How to write a simple one-page business plan for a small business

Many small business owners think a business plan is only for banks. In fact, it is a thinking tool. Writing down your plan helps you see problems before they cost you money.

The one-page plan

1. What you sell. Describe your product or service in two sentences.
2. Who buys it. Name your main customers and what problem you solve for them.
3. Why they choose you. Think of price, quality, location, speed or trust.
4. How you reach them. List the places and methods you will use.
5. What it costs. Write your startup costs and your regular monthly costs, such as rent, transport, data, stock and helpers.
6. How you earn. Write your selling price, the cost of each item and the profit per sale.
7. Targets. For example, how many sales you need each month to cover your costs.

Test the numbers

Do a simple check: if you sell a low, realistic number of items, will you still cover your costs? If the plan only works when everything goes perfectly, adjust it.

List your risks

Write three things that could go wrong, such as price changes, late supply or slow sales, and one action for each.

Review every month

Compare your plan to what really happened. Update it. A plan that you read and change is far more useful than a long plan in a drawer.

Written by the EarnNaija team at EarnNaija Digital Technologies. Tips are general guidance, not financial or legal advice.

This article is general information, not financial or legal advice. Earnings are never guaranteed. See our fees page for the exact costs.