I am often asked to work with innovators to create a business plan.  If you don’t feel that you are the best persuasive writer, then I do recommend hiring someone with experience to coach you through this process.  HOWEVER – a word of caution: do not hire someone to do the entire business plan for you.  Why?

Well, when you are headed to raise money, sell an idea, etc. you have to be quick on your feet and know 3-4 levels deeper than what actually goes into your bizplan.  You have to distill that to a 15 page power point and when you pitch, you’d better be ready for anything.  I’ve never met anyone that can read a full bizplan, memorize it and be ready to take any one of the areas on in detail when put on the spot.

Sure, paying thousands of dollars might get you a plan that gets you in the door with angels and VC’s but I’d bet against your success in the pitch.  I’ve seen too many pitches in my life go really bad and even then, those people did their own plan.  You have to nail it and frankly, if they are not willing to do the heavy lifting – research, interviews, etc, then they shouldn’t be in business.  This tells me they don’t care enough.

Why would you enter the ice cream business if you aren’t willing to go taste the flavors of all the places in your neighborhood and interview neighbors on their thoughts about the ice cream available to them today?  The same applies for any venture.  You don’t have to write it in the end but if you don’t do all of the research, interviews and due diligence, then you shouldn’t be in the business.