It makes your proposal scannable and easy to read. The people you will be pitching to are usually C-level executives. Adding a table of contents to your document makes it easy for them to go through it at their own pace. They can also skim through parts of the proposal that they deem more important. You can see how this abstract business proposal template uses the table of contents:. You can also make your business proposal template easier to navigate by adding hyperlinks to the document, particularly in the table of contents.
This way your clients can jump to specific sections without having to scroll through the entire document. From there, select the page you want to link to! Then download your completed design as an Interactive PDF. The executive summary is a staple in all kinds of annual reports , project plans and even marketing plans. It is a concise summary of the entire contents of your document.
In other words, a business proposal outline that is easy to glance over. Keep your executive summary concise and clear from the get-go.
This sets the right tone for the rest of your proposal. It also gives your buyer a reason to continue reading your proposal. Your goal is to outline the problem statement as clearly as possible. This develops a sense of urgency in your prospect. They will want to find a solution to the problem.
And you have that solution. This bold business proposal template above clearly outlines the problem at hand and also offers a ray of hope i. This brings me to…. The good stuff. This can fit onto the problem statement section but if you have a comprehensive solution or prefer to elaborate on the details, a separate section is a good idea. Spare no details with respect to the solution you will provide.
Explain how you plan to deliver this solution. Include an estimated timeline of when they can expect your solution and any relevant details. For inspiration, look at how this business proposal template quickly and succinctly outlines the project plan, deliverables and metrics :. But they may not trust you to deliver on your promises. Why is this? Your job is to convince them that you can fix their problem. This section is important because it acts as social proof. You can highlight what your company does best and how qualified your team is.
You can also include other forms of social proof to establish yourself as a credible business. This makes it that much more likely that they will say yes! Our case study examples post can show you how to do just that.
Provide a timeline of how and when you will complete all your deliverables. You can do this by designing a flow chart. Or add a roadmap with deadlines. Pitching a long-term project?
A timeline infographic would be a better fit. If you look at this abstract business proposal template below, even something as simple as a table can do the trick. The goal is to clarify any questions your client might have about how you will deliver for the underlying B2B sales process.
On this page, you can outline your fees, payment schedule, payment terms, as well as legal aspects involved in this deal. The key to good pricing is to provide your buyer with options. A pricing comparison table can help with this.
You want to give your client some room to work with. Look at how this simple business proposal template does this:. The legal aspects can slot right into the terms and conditions section. Alternatively, you can add them in the signature section of the proposal to keep things simple. Summarize everything you have promised to deliver so far. Include what you expect from your prospective buyer in return.
Add the overall project timeline from start to end, as well as payment methods and payment schedule. This way, both of you will be clear on what is being agreed on. This step is very important as it outlines all the legal aspects of the deal. That is why the terms and conditions section of your proposal needs to be as clear as possible. Who else is working in this field, what have they done, and why isn't that enough?
Demonstrate your knowledge of the field. Provide convincing evidence that what you are proposing does not duplicate other work. Replication of someone else's work in a new environment or larger scale may be fundable. Project Activity, Methodology and Outcomes Why did you choose to address the issue in the manner that you have? Are there other approaches?
If so, why aren't they appropriate to the situation? What are the specific activities involved? Who will do them? Present a timeline of activities. Tables and charts work best here. They crystallize data, break up pages of narrative, and convey extensive information well in a limited space. What specific outcomes will be achieved? What will change? Is it an extension of successful, innovative work or a pilot project you already completed? The About Us section of your proposal gives you the opportunity to show potential clients who you are as a company: what you do, why you exist, your expertise, and your unique selling proposition.
Use this section to touch on all the various services or products you offer, not just the ones relevant to this proposal. It may be a chance to cross-sell your clients , or at least plant the seed in their minds of your range of abilities.
Include pictures and bios of the key people who will be working on the project. Social proof like case studies and testimonials put the walk in the talk of your business proposals. Include examples of past projects with a written description of the problem you solved, and what the client thought of the results. Provide context for the reader by briefly introducing the client company, what they do, and their industry. Why did the client come to you? What problem did they need solved? Why did they choose your company to help them?
What was your process to develop a solution? Why did you decide that solution was the right one? Explain the results your solution delivered to the client, ideally with hard numbers, but otherwise anecdotally. Describe how your team improved their situation, how it helped them achieve their goals, and how they are now positioned for a successful future.
Remember to check with your existing clients first before giving out their names or contact information. Show your prospect how to proceed to close the sale. It could be a statement of work, contract for sign off, or even just a name and phone number to call.
And that was true even before COVID — contrary to popular belief, esignatures have been legally binding for over 20 years now. But beyond providing a means to bridge the gap created by the pandemic, esignatures make it much easier to get clients to sign off on your deals. They make the transition from prospect to client seamless, all while reducing clutter and shrinking your carbon footprint. Beyond your proposal format, design is a major factor that can influence the outcome of your proposal.
It can help communicate complex ideas more clearly, make documents easier to navigate, and set your closing docs apart from the competition. But most importantly, winning proposal design ensures that all elements of your proposal are driving towards a common goal: closing.
While every proposal is different, most follow a similar structure and flow. You may have to structure a proposal from scratch the first time, but once you develop a process, you can reuse some of the content and the proposal format to create proposals faster and still deliver a persuasive pitch.
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