The main point to remember while formatting a business plan is consistency. It is very important to maintain uniformity in the format of each section and each page. If you set up something like a style sheet, it will make it a lot easier to keep up the same spacing before or after headers and maintain the same font style and size, etc.
Here are a few tips to remember while formatting that winning business plan:
Always make the header large, so that they stand out since these changes the category. It is advisable to have the main categories in a new page only if the plan is not very short and all the sections are around a page long.
Do write the sub-heads in a way that they are seen as an obvious part of the very same category and you can easily identify the changes in the topics.
Inclusion of bullets (points) is also very helpful. As they are easier to read and analyze than say, a paragraph. It also looks very neat.
You can also put in a few charts as they are very easy to understand and attract a bored mind. Add as much color to the charts or graphs.
Be very sure about the physical strength of the plan. Make sure that it is well bound and can withstand a lot of handling. You wouldn’t want the plan to fall into sheets in the hands of a potential investor! Spiral binding is a good option as it is easier to turn the pages and make the file lay down flat on the table.
It is very important that all of your claims be documented and included in the plan, also include some reference information.
Proof read! Proof read! Proof read! Go through it over and over again many times; if possible have a friend proof read it as well. If something is written by you, you tend to skim through the final document and skip a few mistakes here and there as you know what you are reading and what to expect.
You may wish to read more at: How to Write A Business Plan and Sample Business Plans
Therefore it is always advisable to get your document checked by someone who hasn’t read it and doesn’t know what it contains.
Do all that you can to make the document as reader friendly as possible, it is important that the reader doesn’t struggle to understand basic information.