08: Top writing tips
If you are writing a new business plan or re-writing an existing one, your presentation and layout is important. This is especially true if you are looking to share the plan with outsiders, eg if the aim is to dispose of the business, raise bank or equity finance with a financial institution or attract new business partners. Look at the checklist below:
- Front cover Attach a front cover and use a contents page with sections and numbering.
- Executive summary Make sure this always comes first.
- Professional presentation Produce to a quality that would be appropriate for an external audience.
- Make it readable and accurate Avoid jargon and make it interesting, readable and accurate. Keep sentences short.
- Appendices Put substantial information at the back of the plan.
- SWOT No plan is complete unless there is a SWOT analysis, so remember to include this.
