Last week we discussed the importance of how to prepare for creating a business plan. This week I’ve got a business plan template that you can use to plug in your ideas once you have them! 
Use this business plan template as a freelancer or other type of solopreneur, so you can map out your ideas and have a clear path, moving forward, with the direction you want to take your business.
...Your business plan "steers the ship" of your business, so it's a vital instrument!
Want more support with creating your business plan?
→ Watch the (free!) Business Planning Retreat Workshop now.
Let's get started with your business plan template:
{Business Name} Business Plan
{Industry or Field}
{Your Name}
{Today's Date}
{Mission statement}
Business Goals:
- {Specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely goal #1}
- {Specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely goal #2}
- {Specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely goal #3}
My five-year vision for my business: {vision statement}.
Products & Services
The products and services that I will offer will include {description}.
The benefits of these products / services to my target audiences include {explanation}.
Target Audiences
Three types of people who will benefit the most from my services / products are:
- {Target audience #1}
- {Target audience #2}
- {Target audience #3}
My ideal client would be: {ideal client description}.
Marketing Strategy
The main social media platform my clients use is {platform name}.
The main geographic location where my clients are located is {geographical location}.
The types of environments, events, and / or businesses that my clients spend their time is {description of type of event or business locale}.
Based on these contributing factors and the above demographics of my target audience, the top three ways to market them (such as flyers, connecting with them via social media, and attending networking events) and the ways that target audiences will purchase my products / services include:
- {Marketing strategy #1}
- {Marketing strategy #2}
- {Marketing strategy #3}
I will spend approximately {number} hours each week on marketing and promoting my business. Broken down, this will amount to:
- {Number} hours on {marketing strategy #1}.
- {Number} hours on {marketing strategy #2}.
- {Number} hours on {marketing strategy #3}.
Work Plan
| Time of Day | Weekday Activities | Weekend Activities |
| 6am | {Activity / task} | {Activity / task} |
| 8am | {Activity / task} | {Activity / task} |
| 10am | {Activity / task} | {Activity / task} |
| 12pm | {Activity / task} | {Activity / task} |
| 2pm | {Activity / task} | {Activity / task} |
| 4pm | {Activity / task} | {Activity / task} |
| 6pm | {Activity / task} | {Activity / task} |
Budget
I am allowing {percentage} of my income to go towards professional development, business expenses, and other freelancing supports. My estimated income for the year is {amount in dollars}, and {amount in percent} of that is {amount in dollars}.
| Item | Estimated Cost |
| {Item} | {Amount} |
| {Item} | {Amount} |
| {Item} | {Amount} |
| {Item} | {Amount} |
| {Item} | {Amount} |
| {Item} | {Amount} |
| TOTAL | {Total cost} |
Financial Goals for Year One
| Month | Estimated Type of Project / Amount of Work | Estimated Income |
| January | {Type of project and / or amount of work expected} | {Amount} |
| February | {Type of project and / or amount of work expected} | {Amount} |
| March | {Type of project and / or amount of work expected} | {Amount} |
| April | {Type of project and / or amount of work expected} | {Amount} |
| May | {Type of project and / or amount of work expected} | {Amount} |
| June | {Type of project and / or amount of work expected} | {Amount} |
| July | {Type of project and / or amount of work expected} | {Amount} |
| August | {Type of project and / or amount of work expected} | {Amount} |
| September | {Type of project and / or amount of work expected} | {Amount} |
| October | {Type of project and / or amount of work expected} | {Amount} |
| November | {Type of project and / or amount of work expected} | {Amount} |
| December | {Type of project and / or amount of work expected} | {Amount} |
| TOTAL | {Total income} | |
Recommend also doing financial goals for the next three to five years.
Get more business planning tips for solopreneurs.
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[…] How to Create a Business Plan: A Business Plan Template I’m Not On Periscope (and that’s okay) […]
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