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Business Plans

Resources for SBDC workshop on writing a business plan.

About this Guide

This guide leads to many online resources with information for the Introduction and Marketing Plan sections of a Business Plan. Developed for a workshop sponsored by the New Jersey Small Business Development Center.

Outline

Industry Analysis:
Look at government sources of statistics on economic activity in industries and states, and then consider trade associations as information sources. Search the Business Source Elite database.
 
Competitive Landscape:
Start with the County Business Patterns, then consider corporate directories, both geographical and industrial. Search the ReferenceUSA database.
 
Market Analysis:
Navigate the many sources of statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, and look at demographic maps with PolicyMap and ZoomProspector.
 
Promotion and Marketing:
Consider venues for promoting your company, product or service, including newspapers, radio, trade shows, and online. Discover a collection of sample marketing plans at Mplans.
 
Business Plan Samples:
Know what actual plans look like. Discover a collection of sample plans at Bplans.
 
Business Operations:
Find out about registering or licensing your business in New Jersey, and locate an accountant or lawyer. Browse the Legal Information Reference Center database.