Looking for a cover sheet for business plan documents? It's a simple but valid question: what should the first page look like? How do I present the plan, do I need to bind it, should there be a table of contents, can I put the mission statement on a stand-alone page as an introduction? What information should the cover include? These thoughts are common for entrepreneurs eager to make the best possible first impression with their business plans. Since you only get one shot to grab an investor's attention, professionalism is critical. Here are a few tips on the ideal presentation:
1) The cover page should be as neat as possible, without clutter or graphics
2) The page should include your business logo – if you don't have one, you should
3) Don't omit the words “Business Plan†– unlike a resume, it won't be obvious what the document is if you don't give this title
4) Include your name or the name of the contact person who would field questions about the document
5) Include an email and phone number where this individual can be reached
6) Avoid putting any content on the plan's cover – a catch-phrase or slogan can be okay, but this is not the place to put a lot of words
Because design and presentation are so vital with business plans, it is best to have the plan professionally laid-out by designers adept with the Adobe software suite or a comparable program. There are always freelance designers on the prowl for this sort of work, if you're not comfortable doing the layout yourself. Another option is to have MasterPlans do the layout for you – we have a full team of designers working in-house who can create top-quality logos, branding samples, and premium presentation documents to give you a leg up on the competition. Check out what we do at www.masterplans.com or call us at 877-453-2011 and ask about our complete suite of creative services.
