Business Plans: 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.

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.