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How to write your business plan cover page
When you think of putting together your business plan , the business plan cover page may not be the first thing that comes to mind. While it’s traditionally one of the last sections you create in a business plan, it’s one of the most important.
Definition: What is a business plan cover page?
The cover page of a business plan is used to give an overview of all the key information of your business. This includes your company name, logo, address, and any other information that may define your business. It's the first page of your plan, so it should look professional, visually pleasing, and informative.
When potential investors or banks read a business plan, their first impression is the cover page—but don’t overthink it. A business plan cover page is meant to be simple and straightforward, with some important contact information and, more importantly, your logo.
Use this breakdown to find out what the purpose of your cover page is, which elements you need to include, and how to structure it to maximize your impact:
What is the purpose of a cover page?
Your cover page exists to communicate what the enclosed document is and to provide the necessary information for a reader to contact you about your business.
The appearance and quality of a business plan cover page will set the tone for your business plan’s content, so make sure it’s visually appealing, free of errors, and concise.“ Simple, clean and powerful are the three goals of a strong business plan cover,” suggest the experts at Growthink . Don’t clutter your cover page with details about how your business will operate—save those important details for the executive summary .
What should you include on a business plan cover page?
To keep it simple, your business plan cover page should include:
Company logo
- Document title
- Business name
- Business address and contact information
- Business plan completion date
- Confidentiality statement
How should you format a business plan cover page?
Once you know what information belongs in this section, all that remains now is to organize it. If you need some further guidance, these downloadable templates can streamline the process of drafting a cover page—and the rest of your business plan, too.
1. Company logo
Add a high-resolution thumbnail of your logo at the top of the cover page. This will help establish a brand identity and allow readers to connect visually to the business right from the start.
Hot tip: people are 89% more likely to remember your logo if you put it in the top left corner.
Give the logo some space and then include the words “Business Plan” in a large, bold font. You can also frame the title as “Three–” or “Five–Year Business Plan,” if you intend to make those kinds of financial projections in the document.
3. Business name
Beneath the title, write your company name in a bold font. This should be the most noticeable and prominent feature on the page, so choose a large typeface.
4. Tagline (optional)
This part is optional, but you can also include a catchy slogan or motto that describes your company and what you do.
5. Address and contact information
Under the company name, include your business’s physical address and website if you have one. Provide the details necessary for interested parties to contact you, such as a phone number and email address.
It’s also helpful to include your name as the business owner and the names of any partners or executive officers so that potential investors know where to direct their inquiries.
6. Date of completion
Below the contact information, write the year (or year and month) in which this business plan was finalized and issued. If you’re including the month, it’s a good idea to update it throughout the year as you send out your business plan so readers don’t assume it’s outdated.
7. Confidentiality Statement
At the bottom of the page, include a sentence to the effect of:
“This document contains confidential and proprietary information created by [business name]. This document is issued exclusively for informational purposes and should not be reproduced without the consent of [business name].”
Adding this confidentiality statement offers a protective measure against the disclosure of your business idea , according to this cover page guide .
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Cover page design
Now it’s time for the finishing touches: the actual design of your cover page. Your business plan’s cover page gives the first impression of your business, so your company logo, fonts, and brand colors should all work together to make people want to read more.
Brand colors
90% of a customer’s impression of your business comes from the brand colors you choose, so it’s important to choose colors that represent your business’s personality and elicit the right emotions from your readers.
Don’t know where to start? Grab a pen and paperand write down three emotions you want your customers to feel when they think of your brand. Now you can brainstorm some colors that represent those emotions. For example, you might choose blue if your product is associated with reliability, or yellow if your product is supposed to make your clients feel happy. It’s safer to only choose 2-3 colors , including black, for your color scheme.
You can also analyze the competition and choose colors that help you stand out. Canva has more detailed instructions on how to create your brand color palette .
When it comes to fonts, it’s best practice to stick to one type of typeface, such as serif or sans serif . It’s also important to choose fonts that are simple, easy to read, and represent your brand.
Serif fonts give off the impression that your brand is trustworthy and dependable, and work great for more traditional businesses, like law practices. “Serif fonts have been widely used in books, newspapers, and magazines, which is why they remind us of more classical, formal and sophisticated themes—think of Old English and Roman scripture,” Robyn Young, founder of branding agency robyn young & co, told Canva .
But if you’re going for a more contemporary and youthful feel, then sans serif is the way to go. “Brands that want a modern aesthetic that scales well at different sizes and is easy to read on screens are going to choose sans serif for their main branding elements,” said Young .
When it comes to choosing a logo, simplicity is key. Try to create something that represents your brand and speaks to your audience without being too busy (in other words: white space is your friend).
It’s also important to remember to be practical: your logo should look good in any medium, size, color, and even time period. Beyond your business plan cover page, you’ll need it for your social media, marketing material, or labels.
Business plan cover page examples
To further illustrate the structure and format of a business plan cover page, we’ve compiled a few cover page template examples. The first example from officetemplatesonline is simple but attractive and effectively emphasizes pertinent information. The next cover page example is from a fictional clothing store . They usea pop of color to instantly tell you about their brand personality.
Keep your business plan cover page simple
As you prepare to write your business plan , remember to keep your cover page simple and concise. With your logo, business name, and contact information, you’ll introduce the reader into your business plan quickly and easily—and set yourself up for success as a result.
Just don’t forget to proofread and keep an eye out for typos!
Business plan cover page FAQs
How can businesses make sure their business plan cover pages stand out to investors or lenders.
You can spice up your business plan cover page by including elements that’ll grab the attention of investors or lenders. Beyond basic contact information and a logo, you could include compelling visuals, like graphics or images that represent your business or industry. You could also highlight key achievements or milestones to showcase your potential for success
Are there any specific rules or tips for designing a business plan cover page that make sure it matches a business’s brand?
When designing a business plan cover page, it's key to align it with your business's brand identity. This means choosing colors, fonts, and imagery that reflect your brand's personality and values. Following industry standards for design and layout can help ensure professionalism while still allowing for creativity that helps your business stand out.
How can a business use their cover page to show their business strategy?
Your cover page can serve as an opportunity to convey important aspects of your business strategy or unique value proposition. Beyond listing basic details, you could include a brief mission statement or tagline that summarizes your business’s purpose or competitive advantage. Additionally, incorporating visual elements or a brief narrative about your business's story can help show off its identity and vision.
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How to Write Your Business Plan Cover Page
One of the most important aspects of your business plan is the cover page, which showcases the attractiveness of your business proposal. It plays a vital role in presenting your business plan to dealers, investors, banks, and shareholders. Although it is just the first page, it serves as a crucial summary of your entire document.
Additionally, it is important to convey the essence of your business’s strategic approach in the plan. One key aspect to highlight is “what is the primary goal of business continuity planning?” This question is central as it addresses the company’s awareness and flexibility in the face of potential disruptions.
What Is A Business Plan Cover Page?
The cover page of a business plan provides an overview of all the essential information. It includes your organization’s name, address, logo, email, and other relevant details. The cover page must be both formal and informative.
When business investors review a business plan, the cover page makes the first impression. Your SBA Business Plan cover page doesn’t have to be complex; it should be straightforward for the reader to understand. Make sure to include contact information and prominently display your logo.
Keep these points in mind to understand the purpose of your cover page and to enhance its elements and structure for maximum impact.
Purpose Of A Business Plan Cover Page
The primary purpose of the cover page is to inform the reader about your company. Information should be presented clearly and effectively to communicate to the reader.
Keep the cover page concise and focus only on the introductory basics. There’s no need to delve into details here. Instead, save those details about how your business will operate for the executive summary, which outlines the most crucial aspects of your plan, such as your short-term and long-term goals.
Condense your cover page as much as possible and provide a basic introduction. Avoid going into too much detail. Instead, include information about your business criteria in the executive summary so that readers can understand your short-term and long-term goals.
Crafting Of Compelling Cover Page
The cover page of your business plan is more than just a formality; it’s your first impression. It sets the tone for your entire document and grabs the reader’s attention, which is particularly crucial if you’re seeking funding, as investors often have limited time to review proposals. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure your cover page makes a positive and lasting impact.
To achieve this, make your cover page attractive and informative. Generally, Business Plan Writing Services offers a range of packages to suit different needs and budgets, which can help you create a professional cover page.
Key Ingredients For A Powerful Cover Page
Check list the following key ingredients to make a powerful cover page for your business plan.
Company Logo
Design a unique logo and place it in the top left corner. The company logo is a key part of your brand identity and signifies professionalism.
Business Name
Bold the name of your company. Also, your company name must be written in a large typeface. Plus a big font size to make it notable and easy to read.
Strategic Business Plan (Optional)
Consider adding a subtitle that specifies the type of plan, such as ” Strategic Business Plan .”
Choose a clear and concise title to grab the reader’s attention. Instead of just “Business Plan,” consider “Business Plan for [Company Name] Growth.”
Prepared By
Include your company’s physical address, phone number, email, website, and other details below your company name. Add a section titled “Prepared by” to list your name and credentials, as well as the names of any collaborators or partners.
Contact Information
Include your full name, email address, and phone number. If relevant, add your business’s website URL. Center-align this information for consistent formatting and use a smaller font size for the name and title of your company.
Beneath the contact information, include the month and year of the business plan’s completion. Use the same font size as the address and contact information, and center the text for consistency.
Bonus Tips For A Business Plan Cover Page
Visa processes often require a detailed business plan. Look for an e2 visa business plan writer cost for specialized service.
Below are some additional tips to help you write a successful business plan cover page:
Confidentiality Statement
Well, it is optional though. If there’s any sensitive or proprietary information that is confidential, let readers know about it.
Optical Appeal
A clean, and professional layout is good to use for the Business Plan cover page. Integrate subtle design and elements that support your brand. Plus, balance the white space with text.
Use Consistent Formatting
Your business plan cover page should maintain a consistent look to keep it professional. So it can bear a sense of association with your readers.
Practice consistent formatting by
• Center align each line. • Each character and line spacing should be equal. • Choose similar fonts for each line.
Writing font has to be simple yet professional. Using an overly artistic font makes it difficult to read.
Pick Your Brand Color
Using your brand theme in the text, borders, and other graphic elements can build up the presence of your brand vision in your business plan. Also, bear that not forcing color into your plan. If it takes a lot of productive time to get right, best to avoid it.
Proofread Thoroughly
Grammatical errors or typos on the cover page give an adverse impression. Everything must be flawlessly professional in the business plan. Give a thorough check to your cover page for any spelling errors and mistakes that remain. It’d be great if someone else proofread it so you didn’t miss anything.
Keep it Sober
Your business plan cover page should be free from any clutters. Plus, the design has to be elegant and classy and sync with your business goals.
Remember: A strong cover page sets the stage for a successful business plan that’s why Immigration Business Plan Writing cost vary as per your requirements for professionalism.
Q1: What are the key components of a Business Continuity Plan? A1: A business continuity plan is comprised of risk assessment, business impact analysis (BIA), recovery strategies, team assignments, communication plan, testing and training, and maintenance and update.
Q2: Why is Business Continuity Planning important? A2: BCP is important to minimize downtime, protect reputation, ensure business continuity, and improve business resilience.
Q3: What are the primary goals of Business Continuity Planning? A3: The primary goals of business continuity planning are preparing for disruptions, responding effectively, minimizing downtime, and protecting critical data and assets.
Q4: Who is responsible for Business Continuity Planning in an organization? A4: Typically, the responsibility for BCP is to form a dedicated team that is often led by a Business Continuity Officer (BCO). By collaborating with other departs, this team develops, implements, and maintains the plan.
Q5: How often should a Business Continuity Plan be updated? A5: It is considered a living document that is reviewed and updated regularly. It’s recommended to update your plan at least annually, or more frequently if there are significant changes in your business, technology, regulations, or the overall threat landscape.
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