I don’t know where exactly I am in the business world, but in the last three years, I’ve received at least 6 invitation to be put in a national and international who’s who and I’m not even a millionaire, yet.

Most of us are simply technicians — wordsmiths –cranking out copy.

If we had to work hard to sell our own services; organize a workforce of subordinates; develop, manufacture and market new products with the input and assistance of many other people; etc., etc., we would need a business plan to keep us organized, measure and report achievements, manage, etc.

I dare say, many of us are attracted to this craft of copywriting because we’re not good at — or interested in — running a real business.

That’s my 2 cents…

For example, you’ve written numerous books (65+ now?). I’m sure that you can answer the following questions for most of your books:

What’s the concept?
Who is it for?
What do I want to say? Why is this idea unique?
What’s the takeaway?
How will I sell and market it?
How big is the market etc?
How long will it be?
Where am I getting my sources?
How much time and I willing invest?
What’s the return I expect?

These questions sure seem like business planning questions to me.

After writing so many books, I think you’ve got the planning process down to the point it’s automatic.

As a CEO of a fast growing company, I’ve found that it’s most productive to do planning only to the extent that the idea is refined enough for me (and others involved) to take productive action. There’s no such thing as a perfect plan anyway.

From there, you need to review your plan frequently and make any needed adjustments based on results. It’s not about the plan. The point of the plan is the results.

So I agree with you. I think the traditional view of planning is overrated too.

I too, am glad you said this. I have trouble making plans, and see no reason to waste time on them. The important thing is working on my writing, and getting paid.

Cynthia

I thought you were going to say you had some little secret weapon after I read your headline.

I haven’t been around your blog long enough to know if you’ve talked at all about Glyphius (click my name to read about it.

There’s more details inside the blog at www.jamesbrausch.com but the jist is it’s based on a statistical analysis of tens of thousands of ads/websites to see what words are “profitable”.

Even though I’ve spent money on Carlton’s packages, even some AWAI goodies and studied Halbert, Collier et al…this thing surprised the heck out of me.

For instance some of our favorite, “power words”… free, now, you…are some of the LEAST profitable words we could put on a page. Who knew?

Doesn’t it make you wonder if we should even bother studying the masters?

Business plans are like meetings…

If you have to have one…make it short, sweet, and to the point.

9 times out of 10 though, you could just be taking action on a quick daily, weekly, monthly plan.

Guess the banks need one though.

Joseph Ratliff

But if a plan doesn’t become action, quickly, then it’s useless.

I think all too often planning is just hesitation — or worse, procrastination — in disguise. There’s something to be said for Nike’s motto.

The most effective plan I make is the one where I decide what I’m going to do TODAY… and then do it.