Any person who runs or manages a digital marketing company will be familiar with the entire process of how to write a business proposal. So you have finally started your business selling services to other clients or companies.
How amazing is this? Maybe soon, you have planned to embark on your cold outreach journey. In other words, you got the idea that you can’t cater services without an impressive business proposal. Now you are pondering what a business proposal is and how to write it.
Crafting a business proposal is just like building a home. Like houses, certain elements are required to lay the foundation of a strong business proposal. But the components of a proposal can change depending upon the size of the company, industry and many other important key factors.
A well-written proposal starts by collecting important information, facts, and statistics and later analyzing the problems that your potential client is trying to resolve. You can say that a business proposal format is a potential document that a business owner sends to a target client.
Companies need to sell their services or products through marketing. Once you are done with your first business proposal, you can change it according to your demands. Let’s look at the ultimate step-by-step guide about how to write a business proposal letter.
Table of Content
Unleashing Success: The Ultimate Guide to How to Write A Business Proposal
What is a business proposal?
Why is a business proposal required?
Formally solicited proposals:
Informally solicited proposals:
Unsolicited proposals:
Things to be added to the business proposal:
Reasons to write a business proposal:
How to write a business proposal letter?
Do business proposals vary in formatting?
10 Steps that help write a business proposal
1. Title page
2. Create a table of contents
3. Write a summary
4. Outline your project details
5. Write down the project milestones and deliverables
6. Offer a cost breakdown
7. Share background about the company
8. Add your qualifications
9. Provide your terms as well as conditions
10. Conclusion
Business proposal sample doc ideas
● Begin with outline
● Add data and visuals.
● Include social proof
● Keep it concise and simple.
● Include a video in your proposal
● Add call to action
Frequently Asked Questions
Wrapping up
What is a business proposal?
You can say a business proposal is a formal document presenting your business goals and products to other companies in detail. It also summarizes the entire project scope so potential clients can decide to choose your project.
Before a company and potential client join hands, a business proposal is a way to market their services and products.
Since many business terms are roaming around and you get confused, what is the difference between a business plan and a business proposal? So yes, you have caught it right; there is a clear-cut difference.
A business proposal is a document that different businesses use to scale and sell their products. On the other hand, a business plan is an organized document that describes a company’s objectives and how it will attain them.
B2B, also called business-to-business companies, take the help of business proposals to sell their products to other companies. Similarly, B2C business-to-consumer companies take the help of strategies to sell their products or services.
In this way, you will learn how to write a business proposal.
Why is a business proposal required?
A business proposal is a new way to ask budding customers, especially if they run a business-to-business company. There are many types of business proposals, either solicited or unsolicited.
Formally solicited proposals:
When you reply to a formal request towards a business proposal, then solicited proposals are sent.
In this case, you must have a lot of information about a potential client.
Informally solicited proposals:
When there is no formal proposal request, unsolicited proposals are sent. A potential buyer is enticed by great offerings and requests for a business proposal so that they can easily reach there.
Unsolicited proposals:
This type of business proposal usually adopts a universal style that one size can easily fit into all strategies. So they don’t take the customer’s needs into account.
Things to be added to the business proposal:
Here are a few questions you must answer in your business proposal.
● Who are you, and what does your business do?
● What are the challenges your potential buyers are going through?
● What is the ultimate solution your business offers to solve the problem?
● How is your business going to strategize the solution?
● How much cost, time and other resources are required to implement the solution?
Reasons to write a business proposal:
Business proposals are a new way to skyrocket your business growth. No matter whether you are a well-settled small business or one in search of expansion, business proposals provide help with everything ranging from funding to existing projects.
A business proposal is a document that assists in the following:
● Attracting potential clients and new business
● To bring investment for existing projects
● Document business plans and projections
● Figure out new pricing models
● Work on the structure of the business proposal
This guideline might seem interesting, but still, you are looking at how to write a business proposal. Keep reading this article to know more.
How to write a business proposal letter?
A business proposal can be one-page or more detailed, depending on the product or service you wish to explain. Keep the business proposal tight and focused on the main points.
Business proposal letters can also be formatted in word document; you can get them printed or delivered in pdf form. Moreover, you can also include your business colors, logos and figures in the proposal to make it outstanding from other competitors.
Thus business proposals can be customized depending on the needs of potential customers and the business itself. Also depicts you are concerned about your clients.
Before writing about your business proposal, deeply research your potential customer. You must find out their target points so you can talk in detail about them throughout your proposal.
Time has arrived to create your business proposal when you have done your research. There is no way to write a proposal as every client is unique and their company is different. Still, there are many important factors that you must keep in mind while writing a business document.
Do business proposals vary in formatting?
Yes, business proposals can indeed vary in formatting. Still, key elements must be added to every proposal, such as a table of contents, a title page, and details on your company. Business proposals are usually written to give responses to prospect outreach.
On the other hand, if you go for a software solution, you can record how many times the proposal was opened or set reminders automatically. So no matter which method you choose, you must enlighten yourself with the most commonly used sections about how to write a business proposal.
10 Steps that help write a business proposal
Let’s have a look at these 12 steps one by one.
1. Title page
The title page of your business proposal is the first document your potential customers will be looking at. It’s essential to express your business and ideas in a brief document. Ensure you prepare the title page as a visual content piece since many viewers will see it.
If you focus on creating a solid title page, potential customers will get a clear idea of your marketing plan. You can also add fonts, colors and images that suit well with your brand on the title page. The title page should also contain the business name, your name, the date you submitted the proposal, the business logo, client details, and the title.
2. Create a table of contents
Most successful companies that focus on a strong business proposal must have a table of content. So the next step is to include a table of contents on how to write a business proposal. Adding a table of content makes your business proposal scannable and easy to read.
Save the time of your potential clients who are in a rush and want to navigate through your proposal. Thus the business executives can quickly read the important sections of your business proposal, which helps to stand out from others.
Keep in mind that you create your pages of content and arrange them in chronological order. Refrain from making your content list over specific, which is difficult to bear.
Although different types of proposals exist, such as sales and marketing ones, by adding a table of content to your proposal, you inform your potential client of what you are offering and what will benefit customers.
3. Write a summary
The summary gives your potential customers what your business is about and how you will serve your potential customers. The main aim of a summary is to convey ideas in two or three thoughtful paragraphs.
The summary should be an executive overview of what your company does and what differentiates you from competitors. Also, keep an eye on why you are the best solution for the potential customers and what are your company qualifications.
Less is more concept when you are writing your summary. Try to make it clear, concise and persuasive. Your summary will be marked complete once you have answered five basic questions W’s -who, what, when, where and why.
As you know, the summary portion is about your company, and you always take into account your potential client. Realize that you understand them and their needs. Take this portion as a pitch to increase your sales. Meanwhile, many consider it a cover letter for your business.
4. Outline your project details
The project details are the right place to convince your potential customers that they are best for them. Solving a client’s problem is the main goal of creating a business proposal format. Try to highlight the problem statement as clearly as possible.
Start with a problem statement and describe how your product or service is designed to solve that problem. Be specific and utilize your previous research so potential clients can customize the proposal according to their needs. You can keep your project details 400 to 500 words but also maintain balance with the help of white space.
After that, you must suggest a solution to make your client feel you care for them. They will be searching for a quick solution, and you already have a strong answer. Also, use learnings from your experience to provide a more tailored solution that goes well with their requirements.
Enlist the estimated timeline for your solution and any other related details about your products, services or deliverables. Lastly, inform your clients why your company is the best solution to their problem and what makes them stand out from other businesses.
Also, make your offer more persuasive by offering unique solutions to the clients on the table. Convince them why they should believe in you. The outcome of the problem statement and unique solution is a satisfied client who is finally ready to work with you.
5. Write down the project milestones and deliverables
This project milestones and deliverables setting is optional when you are about to write a business proposal sample doc. The deliverables section of a business proposal should outline how and when you will finish the project. Break down into small parts depending on the task start dates, end dates, approval details and the total duration.
Meanwhile, you can also support your project outline with a Gantt chart. You can also add how you will be communicating with your potential client. It depends on how much time is needed to get feedback and how they should request to get the problem fixed.
Thus ensure that your timeline is realistic and consider any holidays or other events that might delay your project completion.
6. Offer a cost breakdown
Then you must offer a cost breakdown for writing a business proposal letter. Maybe you find it quite uncomfortable, but you need to mention the pricing plan within your business proposal.
The main reason is that your potential customers have budgets and compare prices with other businesses in the market. You must put your pricing structure in an easy-to-read table and divide each aspect of your project details into individual components within budget constraints.
So that is how you can make your customer feel more manageable regarding cost breakdown. Sometimes you also wish to include optional personal costs; consider these ads. If you think recommending specific services or products may benefit the client’s current scenario, do that as it presents your experience.
So don’t forget to mention the project’s overall cost at the end of the budget portion. Now it’s time to move towards the next step.
7. Share background about the company
The background details of your business or company should be added on the about us page of your business proposal format while making yourself the major lead. Make sure that you add a decent about us section that contains all the essential components, such as
● Briefly describe the problem that the company is going to solve
● A quick description of your business and project’s background
● Introducing your customers to your company, they will be collaborating on the project
● Describe which strategy to follow to achieve your goals
● How do you and your group plan to identify a solution
8. Add your qualifications
Briefly list why you are an ideal candidate for the current post in this part of what is a business proposal. Also, include the success stories of customers in case studies. Don’t forget to highlight your main achievements or certifications; this will add to the credibility of your qualifications.
Moreover, you can also put any relevant degrees, industry-related training or previous work experience into the spotlight.
Through this process, you must also enlist your knowledge. Also, showcase if your business or company has a previous record of resolving similar problems.
9. Provide your terms as well as conditions
This part is to secure yourself, your business and your clients. Do include payment schedules, confidentiality agreements, allowed revisions or warranty information. In most cases, when you are about to write a business proposal sample doc, this section is last and also kept optional.
If you have written a business proposal that you expect your clients will accept, make a section where the client can put a sign as well as a date after accepting the terms and conditions that you offered. On the other hand, if you have not included it in the conclusion, you must list a brief overview of the project with other essential details.
10. Conclusion
Now it’s your last chance to make a brief and compelling business proposal. Arrange the information you presented in the rest of your proposal into one final document. Mention how your prospective client will find value in your product or service.
Then pinch the client up to take action by confirming your availability. Finally, your business proposal looks fine, and any client might wish to work with you. If this is the standardized proposal, your contact information will be available so anyone can contact you.
Meanwhile, if your proposal is customized, you must include the following sections to encourage your client to grab your deal and start working with you.
Business proposal sample doc ideas
Business proposals can be a big thing. Here are a few things to make writing an easy task for you.
● Begin with outline
You must enlist the main elements of your business proposal, and by doing this, you bring clarity to your writing and maintain the consistent tone of the content.
● Add data and visuals.
Include quantitative data that depict the value of your company or business before you start writing. It helps to draw the attention of potential clients.
● Include social proof
To increase the credibility of your proposition, don’t forget to include social proof. Clients are more likely to trust their peer fellows, and some customers must add client quotes and testimonials.
● Keep it concise and simple.
Refrain from using too much business language, and keep your words concise. Make sure that you keep your proposal simple so that it is easy for all to understand.
● Include a video in your proposal
To provide clients with a better proposal experience, you must include video as it adds depth and brings client interest to your document.
● Add call to action
The best method is to add an enticing call to action for the reader and mention what the reader should do to capitalize on the curiosity your proposal has created.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are as follows:
1. What is a simple business proposal?
A simple business proposal is a fine document sent to present your offer to the potential client so that you can collaborate on one project.
2. Why write a business proposal?
Take a start by outlining the questions such as what, why and how. Pick a template and create your proposal around them. Use simple language, and add additional pages such as about us, cover letter and table of contents, etc.
3. Are you familiar with the format of a business proposal?
The traditional business proposal format is as under:
Table of contents, title page or cover letter, pricing, about us, problem statement and solutions, about us, appendix and terms
Wrapping up
Ultimately you must center your business proposal around your client’s requirements and how your plan will solve their problems. Never lose sight of that goal, no matter how you build your proposal.
Finally, you have learnt how to write a business proposal, keep the client’s brand in mind, and use attractive pricing features. Good luck, and win amazing deals with these free business proposal template tips.
