Precision Is Key for Writing Business Plans and Grant Proposals

by Martin Smith, business writer with Writers in the Sky

Banks, venture capital firms, and individual investors use business plans to make decisions for lending or investing in companies. Nonprofit organizations use grant proposals to secure funds from foundations, government agencies, and corporations. I’ve written many business plans over the years, but when I wrote my first grant proposal, I was struck by the similarity between the two documents. The purpose of both is to get money.

Writing business plans or grant proposals is precision work. Either you get the right words in the right places on the right forms or you do not get the money you require to grow your business or fund your nonprofit organization.

It takes an artist with words, somebody who knows how to write persuasively to convince banks, venture capital firms, foundations, corporations, or government agencies to part with their dollars. Chances are you’ll need the help of a writing professional because you’re in competition with dozens, perhaps hundreds, of other businesses or nonprofit organizations for limited funds, and the smallest mistake can take you out of the running. Make no mistake about it. Perfection is the norm while writing a business plan or grant proposal. As is attention to the most minute details.

The point is, you’re juggling a lot of balls. Do you have time to handle this minute yourself without making fatal mistakes? If not, please consider working with me. I will examine your needs, discuss funding requirements with you, find where the available money is, write your business plan or grant proposal, and guide you and your associates through the process. scribesmith2008@gmail.com

Martin Smith is a retired small-company president who writes on business, management, and senior and health issues. The author of sixteen nonfiction books and six published novels, two of which were optioned for film, Martin has written articles for periodicals such as Quality Magazine, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Maximum Fitness, and INC. While working as a ghostwriter for Wordworks, a book packaging firm, he wrote three business/management books. He also worked as a career advisor for senior-level managers, preparing resumes, portfolios, and press kits for executives seeking to change jobs.