AI Prompts for Writing a Business Plan

Before you spend money or write the full plan.

Act as a skeptical small business advisor. My idea: [DESCRIBE BUSINESS IDEA]. Target customers: [CUSTOMERS]. Location or market: [MARKET]. List the 10 biggest risks or weak assumptions, rank them by how likely they are to sink the business, and for each suggest a cheap way to test it in the next 30 days.

When you know your business but not how to put it on paper.

I want to write a business plan for [BUSINESS IDEA]. Interview me one question at a time to gather what a plan needs: the problem, customers, offer, pricing, competition, marketing, operations, team, startup costs, and goals. After each answer, ask a sharper follow up if my answer is vague. When done, summarize everything in a structured outline.

For a quick plan you can share or build on.

Write a one page business plan for [BUSINESS NAME], a [BUSINESS TYPE] in [LOCATION]. Use these notes: [PASTE NOTES]. Sections: problem, solution, target customer, competition, how we make money, marketing, key milestones, startup costs, and what we need. Keep it tight, plain, and under 500 words.

For the opening section of the plan.

Here is my business idea: [IDEA]. Write a clear problem statement explaining who has the problem, how they deal with it today, and what that costs them. Then write a solution statement explaining what we offer and why it is better. Keep each under 120 words and avoid hype words.

When the plan needs a short statement of purpose.

Write five mission statements and five vision statements for [BUSINESS NAME], which [WHAT THE BUSINESS DOES] for [CUSTOMERS]. Our values are [VALUES]. Keep missions under 25 words and visions under 20 words, specific to us rather than generic, and explain which pair you would choose.

When you are unsure how to price and package the offer.

I want to sell [PRODUCT OR SERVICE] to [CUSTOMERS]. Compare four ways I could make money, such as one time sales, subscription, packages, retainers, or commission. For each, explain cash flow, customer appeal, workload, and risks for a small business like mine. Recommend one to start with and explain why.

For a quick one page view of the whole business.

Fill in a lean canvas for [BUSINESS IDEA] using these notes: [NOTES]. Sections: problem, customer segments, unique value proposition, solution, channels, revenue streams, cost structure, key metrics, and unfair advantage. Mark any box where my notes are too thin and tell me what to find out.

Before writing the market section.

I am starting [BUSINESS TYPE] in [LOCATION] for [TARGET CUSTOMERS]. List the questions my market research needs to answer, where to find free data for each (government statistics, industry groups, local records, competitor websites, customer interviews), and how to estimate the number of potential customers in my area. Do not invent figures.

When you have research and need it written up properly.

Write the market analysis section of a business plan for [BUSINESS NAME] using only this research: [PASTE RESEARCH AND SOURCES]. Cover the target market, its size, trends, and customer needs. Cite each figure to the source I gave, and write [NEEDS SOURCE] anywhere a claim needs data I have not provided.

For the competition section.

Here are my main competitors and what I know about them: [COMPETITOR NAMES, PRICES, LOCATIONS, STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES]. Create a comparison table and a short written analysis for my business plan. End with our positioning: where we will compete and where we will not.

To make the customer section concrete.

Based on these notes about my likely customers: [NOTES OR INTERVIEW SUMMARIES], write three customer personas for [BUSINESS NAME]. For each, give a name, situation, goals, frustrations, how they choose a provider, and what would make them buy from us. Keep them grounded in my notes rather than stereotypes.

Before you trust your assumptions.

I want to validate [BUSINESS IDEA] by talking to [NUMBER] potential customers. Write 12 interview questions that uncover real behavior and spending, not polite opinions. Avoid leading questions like Would you buy this. Include a short intro script and tips for running the conversation.

A common section lenders and partners expect.

Write a SWOT analysis for [BUSINESS NAME] using these notes: [NOTES ON THE BUSINESS, MARKET, AND COMPETITORS]. Keep each point specific to us, not generic. Then add three strategies that use a strength to grab an opportunity or reduce a threat.

When your plan needs a sharp answer to why you.

My competitors are [COMPETITORS] and they offer [WHAT THEY OFFER]. We plan to offer [OUR OFFER] because [REASONS]. Write a competitive advantage section that explains clearly why customers would choose us, how hard it is for others to copy, and what proof we will gather to back it up.

For the go to market section.

Write the marketing and sales section of my business plan for [BUSINESS NAME]. Target customer: [CUSTOMER]. Budget: [MARKETING BUDGET]. Channels I plan to use: [CHANNELS]. Include positioning, pricing strategy, launch plan, ongoing marketing, sales process, and how we will measure results. Keep it realistic for a small team.

To show you have thought through how the business actually runs.

Write the operations section for [BUSINESS NAME], a [BUSINESS TYPE]. Details: location [LOCATION], hours [HOURS], suppliers [SUPPLIERS], equipment [EQUIPMENT], key processes [PROCESSES], and software [TOOLS]. Explain how a typical day runs and how we will handle growth. Flag licenses or permits I should check for in [CITY OR STATE].

For the people section lenders read closely.

Write the management and team section for my business plan. Team members and backgrounds: [NAMES, ROLES, EXPERIENCE]. Advisors or partners: [ADVISORS]. Roles we will hire in year one: [PLANNED HIRES]. Show why this team can run this business and how we will cover skill gaps.

To turn the plan into a schedule.

Create a 12 month milestone plan for launching [BUSINESS NAME]. Include key steps such as registration, funding, location, hiring, launch, and first customers, with target months, owners, and how we will know each milestone is done. Start from where I am now: [CURRENT STATUS].

When investors or lenders ask what could go wrong.

List the main risks for [BUSINESS NAME], a [BUSINESS TYPE] in [LOCATION], across market, financial, operational, legal, and people risks. For each, rate likelihood and impact as low, medium, or high, and give a practical way to reduce it. Base it on these details: [DETAILS].

When the plan needs a longer term view.

Write a short section on how [BUSINESS NAME] could grow over five years: new locations, new products, new customer groups, or online sales. Base it on [CURRENT PLAN AND STRENGTHS]. Keep it grounded and explain what would need to be true for each path.

For meetings with lenders, investors, or partners.

Write a 30 second elevator pitch and a 2 minute version for [BUSINESS NAME] based on this plan summary: [PASTE SUMMARY]. Say who we help, the problem, our solution, why now, and what we are asking for ([ASK]). Make it sound natural when spoken out loud.

Before building your budget.

List the typical startup costs for a [BUSINESS TYPE] in [LOCATION] in a table with categories such as equipment, deposits, licenses, inventory, fit out, marketing, software, and working capital. Do not fill in amounts; leave a column for my quotes and a column for notes on what to ask suppliers.

When you need numbers but do not know where to start.

Help me build a 12 month financial forecast in a spreadsheet. Inputs: price [PRICE], expected customers per month [CUSTOMERS PER MONTH], cost per sale [COST PER SALE], monthly fixed costs [FIXED COSTS], and startup costs [STARTUP COSTS]. Give me the sheet layout, each formula, and the break even calculation. Tell me which assumptions are most worth testing.

To turn a spreadsheet into readable text.

Here are my forecast numbers: [PASTE FORECAST OR KEY FIGURES]. Write the financial summary section of the business plan in plain English: expected revenue, costs, margins, break even point, and cash needs. Note the key assumptions behind the numbers and flag anything that looks unrealistic.

For lenders, grant programs, or investors.

Write the funding request section for [BUSINESS NAME]. We are asking for [AMOUNT] as [LOAN OR INVESTMENT]. The money will be used for [USE OF FUNDS]. Explain how it will be repaid or how investors will benefit, the timeline, and what milestones it unlocks. Keep it clear and confident without overpromising.

After the rest of the plan is done.

Using this full business plan: [PASTE PLAN], write an executive summary under 400 words. Cover the business, the problem and solution, target market, competitive advantage, team, financial highlights, and the funding ask. Write it last, but make it strong enough that someone who reads only this page understands the business.

Before you send the plan to anyone with money.

Read my business plan as a bank loan officer would: [PASTE PLAN]. List the questions you would ask, the weak spots in my assumptions, missing information, and anything that would make you say no. Then give me a prioritized list of fixes before I submit it.