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How did you build you biz plan?

by avandrunen
12 replies
I have chosen an initial direction for my offline biz...mobile web design.

I plan to add on services as I grow...mobile marketing, social media marketing, g+ local, etc...(as I learn them)

I am curious how some of you build your business plans... I have read that a solid plan can give you a better chance of success.

I would love thoughts, ideas and advice.

Thanks
Adrian
#biz #build #plan
  • Profile picture of the author jtchaschowy
    Read this book.
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    • Profile picture of the author avandrunen
      That's awesome thanks jt, I will give it a read.
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  • Profile picture of the author jtchaschowy
    No problem. Business plans shouldn't be concrete foundations or copies, just understand what you want, what skills you have, and where you want to go and how to get there. When you answer these questions for yourself it's easier to create a customized business plan for yourself and books like that will help you make those decisions and give you the ideas you need.

    Good luck with growing your business!

    I just noticed you're from BC. I am as well, whereabouts are you?
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    • Profile picture of the author avandrunen
      On the Island...right in Victoria...where are you?
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      • Profile picture of the author Marketinc Solutions
        Goals, Objectives, Action, Results/Analysis

        You may not be needing a banks loan, but YOU are your own investor of time and money, you deserve to know the investment you are gettin into........ For a return!

        Define your business and your business's customers as well as how you will attain them

        If you take the advice of some warriors and ACT with no PLAN, GOALS, OR OBJECTIVES...... You will have less chances of succeeding with a long term business.

        THE BEST part of the PLAN is its ability to adapt and change.

        You can always go back, and adjust ANY and ALL parts (for example: You aren't getting the results you want, your action might be wrong.... Or if you are getting the results, your closing ratio is high, but the profits aren't meeting your Goals then you might need to adjust Objectives and Product pricing, etc)

        YES ACT!! but act with style know where you are going and how you are going to get there........

        "You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step in faith" MLK jr.

        Good luck!!!
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  • Profile picture of the author avandrunen
    Thanks Marketinc,

    So are you suggesting I should slow down a little and get my plan in place before I start off trying to sell my services...well...service for now.

    Am I maybe getting ahead of myself without setting out a clearish plan for my business.

    Are there any books/guides you would suggest that would assist me in creating an adaptable business plan.

    To be perfectly frank...I can't afford to do this half assed...I won't bore anyone with the sob story details to garner sympathy...that is not what I am looking for.

    Just cold reality of what I am trying to accomplish and how best to succeed.

    Thanks again for all who offer up advice...whiteboard here I come..time to build a plan.
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    • Profile picture of the author Marketinc Solutions
      Originally Posted by avandrunen View Post

      Thanks Marketinc,

      So are you suggesting I should slow down a little and get my plan in place before I start off trying to sell my services...well...service for now.

      Am I maybe getting ahead of myself without setting out a clearish plan for my business.

      Are there any books/guides you would suggest that would assist me in creating an adaptable business plan.

      To be perfectly frank...I can't afford to do this half assed...I won't bore anyone with the sob story details to garner sympathy...that is not what I am looking for.

      Just cold reality of what I am trying to accomplish and how best to succeed.

      Thanks again for all who offer up advice...whiteboard here I come..time to build a plan.
      NO!!! Never slow down.... Build on momentum.

      When you get burnt out (it happens) do something you love and go have some fun, set that time aside - make it part of your plan

      You have to decide! Its the decisions we make that determine our fate, not the history of our past thoughts and actions.

      Back to business...... I've reviewed, created, and seen many business plans.... The successful ones all have a common theme.

      You have to remember that most small businesses start off as new entry competitors. They are new to the market, and offer comparable services and prices. they enter a market and start competing for a piece of the already established market (you can define market or target market however you want) You can talk innovation, and blah blah, but in the end businesses are categorized in "directories" for a reason.

      Knowing this fact..... Skip the bull&$&, get to the point. Don't even kid yourself into thinking a standard, cookie cutter approach will lead to succes. I encourage you to model after other peoples successes and learn from their failures, let them lose THEIR MONEY while you learn from their mistakes and DOMINATE the market...... The point being, you have to continue being a student, and never repeat a competitors mistake.

      I say... Start selling right away and getting your own bugs worked put.... but understand if you dive in you have to swim....

      take a week or 2 and develop the Goals.... Find the objectives,.... Develop a simple plan.... And start ACTING NOW!!!!

      I'll post some links if you are interested...

      As always, Never Quit!

      -Eric
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  • Profile picture of the author avandrunen
    Absolutely I am interested Eric,

    I am always looking for an tidbit of knowledge than can help me out...will still avoiding analysis paralysis.

    Thanks for what you have contributed already.
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    • Profile picture of the author iamrichard
      I think the first thing you need to avoid is over complicate everything. I bet many online business start off without any business plan in mind. I think it is something you would need to think of when your business has grown to certain size. If you have not landed your first client yet, you should not worry too much about it. What I would think about at this stage are:

      Product/service - you have your answer already
      how to approach your clients
      how to get your product/service done/deliver
      How to maintain the relationship with your clients

      Do not postpone your action because you do not have a solid "business plan" in place yet. Do it and then as you work on your business, you will know what you need and how to do it. That is when your business plan becomes clear to you.

      I speak it from my own experience. I did not even have a website, let along business plan. But i am doing alright. So take action today and find your first client

      Originally Posted by avandrunen View Post

      Absolutely I am interested Eric,

      I am always looking for an tidbit of knowledge than can help me out...will still avoiding analysis paralysis.

      Thanks for what you have contributed already.
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      • Profile picture of the author Marketinc Solutions
        Originally Posted by iamrichard View Post

        I think the first thing you need to avoid is over complicate everything. I bet many online business start off without any business plan in mind. I think it is something you would need to think of when your business has grown to certain size. If you have not landed your first client yet, you should not worry too much about it. What I would think about at this stage are:

        Product/service - you have your answer already
        how to approach your clients
        how to get your product/service done/deliver
        How to maintain the relationship with your clients

        Do not postpone your action because you do not have a solid "business plan" in place yet. Do it and then as you work on your business, you will know what you need and how to do it. That is when your business plan becomes clear to you.

        I speak it from my own experience. I did not even have a website, let along business plan. But i am doing alright. So take action today and find your first client

        I agree.... Do not postpone your action because you are uncertain which direction to go.

        I highly recommend at the very least developing some Goals and figuring out the objectives that will get you to those goals.

        If your goals are X? then what do I have to do to achieve them? That will include: Products & Services, Pricing, Prospecting, Target Marketing, and finally options for lead generation (cold calling, email, etc etc)

        Develop short term milestones.... 1month,3month,6month plans...... you may have an entirely different gameplan after 6months after you get more experienced with your product offering.... but the Goals should always stay relevant or evolve.


        Don't BS yourself. Keep it simple, and dont waste your time with the fluff.... Your plan is for your eyes only..... Use bullet points and get straight to the point.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Get your sales funnel together:
    http://www.warriorforum.com/offline-...ml#post5727652
    Signature
    >> How To Grow Your Online Business [FREE Training Video, No Opt-In, from 10+ Year Vet]

    >> For Agency Founders: The Fast Shortcut To Selling SEO, Leadgen, Webdesign & Other Services
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  • Profile picture of the author avandrunen
    Thanks Jason,

    I have read referenced back to your incredible thread multiple times as I begin this journey...the sales funnel is going to be by toughest part...I know that to be the most successful at this I will need to cold call...and for some reason that is scaring the hell out of me...even though a decade ago I paid my way through film school pounding on doors.

    Adrian
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