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Make a Simple Business Plan With AI

A plan does not need to be long. A clear page about customers, prices and next steps is enough for most small owners and many local lenders.

Step by step

  1. Start with questions. Ask the AI to interview you about your business, one question at a time.
  2. Answer honestly. Use real numbers for prices and costs, even if rough.
  3. Ask for a one-page summary. Request headings: customers, offer, price, costs, marketing, goals.
  4. Stress test it. Ask what could go wrong and what you may have missed.
  5. Share with a person. Talk it over with a mentor. Free help is available from your local Small Business Development Center.

What to expect

Expect questions that draw out your answers, then a one-page summary.

Mistakes to avoid

Do not accept rosy numbers. Avoid skipping costs.

A good next step

Review the plan with a local mentor.

One page is enough to start

  • What you offer and who it is for.
  • What makes you different.
  • How you will reach customers.
  • What it costs to run and what you charge.
  • Your goal for the first year.

Build it, step by step

  1. Answer the questions yourself. Write a few lines for each item above, even if they are rough.
  2. Paste them into an assistant. Ask it to organize them into a one-page plan.
  3. Stress-test the plan. "What are the three biggest risks? What would you check first?"
  4. Do the numbers. Ask for a simple monthly table of costs and income, then fill in real figures.
  5. Choose three actions for the next 30 days.

A prompt you can copy

Type this into ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini

Interview me one question at a time to help me write a one-page business plan for a [type of business]. After about ten questions, summarize my answers under headings: customers, offer, pricing, costs, marketing, and goals for the next 90 days.

Good to know. AI does not know your local market. Check prices and competitors yourself.

Want help using AI in your business?

Join a free live class on Zoom. Small group, no experience needed, no sign-up fee.

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Common questions

Is this enough to get a loan?

Lenders usually want financial statements too. Use the plan as a starting point and ask your bank what they need.

Where can I get human help for free?

SCORE and Small Business Development Centers offer free or low-cost advising in many areas.

Do I need a long plan?

Not for most small businesses. A one-page plan is a good start.

Will a bank accept it?

Lenders may want more detail and an advisor can help.

Is AI good at numbers?

Verify calculations with a spreadsheet.

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