Revise and Rewrite Your Business Plan
The time you invest in revising your document will make the difference between clear and unclear writing.
Allow some time to distance yourself from your writing to help you see it more objectively. Read the draft as a reader, rather than as the writer. Find any mistakes and correct them. Read the document several times. Use the list below as a guide to focus your efforts. Never try to look for all potential problems in one go-through–this process takes time and concentration.
Here are some key things to look for when revising your plan:
- Write in the third person.
- Maintain accuracy and be concise.
- Be consistent with names and terminology.
- Use an active voice and write positively.
- Minimize jargon and avoid clichés.
- Correct all typos and grammatical errors.
- Create a visual format that is easy to read.
- Use appropriate pictures and diagrams.
- Include your sources for key information.
- Include important detail in the Appendices.
- Refer the reader to related information.
- Ensure numerical information matches text.
- Build a cohesive communication package.