Putting Together the Perfect Business Proposal

<p>What steps can a sales or marketing professional take to create a compelling business proposal?</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Podcast Transcript</strong></span></p> <p>In an ideal world, business proposals should be created in consultation with the client. However, when circumstances do not allow for direct communication with the other party, one should follow these 9 business proposal guidelines:</p> <p>1. Write a concise and persuasive executive summary<br /> Your summary should give your client a clear overview of what to expect in your proposal. A short and concise summary is preferred over a long one with little value.</p> <p>2. Focus on results rather than on procedures<br /> Keep in mind that your client is giving you a chance to present a proposal because he or she believes in the potential that your product has in addressing their concerns. Take advantage of that by focusing your pitch on the results that your product can deliver.</p> <p>3. Let your ideas flow freely<br /> While you should avoid unnecessary words, do not hold back from expressing important points and ideas. Add value by expressing well-thought out business propositions and back up your proposals with reliable data.</p> <p>4. Quality over quantity<br /> Remember it is not going to be about the length of your business proposal but rather its quality. Get to the point. Do not make the mistake of sacrificing clarity of thought for the sake of too many words.</p> <p>5. Tailor the contents per the needs and concerns of the client<br /> A business proposal, no matter how well-written, will be of little or no value if it does not address the specific concerns for which it was produced. Therefore understanding a client’s need is critical in the creation of the proposal.</p> <p>6. Double check your content<br /> Do not risk devaluing your business proposal. Always double check your written proposal to make sure that your plans are valid and on-point. Check your data for accuracy. Remember that your client will rely on