Create a good creative business plan

Have you ever had a day like that? (weeks, months, or even longer) where do you feel like your creativity and your creative business are stuck? Do you love creating your works but don't know how to promote them? Do you also not know if you should promote them or try to sell them? A business plan will help you focus and move forward.

Tip for creatives: create a business plan

The business plan writers give you a guide, a reference point, and a written record. Full of truth that reminds you exactly what you do, how you want to do it, who you do it for and why. A business plan aims to have your big ideas, goals, and resources written down. It gives you clarity; it's a master plan with subtasks that shape your next steps.

How to use a business plan

Writing or updating your business plan every year is a good idea, so you know what your goals are and what steps you need to take to achieve them. Once you have your annual master plan, you can make another for the quarter or the month or make one according to your work. Printing a one-page business plan and posting it in the workplace helps some creators focus; It's easy to look at. Before you start a new project, check your goals and ask yourself, "How does this fit into my plan?"

Do you already know the saying "all roads lead to Rome"? Well, the truth is that all your business decisions should be based on the plan you have for that year. Of course, you can edit your plans as your business evolves, but a good plan reminds you why you're in business…and should allow you to say no to jobs, projects, or tasks that don't satisfy you. In addition, the plan reminds you that you are the boss, in control, and can create your business your way.

1. List of objectives | Define the why

First, a mission statement is a short phrase that guides your business forward. If your decisions don't respect your mission statement, it's time to rethink your strategies. A list of goals can be intimidating to write, but don't overthink it; we are only talking about who, what and why. When you think about "why," think about your personal why (why you believe) and why your audience values ​​your work (why they want it).

If you are an independent maker, finish this sentence: Because I want to, I make (thing) for people who (like/need this thing) (reason).

Example: I create recipes hiding vegetables and cooking videos for people who have foodies in their families because I want to share my love of cooking while helping people eat well.

If you work as a team, your statement will look something like because we want to, we make (thing) for people who (like/need this thing) (reason).

Example: We create ghostbusting content (podcasts, blogs) for people obsessed with haunted places because we want to share our love for the world of ghostbusters while entertaining our audience.

When you have your mission statement written, you are ready to state your intentions.

2. Set goals | Define the what

It's time you got a little more explicit and set some firm goals about what you're going to create, do, and offer to support your list. Pick 1-3 TOP goals and your work to move forward with your business.

This year, what are you going to make? To create this year? A new album, a video series, an e-book, a web-comic series, a podcast or a community? Will you go on tour, hire an agent, and increase your following? Do you want to create something big or launch a series of smaller things in a week or a month? How much money do you need or want your business to make? How many more fans, customers, or followers do you want?

Continuing with the example of the foodie creator above, his list of objectives would be like this:

1. Get a contract to publish the book or self-publish an e-book
2. Earn $6,000 a month through various sources of income
3. Improve the kitchen "studio" and buy new material to record

The job to support your goals would be this:

1. Create at least one recipe a week
2. Record at least one cooking video a week
3. Collaborate and connect with cookbook writers, agents and publishers
4. Design the ideal kitchen and identify potential suppliers
5. Search and choose the material to record

Putting down some of your main goals on paper will help you shape your plans for the future. It will be easier to choose projects when you can see if they fit with your goals or if they distract you from them.

3. Identify the team | Define who. Part 1

For people who make things and are part of a group or organization, it is important to consider the roles and responsibilities of each one so that decision-making is effective and efficient. Even if this is clear within the group, write it down in the plan so there is no doubt about who is in charge of your permissions and who is in charge of sending the newsletter.

If you are a self-employed artist, write down the main roles and responsibilities you think are necessary to be successful so that you don't forget anything, no matter how stressed you are: creative work, administrative, financial, marketing, community, etc. Then, jot down some potential mentors you can ask about topics you don't know well. For example, do you know any marketing experts? Financial managers? Graphic designers? Lawyers? Write down the experts you know and any questions you want to answer this year.

4. Target your audience | Define who, part 2

Do you remember that in your list of objectives, you have identified the people for whom you work and for whom you create art? So, let's take a closer look at who they are, what they need, what they want and where to find them.

• In a few words, how would you describe your audience?
• How are you helping them solve a problem? Or, what wish are you making come true?
• Why do you understand or know them so well? What do you have in common?
• Where can you talk to them or find them?

Knowing who you're talking to will help you know what to say when you connect with them. The foodie creator knows that families with foodies turn to him for homemade recipes and cooking tips. Remember, a business plan will help you pay attention. If you are real, the right people will find you. To yourself and, of course, to them. Do you want to build your audience? 

5. The monetary part | define how

Sometimes this is where creators get stuck: how will you make money from your creative work, and how much will you charge for your work? Write down the sources of income that appeal to you, the ones that can work or those already working in your creative business. It includes the tiers and benefits of your Maven Business plan crowdfunding space and how you generate income.

Continuing with the example above, a creator who makes recipes and cooking videos can plan for the following sources of income:

1. Maven Business plan Crowdfunding Space (Levels and Perks)
2. Cookbook (eBook) Sales
3. Sponsorship (influencers on social networks, mentions)
4. Ads on websites/blogs or affiliate links
5. Live events (cooking classes, public speaking)

6. The marketing part | Define where and when

This way, you will know what you are offering, who they are and why. You know how much money you want to make and where to get that money. Now you can make various notes about where you want to advertise. From where will you connect and communicate with your target audience? When will you do it? Will your subscribers like to read newsletters every week? Do people discover you through Facebook ads? Do you get more patrons when you publish more on your social networks? List five marketing tactics that are working for you or that you want to try this year and give them a timeframe.

In our example, the person who makes food has an audience. Mainly on Instagram and Facebook, so this year, he has decided to double the content on those channels and create more articles for his blog each week and more newsletters to send by email. Each month.

1. Maven Business plan Special Offer every quarter
2. Monthly newsletter for the mailing list (registered from the website)
3. Paid ads promoting the Maven Business plan Facebook page, two weeks each month
4. Monthly blog post on the website
5. Daily social media posts on Facebook and Instagram

7. The hardest part | Define everything that bothers you

Most business plans don't have a section on this, but it might get a little scary when you start organizing all the ideas, sources, and initiatives you tackle this year. It is normal. You may have some detractors who question your approach, they may be friends or family, or they may just be voices in your head. Nothing happens! We encourage you to let go of those feelings of doubt, ignore those negative thoughts, and focus on any questions, doubts, or obstacles you may anticipate. This is YOUR business plan. You must have YOUR challenges written down.

Where does your start-up capital come from? How will you make your podcast? Who will design your website? Where do you keep your administrative paperwork? Anything that worries you should be here. Are you afraid? Sure! It takes courage to be creative, and you can do it.

When you have addressed these seven questions, you will have a document that will guide you to success. What to do when you have it ready? Take each idea and execute it. If you get stuck, just take a breath and break down your task into the simplest step you can take today toward the success you seek. Send the mail. Organize a meeting. Write an article on your blog. Record the demo.

TIP: If you want to get help from business plan writers then we recommend you to get in touch with Maven Business Plans.