All businesses have the same goal: to make revenue. Prospective customers must be able to benefit from the product/service to reach this goal.

A proposal is a way to connect with your customers and build a relationship. 

When you are starting a business, you want to be ahead of your competition. This guide will help with your business proposal. This guide also contains a list of best practices to consider when writing one.

What’s a business proposal?

A business proposition is a document that a company creates to convince potential clients to sign a contract or use its services. The proposal can be as short or as long as necessary to convey pertinent information.

A proposal is not a business plan. It serves to guide you on how to set up, run, and manage your company. All three address the same issue: what’s your problem, what’s your solution, and how much?

These are different types of business proposals:

• Prospective clients might request formal solicitations for proposals. If your company is requested for a proposal, you will have all of the information needed to write one. 

• Informally solicited propositions refer to those that potential clients have asked for but have not yet received. Instead, you will do preliminary research about the client.

• Prospect clients often receive unsolicited offers, even though they have not requested one. But, thorough market research will transform an unsolicited offering into a custom bid that your prospective client will view.

How do you write a business plan

1. Start with a title page
2. Make a table containing contents.
3. Give your case an executive summary
4. Sketch the problem
5. Provide a solution
6. Introduce your Team
7. Add pricing options
8. This document outlines the terms and conditions
9. Sign up

01. Start with a title page

The title page of your business proposal is an important anchor.

These are the essentials. You should also include the contact information and the name of the client to distinguish your business.

Grammar rules and good writing are essential. Use capital letters for titles and names.

Consider how to make your most important elements stand out in your layout. Start with your title. Next, add your logo and company name.

Attractive design is what people will be drawn to. Attractive design is what people are attracted to.

A particular font face or font combination can set the tone visually in your proposal. If you work in publishing, an American Typewriter may be a good option.

02. Create a table with contents

An average person’s attention span is eight seconds. You have enough time to exchange a few words with another person. 

A table containing all the contents of your proposal can make it easier for readers to scan it. It will also make it simple for them to navigate between sections.

A table containing all the contents of your proposal should be likened to a cheat sheet. 

A clickable table can be created to make it easier for your reader to navigate through the sections or across multiple pages in a digital proposal.

03. Executive summary: Make your case

An executive summary summarizes your business and can be included in your proposal. Use persuasive language to communicate your key points.

A vision statement and mission statement can help you talk about your business. Highlight the benefits your clients will get from your product/service.

04. Draw your problem.

It’s important to show that your company values your customers’ best interests. 

Make sure to use clear and concise language when addressing the problem. Let your clients know that you are an extension of their concerns.

A potential customer might be unaware of a problem you have raised. This could indicate that you can understand their needs and help build trust with them.

05. Provide a solution

This section describes your solution to the client’s problem.

This section will clarify both the “how” and “when” of your proposal. Avoid industry jargon. It can be confusing for any reader.

This stage allows you to review the client’s problems and show that you are open to helping. Now you need to create a strategy.

It is a good idea to include a schedule detailing when each component will take place. A coach can help clients see each step from the pre-consultation meeting up through the wrap-up.

06. Present your team

After you have addressed the concerns of the prospective client and offered a solution, they are now ready to spend some time getting to know your business.

No matter how small or large your team is, it’s important to let the client know who the experts are. Highlight specific details like awards, education, and training.

It’s a great place for your team to be introduced. It builds trust and credibility.

07. Pricing options available

Money can be confusing. A pricing chart is a way of displaying the various payment options for each product or service.

Customers can find what they are looking for quickly and easily see the price. Tables are a popular way to get attention to your most valuable products and increase upselling opportunities.

08 Please describe your terms and conditions

Be clear with your client about your proposals. This section will detail the terms of your business agreement, including payment dates, payment methods, and cancellation policies. 

It is a good idea for you to talk with an outside lawyer before you submit your proposal.

09. Signatures are welcome

Finish with a signature box that clients must sign. This will let clients know that they have signed the contract.

Provide a prompt for the client to contact you if there are any questions.

Create a signature field for digital proposals. Contact details can be clickable.

Best practices

A business proposal has many parts. 

• Any proposal can be enhanced by visual content. Visual content can enhance any proposal. This includes graphs, charts, photographs, and illustrations.

• Accept quantitative information – Data-driven research is the core of all decision-making processes. Statisticians such as market size and demographics can help us understand our claims and validate them.

• It can be taken online – You can easily share and get feedback on your proposal. You can make your content more attractive if it is only intended for a small number of clients.

• Make sure to check for typos. Be aware of typos.

• Remember your brand voice – Your brand identity should be used throughout your proposal. 

• Call-to-actions should be made after prospective clients have read your business proposal. Some of the most effective CTAs are ‘Join Now’ and ‘Contact us’.