Turn reading into
your next step.
Organize your preparation alongside the Montana Export Playbook. Choose the steps that fit your business; sector-specific steps may not apply.
This is a personal preparation checklist. Checking a box does not confirm eligibility, submit an application, reserve funding, or satisfy a program requirement.
Make your next step clearer.
Watch how to use this preparation planner, choose a personal target date, and keep your own checklist. Provided by Montana Legacy Media. About 1 minute 37 seconds.
Read the video transcript
Not sure where to start preparing your business for opportunities beyond Montana? Start with one useful step.
Montana Legacy Media provides this Business Grants preparation planner to help you turn the Montana Export Playbook into practical action. The guides help you organize questions, compare options, and prepare for conversations with the right resources.
Imagine you’re exploring a new market. Before choosing an event or spending on promotion, you need a clearer picture of your offer, your customer, and your capacity. Open the readiness guide, write down what you know, and identify what you still need to confirm.
Then use the checklist to keep your place. Add an optional personal target date. When that task is finished, check it off. The planner points you toward the earliest dated task you haven’t completed, so you can focus on the next decision instead of the whole list at once.
Choose the steps that fit your business. Food, drink, and wood-product considerations may not apply to everyone.
Your progress stays in this browser when storage is available. Download the checklist or print a copy to keep your own record. Personal target dates aren’t official program deadlines, and the planner doesn’t send reminders.
Before applying or spending, check current rules, eligibility, deadlines, and updates directly with the responsible program. This educational planner doesn’t submit an application or guarantee funding.
You don’t need every answer today. Choose one preparation step and begin. This section is provided by Montana Legacy Media.
AI narration created with HeyGen. Example dates in the video are personal planning examples, not program deadlines.
Your checklist
Optional target dates are your own planning goals, not official program deadlines. Today and past-target labels use Montana time (America/Denver). No reminder messages are sent.
Choose the next preparation step that fits your business.
Go to your next step →Progress is saved only in this browser when browser storage is available. It is not sent to Montana Legacy Media.
0 of 10 steps checked
Print and CSV always include all available steps.
Describe the offer, intended customer, available capacity, and questions you still need to answer.
Read guide 1: Is Your Montana Business Ready to Export? →Optional personal target; not a program deadline.
Make a list of eligibility questions and documents to confirm directly with the program administrator.
Read guide 2: How to Apply for Montana STEP Support →Optional personal target; not a program deadline.
Record your research sources, buyer questions, and the evidence behind your preferred market.
Read guide 3: How to Research Your First Export Market →Optional personal target; not a program deadline.
List the event costs, meeting goals, and follow-up responsibilities you would need to evaluate.
Read guide 4: How to Plan an International Trade Show That Earns Its Place →Optional personal target; not a program deadline.
Define the audience, message, test budget, and the result you want to measure.
Read guide 5: How to Test International Digital Marketing Before Expanding →Optional personal target; not a program deadline.
Collect product records and questions for qualified shipping, customs, and compliance resources.
Read guide 6: How to Prepare Export Compliance and Shipping Before You Quote →Optional personal target; not a program deadline.
Write your partner criteria and the questions you will ask before making commitments.
Read guide 7: How to Find and Evaluate Overseas Partners →Optional personal target; not a program deadline.
If relevant, use the guide to identify product-specific questions for the responsible authorities.
Read guide 8: How to Take Montana Food and Drink Abroad →Optional personal target; not a program deadline.
If relevant, organize your product, technical, market, and financing questions for qualified resources.
Read guide 9: How to Explore Export Markets for Wood Products →Optional personal target; not a program deadline.
Use the 90-day planning guide to assign next actions and decide what to pursue, revise, or pause.
Read guide 10: How to Build a 90-Day Export Action Plan →Optional personal target; not a program deadline.