Your business development plan budget team is ready to put a sample business proposal together, but they need help. They may not be the experts, and they know there is software, templates and professionals that can help get it done better and faster. This is the time they need to do a little shopping around and compare prices and offerings.

Business proposals are like many other products and services, the pricing and costs of business plans range from free or nearly free to thousands of dollars. Look around, download a free trial, read about business plan consulting, how to write a business plan and see what companies have to offer and for how much. Consider the following when choosing a company or software to help with your small business plan:

1. Use business plan software and templates on a shoe string for your small business plan.

2. Find award-winning software online at a price you can afford.

3. Hire elite business proposal writers and professionals when the stakes are high.

Action Steps for Writing a Business Plan
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use business plan software and business plan templates in the $30 to $80 range

One of these websites offers free trials, plans that range in the $30 to $80 range and interesting articles and case studies of award winning business plans. Another has provided business plan software and tools for years. At this time, they offer a business plan template for under $50.

I recommend: BPS has been providing business plan software and tools for years. They offer business plan templates under $50. CNet has free trials with options to buy ranging in price from around $30 to $40 and on up to $80. This site also has all kinds of information and articles including one about an award-winning business plan for Virtual Life. Find templates, workbooks and tools for business plans at CNet.

Learn how to write a business plan with award-winning software

Other companies sell popular software in the $100 to $200 range. PC Magazine recommends some of the software that touts 500 templates with standard programs around $100 and premier programs in the $200 range.

I recommend: Palo Alto Software is a popular business plan software. The standard edition for business plans starts around $100, the premier around $200. JIAN offers business plan software with immediate download for under $150.

Get a professional business plan written or use a company that prepares fortune 500 business plans

One of these companies is in the elite business proposal business with plans that start around $1000 and go up to nearly $5000. Other companies have professional writers write custom business proposals.

I recommend: BizCentral USA writes customized business plans starting around $250. MasterPlans is the elite of business plans. Their prices depend on the size of the targeted audience research, complexity of company, the type of audience (banks, finance, mutual funds). They have charged up to around $35,000, but their average customer pays somewhere between $1200 and $5000.

Tips & Tactics on How to Write a Business Plan

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  It is always wise to research and consider your options before jumping in and spending a lot of money. Know your business needs and the purpose of your small business plan. You may not need the premier plan if you need a plan for formalities or in-house strategizing. On the other hand, if you are a large corporation and are applying for a big loan, try to prepare some sample business plans and if you like what you see make the dive according to your needs and budget.

A business plan is like a roadmap that shows where your business is going and how it's going to get there. This detailed look at where your business is heading can do much more for your business than simply provide you with a route to follow. You can use it to convey your vision to potential investors, attract key employees, prospect for new business, or deal with suppliers. When writing a business plan, the following components are needed:

1. Description of the business.
2. Marketing Information.
3. Financial information.
4. Management information.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Let business plan software do it for you

Business plan software shows you how to write a business plan by breaking down the process into simple steps.

I recommend: Palo Alto Software Business Plan Pro has established a firm position in the business plan software game, and is available in instant download for under $100 in standard edition. You get a wide selection of business plan templates, a large sample business plan library, thousands of industry profiles, and can import financial data from QuickBooks. Find more business plan software at Business.com.

Line up what you need - make a business plan template

Before you start writing a business plan, know what a professionally done business plan is and what needs to be included, then create a business plan template to fit your needs.

I recommend: Check out the Work.com Guide to Sample Business Plans for great sources of free and low-cost business plans that make great business plan templates. Also, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has developed an online tutorial to help you understand the ABCs of of writing a business plan.

Find the right sample business plan

Success leaves clues, so it's worthwhile to look for a sample business plan you can use as a model.

I recommend: Find hundreds of real business plans at Business Plan Archive or check out BusinessPlans.com for for a sample business plan from any type of business, including Internet-based, service, and retail ventures. There are also plenty of business plan consultants out there ready to show you how to write a business plan.

Leave room for the summary in business plan templates

Part 1 of business plan templates should be the 'executive summary.' Here you summarize your entire plan and explain why your company will succeed. This is the most important part of your entire plan. Investors may decide whether or not to back your business based solely on your executive summary.

I recommend: Even though the executive summary comes first, don't write it until you've finished the rest of your plan. Find out what goes into a successful executive summary at American Express Open for Small Business and at the SBA.

Make it the right length

If your plan is too long, nobody will wade through it; if it's too short, it will seem like you haven't really thought through your venture. A good sample business plan should help you set the length limit on your business plan template.

I recommend: See how long a business plan should be at Bplans.com, the free help site from business plan software vendor Palo Alto.

Get help on how to write a business plan

To make sure your plan has the right elements and looks professional, get personal advice and direction on finding the right business plan templates.

I recommend: The Guide to Resources for Starting a Business can hook you up with all of the help you need to get your business going, including including top online communities on how to write a business plan, and free business counseling. Among the resources offered for new businesses at Business.com are free, downloadable business plan templates.

Don't forget about your financial forms

If you want to get results with your plan, make sure your financial forms look professional and have the correct information.

I recommend: The SBA offers free, professional-looking financial forms that you can add to your business plan template.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you're using your business plan to arrange bank financing, remember the four C's of credit: character, cash flow, capital, and collateral.
• •  After you write your plan, keep updating the information so the next time you need to use it, it will be ready to go.

Professional business plans are often some of the first things new small business owners consider. You need to know the direction you are going, where to focus, who your customers are or will be. A business development plan will put in writing your goals, budget and ideas. Of course, it may also be a prerequisite for a small business loan.

It never hurts to get a lay of the land and find out what other small businesses are doing with their small business plan. That’s where a little research is helpful. Look at the news, the latest articles, reports and statistics to learn more about what is working and not, what are the expectations in the business world. Find out business schools, magazines and business plan sites have to say about the latest in business proposals.

1. Subscribe to small business forums and news websites for business proposals tips.

2. Read about a sample business proposal from a specialty company in the news.

3. Tune into news and trends information on the radio.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look at forums and small business news sites for professional business plans tips

Read small business news and join a business forum to learn more about being an entrepreneur, business strategies and plans.

I recommend: Look at the latest financial news for entrepreneurs and owners of small business from MIT's Enterprise Forum. MarketingProfs posts business and marketing news regularly about business plans and business topics entrepreneurs.

Read about how to write a business plan in articles and money and business forums

Find out who is in the news today because of business plan success. Look at these companies and see if it applies to you and if you can learn from their application of a business model.

I recommend: Find articles and news about small business at BusinessKnowledgeSource.com. MoneyTowers posts and writes regular articles on business. They also have a Money forum. Search business plans in their search box for news and articles on business plans.

Listen and read about business plans news and trends on the radio and on an award-winning website

Catch the drift of the latest news and trends for small business owners both on a radio show focused and a website dedicated to new small businesses.

I recommend: Evan Carmichael shares his views and the news about sample business plans, entrepreneurship and business in general. This award-winning business person has tips and ideas for small business people. Small Business Trends Radio talks about business plans and other small business topics.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Business plan software and business plan templates fill a popular niche. Business plans news and trends make it easier to find a company that will assist your business in this area.

A business plan is a critical tool for obtaining a business loan or the backing of an investor. It gives investors a full understanding of what your company is, the product or service you provide, your goals and aspirations for the company and how likely you are to be successful in your endeavors.

As you put your business plan together, you may find several elements that you don't quite grasp. This article explains some of the more important aspects of a business plan so you have a better understanding of what you need to include.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Mission statement

A mission statement is a brief explanation of a company's purpose and goals in providing a product or service. It touches on the objectives, principles and standards of an organization. It states the what, but leaves the how for explaining in the rest of the business plan.

I recommend: Business Resource Software explains how to use a mission statement in regard to your business plan.

Executive summary

Executive summary is the term used in business to refer to an abstract. It summarizes all of the sections of your business plan in a brief overview. While it should be the first element of your business plan, it is the last element you will write because you need all of the other information to write it accurately.

I recommend: Visit Palo Alto Software's Bplans website for information on what an executive summary should include and how to write one effectively.

Business structure

Business structure, also referred to as the business entity, is the legal qualification of your company. Business structure possibilities include sole proprietorship, general proprietorship, limited partnership, corporation or limited liability company. Each one of these structures have specific qualifications regarding the ownership and organization of your business.

I recommend: Obtain a thorough explanation of each type of business structure from Entrepreneur Magazine.

Target market

Target market refers to the specific demographic of people that you wish to sell your product or service to. There are many contributing factors that may contribute to determining your target market, such as gender, age, race, lifestyle, family life and economic standing.

I recommend: Visit All Business or Virtual Advisor Interactive for more information on determining and understanding your target market.

Market analysis

Market analysis is the result of research on the industry or market you would like to participate in with your business. It includes information about the size and growth rate of the market, profitability, distribution channels and market trends.

I recommend: The Internet Center for Management and Business Administration provides a more detailed explanation of each element of a market analysis.

Distribution channels

Distribution channels are the ways in which you get your product or service to your target markt. They include everything from advertising to sales to the physicial provision of the product or service.

I recommend: BizHelp24 provides details on several different types of distribution channels. For more information on the elements of a strong business plan, visit the Small Business Buzz provided by GreatFX Business Cards.