How to write a good proposal

Your ideas or suggestions are more likely to be approved if you can communicate them with clarity and precision

The art of writing good proposals basically starts from knowing how to convey the message to the understanding of the recipient as to why you are the best person to serve their interests.

As a matter of fact, it is believed that your ideas or suggestions are more likely to be approved if you can communicate them with clarity and precision.

Having said that, it is, however, important to state that the aim of every proposal is to gain support for their author's plans by informing the relevant people, persuasively, of their capabilities.

And to get it right with your proposal, you must try as much as you can to address this three basic section:

1. The core interests of the client(s)
2. Your proposed solution
3. Administration

1. What your client is interested in

Not being able to pinpoint the interest of your client in your proposal, is one mistake you must try to avoid.

Because clients will be interested in your proposal when their interest seems to be of paramount importance to you. 

 

 

Your proposal should entail your client’s business, industry or challenges. And how it will be of benefit to them if your proposal is approved.

The following information should serve as a guideline to how the structuring of the questions and answers in the first section of your business proposal should be:

• Core challenges peculiar to this industry?
• What is the on-ground challenge of this business?

Ideally, you shouldn't have gotten to this point without having gathered answers from your client to the following key questions:

1. When did they first tag this a problem to their business?
2. What are the results of previous corrective measures to the specified problem(s)?
3. What is and isn't affected in their company by the problem(s), and how well do they appreciate the implications of the problem?
4. What is their projects target(s)?
5. What is the project duration?
6. Do they have a standing budget for this project?

 

 

2. Your Solution

A good proposal must not be wanting in some specific information. Because information like that is nothing but needed stimulants that will help speak on your behalf.

The following are what your proposal must address:

1. Your appraisal of the situation. And to elaborate on this, you'll do well to present a case study or relatable experience with similar companies.
2. Having done that, the result must also be made known.
3. Detailed information as to how you will go about in addressing the needs of your client.
4. Remember to include the steps in the process and the value of each step.
5. State the potential results you will be able to deliver and their impact on the needs outlined in section one.
6. With passive confidence, state why your solution is best for the job, and appeal to their sense of advantage of doing business with you.

3. Administration

To complete your proposal, you'll need to address the administrative aspects of your proposed plan, which includes:

• Preliminary timeline and stage goals
• Budget
• Terms and Conditions
• Wisdom nuggets
•  

However in your bid to bolster each of the three basic sections, be meticulous enough to do the following:

1. Consider any cultural or emotional issues linking the client and the project.
2. Short, simple sentences are best understood. No long, complex paragraphs. Jargons are also prohibited.
3. Make use of visuals, including charts and graphs, to help the client understand your point.
4. Get it proofread. Grammatical errors, misspellings, etc.

Do not pass over this lightly, because there is never a second time to create a first impression.

In conclusion, be reminded that your proposal should end with a conclusion. And this should mirror your introduction, at the same time--wrapping up your general message.