Product
Business Plan Document
Roles
Editor
Writer
Tools
Google Workspace
Photoshop
The business plan for Well Fed Society was the end result of the TECM 5170 Grants and Proposals. The course focused on strong persuasive writing as it pertained to a “request for proposal” and creating proposals following logical methodology, key messages and themes.
Approach
Initially, I started this project with the mindset that each theme or slot would align with the traditional structure of a business plan. However, as I learned how to identify baseline logic and themes while reviewing other proposals, I began to understand the fluid nature of proposal writing as a form of persuasion.
With this clearer understanding, I instead organized the business plan for Well Fed Society first by writing content for specific themes or “slots.” The content was then reorganized into a traditional business plan.
Step 1 | Narrow down the idea
For this business proposal, I knew I wanted to create a small business plan which focused digitally created content about cooking and food. I brainstormed ideas and methods of funding start-up costs and creating revenue. However, for the purpose of this project, it was important to refrain from becoming attached to any singular idea. Through research, I eliminated my options one-by-one until I landed on the business concept of monetizing a food blog with affiliate marketing. I branded the blog as a whole-foods based blog with an emphasis on cooking techniques.
Step 2 | Business plan structure and baseline logic
Next, I identified a plan structure I felt would best serve an online platform. I chose the Small Business Association traditional business plan outline as my initial framework for my food blog. While the SBA business plan provides an overview of several content areas, I chose to focus on the executive summary, market analysis, organization and management, services, marketing and funding.
With my structure identified, I addressed the baseline logic of my business plan as discussed in Chapter 2 of Writing Winning Business Proposals by Richard C. Freed et al. Baseline logic is a three-part equation of where I am, where I want to be, and how I will benefit by getting there. To make sure my established logic was aligned, I created a green team review presentation that was reviewed by my peers and classmates.
Step 3 | Writing the slots
The slots include situation, objectives, methods, qualifications, costs, and benefits. Each of these areas is related, one speaking to another, however, they are not inherent to creating a business plan. Instead, the focus of each slot is to address an audience’s expectations when reading proposals.
In some slots, such as qualifications, I knew I couldn’t write from professional or career experience as it directly related to the topic – food and cooking. However, I knew I possessed other skillsets necessary to grow and develop a website that would prove profitable. In other areas such as the methods slot, I focused on my skill in research, positioning my business plan as both a standout contribution to a niche market with the addition of a solid and proven monetization process.
Step 4 | Edit and refine
With the slots drafted, the next step was to place content within the structure of the business plan. Some slots aligned beautifully with the structure; the Situation Slot spanned nicely across parts of the Executive Summary and Market Analysis. Other areas, such as the Methods Slot were split between organization and management, services and marketing. These areas required refining in order to weave the slots into the structure of the business plan.
Final Document
The final document will serve as a guide should I pursue creating Well Fed Society. As my research indicated, there is a market for my unique style of cooking and recipe development that could prove to be a lucrative adventure. The skills I learned while developing this business plan – baseline logic, persuasive writing and identifying slots – will serve as guiding principles whether I’m writing content for my own pursuits or as a career editor and writer.