How to Write a Good Business Proposal Example
How to Write a Good Business Proposal Example
Studies show you have only 50 milliseconds to make a good first impression when creating visual content, such as business proposals. This includes the cover page, which should convey your brand in a clean and professional way.
It’s also important to include social proof from past clients, such as testimonials and short case studies. This helps establish your credibility and shows you’ve done your research.
Executive Summary
When it comes to business proposals, the executive summary is an important part of a well-written document. Often, this will be the first thing your client sees and it must be able to convey the main point of your proposal in a short space. It must also entice the reader to read on.
It is also an opportunity to show your clients that you understand their problem. This could be done by referencing a bit of research or talking about your own experiences with similar issues. Whatever you do, it is essential to make sure that you are not introducing any sweeping generalizations or cliched statements that can be easily dismissed by your audience.
The simplest way to do this is to use persuasive language and to focus on the benefits of your solution to the client’s problems. For example, if you are proposing to build the client a new website that will improve their sales, talk about how they will benefit from increased customer conversions and a more user-friendly content management system. Then, go on to explain how you will implement your solution and how it can be completed within the time frame you have set. Whether you write the executive summary before or after the rest of the proposal, it is an important piece that must stand on its own.
Table of Contents
Whether you’re pitching to potential clients for an e-commerce project, improving their digital PR strategy, or helping them build more high-quality backlinks, your proposal should keep the client in mind. This means that each section should be tailored to their specific challenges and potential solutions. It’s also helpful to include a table of contents so that they can quickly navigate your proposal and find the information they need.
The executive summary should be the “skimmed cream” of your business proposal examples, a shortened version of the whole document that conveys your value proposition in two to three thoughtful paragraphs. This section should explain why you’re the best choice to help your prospective customer achieve their goals, and it should always lead with how they will benefit from your product or service.
Your solution pages should show how your products or services will address the problem you outlined in the executive summary. This can be a lot of detail, so it’s important to break down the steps you will take, paired with timelines and pricing information where appropriate.
The last page of your proposal should be a brief statement of terms and conditions, and your contractual agreement. This helps to prevent any misunderstandings between you and the client. You can even include a small section asking the client to sign the document to make it official.
Cover Page
The business proposal cover page is the first thing a potential client sees when they open the document. It’s important to catch their eye with an informative, intriguing title that entices them to keep reading. It’s also a good idea to use visuals on this page, such as graphs and charts, to help them quickly understand the value of your proposal.
Your company logo should be placed prominently at the top of the page and in a readable, bold font setting. Avoid using decorative lettering, as this can be difficult to read and doesn’t appear professional. Many companies also include a short, catchy marketing slogan as their tagline to help readers immediately recognize them and what they do.
Then, below the company name, write a concise description of the services you will provide. The more specific the description is, the better – but don’t overwhelm the reader with too much detail. For example, “Social Portal Consulting specializes in creating high-quality content that drives results for your brand” will be more helpful than a generic statement such as, “We offer full-service digital marketing.” Lastly, include your contact information on the cover page, but only if the client has specifically requested it. Otherwise, your contact information should be included in the table of contents. This will help your client to easily find and open the correct proposal document.
Body Contents
A table of contents is a great feature to add to a business proposal, especially if your document is long. It helps readers to navigate the entire proposal without having to read through the entire document again and again to find what they are looking for. Most word processors can create a table of contents automatically from the headings you use to name each section. If your proposal will be sent electronically, you can also add clickable tables of contents.
A persuasive introduction to your client’s company is a great way to personalise your proposal and show that you understand the needs of their business. This section should be no longer than two to three paragraphs and include a description of the client’s problem, your solution and your qualifications to carry out the project.
The deliverables and financial sections are a critical part of a business proposal. They are a place to break down your services into their individual components, provide clear and concise pricing information and provide a timeframe for goals and objectives to be achieved. This example from Social Portal Consulting provides an easy to follow timeline while outlining the specifics of what is being delivered and when.
A solid understanding of the client’s requirements is essential for a well-written business proposal. If you are not sure of what is required, consider asking the client to send you an RFP or schedule an initial call or meeting to discuss their project and goals. This will ensure that you prepare a business proposal that meets their expectations.