Write Bike is an online start-up that offers cycling-specific correspondent services through written articles. Kraig Guithrie, the founder and sole worker will produce bicycle-related articles on a contract basis for a variety online and print magazines. Write Bike will thrive as a home-based, sustainable business thanks to Kraig&#8217.

Services

Write Bike is able to produce a wide range of cycling related articles. Some articles may include product reviews. Through extensive testing and consistent criteria-based measurements, Kraig will be able to offer objective product testing. Write Bike also provides interviews, usually with industry leaders and professional racers. Kraig, having raced at the elite level in the past, is personal friends with many different racers and can offer written interviews to his different customer publications. Kraig also will be selling reports on the annual bicycling industry trade shows. These are the top places to see new product launches. From his extensive riding experience as well as educational background, Kraig can also offer training and fitness articles. Write Bike can write articles on request or speculatively.

The Market

It wasn’t that long ago that the only way to find cycling information was through a local bike shop or a printed magazine. Many sites dedicated to cycling are now online magazines. Write Bike will sell their articles either to the print magazines or the online magazines. Consolidation is the norm in publishing. Many magazines are merging into larger units. Many staff writers are being laid off. Write Bike gains from this merger because it creates demand to freelance articles. The two target market customers: print and online magazines, comprise a total of 350 potential customers, 250 and 100 respectively. These two customer segments are growing at 2% and 8% annually.

Management

Kraig Guthrie brings years of experience to Writing Bike. Brown University awarded Kraig a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Journalism. Kraig participated in their cycling team while at Brown and also wrote for their student newspaper. Kraig continued to ride after graduation. Kraig took part in the Olympic Training sessions as an elite cyclist. Kraig also owned a bicycle shop that he ran for several years. Kraig went on to work at Shimano America as a bicycle component manufacturer. Kraig developed a strong understanding of the industry and its people through Shimano’s many jobs and responsibilities. In the production of articles, Kraig’s industry knowledge will prove invaluable.

1.1 Mission

Write Bike’s goal is to write well-written articles about cycling. Write Bike leverages Kraig&#8217’s extensive industry network to give a rare view of the industry.

1.2 Keys to Success

• Write well-written, informative articles for the bicycle industry.
• Continue to build a network of contacts to both provide information and to increase the acceptance of Write Bicycle’s articles in the market.
• Remember your audience.

1.3 Objectives

• Create consistent, consistent articles for multiple publications.
• Create a profitable home-based business.
• Continue to develop and maintain a network of contacts within the bicycle industry.