No matter if you’re starting a new venture and
need to raise funds, or you have been in business for some time and
need capital to grow your company to the next level, a business plan is
necessary to generate interest from investors. A clear and well-written
business plan not only attracts investors, it also provides you with a
framework for running your company and building it up.
Writing a business plan can be a time-consuming endeavor, and one
best taken on by professionals. So how do you go about hiring a business
plan writer or consultant? You will probably want to look into a number
of options before settling on one. Some companies use a systematic
approach and generate fairly generic plans; while others have a much
more personalized plan of attack. Here are some of the factors to
consider when you’re selecting a business plan writer.
Price
Let’s just get this one out of the way. Obviously, you don’t want
price to be the only factor you consider--you do, after all, get what
you pay for--but it is one thing that you can’t ignore. Reach out to a
whole range of business plan writers from very cheap to quite expensive.
You might realize that, for your needs, an inexpensive writer will do
just fine; or you might find that you have to shell out more than you
originally thought. Either way, you want to be sure of what you’re
getting before you start the process of building the business plan.
Additionally, you might find that some of the pricier writers aren’t as
good as less expensive writers.
References
There’s no better way to learn about a writer’s work than to consult
with previous employers. Call at least two references for each writer
you’re considering, and find out if they were happy with the work--and
if the plan ended up getting these references more money or accomplished
their goals. The writer should happily provide a few success stories
from previous work.
Samples
Even with great references, you want to make sure you like the
writer’s style and feel it would be a good match for your company. Take a
look at the writer’s portfolio, or ask to see some samples before you
commit. Look for obvious flaws like grammatical errors and typos, and
then do a second read to consider the writer's stylistic approach. Is it
straightforward, professional and engaging? That's what you want in a
business plan writer.
Process
Don’t be afraid to ask the writer about the writing process. It’s
best to have someone who will work collaboratively with you throughout
the whole project, getting feedback and keeping you looped in on
progress. A seasoned writer will have a solid outline of the process and
the checkpoints that happen along the way. Be wary of writers who say
they can work with you in any way that is comfortable for you. That is
not conducive to a good writing process and usually means the writer
doesn't have a process in place.
