You can be on Entrepreneur’s cover!

The Ultimate Guide to Writing a Business Plan These instructions will help you craft the best business plan possible, one section at a time.

entrepreneur daily

Writing a business plan may sound difficult and dull -- and by "may," we mean "definitely" -- but it doesn't have to be. Yes, we know you're eager to dive right in on that world-changing business idea, but having your strategy on paper is critical.

In many ways, your business plan can act as a map in an entrepreneurial landscape full of potholes, dead-ends and uphill paths. With a business plan, potential investors can clearly see what they'll be getting into, and you'll be better prepared to explain exactly why they should be a part of your vision.

Organizing your thoughts into written paragraphs can force you to think about your goals more deeply than you otherwise would. It also makes your strategy more real; now, rather than just saying you want to raise money, you have to think about how that's going to happen, how much you need and how you'll use it. Writing a business plan also forces you to articulate who your target customers are and what they need, as well as how you'll attract those customers. And this is just a small fraction of the questions you'll have to think about.

It's a thorough process that can take some time, but we're here to help. The links below will take you to articles filled with tips and tricks to make each section of your business plan the best it can be.

Read on and learn how to turn difficult and dull into intriguing and inviting.

Step 1: The Executive Summary

Step 2: The Management Section

Step 3: The Product Section

Step 4: The Industry Section

Step 5: The Marketing Section

Step 6: The Operations Section

Step 7: The Financials Section

STARTING UP? START HERE. For more than 30 years, Entrepreneur has set the course for success for millions of entrepreneurs and small business owners. We'll teach you the secrets of the winners and give you exactly what you need to lay the groundwork for success.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Business News

'Wildly Inappropriate': Woman Says She Was Denied a Job Because She Didn't Wear Makeup During the Interview

Melissa Weaver was applying for a VP of HR job at a tech company via video.

Innovation

Up to 90% of Startups Fail — But Innovation Accelerators Can Help Yours Succeed. Here's How.

Learn how innovation accelerators are powering startups, shortening time to market and increasing the survival rate of fledgling businesses.

Thought Leaders

How To Improve Your Soft Skills and Emotional Intelligence in 7 Easy Steps

Using these simple but effective approaches will help a person in their business, life and relationships.

Business News

Uber Is Fixing One of the Biggest Complaints Families and Parents Have With the Company

Uber Car Seat is now available in New York and Los Angeles.

Business News

Founders of Companies Worth Over a Billion Dollars Have These Simple Things in Common

A new study found three traits that stood out in unicorn founders.

Side Hustle

I Started a Semi-Passive Side Hustle That Earns $33,000 a Week on Amazon: 'Selling There Is a No-Brainer'

Dr. Jenny Woo wanted to create a product that would help people connect, and it turned out to be a lucrative one.