Create a Plan of Action

Originally published April 27, 2019 on the original SPEN10 blog. The full original was lost when the old site went offline — only its opening survived — so this version was rewritten in October 2026 from that opening.

Once you've defined your business model and your perfect niche, you need to create a plan of action for your business.

I recommend a one-page plan that outlines where you're starting and where you intend to go. You don't need a 40-page business plan to get started — you need something clear enough to guide your next steps and short enough that you'll actually look at it.

Why one page?

A one-page plan forces you to get specific. Every word has to earn its place, so you end up with what actually matters: who you're serving, what you're offering, and how you'll reach them. It's also easy to update as you learn — and you will learn a lot once you start.

A popular format is the Lean Canvas, a one-page business plan template built for startups. You can also make your own on a single sheet of paper.

What to include

Here's a simple structure:

1. The problem. What specific problem does your niche have? List the top one to three.
2. Your customer. Who has this problem? Use the ideal-customer description from your niche research.
3. Your solution. What exactly are you offering? Keep it to a sentence or two.
4. Your unique angle. Why should someone choose you over the alternatives?
5. Your channels. How will customers find you — search, social media, email, ads, partnerships?
6. Revenue. How do you make money, and roughly what will you charge?
7. Costs. What do you need to spend to get started and keep going?
8. Key numbers. What will you measure to know it's working — visitors, signups, sales?

Where you are now vs. where you're going

The heart of your plan is the gap between today and your goal.

• Starting point: Be honest. What skills, money, time and audience do you have right now?
• Goal: Make it specific and measurable. "Make money online" is a wish; "earn $1,000 a month from my store within 12 months" is a goal.

Break it into milestones

Big goals are overwhelming. Break yours into milestones — for example:

• Month 1: Brand chosen, social accounts set up, website live.
• Month 2: Email list started with a free lead magnet.
• Month 3: First product or offer launched.

Then break the next milestone into weekly tasks. The only part of the plan you need to fully know is what you're doing this week.

Review it regularly

Put your plan somewhere you'll see it, and review it every week or two. Cross off what's done, adjust what isn't working, and update your milestones as you learn. A plan isn't a promise — it's a map you redraw as you explore.

With your plan in place, it's time to execute your plan.

— Spencer