Below are the five keys to creating a formal business plan cover page.
To see what to include in the other sections of your plan, reference the best business plan template.
Be sure to include the following elements to create a great business plan cover page:
1. Company Name
First and foremost, your Company’s name should be included on the business plan cover page. This should be the most prominent feature of the cover page, and as such, is traditionally in the largest font setting. Immediately, the reader should know the name of your company.
2. Company Logo and Color Scheme
The best business plan covers are those that look like they are of professional quality. This can be accomplished by including a high-quality image of the company logo and the font type and color scheme for the company’s marketing materials. Like a book cover, a business plan cover page is intended to draw the reader’s attention immediately. Plans with an unattractive cover page can fall victim to incorrect preconceived notions.
Below is a sample of the professionally designed covers included in Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template.
3. Title and Date
When was this plan written? Readers need to know, so include the date (month and year are enough).
And what is it? The cover page should state if this is a Business Plan, Executive Summary, or Financial Projections. So, at this point, your business plan cover page may read as follows:
John’s Plumbing, Inc.
Business Plan
March 2021
Note that the title and date should be featured less prominently than your company name.
4. Less is More
Your business plan executive summary will summarize the contents of the plan. There is no need for the cover page to do so, as well. It is also inadvisable to create a business plan cover that is so graphically busy that the information is difficult to discern. Simple, clean, and powerful are the three goals of a strong business plan cover page.
5. CEO/Owner/Key Contact Information
Who should the reader contact if they wish to know more information? The name and contact information for the CEO, President, Owner, or another key contact should not be located at the end of the document. It should be on the first page, letting the reader know who is presenting the document.
6. Confidentiality Statement
While it is not essential, you may want to include a Confidentiality Statement on your cover, such as the following:
This document includes confidential and proprietary information of and regarding [Company Name]. This document is provided for informational purposes only. You may not use this document except for informational purposes, and you may not reproduce this document in whole or in part or divulge any of its contents without the prior written consent of [Company Name]. By accepting this document, you agree to be bound by these restrictions and limitations.
Suggested Resources:
Download Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template here that not only has ten pre-built and professionally designed cover pages but quickly guides you through creating your entire business plan and financial model.
Your business plan title page is critical since it’s the first thing readers will see, and it will give them an immediate impression as to whether you are professional or not. As such, the page is one of the critical components of a business plan. As part of your initial business plan outline, you should think about how you want others to perceive your business. Not only should this perception be established throughout your plan but be sure to do so on your business plan cover page.
Many people ask about business plan cover letters to accompany their plans.
Most plans are emailed to investors or lenders nowadays. As such, business plan cover letters are often not needed. Instead, in the body of your email, you can include text such as the following: “Attached please find my business plan. I am available to discuss this at your convenience. I look forward to hearing from you.” Such an email will typically suffice if you seek a bank loan, VC funding, or funding from angel investors.
However, if you’d like a more formal cover letter, reference our sample business plan cover letter here.
To answer any additional questions you might have regarding your plan, see our business plan help page or download our small business plan template pdf to get started today.
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