Getting a small business loan is one way to start a venture or to expand your own established company, as this can be used in your business’ start-up costs, daily operations and monthly expenses. However, applying for a small business loan with banks, your family and friends, personal investors or other credit and finance institutions is not easy nowadays, since you have to assure your lender that you can pay in full as well as on time.
The best way to increase the chance of your loan to be approved is to prove that you are worth the investment. Proving that you are qualified for the amount that you are about to borrow will need careful preparation, which will definitely include documents such as credit histories, a professional loan proposal and a well-detailed business plan. You must also justify to your lender why you need the money and your confidence that your business will be profitable.
Below are guides that will help you obtain a small business loan.
Step 1:
The most important requirement that you will use in applying for a small business loan is your personal credit history. Having a clean credit history will be a good start for your lender to see once they have reviewed your loan application, for this may imply that you are creditworthy and capable of repaying the loan. But before applying for a loan, be sure that you know what is on your credit report. Credit reports are provided for free by these following companies: TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. You must also know your credit score, since some lenders have different minimum credit scores required. This is also important because this will show the type of credit you have and the length of your credit history, as well as your payment history.
Step 2:
Write a solid and detailed business plan. This is required once you apply for a small business loan, so you better prepare it precisely since this is the basis of your business loan. It is also important to specify in full detail how your business will be profitable. Your business plan must also include statements such as your own professional biography, market analysis, and description of your business assets, business worth and business projections.
Step 3:
Make a professional loan proposal that is formal yet written in a persuasive manner. You can also ask your lender for their preferred loan proposal format, which will definitely include a cover letter or an executive summary. Your professional loan proposal may also include a business description, wherein it contains relevant information such as the history of your business, its location, target market, current activities, legalities, and the type of products or services that your business provides. Other important details that are essential to be included in your professional loan proposal include the following statements:

Financial statements
Cash flow statements with realistic estimated profits
A loan request which explains how much money the business needs to start operating
Collateral of assets that will secure the business loan
Repayment plans that emphasize the process of how and when the loan will be paid

It is also best that you know what type of loan will go well with your small business before writing your loan proposal, for there are several types of loan plans such as Micro-loans, SBA loans, Lines of Credit and Development Financing. It will be much easier for you to repay if you research the policies and requirements for each type of loan.
Step 4:
Choosing your lender will be the easiest part. This is the part where you will need to present everything you have prepared. First off, it is best to apply for a business loan with banks and credit institutions that you already have done business with or have an existing account with a good record. Then you can also apply with other banks and credit institutions so that you can choose who has the best offer.
Once your small business loan is approved, you should build a good relationship with your lender through constant communication. You can also show appreciation by providing results and monthly progress reports. And if in case your loan was not approved, you can always find other ways to finance your small business, like government grants or private investors. Your prepared materials will still be of use, and you may also improve them as well.