How can I create an executive summary?

Readers decide in a matter of seconds whether they should keep reading!

Keep them hooked with a killer executive summary! An executive summary is a short document that summarizes longer reports (such as a full business plan or a project proposal).

You've spent lots of time thoroughly crafting that proposal, pitch, or report. An executive summary is simply the next step in the process!

We promise it's worth the effort!

If you're submitting work to decision-makers they may not have time to read the whole document.

This is your elevator-pitch. A chance to:

• make a good first impression

• provide them with the highlights

• demonstrate that you know your stuff

An effective executive summary includes:

• Objective — What is the problem you're solving or product you're pitching?

• Target market — Who are the stakeholders?

• Competitive landscape — Are there any competitors? How do you stack up?

• Opportunities — What benefits will your plan bring?

• Risks — Be upfront about foreseeable risks and possible solutions.

• Conclusion — Tie up loose ends and end on a positive note.

To make your executive summary really shine:

• Write it last — You're simply boiling down your original document to its most important highlights.

• Hook your reader — Start with an interesting statistic or thought-provoking question.

• Make it a stand-alone document — A reader can go to the full document for more details if they wish but they shouldn't be required to.

An executive summary will take your next proposal, pitch, or report to the next level! To get started: