This is a very short guide with some tips on How to Write a Business Plan. Including why you should write one, how to carry out market research, presenting accurate forecasts and applying your company branding to make it look slick and professional.

1. Presents...
Writing A
Business
Plan
Presents...
Online Business
Startup, in
conjunction with
The Coconut
Group, presents..

2. Tip #1
64% of people who had completed a business plan grew their business compared to 43% who hadn’t.
Source: (http://timberry.bplans.com/2010/06/real-data-on-the-success-of-business-planning.html)
Actually Write A Business
Plan
• It’s an important document that you can regularly refer to in the future
• It will outline your business aims, goals, objectives and strategy
• It is crucial you have a well thought out business plan if you are
looking to acquire funding.
• Investors will want to see how your venture is going to generate a
return on investment.
Tip #1

3. 57% of UK companies use secondary data for specific business decisions.
Source: http://www.marketing91.com/importance-secondary-market-research/
Research will help you identify your target market, then you can begin to build a
marketing plan on how you will deliver your products to that market.
A good idea is to buy market research documents online if you do not have the time to
carry out your own research
Market ResearchTip #2

4. Accurate Forecasting
This is where a good accountant will be
invaluable as potential investors will be
scrutinising your figures.
Your forecasts must be realistic and
based on factual research & market
intelligence
Read about the limitations of the “Percentage of Sales” Forecasting method:
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/limitations-percentage-sales-forecasting-method-14621.html
Tip #3

5. Apply Company
Branding
Make your business plan stand out and
look professional by applying your
new company branding to it.
Only 18% of businesses without a business plan
successfully secured investment capital
Source: http://timberry.bplans.com/2010/06/real-data-on-the-success-of-business-planning.html
Tip #4

6. Resources
Watch it on YouTube!o Business Planning - http://timberry.bplans.com/
o Market Research - http://www.marketing91.com
o Forecasting Methods - http://smallbusiness.ch...
o Accurate Forecasting - http://timberry.bplans.com
o Online Business Startup –
http://www.onlinebusinessstartup.co.uk

7. is a Business Strategy Expert and Founder
of Digital Agency, The Coconut Group. He
specializes in delivering Business and Online
Strategy to established SMEs turning over
£500k helping them to achieve scale and
growth.
Robin Waite
Complete Strategy to Starting Up a
Business Online
www.onlinebusinessstartup.co.uk
Or email me directly
robin@onlinebusinessstartup.co.uk
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