9 Ways to Make Money as a Freelance Business Plan Writer: Side Hustle Edition
Looking to turn your business planning skills into cash? As a freelance business plan writer, you can help entrepreneurs and companies shape their ideas into solid strategies.
This side hustle lets you use your expertise to guide others while earning money on your own terms.
You can make good money writing business plans for clients if you know where to look for opportunities. From online job boards to networking events, there are many ways to find people who need your services.
With some effort and the right approach, you could build a steady income stream doing work you enjoy.
1) Offer Business Plan Consultations
Want to make some extra cash? Try offering business plan consultations as a side gig.
It’s a great way to use your skills and help others at the same time.
Start by setting up a simple website or profile on freelance platforms.
This lets potential clients find you easily.
Make sure to highlight your experience and expertise in business planning.
You can offer one-on-one sessions where you review and give feedback on existing business plans.
This is perfect for entrepreneurs who need a professional eye on their work.
Another option is to provide guidance on creating business plans from scratch.
You can walk clients through the process step-by-step, sharing your knowledge along the way.
Think about offering different packages to suit various needs and budgets.
Maybe a quick 30-minute review session or a more in-depth multi-hour consultation.
Don’t forget to set clear expectations with your clients.
Let them know what they’ll get from the consultation and how you’ll deliver your advice.
Pricing is key.
Research what others charge for similar services.
Then, set your rates based on your experience and the value you provide.
As you build your reputation, you might even get repeat clients or referrals.
This can help your side hustle grow into a steady income stream.
Remember to keep learning and staying up-to-date with business trends.
This will make your consultations even more valuable to your clients.
2) Create Customized Business Plans
Want to make some extra cash? Try creating customized business plans for clients.
This can be a great side hustle for freelance writers.
Customized business plans are in high demand.
Many entrepreneurs and small business owners need help putting their ideas on paper.
You can step in and offer your expertise.
To get started, learn about different industries and business models.
This will help you tailor each plan to your client’s needs.
You can charge more for plans that require in-depth research or specialized knowledge.
Focus on making each plan unique.
Don’t use templates or copy-paste content.
Clients appreciate a personal touch that shows you understand their vision.
Include important sections like market analysis, financial projections, and marketing strategies.
Make sure your plans are clear and easy to follow.
You can offer different packages based on the level of detail needed.
A basic plan might cost less, while a comprehensive one could fetch a higher price.
Network with local business groups or join online freelancing platforms to find clients.
Word-of-mouth referrals can also help you grow your side gig.
Remember to set realistic timelines for each project.
Balancing this work with your main job is key to making it a successful side hustle.
3) Write Market Analysis Reports
Want to make money as a freelance business plan writer? Try writing market analysis reports.
These reports are a key part of business plans and can be a great side gig.
Companies need market analysis to understand their industry and customers.
As a freelance writer, you can help them gather and present this vital info.
To get started, brush up on market research methods.
Learn how to find and analyze industry trends, customer demographics, and competitor data.
You’ll need to be good with numbers and able to explain complex ideas simply.
Practice turning dry stats into clear, useful insights for businesses.
Look for clients who need market analysis for their business plans or strategy.
You can find these gigs on freelance platforms or by networking with local businesses.
Set your rates based on the complexity of the analysis and your experience.
As you build your skills, you can charge more for in-depth reports.
Remember to stay up-to-date with market trends and analysis tools.
This will help you offer the best value to your clients and stand out from other writers.
Writing market analysis reports can be a flexible and profitable side hustle.
With practice, you could turn it into a steady income stream.
4) Develop Financial Projections
Creating financial projections is a key part of writing business plans.
As a freelance business plan writer, you can offer this service to boost your income.
Financial projections help predict a company’s future money situation.
You’ll need to learn how to make income statements, cash flow forecasts, and balance sheets.
Clients will value your ability to crunch numbers and show potential profits.
This skill can set you apart from other writers and lead to higher-paying gigs.
You can use tools to help with the math. Plannit AI’s financial projections generator makes it easier to create detailed forecasts.
To get good at this, practice making projections for imaginary businesses.
You can also take online courses to improve your financial skills.
As you gain experience, you might charge extra for detailed projections.
This can turn into a lucrative side gig on top of your regular writing work.
Remember, accuracy is crucial in financial projections.
Double-check your work and be ready to explain your numbers to clients.
By mastering this skill, you’ll become a more valuable business plan writer.
Clients may seek you out specifically for your financial expertise.
5) Host Business Planning Workshops
Want to share your business plan writing skills with others? Hosting workshops can be a fun and profitable side gig.
You can teach people how to create their own business plans in a group setting.
Pick a venue like a local community center or rent a small conference room.
Keep your group size manageable – around 10-15 people works well.
This lets you give everyone enough attention.
Decide on a workshop length that fits your content.
A half-day or full-day format often works best.
You can cover the basics of business planning and give attendees time to work on their own plans.
Set your price based on the value you’re offering.
Consider charging $100-$300 per person, depending on the workshop length and your experience.
Don’t forget to factor in venue costs and materials.
Create handouts and worksheets to guide participants through the process.
Include templates they can use to draft their own plans.
This adds value and helps justify your fee.
Promote your workshop on social media and local business groups.
Reach out to your network and ask them to spread the word.
You might even partner with a local small business organization to boost attendance.
After the workshop, offer follow-up services to attendees.
This could include one-on-one consultations or plan reviews.
It’s a great way to land new clients and boost your income.
Remember, practice makes perfect.
Your first workshop might not be flawless, but you’ll improve with each one you host.
Soon, you’ll be a pro at running these events and helping others create solid business plans.
6) Sell Business Plan Templates
Want to make some extra cash on the side? Think about selling business plan templates.
It’s a great way to use your skills as a freelance business plan writer.
You can create different templates for various industries.
This lets you help a wide range of people who need business plans.
Some might be starting a restaurant, while others could be launching a tech startup.
Make your templates easy to use.
Include clear instructions and examples.
This way, even folks who aren’t business experts can fill them out.
You can sell your templates on online marketplaces.
Places like Etsy or Gumroad are good spots to start.
You could also set up your own website to sell them directly.
Price your templates reasonably.
Remember, you’re selling to people who might not have a big budget yet.
But don’t undersell yourself either.
Your expertise is valuable.
Think about offering a basic version and a deluxe version.
The deluxe could include extra features like financial spreadsheets or marketing plan outlines.
Don’t forget to update your templates regularly.
Business trends change, and your templates should keep up.
This also gives you a reason to reach out to past customers with new offerings.
Selling templates can be a steady income stream.
Once you create them, you can sell the same templates many times over.
It’s a great way to make money while you sleep!
7) Provide Pitch Deck Development
Want to boost your freelance income? Consider offering pitch deck development services.
Pitch decks are crucial for startups and businesses seeking funding or partnerships.
As a business plan writer, you’ve got the skills to create compelling pitch decks.
These visual presentations showcase a company’s key points and potential.
You can charge good money for this service.
Many entrepreneurs struggle with pitch decks and will pay for expert help.
To get started, brush up on pitch deck design principles.
Learn about effective storytelling and data visualization techniques.
Offer different package options to clients.
A basic package might include a simple deck, while premium packages could have more slides and revisions.
You can find pitch deck clients through freelance platforms or by networking with startup founders.
Local business events are great places to meet potential clients.
Don’t forget to showcase your own pitch deck samples.
This helps prove your skills to potential clients.
As you gain experience, you can specialize in specific industries or types of pitch decks.
This can help you stand out and charge higher rates.
Remember, a great pitch deck can make or break a company’s chances of success.
Your skills could help businesses secure the funding they need to grow.
8) Offer Business Plan Review Services
Want to make some extra cash on the side? Try offering business plan review services.
This can be a great way to use your skills without writing full plans from scratch.
You can help entrepreneurs and small business owners polish their existing plans.
Look for areas that need improvement and give helpful feedback.
Point out any missing info or weak spots.
Pricing for reviews is often lower than full writing services.
This makes it more appealing to clients on a budget.
You can offer different levels of review, from basic proofreading to in-depth analysis.
To get started, advertise your services on freelance websites like Upwork.
You can also reach out to local small business groups or chambers of commerce.
Make sure to highlight your expertise and experience when marketing yourself.
If you’ve written successful plans before, mention that.
It’ll help build trust with potential clients.
As you review more plans, you’ll get faster and better at spotting issues.
This can lead to higher rates and more clients over time.
Plus, it’s a flexible gig you can do in your spare time.
9) Write Executive Summaries
Want to make some extra cash as a freelance business plan writer? Try writing executive summaries.
These short overviews are a key part of business plans and reports.
Many busy executives and entrepreneurs need help crafting clear, concise summaries.
That’s where you come in.
You can offer your skills to condense complex info into bite-sized chunks.
To get started, learn the basics of how to write an executive summary.
Focus on highlighting the most important points in a brief, easy-to-read format.
You can find clients who need executive summaries for business plans, project proposals, or annual reports.
Look for opportunities on freelance job boards or reach out to local businesses.
Pricing for executive summaries can vary.
You might charge per project or by the hour.
As you gain experience, you can increase your rates.
To stand out, develop a knack for capturing key info quickly.
Practice summarizing different types of documents to sharpen your skills.
Remember, a good executive summary gives readers the big picture at a glance.
Your job is to make complex ideas simple and engaging.
With practice, you can turn this skill into a profitable side gig.
It’s a great way to earn extra money while building your business writing portfolio.
Understanding Your Market
Knowing your market is key to success as a freelance business plan writer.
You need to figure out who needs your services and what’s happening in the business world.
Identifying Target Clients
To make money writing business plans, you’ve got to know who might hire you.
Think about startups, small businesses, and entrepreneurs.
They often need help putting their ideas on paper.
Look for people who are:
- Starting a new company
- Seeking investors
- Applying for loans
You can find these folks at:
- Networking events
- Online forums
- Social media groups
Don’t forget about non-profits and local businesses too.
They might need your skills to grow or get funding.
Researching Industry Trends
Staying up-to-date with business trends helps you write better plans.
You’ll sound smart and offer more value to clients.
Keep an eye on:
- New tech that’s changing how businesses work
- Changes in how people shop or use services
- What investors are excited about right now
Read business news, follow industry leaders on social media, and join professional groups.
This info will help you write how-to articles that show off your know-how and attract clients.
Try to spot trends before they get big.
Your clients will love that you’re ahead of the curve.
It can help them stand out to investors or lenders.
Creating a Strong Portfolio
A strong portfolio is key to landing clients as a freelance business plan writer.
It shows off your skills and helps you stand out.
Let’s look at two important parts of building a great portfolio.
Showcasing Success Stories
Your success stories are powerful proof of your abilities.
Pick your best projects and highlight them.
Did you help a startup get funding? Show it off! Include before-and-after stats if you can.
Tell a short story about each project.
What was the challenge? How did you solve it? What were the results? Use bullet points to make key info easy to spot.
Don’t forget to get permission from clients before sharing their info.
If you can’t name names, use general terms like “tech startup” or “local restaurant.”
Presenting Professional Samples
Your samples give potential clients a taste of your work.
Choose 3-5 of your best business plans to showcase.
Make sure they cover different industries or types of plans.
You can:
- Show full plans (with permission)
- Share excerpts from different sections
- Create sample plans for made-up companies
Clean up your samples.
Check for typos and formatting issues.
Use a consistent style across all samples.
Consider making a free online portfolio to showcase your work.
It’s an easy way for clients to see what you can do.
Remember to update your portfolio regularly with your latest and best work.
Fresh samples show you’re active and growing in your field.
Marketing Yourself Effectively
Getting your name out there is key to landing gigs as a freelance business plan writer.
You’ll need to showcase your skills and build a strong online presence to attract clients.
Building a Personal Brand
Your personal brand is what sets you apart from other writers.
Start by creating a catchy tagline that sums up your unique value.
For example: “Business plans that turn ideas into profits.”
Next, design a simple logo and use it on all your materials.
This helps clients remember you.
Create a website to showcase your work.
Include samples of business plans you’ve written (with permission).
Add testimonials from happy clients to build trust.
Make business cards with your logo, tagline, and contact info.
Hand them out at networking events or when you meet potential clients.
Leveraging Social Media
Social media is a powerful tool for finding clients.
Pick 2-3 platforms where your target audience hangs out.
LinkedIn is great for connecting with business owners and entrepreneurs.
Post helpful tips about business planning regularly.
This shows off your expertise.
Share success stories of businesses you’ve helped (again, with permission).
Join relevant groups on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Answer questions and offer advice to build your reputation.
Try making short videos explaining business plan basics on TikTok or Instagram.
This can help you reach younger entrepreneurs.
Remember to engage with others’ content too.
Building relationships is key to getting referrals.
