We are able to address the problems better when we are able to understand them. So, let’s first try to understand what a business proposal is. A business proposal is a document that is tailor-made for a client to offer the services by the company, and it specifies the overall proposal or business agreement. A business proposal is different from a business plan; it’s designed according to the client’s needs. This document contains the probable problem and offers a solution. In this post, we’re going to provide some business proposal tips to help you improve the next one you create.
Why Do You Need a Business Proposal?
Each business has its own set of challenges but to have a business plan would mean that your business has the right direction and structure. You need a business proposal to:
- Establish of business milestone
- Streamline the plan and focus the efforts required
- Identify the strengths and weaknesses of the business
- Create a foundation to bring everyone together
9 Essential Business Proposal Tips
These tips will help you create a strong and impactful business proposal.
1. Pick a Title
Choose a title for your business proposal and introduce your business. Add the company name, the client’s name, date of proposal, and other company details that are required. The title page of your business proposal should have precise details.
2. Define the Table of Contents
In the table of contents, you need to include the outline of the proposal to let the client know exactly what they are receiving in the offer. To create a more effective proposal, use a clickable table of contents to help the client navigate through the proposal without any hassle. This will let the client jump to relevant sections of the proposal for easy reading.
In the table of contents, you can include:
- Executive Summary
- About the Company
- Scope of Work
- Proposed Solution
- Proposed Architecture
- Solution Overview
- Support
- Pricing
- Terms & Conditions
3. Identify and List a Problem or Need
In this section, explain the problem that your client is facing and make it as detailed as possible. This will help the client understand that their requirements and needs are perfectly understood by the company and your team will do justice to solve the problem. Once the problem is identified, half the job is done, you need to drive the client’s loyalty and trust by ensuring them that you have the right solution for them.
4. Propose a Solution
After identifying the problem, you need to craft a strategy to solve the problem of what and when to clearly specify the timeframe. Be informative while explaining the project structure, strategy, timeframe, and methods to be implemented. Customize the proposal according to the client’s requirements to ensure that no details are missed. Clearly state the expectations of the project so that the client understands the outcome at the initial stage. Transparency is the key here, make most of it by surpassing the expectations.
5. Back Your Solution with Your Qualifications
You need to tell the client why they should choose your services. Let this section explain why you are best qualified for this project and what makes you different from the competitors. Include testimonials and case studies to build authority and credibility. Mention the accolades or other relevant awards to let the client know that you can fill in their expectations perfectly.
Use this section to state the business requirements from the client. This will include the resources, project information, pricing of the project, etc. Some clients like to navigate through the budget while skipping through the entire proposal. Therefore, it should be very accurate and easy to understand for the stakeholders. Break down the budget for smaller items. Include benefits for each action item to let the client know where to invest and what can be eliminated.
This will help the client have a quick overview of the project, eliminating the need for any confusion.
7. State Terms and Conditions
After communicating the unique value that you bring to the client, you need to state the T&Cs for the client. In essence, terms & conditions talk about the rights and responsibilities that the client will be subjected to after signing the contract/proposal. T&Cs are important to save your business from any potential threat in terms of the commercials involved, the requirements, the expectations, and the consequences if anything goes wrong. It’s important to have a record that your client has agreed to the T&Cs that you have stated.
8. Document Agreement Signature and Date
To have the client sign the document ensures that the client has agreed to what the proposal is stating and what are the expectations from both parties involved. If the client finds any questions unanswered, they can reach out to you before signing the agreement.
9. Create a Design
Now that you have everything you need to create a business proposal, let it get the definitive shape of the brand guidelines. Design the proposal template according to the client’s requirements.
