Using a sample business plan for consulting – Is it okay to use a sample business plan for consulting, as opposed to creating one from scratch? Of course it is! In fact, starting with a template is wisest since it will save you time and give you a springboard to start from.
Compare apples to apples
There are many free business plan templates on the internet; the trick is to find one that most closely fits what you have in mind for your business.
Don’t just choose the first plan you see; make sure that you choose a sample business plan template from a similar industry. Why? Because a plan that applies to starting a retail business, for example, will not be easily applicable to starting a consulting business.
Choose a sample business plan template that best fits your needs and goals. Be sure to choose a sample business plan for consulting; it will provide you with the framework to create your own plan.
You’ve found a sample business plan for consulting. What next?
Once you find a plan that you want to work with, study it closely. How much of it applies to you and your business? You will probably discover some great ideas and approaches that you can utilize in your own plan. Make notes of what you would like to incorporate in your plan and what might be missing.
Whatever you do, don’t copy the template word for word because odds are your business isn’t a cookie cutter business! Customize the sample business plan for consulting to make it reflect who you are, what you are offering, the vision you have created, and how you are going to achieve your goals.
Compare your sample business plan for consulting with this sample outline. Does your chosen template cover all the bases?
If you’re not sure how to get started, consider taking small business training. If you’d like a better understanding of consulting fees and how they’re calculated, take a look at our guide on consulting fees.
Remember … It’s beneficial to use a sample business plan for consulting rather than reinventing the wheel. However, customization is key. By finding a sample business plan that you like, and by changing it to suit your future consulting business, you are taking the first steps towards becoming a successful consultant.
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- Putting together a business plan
- Sample consulting invoice
- Setting consulting fee rates
- Finance for consultants
- Become a consultant resources
- Consulting Fees: A Guide for Independent Consultants
- Discover Your Inner Consultant
- Discover Your Inner Entrepreneur (for moms)
- Write Your Business Plan Now – a complete kit
- Consulting company business plan
Very good article. The most important part of the message should be ‘make sure that you choose a sample business plan template from a similar industry’. People grab the first template they see and try to fit their business around it. People need to do a little research on what a business plan is first.