How to Write a Solid Mission Statement for Your Business

If you're thinking of starting a business, writing a Mission Statement is an excellent exercise to help you channel your thoughts more effectively. Much of your direction will emerge from this statement. Your means of promotion and strategy for entering the marketplace will begin to assert itself in the choice of words you use. If you're hoping to get either a loan or grant, you'll need a plan and a plan starts with a mission.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• time to think
• good friends and/or a Mentor
• internet connection for further research

1. Who are you? Your Mission Statement is your public face. It's a statement that explains who you are to your business community. Your Mission Statement is your means of introducing your product or service into the marketplace. You want to be sure key words and phrases communicate accurately who you are. Sample Mission Statements are available online for you to learn from and compare with.

2. Why does your company exist? What's the most important fact(s) you want the world to know about your company? Make a list and study it. What specific words will convey your message about those important attributes you need the world to know about? As your list grows, better choices will appear and you'll begin to eliminate others that, in comparison, aren't as good. Your company's motto could also emerge through this process.

3. What makes your company unique? What's your niche? Niche marketing is the best way to define and target the particular marketplace you want to enter. Once you're able to pinpoint what's special about your company, you'll be ready to build the strategy you use for promoting it. Once your identify your niche, specifically, you'll be better able to determine your best choice of words.

4. Once you've defined your marketplace function and outlined your uniqueness, you need to give the world assurance(s) you will stand behind your product or service. This may come in the form of certifications or warranties or some other, officially recognized means of inspiring confidence in your potential customers.

Tips & Warnings

• Write up a Mission and circulate it among those friends and/or family members who will be straightforward with you about its contents. Be prepared to address any questions or concerns. If you have a Mentor in the business community, be sure to discuss it with that person.
• Be efficient in your use of words. A Mission Statement shouldn't be all that long which is why the word choice is so important. The right words will capture your particular flavor.

Resources

• How to Create a Job for Yourself
• How to Select a Home Based Business