If you are looking for a business plan you've probably found that most of the business plans out there are aimed at big businesses, with sales projections five years in advance. So with this in mind the Explainafide team have come up with a free Plan specifically designed for creatives and other micro-businesses on a minimal budget. Brought to you by http://explainafide.com.au/

1. The Business Plan for Creatives
If you are looking for a business plan you've probably found that most of the
business plans out their are aimed at big businesses, with sales projections five
years in advance. So with this in mind the Explainafide team have come up with a
free Plan specifically designed for creatives and other micro-businesses on a
minimal budget.
A plan of attack is essential when you're in a hyper competitive industry like Art,
Photography, Writing or Music. Jotting your thoughts, dreams and ideas down will
assist you in being realistic about what you're good at, what you're not, and how
achievable your goals are.
By doing this not only will you hopefully gain some clarity about your situation,
but also if you go for a government grant, bank loan, or even a loan from your
family, you look like you're more professional and prepared.
Some of the information and tips provided here won't be relevant to your situation
so feel free to edit/ remove as you see fit but it is all worth reading and at least
thinking about.
Doing what you love takes more than just talent.
There is also a lot of planning, marketing, and finance control.
Simple Business Plan Created by Explainafide
http://explainafide.com.au

2. The Business-
Information you will need to provide:
Business name:
Business Registration Number: For tax purposes
Business location: This could be your house, a studio or an office. If its the neighbours
cubby house, remember to say Level 1 so you look more professional.
Date established:
Business owner(s):
Website Address:
Relevant owner experience: eg: I have over 15 years experience working in the paper
mache industry...
Lease: This may not be necessary, but if you are taking out a loan it will be important
as it affects your cash flow.
Products/services: What products do you aim to specialise in and what products will
be more of a side project? Is selling hand made fabric owls your main area of expertise
or is it more an aside?
The Market/ Marketing:
Target market: Who are you marketing your product/service to?
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3. Marketing strategy: How are you currently selling your goods? What avenues work and
what don't? How do you think you can improve marketability?
Market position: Of all your competitors out there where do you see yourself fit in? High
end, mid-range, budget.
Unique selling position: What makes you stand out from everyone else?
Anticipated demand: How busy do you envisage yourself being?
Pricing strategy: How are you going to compete on price? Are you going to be the
cheapest of the cheap or slightly above average but give better service to justify the extra
price?
Market research
How do you plan to research your market? Will this be done through extended family
and friends or something larger?
Customer demographics
From your research what are your key customer demographics? As an example
1.Holiday makers visiting from the city
2.Fellow artists.
3.Corporations that love Art
Customer management
How are you going to manage customer complaints. This is important as unfortunately
you will occasionally come across difficult and hard to please customers.
The Future
Vision or Goal statement:
Eg: I would like be a world famous fabric designer, creating one of a kind fabrics for
fashion houses.
Goals/objectives:
Do you have a plan to get to your dream? What are the foreseeable stepping stones?
Simple Business Plan Created by Explainafide
http://explainafide.com.au

4. The Finances
Don't be scared!
1.)Write a simple budget of regular income you can rely on and the bare minimum you
need to earn to live on. Below is a simple table of potential business expenses.
2.)How much do you think your business requires to get off the ground & then add 20%!
3.)Do you need to get an outside party to help with the funding?
Upfront Expenses:
Expense Company Estimate Cost
Logo Design
Web Design
Photographs
Registrations
Marketing
New Laptop
Tools of the Trade
Business Cards
Stationary
Desk, Chair
Simple Business Plan Created by Explainafide
http://explainafide.com.au

5. Legals
Ongoing Expenses:
Expense Company Estimate Cost
Software Subscriptions Accounting $50.00 p/month
Software Subscriptions Design Software $1,000.00 one-off
Marketing Expenses Directories $200.00 p/year
Web Hosting/ SEO Explainafide $200.00 p/month
Telephone Bill Telco $50.00 p/month
Membership Fees
Studio Rent
Accounting Fees
Registrations
Maintenance of Tools
Services/ Products Sold:
Insurance: (don't yawn)
Public liability insurance: Is this necessary? If you run a market stall or have people
coming to your home then it might be.
Professional indemnity: This may not be necessary but worth considering.
Business assets: What do you use to create your artwork? Laptop, Sewing Machine,
Car, Tools, Paints, and of course the finished product.
Legal considerations:
Do you have or do you need any contracts with suppliers, freelancers or customers.
•Engaging Contractors
•Reselling
•Website Contracts
•Contracts for clients engaging my services
Memberships and affiliations:
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6. What organisations do you belong to:
SWOT Analysis: (these are just examples)
Strength, Weakness, Opportunity & Threats
Strengths:
•Low overheads
•Good support from Family & Friends
•Ability to change direction if necessary
•Little Initial Outlay
Weaknesses
•I have $1.25 in the bank
•Not much business experience
•Business revolves around me, a problem if I get sick or want a holiday!
•Live in a regional community
Opportunities
•Will developing a website allow you to reach a broader audience?
•Is there a gap in the market that you can fill?
•Are your competitors missing a niche you can fill or performing badly in an area you
excel at?
Threats
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7. •Are there any new competitors on the horizon?
•Are there any personal issues or commitments that may interfere with you building up a
business?
Advertising & sales:
Advertising and promotional strategy:
•How are you going to Advertise?
•Through your Website
•Through a third party website- Etsy, eBay
•Market Stall
•Existing Contacts
•Friends & Family
•Local Community
•Entering Design Competitions
•Cold calling Galleries
•Writing Articles on blogs to expand your name
•Volunteer Work
•Swapping and trading skills
The Finances:
Key objectives and financial review
Financial objectives (an example)
1. My short term goal (within 6 months) is to be able to reduce my hours to 2 days a week
at my regular job and have enough money coming in to not live on 2 minute noodles.
Therefore I need to earn a minimum $20,000 per year from my art.
2. My medium term goal (1 year) is to be able to live full time solely off my creative
endeavour. Therefore I need to earn at least $45,000 per year from my art
Simple Business Plan Created by Explainafide
http://explainafide.com.au

8. Summary:
This is a just a brief overview of things to consider for your future business in a creative
industry, and enough to get you thinking and planning.
This is where you cap off why your business will be successful.
Simple Business Plan Created by Explainafide
http://explainafide.com.au