Writing a Business/Market Plan

Industry Analysis Company Research Target Market Research Advertising/Promotion
Writing a Business/Marketing Plan Citing Sources Research Assistance

What is a Business Plan?

A business plan is a written statement that describes and analyzes your business and covers the financial aspects of starting your business.

Why Write a Business Plan?

To attract potential investors or get a business loan from a bank.
To help guide the growth and direction of a company.
To comply with some requirements of business charters, loan papers, or other binding documents.

Other sections of this library research guide include several resources to help you in creating the different parts of your business plan, including how to do an industry analysis and how to research your target market.

The following resources provide guidance in preparing a business plan, including sample plans:

Business Plans Handbook
This electronic book is available in the Gale Virtual Reference Library database. In the database, click on "View publications" next to the Business heading.

Sample Business Plans
From the British Columbia, Canada, Business Services office, information about preparing a business plan and links to sample business plans for retail, manufacturing, and service businesses.

More Sample Business Plans
From morebusiness.com

How to Write a Business Plan
HD62.5 .M39 Main Ref
(Appendix 2 is a sample business plan for a manufacturing business)

Model Business Plans for Product Businesses AND Model Business Plans for Service Businesses
HD9980.5 .C638 Main Ref AND HD9980.5 .C64 Main Ref

The Successful Business Plan: Secrets and Strategies
HD62.5 .A344 Main Ref

For books about Marketing/Advertising Plans, search the UA Library Catalog using "marketing planning" as your subject. The Small Business Association has an outline of the elements of a Marketing Plan.

Website created by Mary Feeney, and maintained by Laura Carscaddon,
The University of Arizona Library.