Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

A year ago, I started a blog at http://www.diabeticpastrychef.com.  The Bayer Corporation (makers of Bayer Aspirin) stumbled upon it and offered to sponsor me to provide cooking and baking demonstrations to the public. Next I was contacted by a Food Network chef and most recently I`ve been offered a book contract. I`m also being approached by advertisers who want me to monetize my blog.  Yesterday, I met with The American Diabetes Association regarding a project they would like me to get involved with. It seems I have created a brand with huge potential,  but I need help in  taking it to the next level. I have no business plan as of yet and no management team.  I`m interested in creating my own line of baking mixes and bakery products, cookbooks and perhaps even a televised cooking show. I`m also interested in giving diabetes education to doctor`s offices and hospitals.  I have nurses and a nutritionist interested in joining me.    

Hello Stacey, it seems like you have a good sense for business opportunities paired with an impressive background of capitalizing on them.

I looked up your blog and while your Alexa.com stats suggest that you still have a long way to go to appeal to a bigger audience, I believe it’s a great starting point with a lot of potential. Just a few pointers: I think the design of your blog is cute, but I you can do better moving your sweet treats into the spotlight. Uploading how-to videos would be a great way of adding fresh and dynamic content that captures the interest of your audiences, but I understand that this might be part of a more defined rollout later on. For now, I suggest that you work with images, perhaps, you can even employ one of these Flash-based slide shows to add an extra layer of visual appeal to your blog.

I seems like you’re presented with quite a few interesting opportunities. They are certainly worth exploring, but my advice to you is making one step at the time. I know you are anxious to take your ideas to the next level as quickly as possible, but if you spread yourself too thin, they might never reach their full potential. Take a step back and try to evaluate what opportunity can be realized with resources that are available to you. Next, build on that and evaluate how you can maintain, perhaps even increase the interest of sponsors, advertisers, and investors. What’s needed to make this happen?

I think developing a professional business plan will definitely help you clarify your vision, establish priorities and goals and link everything to a timeline based upon which you plan to move forward.

As far as the title of your post is concerned, well, it needs to be more defined. What is it that you need? An active partner or an investor? And what is it that you are offering?

There are few resources available on our website, including a free business planning guide, business plan outlines, and a sample plan. Just go to www.FastVentures.com/global/en/solutions/bp/index.html.

If you need anything else, please feel free to PM me.

I hope this helps.


Mark



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Jackson Steiner
http://www.JacksonSteiner.com

Advanced Document Design for entrepreneurs, intermediaries, and the financial services industry.
http://www.Publications.FastVentures.com

Thank you.