A Successful Recipe for Setting Business Goals

A Successful Recipe for Setting Business GoalsA Successful Recipe for Setting Business GoalsFreelance copywriters, graphic designers, and new ad agencies need a plan of action. As a freelancer, you are your business. As an agency, youre just like any other company out there. Everyone needs a plan of action. So, whats your strategy? There are as many models out there to follow as there are reasons to have one in place. A freelancer may want a structured model to follow for success in a competitive marketplace. An agency could use a plan to gain money to fund the business venture along the way. While all plans of action vary in content, they can follow a basic format. Use these key ingredients to create a plan thats right for you 1 Cover Page Just like when you were in school, create a cover page. Your personenname or company name, address, phone number and chief executives name (if youre starting an agency) should be on this page. In this day and age, a lot of people put their Ema il and Web site addresses on the cover page as well. 2 Table of Contents Think of your plan as a small book. You want to include sections and page numbers for easy access to your content. Your table of contents should identify all of these sections and their appropriate page numbers. 3 Executive Summary This is, by far, the heart of your plan. The executive summary is practically a mini-business plan. For example, if you showed your executive summary to an investor, bank or even your neighbor, they should know what your plan of action is all about by the end of your executive summary.This section shouldnt be more than two pages long and is usually the hardest part to write (just like a creative brief). 4 Company/Personal Bio Where have you (or your company) been and where you are going? Provide a history (if applicable) and identify your long-term goals.If your company is a start-up, use this section to identify market trends and how your company can capitalize on these needs. Youll also want to define your companys status as well, such as what stage you are in. 5 Identify The Market If you dont help fulfill a specific market need, then how are you going to make a profit? If youve tested your services in the field, use your results of that test here.You can also describe your target market and what other consumers you would like to market your company to, if any. If youve already started to market your service, these efforts need to be listed here as well.Its also a good idea to acknowledge your competition here. Whats the best way to take advantage of the differences between you and your competitors? 6 Outline Your Services Everything there is to know about your services should be in this section. Prices, warranties, how your services are different, etc. 7 Have a Sales and aufsteigen Strategy How are you going to sell your services? All aspects of your marketing plan should be clearly spelled out. Are you planning on outsourcing work? Will you hire your own staff in-house?Any type of marketing plan you intend on launching is vital to this section. 8 Add Detailed Financial Information This entire section is in regard to your past finances. Its a must for agencies and can be helpful for freelancers to put their financial outlook in order. This section should include how much youve made, your profit outlook for the future, etc. A lot of people use graphics to illustrate their financial background and projections.You must also include your balance sheets, cash flow projections and profit and loss statements. If youre using this plan to approach investors, dont be creative. Leave all of the sections in order as this is the standard method used to evaluate a business and its potential.If you plan on using your plan of action to achieve personal goals, by all means, have fun with it. Be creative and see where your plan of action can take you.