• Getting Started
• Starting a Business
• Business Plans
  • - Business Plan Outline
  • - Elements of the Business Plan
  • - Common Failure Factors
  • - General Tips
  • - Why a business plan?
  • - Market Analysis
  • - Marketing Strategy
  • - Break Even Analysis
• Business by City/County
• Professional Licenses
• Zoning Guides
• Government Procurement
• Small Business Size Standards
• Checklists
• Business Assistance

Home > Getting Started > Business Plans

Planning Pays

The success of any business venture depends on planning before acting. To sum it all up:

A Business Plan identifies company resources, spells out company goals, and details the steps required to reach those goals.

A Marketing Plan is part of the business plan. It analyzes the company and the product, determines who wants - or should want - that product, and sets up a strategy for making your product and company unforgettable. Marketing plans use tools like market research, development of image or positioning or niche, customer service policies, public relations, promotions such as sales or coupons or special events, advertising, and some means of tracking and evaluating results. You should have a marketing plan for each campaign, each major product or service.

Advertising is a tool of the marketing plan, and should be carefully mapped out and developed to ensure that the cost involved is justified by the results.

Please see the links on the left for detailed information on how to create a business plan.