Being a writer means that you need to know how to write in all sorts of different mediums. This also includes writers in the business world as everything is written down in some capacity. One such thing a writer can write is a business proposal.
These are very important documents that business people need. A business proposal is more than just simply writing a document. There is a lot of care that is needed to ensure that the proposal is tight and perfect, with no mistakes.
What is a Business Proposal?
While it’s not asking someone to marry you, a proposal in the business world is much different. A business proposal is when a supplier sends their proposal to a possible client for the sole purpose of getting the right to work on a specific project.
A business proposal is a written document that can be sent either unannounced or it can be requested by the client. Most service-based businesses operate on business proposals in order to sell their services to bring in more work.
Inside the document, there should be information such as bids, quotes, estimates, and more. To get a good understanding of this document, they should typically have:
- What is within the operation, including what the operation does not have.
- What the business states that they bring to the table.
- The costs
- Timelines and a deadline.
However, a proposal has many more details and factors that need to be put into it.
Five Easy Steps for an Effective Proposal
It sounds like a daunting task to write, but it is doable if you know what you are doing. Below are five steps for making an effective proposal.
Step 1
This first step is for you. What you need to remind yourself is that this is a competition. It all hinges on how you write the business proposal not why your business is the best.
Step 2
With the proposal, you also need to know what the funders want. In times of need, they have no issue forking over cash to help keep the business afloat. However, there will be times when change is on the horizon and you seek something new for the company. That’s where their focus is. They don’t want to be in charge of your daily tasks and operations. They want to see what the next great thing from you can be.
Step 3
By this point, you need to be thinking about what your plan is. Pay attention to what the funders want. Think about what their goals are and how you are going to complete those goals for them. It’s important to know what you do for the funders that result in matching with the funder’s goals. The results that you get from your work need to be aligned with that of the funders.
Step 4
Put on your thinking cap because at step four, you need to be thinking like an accountant. Break down the costs of everything you plan to do with your next project. Make sure you get everything written out and that all that you wrote is correct. Once you figure out the budget for your project, look for a donor. Then, find out how much they are willing to chip in. You will most likely have to rework the budget until it is absolutely perfect.
Step 5
Now, you may not be the leader of the company you work at. If that is the case, then make sure you have the approval of your boss or any partners you work with. This means that they need to go over steps two and three. After everything is signed off and approved, then you finally start to write. It all needs to be said in simple text so that it can be understandable. What you are writing is what the budget would be for the project and the logic and reasoning for the project.
Conclusion
If you are unsure how to format a business proposal, there are loads of online resources that can assist you such as templates. Writing a business proposal is important work. It is to help set up a relationship between the client and supplier.
When a new project is being done, everything must be written out and how much it would cost down to the most minuscule details. There must also be good reasoning for the project so make sure that it is a logical one. Then, once all info is gathered and approved by any superiors you may have, you can finally write.
Luckily, one does not need to be a novelist to write a business proposal. However, it is your due to ensure that what you have written is concise and accurate. Afterward, you can send it to the client. Then, all you need to do is wait.
