Table of Contents
- What is a "Business Proposal"?
- What Does a Proposal Contain?
- How to Present and Deliver the Proposal
- Conclusion
What is a "Business Proposal"?
It is a common misconception that a business proposal and business plan are the same. The proposal aims to sell your product or service rather than your business itself. A business proposal is a normal document that's created to a prospect to secure a business agreement.
Types of Business Proposals
Unsolicited Business Proposals
You approach a potential customer with a proposal, even if they don't request one to gain their business.
Solicited Business Proposals
These business proposals are requested by a prospective silent so that they can decide whether or not to do business with you and/or your company
What to Include
1. Begin with a title page
Introduce yourself and your business - name, company's name, date you submitted the proposal, the name of the client, etc.
It needs to be aesthetically appealing and professional.
2. Create a table of contents
A table of contents lets your potential client know what will be covered in the business proposal. If this is sent electronically, it helps creating hyperlinks.
3. Explain your "why" with an executive summary
Why are you sending the proposal and why your solution is the best for the client? Why are you the best option for them?
4. State the problem or need
This section provides you with the opportunity to show them how you understand their needs and the problem that they need help solving. Do your homework and research.
5. Propose a solution
Make sure your proposed solution is customized to your client's needs so they know the proposal is specifically for them and only them. You do not want to be sending out template proposals for every client.
6. Share your qualifications
Why should they trust you? Why are you the best for the job? Share success stories and mention any relevant awards and/or accreditation.
7. Include pricing options
You don't want to under or over-price your service. Include an optional fee table.
8. Summarize with a conclusion
Touch on your qualifications and why you are the best to help with their problem.
9. Clarify your terms and conditions
This is where you list the project timeline, payment schedule, etc.
10. Include a space for signatures to document agreement
How to Present and Deliver the Proposal
Business Proposal Presentations
1. Personalize the presentation
2. Send a pre-meeting email with an agenda
This sets expectations and keeps the audience on track for the meeting.
3. Keep the presentation short and precise
Keep the presentation as short as possible, about fifteen to twenty minutes. The longer you speak the less your clients will remember.
4. Pause and ask questions
5. Lead with stories and not data
Clients are realistic about what data can and cannot tell them. introduce stories first and then the data to back it up.
6. Don't read off the slides
Slides should remain simple with less text and images. Most slides are too complex - too much text, distracting designs and unrelated images.
7. Establish a clear follow-up timeline at the end of the meeting
Create a timeline for a follow-up date. "Is it okay if I call you on Friday, June 5th?" so that there's no ambiguity regarding the next steps.
Conclusion
Whether you are writing business proposals for work in your company or for yourself while freelancing, being able to write and present an effective business proposal is a skill everyone should master.
Happy coding!
Top comments (4)
write more stuff if you can please 🙏🏻
I have been lagging a little with the articles recently but most definitely :D I will be posting when I can! Thanks for keeping up with my writing <3
Are there any particular topics you would like to see me write about? If so, feel free to message me directly on one of my accounts
Nice!