Small Business Tips: An Overview of Business Profiles

A business profile is a clear and direct statement of what a business does. A business profile includes factual elements, such as the number of employees in a business, a business location, the year of inception, and leadership, as well as "softer" information, such as the goals of the business, business philosophy, and important insights. After reading a business profile, individuals should have a basic understanding of what a business is and does.

Business profiles are important components of all marketing campaigns and are generally included in marketing materials, online marketing efforts, press releases, promotional products direct marketing programs, trade show displays, social networking profiles, and more.

Developing a business profile is an important part of a business plan. In fact, a business profile is often an integral part of a business plan and writing one is one of the easiest things you can do for your business.

Here's more information you need to know about business profiles:

There are actually two types of profiles. Sometimes, a company may create a profile of another business-a business that is a potential customer. Researching a potential customer helps an interested business understand the customer's needs. A company may also create a profile of its own operation in order to attract more business. An intriguing profile may spark interest in a partnership or venture.

Profiles vary from company to company, but the most effective ones generally contain the following elements:

A successful profile includes contact information that is consistent across mediums

A winning profile lists telephone numbers, email addresses, postal addresses, and even website addresses. This information is basic, but is also extremely important, so is usually presented at the beginning of a profile. Contact information listed in a profile should be the same information that is printed in brochures and other marketing collateral. Projecting consistent information instills trust in those who rely on current, relevant data. Consistent information also indicates that the business is organized and professional.

An outstanding profile includes a company's concise history

A well-written profile includes at least a brief discussion of an organization's history. Well-conveyed history is information that can illustrate how a company has matured physically, financially, and logistically, and is typically written in a chronological fashion. A history begins with the company's founding, transitions easily through different phases of expansion, discusses the creation of key products and services, and includes any information that details a company's success.

A thorough profile includes core business information

Contact information and background information lead naturally to a business's core information-the nuts and bolts of its operation. What does this company do? What does it manufacture, and how is the manufacturing process carried out? Is the company profitable? What do its sales figures look like? By how much is the company projected to grow over the next year? This section frequently includes graphs, charts, and other illustrations that quickly and effectively communicate a company's key components.

An impressive profile includes carefully selected biographical information

A strong profile builds on its core component sections with a biographical sketch of its officers. Profiles generally list the educational credentials and business experience of key players, such as the founder, the president, executive and financial officers, and others responsible for the company's growth and well-being. The biographical sketch also covers each officer's term of tenure and what he or she has accomplished since beginning with the company. This information adds credibility to a profile.

A well-capped profile projects future performance

The most informative profile discusses how the company plans to grow. Will growth include expansion into new markets? Will growth include acquisition of other companies? Will new products be developed? How will the company expand to meet consumers' needs? As with core business information, this section may also include persuasive visual aids, and, if the profile is posted online, can even feature videos or Power Point presentations.

Looking for more business tips and business writing resources? Check out these helpful overviews:

What is a Business Proposal?

What is a Business Plan?

What is Ad Copywriting?

How to Write a Business Plan and What Financial Data You Should Include

How to Categorize Your Business Expenses for Taxes