How to Craft the Best Mission Statement for Your Small Business

Putting together an effective and appropriate plan for a new small business is critical to achieving long-term success in any industry. Typically, some type of mission statement is included in such a business plan.

To formulate the best possible mission statement for your business, use these tips:

1. Ask yourself what inspired you to start your small business.

A business mission statement should completely represent your initial inspiration for starting the professional venture you decided to put out in the marketplace. Think about all the goals you’ve had in your mind since you first thought up the idea. Ask yourself how you want to benefit your customer base. Determine this by writing down all the benefits of your products or services. Discover what your true purpose is in your particular industry. Will you fill a certain void and help a certain segment of the community?

2. Keep it concise and on point.

Any mission statement for a small business should be no more than several sentences that make up one or two short paragraphs. It’s tempting to throw a bunch of information into such a statement. However, you must be clear, concise, and to the point in your presentation of it. You’ll probably want to include your mission statement on a variety of marketing collateral (brochures, flyers, websites, etc.), so keep it short enough for that purpose as well.

3. Use a positive, upbeat tone.

As a small business owner, it’s important to maintain an upbeat attitude. This should be reflected in your mission statement. Include keywords like “success,” “benefits,” “achieve,” and “highest quality.” When others read your mission statement, or you read it for motivation, it should evoke a sense of positivity and confidence.

Related Article: Creating Your Personal Mission Statement

4. Ensure it’s a reminder of your company goals.

Due to the 24/7/365 nature of being in business, it’s easy to get wrapped up in little things and forget about the overall goals you’ve set out to achieve. Because of this, crafting a mission statement designed to serve as a reminder of your true goals at heart is an effective way to give you a pick-me-up when you need it most. Making money is what all entrepreneurs hope for, but the desire to pursue a passion and enjoy self-employment are two major factors you should never lose sight of on your journey. Briefly touch on all of this in your mission statement.

5. Use it for both internal and external audiences.

Consider sharing your mission statement with those directly around you and anyone else like customers or investors so they can get a good idea of your entrepreneurial goals. Put it up on your refrigerator if you work from home, or hand out copies to employees in your office or brick-and-mortar retail store. If it fits on a business card, include it. Remember that your website, social media pages, and any print materials look better with a well-written mission statement. At the very least, it’s a nice touch.