on incorporation, competitiv...  Read more


Elevator Pitch: Closet Couture

As Told to April Joyner |  Jun 1, 2010

Closet Couture wants to be the Facebook (and eBay) of fashionistas. Can it stitch together $1 million?  Read more


How to Master Your Elevator Pitch

By Christine Lagorio |  May 24, 2010

What exactly do you do, and why should I care? Here's how to tell it shorter and smarter.  Read more


How to Choose the Right Franchise Location

By Peter Vanden Bos |  May 24, 2010

Where you decide to locate your franchise may make or break your business.  Read more


How to Conduct Competitive Research

By Inc. staff |  May 10, 2010

Who are your closest rivals—and how do they talk about themselves, as well as your company? It's time to find out.  Read more


Elevator Pitch: Nixle

As told to April Joyner |  May 1, 2010

Nixle helps police send text-message alerts to local residents. Can it raise $7.5 million?  Read more


How Would You Sell a Virtual Farmer's Market?

By Shivani Vora |  Apr 1, 2010

Local Dirt helps people find produce from local farms.  Read more


Elevator Pitch: SpeakerText

As told to April Joyner |  Apr 1, 2010

SpeakerText adds transcripts to online videos. Can it raise $500,000?  Read more


Top Business Plan Mistakes

By Jason Del Rey |  Mar 26, 2010

For starters, don't pitch a company that relies solely on one product.  Read more


How to Present Your Business Plan

By Inc. staff |  Mar 5, 2010

Hitting a home run with potential investors requires selecting the right pitch.  Read more


How to Revamp Your Marketing Plan

By Shivani Vora |  Mar 1, 2010

How should Denim Therapy market its jeans repair service? Four entrepreneurs weigh in.  Read more


Elevator Pitch: eDivvy

As told to April Joyner |  Mar 1, 2010

eDivvy helps people buy group gifts online. Can it get investors to pitch in $1.5 million?  Read more


How to Evaluate a Franchise Business Plan

By Christine Lagorio |  Feb 25, 2010

If you are thinking of buying into a franchise, you must review the business plan with an eye toward learning whether there will be enough revenue to reward ...  Read more


How to Structure a Partnership

By Elizabeth Wasserman |  Feb 24, 2010

Partnerships are incredibly common--and incredibly hard to sustain. Here's how to set up a partnership that is equitable, efficient, and mutually rewarding.  Read more


How to Write a Marketing Plan

By Darren Dahl |  Feb 16, 2010

Experts know that careful planning is integral to marketing success. Here's your guide to crafting a thorough marketing plan - and learning more about your c...  Read more


Elevator Pitch: Prime Time Boxing

As told to April Joyner |  Feb 1, 2010

Prime Time Boxing helps people channel their inner Rocky Balboa. Can $500,000 take it another round?  Read more


How to Write a Great Business Plan

By Elizabeth Wasserman |  Feb 1, 2010

Advice for small businesses on what it takes to create a solid business plan, including forming an outline, integrating financial specifics, and spelling out...  Read more


How to Write the Financial Section of a Business Plan

By Elizabeth Wasserman |  Feb 1, 2010

An outline of your company's growth strategy is essential to a business plan, but it just isn't complete without the numbers to back it up. Here's some advic...  Read more


The Best and Worst Industries of the Next Decade

By Josh Spiro |  Jan 26, 2010

A new analysis predicts which industries will experience the best and worst revenue growth over the next ten years.  Read more


Elevator Pitch: ERT Systems

As told to April Joyner |  Dec 1, 2009

The safety tracker from ERT Systems helps firefighters keep track of one another. Will the company light a fire under investors?  Read more


10 Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Business Plan

Nov 17, 2009

Writing a business plan is often a crucial first step to getting your start-up off the ground. But a plan riddled with errors? It can sink you.  View slideshow


Elevator Pitch: Green Sherpa

As told to April Joyner |  Nov 1, 2009

Green Sherpa wants to help organize your finances. But first, it's looking for $5 million of its own. Will investors go for the deal?  Read more