Charts and graphs may be useful on your business plan cover page.
The first thing potential investors will see on your business plan is your cover page. That's why it's imperative that your cover page is compelling and sparks enough interest to encourage investors to open the report and read it. Creating the cover page is similar to generating a corporate fact sheet, so only include the most powerful and important points.
Instructions
Instructions
1. Research the vital components of your business plan that will appear on your cover page. These elements should include an analysis and evaluation of local and national competition, business summary, internal financial data, and a breakdown of the amount of needed funds.
Interview managers for information about financial data, funds breakdown and the business summary.
Scan the Internet or call local competitors to get an idea of your competition. Compare and contrast your product's pricing, positioning, materials and marketing to your market competitors.
2. Write copy for each topic being highlighted on your cover page. Topics should include your company summary, a description of management, a description of your products/services and how you plan to take on your competition, funds needed, collateral, use of proceeds, financial projections and exit strategy.
In order to accommodate a one page format, each topic must be written in under 100 words. Write several rough drafts in order to sculpt the copy into a powerful paragraph.
3. Create a rough page layout using your word processing or graphic design program. One possible design is to include your contact information, corporate logo and table of contents along the right side of the page.
Fill the majority of the page with your topic text. Include a compelling, dynamic business plan title and bold topic titles. Use charts and graphs to further illustrate your points. Use a clean, easy-to-read typeface for your business cover report.
4. Review and share your cover page with business partners or colleagues for opinions and possible revisions. Ask for honest feedback regarding the layout and flow. Create a small checklist for your reviewers that addresses whether the copy is compelling enough to encourage an investor to act, if the financial data is complete and if the product and service is exciting and different from what's offered in the market.
5. Generate a final cover page using suggestions and revisions from partners and peers. Use the cover sheet as an outline guide for the rest of your business plan to ensure that you touch on each point made on the cover sheet.
