Most future business owners create at least a simple business plan as an operating guide or to help facilitate a small business loan. If you are going to invest the time to create a plan, there are many other ways this work could and should be leveraged.

It’s true that you wouldn’t want your plan showing up on the internet for the whole world to see. But does it have to be labeled top secret and kept under lock and key? This article explores some ways successful entrepreneurs leverage their business plans to help launch their new ventures.

For any of the ideas below, always give careful consideration to who your audience will be. Next, make some decisions about which sections of your plan should be revealed. Finally, think about the level of detail you would be willing to share with your audience.

The risks of handing out copies of your business plan to a broad audience are high and easily understood. (Don’t do that.) However, properly managed, sharing your plans and ideas at an early stage can be tremendously beneficial. You will suddenly find that you start to meet new prospective partners, investors, advisors and potential key employees. Let’s not leave out customers. Any time you’re talking about your business, you’re marketing it to future customers.

Here are four ideas that are available to just about anyone at little or no cost. Review the list of ideas below and see which ones are right for you.

Business Plan Competitions. Many organizations host competitions for future business owners and their business plans. The guidelines vary on which aspects of your plan must be submitted. A few minutes spent on Google will help you find local and national business plan competitions. Many even offer significant cash prizes to the winners. Rather than simply submit your plan, use the opportunity to get to know the organization hosting the competition, the judging panel and anyone associated with the event.

Venture Forums and Angel Investor Group. Most medium and large cities have one or more venture groups and angel investor groups that have monthly meetings. Their attendees go beyond investors themselves. They include people with a variety of reasons for wanting to meet future business owners. The presentations at these meetings are usually made by would-be entrepreneurs presenting some aspect of their business plan. The formats vary, but typically some feedback is provided to the presenters.

Mentoring Organizations. There are many types of mentoring organizations. When you’ve just put together your business plan and are looking to take it for a test drive, look for those whose mission is to help nurture new businesses. Your local chamber of commerce, SBA office or even your banker can probably help you identify mentoring organizations in your local area that can provide insight and feedback.

Universities. Contact the business department of a local university and find out the name of the dean of the business department, or a department closely aligned with your type of business. Contact them by phone or email. Let them know that you’ve developed a business plan and you’re looking for qualified experts who might review it. Many MBA programs look for individuals to present their plans to their classes. Still others assign a group of MBA students to work directly with the business owner over a period of several weeks. There is usually no cost for this type of assistance.

Making it Happen. These are just four ways you can leverage the work you’ve invested to write your plan. Once you start thinking about the value of promoting yourself and your plan, other opportunities will show up on your radar as well. Even if you are still at the stage and do not have your plan ready to take outside, take a look at how and when these ideas will be right for you.

By carefully and selectively looking for opportunities to present your ideas to others, you’ll meet new people, forge new relationships and fine-tune your ideas in ways that will help you succeed.

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