| I have written several business plans all of which have been funded by outside sources.
Things to keep in mind:
Investors read from back to front. Or jump around method. Financials first, Vision and Mission statement and then they may want to know the idea.
Make sure your financials are from research with substantial footnotes and backup, not from the market saturation approach.
Definition: Market Saturation Approach. *The market is $XXXMM per year. I will attain 10% of the market which equals $XXX. Then for some reason people often like to work backwards from there and all the projections are wrong.
You want to see similar business in similar markets Which gives you info on both financials and market plan.
Another key point is to have two well rehearsed presentations.
Definition: Elevator Presentation * The person you are trying to get to invest is in the elevator. You have until you reach this persons floor to peak his interest. This is not the place to close the deal. This is one of the few places that your idea is more important than the financial or mission statement.
Remember not to be to rushed or you will sound like a crazy person. Keep it short concise and compelling. Be enrolling. Have them invite you to their office.
The second presentation is based on answering questions before they get to ask. The idea is to show you have done your homework. Any weak areas in your history or in your BP should be explained and qualified to show it has been addressed and you are not hiding anything. You should know your subject inside and out. This is the place where they bring in a totally negative person with every question in the world. Getting past him / her (answering all questions professionally with research and qualified numbers or just clubbing them senseless) is a major hurdle.
***** WHEN SPEAKING TO INVESTORS THEY WANT TO KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY THEY WILL MAKE AND WHEN.*****. Do not make this the most important thing but this should be addressed several times.
Always be honest in this presentation. If you don’t know and have researched or if you just don’t know (SAY SO).
One of the tricks of the trade is to send an Executive summary to business attorneys and accountants with a letter stating you want to interview them. Most of these people have investors and knowledge of business plans. If you find a helpful one they will do more for you than the best written plan.
No more time right now but this can be a fun process. Make no mistake this is also a time consuming and difficult process.
One last thought. Anything you say, state in the BP, outline in financials or even hit at : should be backed by some serious research that is quoted and footnoted in your plan. | 
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