LESSON #15: Creating a Business Plan

By | July 20, 2008

Two lessons ago we talked about the importance of having a vision, which is basically the big picture of where you want to go. And in the previous lesson we talked about goals, which are the specific milestones along the way toward your vision.

So today we’re going to talk about plans, because you need to have a plan of action to hit your goals…

(Watch this video…)

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Main points:

  • “People don’t plan to fail; they fail to plan.”

  • Failure is not a bad thing, but you should try to succeed!

  • (Elements of a traditional business plan)

    For examples of how to make a typical business plan, you can see:
    Small Business Association business plan info
    Traditional business plan sample

  • If you want to take a textbook approach to your business plan, that’s great. But since the business model I’m teaching is relatively simple, it’s possible to streamline it.

  • I’ve put together a 1-page outline template for you which asks for the following information:

    – Name of business
    – Vision for the business
    – Who is the target market?
    – What will we sell? (be specific)
    – What makes us different from the competition?
    – Marketing strategies
    – Goals for building and growing the business
    – Plan of action to achieve goals

  • I’ve provided a link to the template below, and you can download it for free.

    Action steps:

    1) Make a business plan.

    If you wish to use my template, you may download it here for free:

    Click here to download the PDF file (do a right-click “save target as” to download it to your computer)

    So now that you’ve got a plan, you’ll need to commit to it, and figure out how to stay motivated. I’ll be talking about those things in the next lesson.

    As always, you are welcome to post your questions and comments below.

    Have a great day!

  • 236 thoughts on “LESSON #15: Creating a Business Plan

    1. Pudjo

      Business-Plan:
      ————-
      1. Affiliate Marketing

      2. (a) Be an expert on Affiliate Marketing within 5 yrs. NOTE: My time-horizon is only 5 yrs. I am a senior citizen, I have decided to choose my productive life- & time-span to not exceed 5 yrs.
      (b) Having a yearly cash income of $60K-$80K from Affiliate Marketing in 2 yrs from now.
      (c) Developing my own info products for my Affiliate Marketing activities.
      (d) Doing social activities and donating 20% of my income to related social institutions and granting scholarships to needy individuals.
      (e) Teaching serious individuals Internet Marketing secrets for free, offsetted by the funds generated from my multiple affiliate sites, in order for them to become financially independent.
      (f) Incorporating the IM students in an active group for outsourcing activities and the overall objective of helping each others to succeed.

      3. Global Target Markets, in specific “hot niche” low-competitive, high ranking affiliate sites, primarily from ClickBank.

      4. Primarily Info-Products.

      5. I am offering an excellent service to clients, my USP will be above the standards. My vision is to develop affiliate marketing activities as soon as possible by uploading my affiliate domains & host them as fast as possible and publish their websites. I would strive to become an Affiliate Marketing expert as soon as possible, and not too much emphasizing the profit-planning side of the business.

      6. Primary traffic thru KW-, hot-niche-, SEO-researchs and to get max organic traffic. Secondary traffic thru blogging, backlinking, article-writing & -directories, JV’s, Ad-Swaps, ads.

      7. Business Development:
      (a) 1. 5 affiliate sites (AS) by end of 2011,
      2. mtly income $1500,
      3. Start JV’s and outsourcing.
      (b) 1. 10 AS by end of 2012,
      2. mtly income $4000,
      3. product development,
      4. additional JV’s & outsource team.
      (c) 1. 15 AS end of 2013 incl own products,
      2. mtly income $6000,
      3. further product developments,
      4. doing webinars, mastermind-groups,
      5. add. JV’s & regular outsource team.

      8. Plan of Action:
      1. Following Eric’s Tips & Programs (daily),
      2. Following affiliate marketing programs and tools (daily)
      3. Find a Niche, Get a domain, Upload a squeeze page, Affilliate Website Online: by 05032011.
      4. Tweaking Affiliate Website #1 by 05052011.
      5. And so on.

      This in brief my business plan.

      Best Regards,
      Pudjo. 8)

      Reply
    2. Darminto

      People don’t plan to fail; they fail to plan…aha! it’s a genuine statement. I agree Eric! As we all know, business phenomenon always grows to complicated ones, of course we need the “modern” (academic) business plan to accommodate it!

      Reply
    3. Joe

      Hey Eric, I want to build a website using homestead, is this a good option or is an HTML website better than a drag-and-drop site like homestead?

      Thanks!
      Joe

      Reply
    4. Eric Post author

      I do not recommend homestead for the type of business we are building. You need your own domain name, with its own hosting account. I explain all of this in lesson #23-#24. Then I explain several options for how to build your site, including drag-and-drop site builders. For most people, the best and easiest long-term option is to install WordPress on their site (can be done in a few clicks). I explain all this in lesson #33-36.

      Reply
    5. nick

      hy eric something get wrong so i cant complite this lesson.the video get stack after first few minutes. can you please resend it to me or giwe mi a link where i can write the lesson material
      10x nick

      Reply
    6. kay

      hi eric,
      i posted a comment while ago, i know you may be busy with new baby..but i see you answered some people and i have not got my answer yet…i am stuck at step 3…..kay

      Reply
    7. kay

      hi Eric,

      I have started to learn your programme…
      I am disappointed at step 3:-
      AS per your instruction I have gone through market place to select a company…
      the link you gave is opening the categories and sub-catergoris but there is no box saying for example [earn 40%] etc…
      the example you have shown has those links and I cant find those links

      Can you explain this please,
      Will the advert be mainly for american companies or Uk based as well?
      Thanks
      k

      Thanks

      Reply
    8. Eric Post author

      Hi Kay, I am sorry to say the writing cash progam is currently outdated. PPC marketing still works (see lesson #73 and 74) but it has become increasingly difficult to use PPC to drive traffic to affiliate offers. You can’t just send AdWords clicks to an affiliate link. Instead, you must focus on creating a good website that you can drive traffic to first. I plan on turning the writing cash program over to a new owner soon to update it, as I haven’t had time lately. Sorry again. All the lessons on this website are still valid, and I recommend my coaching club to stay on top of the latest strategies.

      Reply
    9. kay

      hi eric,
      thanks …that explains it….I already have blog…so, i will build up to more traffic to my blog first…thanks
      kay

      Reply
    10. Chris Downs

      Hi Eric,
      Thank you for the business plan outline. It really shows me the things that I need to accomplish to move forward. The help with the Lifeline to Success is much appreciated.

      Reply
    11. Eduardo Alvarez

      Hi Eric, my plan is to follow all of your Tips and Action points until I feel I have learned everything about starting as an internet marketer.
      Thank you,
      Eduardo

      Reply
    12. Stan Pontiere

      Hi Eric, Wish I had this program several years ago, so much wasted time and shiny objects. As a result of your work, My book “Quantum Mind Meditation” will be published on Kindle next week and will be available free as a PDF on my new website: http://QuantumMindMeditation.com and my thanks go to you for helping me make it possible.

      Reply
    13. matt

      thank you Eric, I love the content that you deliver, it’s so simple but completely complete, I have been working on most of the things you have talked about such as vision, goals and business plan. I get a little stuck at times and as I have been listening to you for the last few days, my productivity has improved. I find listening to you reinforces the ideas in my head that I can do this, and when I am listening to you I am not listening to the negative voices in my head that say I cannot make a living online. Thank you for the great work

      Reply
    14. John

      Thanx Eric,
      you are a star… will follow patiently to the end… just hope to get an income sooner than at the end of the course… only have enough rent for about three months…
      you have a great day
      Regards
      John
      p.s. you should encourage people to put in dates with their comments…just a thought…
      p.p.s. Any comments on Harvey Segal?

      Online Business Plan Basic Outline Date: 15/11/11

      Name of business:
      Brand View Media Pty (Ltd)… already registered

      Vision for the business:
      To have various Internet Income Streams… at least ten… The first one will be “Internet Marketing Supertips” – already launched

      Who is the target market?
      InfoPreneurs

      What will we sell? (be specific)
      Information on various areas of Clickbank, and Internet marketing in general…
      MANY E-BOOKS…ALL FOR FREE… … http://internet-supertip.blogspot.com/

      What makes us different from the competition?
      A Unique Complete offering

      Marketing strategies:
      Got to study and apply means of getting traffic.

      Goals for building and growing the business (specific events/milestones, including financial goals, with deadlines):
      First Stage is to attain a consistent income of $2000 per month after compulsory deductions… the final stage is to earn an ongoing income in excess of $10000 per month

      Plan of action to achieve goals:
      Complete this course of 100 lessons …
      Activate my already launched first product during the course…
      launch at least five more affiliate products during the course…
      Learn to produce my own prowduct and how to market it successfully…

      Reply
    15. mike

      HEY ERIC. FIRST OF ALL IM UNEMPLOYED AND TRYING TO START MY ONLINE BIZ.IM PURCHASING ANTHONY MORRISONS, FAST CASH COMMISSIONS PROGRAM.I CAN STILL GET MY MONEY BACK,WHAT I WAS WONDERING WILL THIS BE OF USE TO ME IF I FOLLOW YOUR COURSE, OR CAUSE CONFUSION? I DON’T HAVE A WEB SITE OR HOSTING ,ONLY A DOMAIN NAME,SO IM BASICLY STARTING FROM SCRATCH.I HAVE VERY LIMITED FUNDS.IF I GET MY MONEY BACK IT WOULD GO INTO GETTING SET UP WITH WHAT YOU SAID WOULD BE ABOUT $200.oo.RIGHT? I DON’T THINK I COULD DO BOTH. IM ON LESSON 15 AND IT SEEMS LIKE AS YOU SAY THE RUBBER IS ABOUT TO HIT THE ROAD SO I NEED TO FIGURE OUT QUICK IF I NEED THAT COURSE OR NOT. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR INPUT.I FEEL IM ON THE RIGHT TRACK WITH YOUR LESSONS, I JUST DON’T WANT TO GET CONFUSED. TAKE CARE,AND LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING BACK FROM YOU..MIKE

      Reply
    16. Micah

      Hello Mike,

      If you are feeling overwhelmed, now might not be the best time to purchase another course.

      We recommend that you hang in there with Eric’s free video lessons here at http://www.ericstips.com/. Eric’s lessons have helped many people to go from beginners, to successful online business owners!

      Later, if you want to go further in marketing, you might also want to take part in Eric’s coaching club:
      http://www.realguysrealmoney.com

      Eric, Paul, and Jeff are expert marketers. They will be a great resource for you!

      Reply
    17. Russell

      Hi Eric
      I’ve been watching your videos, but last since on clicking the next video I get a message that I’m missing the plugin. Which one is it so I can download it?
      Cheers
      Russell

      Reply
    18. violet

      A point to consider, however, is that if personal goals are not reasonable, they can be most discouraging. (Jas. 3:17) Goals must be set according to what one is able to accomplish. Otherwise, we will likely end up in discouragement if we do not succeed. Everyone has a different makeup physically and emotionally. We cannot expect to be able to accomplish something just because someone else does, but we should set goals according to what we can do personally.

      Reply
    19. Margaret

      excited to start the business plan but have no idea what business I should be doing on the web.

      Help! Margaret

      Reply
    20. AnnaC

      I’d like to download the streamlined business plan, but nothing happens when I click on it… Help, please??

      Reply
    21. Micah

      Hello AnnaC,

      I just tested the link, and it’s currently working smoothly. Remember to follow these instructions:
      (Do a right-click “save target as” to download it to your computer)

      Reply
    22. Micah

      Hello Clara,

      A Free PDF report is always a good giveaway. Just make sure it is in keeping with your niche at the site where you’re giving it away.

      Reply
    23. David

      Hello Eric,

      This is great to have step by step here work very good here now

      Reply
    24. Mujaser Mamuti

      You Are MEGA SUPER STAR!!!

      Respected Eric,

      I wrote on my 1 lesson how thankful i am to be your devoted student…

      You God’s Angels for guiding the right people learning and growing…

      I am so pleased to meet you and to know there is still good people out there like yourself.

      Your Devoted Student,

      Mujaser Mamuti
      From Skopje – Macedonia
      Europe

      Reply
    25. Derek Perkins

      Eric,im going to have a plan to stay focused on my online marketing so i can build a good business”

      Reply
    26. Marija

      Hi Eric,
      You inspire me with such important questions. Business plan was always me a little distant need. I am aware I want to follow my Vision to create some extra income for my future that I need to for a house keeping.I will be proud on myself to achieve this challenge.
      My action plan I call Online challenge. I spend every day about 6 hours at the online lessons. Besides Eric’s tip I learn WP lessons to link affiliate products. Marija

      Reply
    27. Gerald Stanley

      Thanks Eric
      I have been going about Internet marketing all wrong. Thanks for the insight I can now slow down and do this the right way now.

      Reply
    28. Mark Lewis

      Thanks for the easy set plan, Eric, it makes things a bit simpler for me.

      Mark

      Reply
    29. Gavin Underwood

      Eric
      Thanks for all your tips,I need a Plan to much information overload need to stop and start again.
      Kind Regards
      Gavin

      Reply
    30. Lise Lafontaine

      Thank you for your lessons which I follow with great interest; especially thanks for your caring.
      The one page plan is great; I will attempt to seriously fill it in and post it. I will be away for 3 weeks in August; how do I catch up?

      Reply
    31. Phil

      NOW I understand what has been missing for all my years of self employment. I started my business the right way by having a manager. But I never understood all these steps. My residential service business was started when it was easy to put out fliers and an add in a newspaper or yellow pages, then just go earn money. No requirements for license or insurance used to be required to advertise. Now it is different and very difficult for anyone that is not legit. Almost as if the red tape is making it harder instead of easy to be a small business owner. We were basically like the old west, where there was not many ways to enforce the laws so fly by night services were prolific. I am not proud of it but I was one of them. If I had this outline or information at the time I would easily have been very successful. But without it I have lived my entire 30 years in business hand to mouth. Never knowing or caring what I was doing as long as I could go out and keep earning when I needed it. I am glad for those years and what I have learned here to compare it to. I now know better what the does and don’ts are so from now on I can and will be a success in a productive way instead of my own worst enemy. (that is if I apply what I am learning)

      A Big thanks to Eric for your gift of making a complicated and confusing concept very practical and understandable.

      Reply
    32. Ally

      Hi Eric, I am thoroughly enjoying the lessons but I still don’t know what my business will be. My vision is to make a steady income and gradually build on that as we don’t get much on a pension but I will be in a position to help out with our Mission fund and help family and friends. Basically all around the Lord.

      Reply
    33. Jeffrey

      Eric,
      Great Stuff!! Thank you, I’ve got the template printed now.. Fantastic stuff!

      Reply
    34. Ben

      Eric,

      Thanks so much for this lesson. I have always been aware of the need to make a marketing plan but found them too complicated and intimidating. Your simple one-page solution makes it simple.

      Ben

      Reply
    35. Jaques

      Hi Eric,

      I don’t know how current your lessons are as I hear some people talk about 2008. What I do know is that I am impressed with the simplicity of your business plan. Often times people are put off by long drawn out business plans, which is why they fail to plan.

      Keep up the good work

      Jakes

      Reply
    36. Babylon66

      Hey Eric,

      Just like the previous comment above I do note that these posts were made in 2008 however I and finding them useful. I know I can skip some and get into the nuts and bolts but I’m doing all of them 1 by 1 to gain as much knowledge as possible.

      Thank you for your valuable advise thus far

      Babylon66 (Feb 2013)

      Reply
    37. Emily

      I just typed one section after the other at high speed from your list; I know it that well. (Been at the business for twenty years, not as an online one.)
      I have known since ’08 I need reliable technical people (or person) and cannot make it happen for all this time. I think I have finally done it … as a result of my house burning down and having to live in the town instead of on the 500-acre ranch.

      Reply
    38. Jiji

      Hi Eric,
      I have been enjoying your lessons, all very good. Thank you for simplifying the business plan. That is Grest! Looking forward to your lesons to come,
      Thanks again,
      Jiji

      Reply

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