Just as you need a business plan for your business, writing a sales plan is also beneficial because it creates a blueprint for your sales. This plan lays out details such as your team’s operations, your target market, sales and revenue goals, strategies, and how you will monitor progress. Knowing how to create a sales plan for a business is essential, so in this article we describe the main elements to include in this type of plan.

How to Create a Sales Plan for a Business?

Describe the Target Market

Detail the buyer personas that you want to sell your products or services to. It can be helpful to first create a sheet where you write down the details for each persona. For example, you can write down the industry, age, location, etc. for each one. You might even have different products or services for various audiences, such as men and women. The audiences that you serve can also change over time as your company changes.

Add Details about Your Team

Lay out the details of your sales team structure and the responsibilities of each role on the team. You can include information such as job titles and how and when the members of the team will be hired and on-boarded.

Describe Your Competition

Knowing how to create a sales plan for a business includes understanding the competition. Name your competitors and do a comparison that shows how they stack up compared to your business. What are they doing well and in what areas could they improve? How does their pricing compare? How has the market changed over time and what changes are predicted for the future?

Specify Your Resources

In your sales plan, describe the resources that you will use, such as software for communicating with your team and for managing sales. Also include tools and documentation for training, such as standard operating procedures.

Create Goals

Establish what your goals are. For example, a goal might be to acquire 30 new customers next quarter. Remember to create goals that are achievable for you. Brainstorm ideas for how to accomplish your goals and then list action plans for each. Identify the costs related to achieving your goals such as tools, training, salary, and travel.

Outline Your Strategies

Outline your marketing strategy. What platforms and software will you use to create brand awareness and to get leads for your business? For example, you can use advertising, email marketing, and content creation. Create plans for each of your marketing areas. Record how you efforts impact your results. For example, if you lower or raise your prices, how does this effect your sales?

In addition to your marketing strategy, also consider how you will qualify the leads that you generate. What criteria, such as income level, do your leads need to meet?

A coach can help you to create a sales plan for your business. Get in touch today!