But writing well is only a part of writing. A good business plan must be persuasive. Listen carefully to what I just said: persuasive. Not misleading or untruthful, but persuasive.

Here's a book you need to look at Persuading on Paper. How's that for a title? Persuading on Paper by Marcia Yudkin. Yudkin is a writing consultant who coaches small-business owners and professionals on improving their marketing materials. In a witty and vivid style, Persuading on Paper shows you how to use the written word to convert strangers to prospects to paying customers (or in our case, investors). What I like about this book is that Yudkin takes you step-by-step through the process of creating marketing materials that sell. Don't underestimate the power of marketing copy in your business plan. You'll be surprised how her methods and strategies can help create a more powerful business plan. Persuading on Paper is a must-have for anyone who wants to attract more clients, customers, or investors.

Raising Capital

Next is an understanding of the process of obtaining capital. No business plan library would be complete without a book on the process of raising capital. Without capital your venture is destined for failure. You need to learn how to select the right venture capital firm, make presentations, and negotiate your deal.

Try this book: The Venture Capital Handbook by David Gladstone. As an executive officer at Allied Capital Corporation, a large publicly-owned, venture capital firm in the United States, David has reviewed many proposals for venture capital financing. The Venture Capital Handbook takes you through the entire process from presentation through negotiations, commitment letters, legal closings, due diligence, the exit by the venture capital company, to when the entrepreneur is left to own it all. As a result, The Venture Capital Handbook provides anyone who wants to spend the time and money with an insight into what venture capitalists really want. Prepare for the process of raising venture capital with The Venture Capital Handbook.

Selling