Answer:
A business plan is a business preparatory guide that defines the objectives, mission, market, plan to penetrate the market, business process and financial projections in terms of assets, revenue, profits, gains and losses.
Many business experts consider a business plan essential to organizing, managing, improving production and resultant profit.
A good business plan will take into consideration the resent advances in social marketing technology and it's impact on the global market.
References
http://businessplans.fimark.net
As a supplemental answer: if you're planning to capitalize your new business, your business plan also functions as a marketing tool for you: the business plan is your first step in approaching investors.
Please be advised, however, that to issue any security (equity or debt), your 'offering' must be registered with the SEC (yes, even though you are a privately held company, when it comes to capital raising you are governed by the Securities Act of 1933) or meet one of the Act's exemptions.
Drop me a note if you have further questions: bill@enterprise-creations.com