Keep your writing business on track with a one-page business plan.

A few years ago, I decided to see if I could grow my writing business into a real business that generated real income. That meant putting some structure around my approach. One of the most valuable things I did was write a business plan. 

I have a BA in Administrative Studies, so the concept wasn’t new to me. But as a solopreneur, I had always figured that my business plan was in my head and I’d never taken the time to put it down on paper. 

Sound familiar?  

After I made the decision to grow my business, I signed up for a 12-month bootcamp geared towards small business owners. Creating a one-page plan for the year ahead was part of the process. I’ve been writing one ever since. 

Although this isn’t the kind of in-depth analysis and planning you’d learn about at business school, the one-page approach works for me. 

Here’s how it breaks down: 

• Revenue: Annual Revenue Goal / Monthly Revenue (Annual Revenue / 12) / Weekly Billing (Monthly Revenue / 4) 
• Marketing: How can I promote my business?
• Sales: How can I generate more sales?
• Operations: How can I work in the most efficient way? 
• Profitability: How can I earn more money? 

I also include a section for personal goals. 

I list three to five ideas or areas of focus under each category. Then I post the plan somewhere I can see it. 

 

Keeping things short and realistic helps me stay focused on what really counts, especially when life gets crazy. If things feel like they may be veering off track, a quick read through my business plan is often enough to help me reset. And at the end of the year, it feels great to look back and see how many goals I’ve hit, and to acknowledge the areas that still need work. 

Happy planning!