thank you ladies for the advice!! one key to success is getting clear about what it is that you actually want....and I have to really sit down and think about what it is that I need & want from my business!!

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Yolanda Allen

I wrote a business plan, it helped me in a number of ways and none of them were financial as I wasn't looking for funding.

Mainly it helped me focus on MY business to begin with. By writing my business plan I discovered more about what I want my business to be and that kind of focus is brilliant. It allows me to follow a path more actively. It wasn't easy to find the right words or even know what I wanted to say at first but then I realised that I could work up down or backwards through it if I wanted so I chose a section - for me it was my services and rates which once I checked them out and set my mind on something led me to the next section which for me was the market and I researched and researched and wrote drafts and collated information until I recited information about the current market for VA's in my sleep. Once I had narrowed down my target market from this I found that the rest of it seemed to start coming together. I didnt actually write my executive summary or company description until after I had completed some of the other sections.

Im also a great believer in a stream of conciousness. Don't think just write about your business until something starts making sense, it doesn't have to go into your business plan but sometimes it gets all the jumble out of your head and allows you to focus. Good Luck.

I have started my business plan, but put it on the back burner so that I could work on developing my website and forms. It did provide focus as to my goals, but I realize I need to get back to it before I move forward and really work on the marketing section. I really like the idea of adding a section about professional development. It is so important to keep learning in order for you and your business to grow.

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Margaret
Helping You Build Your Empire

Hi
I think its important to have a business plan.
It gives you long term goals and expectations.
Write an informal one for now and as your business grows you will no doubt refer back to it and formalize it.

Good luck
Mary

A business plan will help you to place your business in context and set some goals.

Here is a great link with free information and courses on setting up your business



http://myownbusiness.org/

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Eunice
Savvy Corporate Planners+

I wrote a business plan before I started just to kinda give me a guide and I go back to it often, especially to make changes when I feel I may have left out something. The great thing about a business plan is that its not 'set in stone' because your business may have some changes along the way. This link worked for me. http://web.sba.gov/busplantemplate/BizPlanStart.cfm

Good luck!

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Kim's Virtual Office Solutions
www.kimsvirtualofficesolutions .com

I ended up getting the VA book on the forum for $29 but I just used that as a way to make a business plan and everything i needed.I did the contracts and all it came with in my own revised way and got the other forms that were missing off the forum and revised them. And that was it! This is all you need to get going and anything else are extras you can work on over time.I just have to finish my website . I say just get the book save a lot of time and let it guide you otherwise I found I was just all over the place.

I was able to do a Business Plan and Marketing , Information Packet, Client Quiestionare, Client Consultation, Contract Hourly and Retainer, Terms and Conditions-includes Confidentiality, Quickbooks Invoice, Time-tracking with Quickbooks, and Feedback Form.

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I started my VA gig about 2 months ago and until now I am still in the dark... there are so many things to take in but I am trying my best to understand it...

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Marie 1971 - your personal assistant

A business plan isn't completely necessary for a small or independent business, but it's extremely helpful. For me, my business plan helps me to stay focused on my business and to stay on track. Looking at my short and long term goals also helps me to stay motivated when I feel discouraged or when I feel like I have too much on my plate. There are some great business plan templates and guides out there. It is completely overwhelming when you go to write it and then just stare at a blank page, but the templates and guides help tremendously.

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Kristin, owner KRumian LLC
KRumian LLC Business Website

A business plan is like a road map. Try not to be overwhelmed by writing a business plan by just focusing on one piece at a time. I would suggest starting with a one-page business plan. I found a good example here from Oprah.com:

http://images.oprah.com/download/pdf...consulting.pdf

My niche is in writing and editing so it took me about 2 weeks to write my business plan (with second and third sets of eyes to go over it). But a business plan is something that should evolve over time. It will need updates accordingly.