Cyber Monday Sale! 50% Off All Access

How Do I Build a Business Plan? (Infographic) Take a look at this infographic for tips on how to write a great business plan.

By Nina Zipkin

You have a powerful idea for the next big thing, but before you sell it to anyone, you have to get it all down on paper. It's time to make a business plan.

How do you know if you're headed in the right direction? Washington State University created an infographic that provides 10 guidelines to help prospective entrepreneurs organize their thoughts and wow potential investors.

Related: When Planning for the Future, Keep Your Past in Perspective

The infographic details some major questions that aspiring CEOS need to ask themselves like, what problem is my business going to solve, what's my company's mission, and what do we do better than anyone else in the market?

But you aren't quite done yet. A thorough business plan includes who your target demographic is, the conditions of the market you're entering into and accounts for worst-case scenarios. And of course, there's the money: how much you need to get going, and where it's going to come from once your business is up and running.

Related: A Business Plan for the Startup Economy

For more information, like how much funding you'll need before applying for a small business loan (that's 30 percent), check out the infographic below.

Click to Enlarge+
How Do I Build a Business Plan? (Infographic)

Nina Zipkin

Entrepreneur Staff

Staff Writer. Covers leadership, media, technology and culture.

Nina Zipkin is a staff writer at Entrepreneur.com. She frequently covers leadership, media, tech, startups, culture and workplace trends.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Real Estate

Why Real Estate Should Be a Key Part of Your Wealth-Building Strategy in 2025 and Beyond

Real estate remains a strong choice for building wealth in 2025 and beyond, from its ability to generate passive income to offering long-term appreciation and acting as a hedge against inflation.

Business News

'This Company Has Been My Life': Intel CEO Retires, Reportedly Forced Out

Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger has led the company since February 2021 and said his departure is "bittersweet."

Fundraising

They Turned Down an Early Pay Day to Maintain Control of Their Business. And Then Went on to Raise $190 Million.

Jason Yeh, co-founder and General Partner of Patron, explains the early-stage venture firm's creation and future outlook.

Business News

'I Stand By My Decisions': A CEO Is Going Viral For Firing Almost All of the Company's Employees — Here's Why

The Musicians Club CEO Baldvin Oddsson fired 99 workers at once over Slack for missing a morning meeting. But there's a catch.

Marketing

How to Beat the Post-Holiday Sales Slump and Crush Your Q1 Goals

Overcome the post-holiday sales slump and keep the momentum strong with these key tips.

Franchise

You Can Start These 10 Franchises for $10,000 or Less

Many budget-friendly franchise opportunities are in industries with high demand, such as home services, cleaning or mobile businesses.