Tips For Writing A Winning Business Proposal

Writing  a strong business proposal is like a skill that every business professional should learn. Below, we’ll explore each part of a great proposal, with simple language, real examples, and useful stats. Also, if you still think doing this on your own is like an uphill task, then you may opt for Business Proposal Writing Services. There are numerous service providers who help professionals in writing outstanding business proposals.

1.     Know Who You’re Writing For

Before writing, take time to research your client. Understand:

➔        What they do

➔        What problem they need solved

➔        What results they expect

Stat: According to the report of 2024 conducted by Bidsketch, almost 82% of winning proposals were customized according to the business of clients.

➢        Tip: Use the name of the client, write about their goals, and show that you have done your homework.

2.     Use a Clear and Short Executive Summary

Your summary is the first thing they’ll read. Make it count. This section should answer three key questions:

➔        What is the problem?

➔        What do you propose?

➔        What results will they get?

Use bullet points and keep it 300 words.

3.     Explain the Solution Simply

Once you state the problem, explain your solution. Break it into easy steps.

➢        Example Format:

➔        Step 1

Initial planning and setup

➔        Step 2

Execution or delivery

➔        Step 3

Review and feedback

➢        Stat: Proposals that explain processes clearly have a 25% higher chance of being accepted (Proposify, 2024).

4.     Add a Timeline

A timeline helps build trust. It shows you are organized and realistic.

Sample Timeline Table:

Keep it simple and try not to overpromise.   

5.     Provide Honest And Clear Pricing

Be upfront about the cost. Use a neat table. Break down your prices by service.

➢        Pricing Table Example:

➢        Fact: Proposals that have prices according to the items are 30% more likely to get approval as compared to a single lump sum price.

Tip: Always mention things that are not included to avoid confusion.

6.     Add Proof and Testimonials

Clients trust results. Add short case studies, reviews, or stats from past work. Here is a quick example for a testimonial:

"The team delivered on time, and our site traffic doubled in two months!" — Sarah L., Dublin-based retailer

➢        Stat: According to 58% of clients, the past results are the biggest factor in picking a vendor. (Forrester, 2024).

7.     Keep It Easy to Read And Visually Clean

Most clients skim, not read. So, keep your layout clean. Use:

➔        Headings

➔        Bullet points

➔        Short paragraphs

➔        Tables and visuals

➢        Chart: Proposal Design vs Success Rate

The above chart shows the success rate for poor, average, and clean.
Clean proposals convert 40% more clients as compared to poorly formatted ones.

8.     Include a Call to Action (CTA)

Tell the readers what they have to do next.

➢        Example:

“Please reply by Friday to confirm and schedule a meeting. We’re ready to get started.” Don’t just end the proposal with a thank you. Give them a next step.

9.     Keep It Short

Clients are busy. Long proposals get ignored.

➢        Ideal Length by Type:

➢        Stat: Almost 68% of decision makers say that a proposal under 10 pages is ideal (Forbes,2023)

So, you can also ask for help from professionals like Ghostwriters UK. They will help you in writing a document that stands out.

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10.Use Tools That Make It Easier

Many online tools help you build professional proposals fast.

➢        Popular Tools:

1. Canva

For design and layout

2. Proposify

For proposal templates and tracking

3. DocSend

To track if a client opened the file

Using these tools will result in saving you time and improving your success rate.

A proposal that checks all these boxes is more likely to be accepted.