How to Create a Persuasive Business Proposal

A good proposal is one that sells on value and not price. It will allow you to introduce yourself and your business ideas to a Board of Directors, or whomever the decision-makers are for a particular company or group. A solid Business Proposal illustrates your competency and your professionalism. Your potential clients first impression of you is formulated after reading your proposal. Therefore, it's crucial to your success to create a persuasive Business Proposal, and this article will show you how.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. When starting your proposal focus on customer needs. Demonstrate to your potential client that you understand their needs, issues, and concerns.
   
   It's critical that you point out clear reasons early on, as to why your proposal will work; how and why your proposal is different from the norm. This can only be done if you have an understanding of the way the business works and know most, if not all, of their shortcomings.

2. 

   Focus on customer goals and outcomes. What are they looking to achieve? Your job is to point out how you can help them get there; how you can assist the corporation in achieving their collective goals.
   
   You must create a sense of urgency in the decision maker to proceed with your recommendation. Be persuasive in your written presentation in a manner that separates you from your competitors. This is why it's important to study the business inside and out before you present your proposal.

3. The theme of your proposal must be client-centered. Do not drift too far to the left or right in talking about yourself, your business, or even your experience. Your proposal is all about the client and how you can enhance their business, ultimately increasing their success and profits.
   
   Focus on products, applications (software/hardware), and services that you can offer that will assist the customer in meeting and exceeding their goals.

4. Prioritize your ideas and put them in the order of most important to the least important. Doing so gives the correct impression that you and your potential client are on the same page. The company's top concerns are what you are addressing first and foremost.

5. 

   Your proposal must clearly suggest, in no uncertain terms, that action must be taken. You can also point out what might happen if the company remains inactive. You will need to broach this issue in your proposal cautiously, as not to ruffle any feathers. This is the point in your proposal where you should include a brief scenario on ROI (Return On Investment) and how hiring you, or investing in your proposal, will increase the bottom line, two to three-fold.

Resources

• Write your own Business Plan