Creating a Business Plan: Resources

Summary: Creating a business plan can be a daunting task. But there are plenty of books and online resources available to help you through it.

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In addition to the Business Planning section of the Starting a Business BootCamp, there are plenty of online and offline resources designed to help walk you through the business-planning process:

Business Books

Several well-known business books provide detailed business-plan outlines and good general assistance on the topic of business plans and business planning. Top choices include the following:

Anatomy of a Business Plan: The Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Business and Securing Your Company's Future by Linda Pinson (Dearborn, 2008, 7th edition)

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How to Write a Business Plan by Mike McKeever (NOLO, 2010, 10th edition)

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Successful Business Plan: Secrets and Strategies by Rhonda Abrams (Planning Shop, 2010, 5th edition)

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Business Plans That Work: A Guide for Small Business by Andrew Zacharakis, Stephen Spinelli, and Jeffry A. Timmons (McGraw-Hill, 2011, 2nd edition)

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Steps to Small Business Start-Up: Everything You Need to Know to Turn Your Idea into a Successful Business by Linda Pinson and Jerry Jinnett (Kaplan Publishing, 2006, 6th edition)

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What No One Ever Tells You About Starting Your Own Business: Real-Life Start-Up Advice from 101 Successful Entrepreneurs by Jan Norman (Kaplan Business, 2004)

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Kick Start Your Dream Business: Getting It Started and Keeping You Going by Romanus Wolter (Ten Speed Press, 2001)

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The following business books provide detailed business-plan outlines and good general assistance on the topic of business plans and business planning:

You Need to Be a Little Crazy: The Truth About Starting and Growing Your Business by Barry Moltz (Kaplan Business, 2003)

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If You're Clueless About Starting Your Own Business by Seth Godin (Kaplan Business, 1997)

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The Portable MBA in Entrepreneurship by William D. Bygrave and Andrew Zacharakis, Editors (Wiley, 2009, 4th edition)

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The Art of the Start: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything by Guy Kawasaki (Portfolio Hardcover, 2004)

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AllBusiness.com Resources

For more information on building a sound business plan, check out these AllBusiness.com articles:

Write a Winning Business Plan

Tools That Can Help You Write a Business Plan

Learn the Lingo Used in Business Planning

Tips on Formatting Your Business Plan

What Should Be Included in the Executive Summary of a Business Plan

What to Include in the Marketing Section of a Business Plan

What Supporting Documents Should You Include in Your Business Plan?

Where Can I Get Information on Preparing a Business Plan for a Startup Business?

You've Finished Your Business Plan -- Now Check It Twice