An Insider’s Tips for Writing Compelling Business Proposals

A business proposal is a brief but definitive tool to win major contracts. It’s a chance to convey your expertise and experience to potential clients. But it’s not as simple as it seems. When you’re one of the hundreds competing for a contract, your proposal has to stand out. So how can you make that happen? Here are a few tips for writing business proposals that close the deal:

Know your customer
Before drafting a proposal, it’s important to understand the requirements of your customer. A client is interested in knowing how your services can solve their problems. Your business proposal should address a prospect’s challenges instead of solely focusing on your skills and services.

Personalise it for clients
Just because a proposal worked for one client doesn’t mean it will certainly work for the next. Remember there are several other competitors wooing a prospect. Therefore, you should customise the proposal to meet the specific requirements of a client.

Make it relevant
A business proposal isn’t a platform for storytelling. A prospect shouldn’t have to go through unnecessary details to find relevant information. While crafting a business proposal, make sure it clear, concise and direct.
On the other hand, don’t supply insufficient information for the sake of making it succinct. A credible business proposal contains claims and propositions that are supported by adequate evidence.

Mention Unique Selling Point
What’s the point if your proposal has nothing unique to offer? In addition to mentioning solutions for the client’s requirements, your proposal should also contain the unique selling point of your business. A beneficial USP drastically increases your chances of winning a contract.

Don’t overlook presentation
It is crucial to pay attention to the visual appeal of your business proposal. At times, even experts make the mistake of ignoring the presentation thinking the content should be enough to sway clients. A well-designed business proposal will catch the attention of prospects and also make comprehension easier. It’s not an exaggeration to say the presentation is just as important as the content.

Meticulous proofreading
This might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised to know how many grammatical errors slip through. When you’ve spent several days or weeks composing a business proposal, your familiarity with the document makes it difficult to notice mistakes. Therefore, before submitting a proposal ensure you’ve proofread it several times. Furthermore, you should get your peers involved and ask them to review it for you. Don’t let a silly spelling error be the reason for rejection.

We hope these tips help you write an impactful and engaging business proposal. However, not everyone is blessed with writing skills. If that’s the case, get in touch with a technical writing professional to make the most of a business opportunity.