A business proposal is a bid to gain someone's business. It is not the same thing as a business plan, which is a document outlining the form and structure of a new business. A business proposal is a solicitation, sometimes called a sales proposal, where you explain your proposal in a such a way as to win the favor of the solicited party. You need to learn how to make an effective business proposal in order to succeed in business. This web page will give you resources and advice on how to write a business proposal.
Here are some tips on writing a business proposal:
- Know the Targeted Buyer. Determine your buyer's needs and desired results. Understand who they are and how they operate so you can tailor your business proposal to appeal to their hot points--the things they care most about.
- Offer Solutions. Outline the solutions you propose in a logical manner that makes sense to your potential buyer. Describe how you are going to solve their problems. What benefit will you give them? Make sure you stay close to your key business proposal themes and messages you are conveying.
- Credibility. Why should they listen to your proposal? What do you offer that sets you apart from the dozens of other people sending them business proposals? You need to establish your credibility and singularity.
- Examples of Your Expertise. Show examples of what you can do for them, perhaps from past clients. Historical data is a great selling tool in business proposals. The proof is in the pudding.
If you want to learn to make a business proposal, I highly recommend these outstanding books:
Writing Winning Business Proposals: Your Guide to Landing the Client, Making the Sale , and Persuading the Boss. This guide gives you the skills, tactics, and strategies you need to write outstanding proposals that will win new clients, make big sales, or convince your boss that your idea will revolutionize the company. You'll get a client's-eye view of what makes a great proposal and master the steps of a battle-tested and proven proposal development process.
Persuasive Business Proposals: Writing to Win More Customers, Clients, and Contracts. This guide gives readers simple, effective techniques for organizing, writing, and delivering proposals while updating the author's winning strategies for today's global business environment.
Sales Proposals for Dummies with CD-Rom. This valuable reference helps readers create winning proposals that will close the deal. It includes a proven structure and guidelines for writing successful proposals, real-life sales vignettes, and a valuable CD-ROM with proposal examples from the technology, telecommunications, industrial, outsourcing, consulting, and service sectors.