Five tips for your business plan
I’m in year three of Altrui Consulting and having the time of my life. After a decade plus of leading nonprofit fundraising teams, I created Altrui Consulting in 2019 and haven’t looked back.
I atribute some of my success to having a solid business plan right from the start. People I trust insisted I create one, and I did. I follow it, edit it, and check things off of it, using it as my guide as I grow.
Here are five tips that I hope help you when writing a business plan.
First, just do it. Start with a Microsoft Word document and go from there. Starting can be the most challenging part of writing your business plan.
Next, decide on a time period. I wrote mine for five years.
Third, social media is going to play a part in your plan. I created a social media section that included goals for email, my website, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Twitter. The social media platforms are up to you. Including them in your plan is critical as they will play a part in your growth.
Especially the website. For me as a consultant, the website has brought me clients I would have never have met. It also gives me credibility as potential clients can go there and read all about Altrui, including testimonials from clients. A website is a must.
Next, part of your business plan will be financials. Create simple budgets in Excel to have goals in revenue and expense. I knew how much my rates would be and calculated how many clients I wanted to reach for from years one through five. I had also written an expense budget to cover website, supplies, memberships, Quickbooks, Zoom, and other necessities to get off of the ground. These financial parts will be an important part of your plan.
Lastly, get input from people you trust. Take them out for coffee or lunch and show them what you’re thinking, and why. This is especially helpful when you meet with those who are working from a business plan.
These are simple steps, written that way to help you get started. Creating Altrui has been a dream come true, and running a business has kept me in the “always learning” space for sure. A day does not go by when I don’t learn something new about running a business and thriving with my consultancy.
Here’s to your new business plan!
