A business proposal is a formal, written document outlining a specific offer to provide products or services. Proposals are tailored to individual clients and often submitted in response to Requests for Proposals (RFPs).
Proposals can be initiated by an idea that you want to present to potential clients or partners. They are commonly used as a stage in the sales process, preceding a purchasing decision.
The 10 steps of proposal writing are:
- Clarify your objectives
- Analyze your audience
- Get your thoughts on paper
- Group and label your thoughts
- Edit
- Write your draft down
- Make an outline
- Sequence your thoughts
- Add the finishing touches
- Proofread and edit
Proposals usually contain:
- A cover page
- A table of contents
- A summary
- An introduction
- A statement of the problem or need
- Scope of work: outcomes, deliverables, timelines, and solution approach
- Terms and conditions
- A company overview and qualifications
- Agreement or signature page
- Appendices
