Creating a Freelance Business Plan - Part 1

January 23, 2008

I’m not a big fan of business plans—I’m really not. But, not having a business plan is not the same as not planning at all. In the following series, I go through a business planning process for a fictional, freelance Web design company.

This plan can be adapted for any type of freelance business, not just a Web design business. So, feel free to adapt it to your needs.

The important part is thinking through each section and writing down a coherent answer. It doesn’t have to be long or complicated, it just has to exist.

With that, let’s get started…

Mission and Vision Statements

The mission of MyDesign Shop is to provide high-quality, Web design and related services to small and medium sized retail outlets and service providers. I will conduct MyDesign Shop in a professional, ethical, and friendly manner. My business will offer one-stop shopping for clients eager to find quality Internet services at fair and reasonable costs.

A mission/vision statement sets the tone for your plan. It’s your “birds-eye” view. This plan is for you so have fun with it

My vision for MyDesign Shop is to design and be responsible for eighty to one hundred moderately complex commercial or nonprofit Websites. I will also resell the best possible Web hosting services at a practical markup cost.

My goal is to find an average of 3 new clients per month and provide 30 billable hours of monthly maintenance services to existing clients. I will have connections and access to a handful of good subcontractors who have strengths in programming, and database design whom I can call when I need help with projects.

Anyone who performs work for MyDesign Shop will be treated as a subcontractor for tax reporting purposes.

Personal Evaluation

This is where you evaluate your skills—skills you have and skills that need polishing. If you need more training, find out if you can take any local or online courses. This isn’t an “exercise in criticize”. This is an opportunity for you to gauge where you are and where you need to be.

I am highly proficient in Web site layout and design. I enjoy discussing business needs with clients and helping them reach their goals with an online presence. While I do not have the desire to program custom applications for Web sites, I will maintain an arsenal of pre-programmed scripts that I can “plug-in” to client sites as often as needed.

I have been moonlighting for two years by creating Web sites for a few small businesses and local nonprofit groups—educating them about the value of having a Website.

I enjoy keeping up with Internet and related technologies by reading magazines, researching the Web, and subscribing to industry newsletters.

Read Part 2 –>

Tags: freelance business plan, business plan, business planning, startup business plan