When I started my business, in 2011, I didn’t think I needed a business plan, I only needed clients, tons of clients. Even though my title was web designer, I took every job that was asked of me: web sites, of course, but also graphics, print, social media management, training, basically anything! In less than eight months I had to go back to work as an employee because I managed to spend way more money than I earned. I kept doing some freelancing on the side with no direction whatsoever and finally I realised that I needed a plan. After implementing a proper business plan, I was able to recognise and concentrate on a niche market, become much more successful, raise my prices, and greatly increase my income. It doesn’t matter what your financial goal for the year is, or what your mission for your small business is, having measurable goals and a clear strategy will allow you to do what you love and make a living out of it. Together we will go over the basic sections of a business plan and we’ll learn a creative way to make one that represents you and your business.

1. Francesca Marano - @FrancescaMarano
Who Is Afraid Of The Business Plan?

2. WordPress Community Team
Ex freelancer that built
websites for freelancers
WordPress Community
Manager
CIAO!
SONO FRANCESCA

3. A CAUTIONARY TALE
@FrancescaMarano

4. ★ 2008 - WordPress.com personal website
★ 2010 - WordPress.org and first client
★ 2011 - Freelancing as side gig
★ 2012 - Freelancing full time
A BIT ABOUT MY BUSINESS
@FrancescaMarano

5. ★ 14,000€ spent (2k more than I had)
★ 3,000€ invoiced
FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF 2012
@FrancescaMarano

6. ★ Administrative Manager at a local
company full time
★ Freelancing as a side gig
SUMMER OF 2012
@FrancescaMarano

7. ★ (Back to) Freelancing full time
★ Invoiced 18.000€
SUMMER OF 2013
@FrancescaMarano

8. ? @FrancescaMarano

9. Jennifer Lee
The Right Brain Business Plan
@FrancescaMarano

10. WHAT IS A BUSINESS PLAN?
@FrancescaMarano

11. A business plan is a formal statement of business goals,
reasons they are attainable, and plans for reaching them.
It may also contain background information about the
organization or team attempting to reach those goals.
Wikipedia
@FrancescaMarano

13. ★ A way to find clarity amongst all the wonderful ideas you
have
★ A document to write those ideas instead of keeping them
in your head
★ A map to help you navigate even through the dark
PLAIN LANGUAGE
@FrancescaMarano

14. A plan that will allow you to earn a living from the things
you love doing : it includes goals you want to reach and
metrics to check how you are doing.
@FrancescaMarano

15. Yours Truly
Chi ha paura del business plan?
(Who is afraid of the business plan?)
@FrancescaMarano

16. WHAT DOES A BUSINESS PLAN
LOOK LIKE?
@FrancescaMarano

17. @FrancescaMarano

18. @FrancescaMarano

19. @FrancescaMarano

20. ★ 23K - Training (on and offline)
★ 2K - Books
★ 25K - Websites
★ Target: Barbara P.
★ Offer: more complex websites with group of contractors

21. THE RULES OF THE BUSINESS
PLAN
@FrancescaMarano

22. 01. DO IT

23. 02. REALLY, DO IT

24. @FrancescaMarano
03. DEFINE YOUR
MISSION

25. 04. PICK A
TARGET

26. 05. SOLVE
PROBLEMS

27. 06. HUSTLE

28. 07. MAKE
IT RAIN

29. 08. DON’T
GO ALONE

30. 09. KNOW YOUR
COMPETITION

31. 10. BE
YOURSELF

32. DO IT!

33. QUESTIONS?
@FrancescaMarano
Pics: Ben White, Folded Word, Yahoo, Monja Riva, Estella Guerrera