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Even with all the emerging technologies available to us nowadays, trying to grow a business still isn’t a walk in the park.

You have to think about money 24/7, making sure to separate business finances from personal. On top of that, you have to brainstorm the most creative strategy for your social media channels. Not to mention your employees, whom you need to keep engaged and motivated.

All of these are just the tip of the iceberg! You still have a long list of other things to consider to push your company forward. One of which seems so simple but is also so easily overlooked by most—creating a winning business proposal.

If landing new clients is part of your goals for 2023 and beyond, don’t underestimate the power of a good business proposal. Having this not only allows you to discuss the specifics of the project, your proposed solution, and rates, but it also gives you the freedom to sell the benefits of your solution and your company.

A business proposal is your chance to shine and, ideally, win a new client. So how do you make yours stand out against the competition? Below are seven tips you might need to write a winning business proposal.

Personalize, Personalize, Personalize!

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s wise to have a template of your proposal ready to go. It should already have your company’s general information, such as a brief introduction about what you do and a summary of your successful projects. However, personalization is what will set you apart from the rest.

Before sending any proposal, conducting extensive client research and discovery is critical. So before writing, consider the following questions first:

What position does the recipient hold inside the company?
Who makes the decisions?
What are the primary concerns of the recipient?
What support or resources currently exist for the recipient?
Does the recipient know about your products and business?
What is the recipient’s background in the industry?

By considering these fundamental questions, you can create a business proposal that speaks directly to your potential client and build a list of services and solutions that meet their needs.

Understand The Market Conditions To A T

You can’t start writing an effective business proposal without thoroughly researching the market first! Check out the client’s industry challenges and competitive environment.

Look at consumer habits, industry trends, and buying patterns. You can even spend some time each day conversing with consumers and other market participants (such as suppliers, competitors, partners, etc.). If you can, make sure that your research spans beyond the online realm.

Do Some Mind Mapping

Once you have the insights, answers, and ideas you need, the next step is to organize them into a coherent and compelling document.

The best way to do this is to create a mind map. With this, you can merge all concepts and their relationships into a single visual structure. Various online tools nowadays make it simple to record your ideas on a digital platform.

After mind mapping, you can arrange all your content into the core structure of a proposal document.

Make It Clean and Visually Appealing

The way your appearance looks matters just as much as the content inside of it. Add an eye-catching graphic on the cover page to draw the client’s attention. You can also use high-quality images, charts, and layouts to make your proposal easier to read. If you’re using product images, removing the image background can help make them look cleaner.

A well-designed proposal gives your client a sense that your company is professional and that you take your relationship with them seriously.

You can use a business proposal template or software to make your proposal look visually appealing. Alternatively, you can also hire a graphic designer.

Clarity Is Key!

Keep in mind that your prospects will probably be sifting through piles and piles of proposals. An overly wordy, convoluted, or complex document is the last thing they need.

Here are some suggestions to improve your proposal:

Keep your sentences brief. Seventeen words or less is the ideal length!
Organize your information in a sensible order. Don’t forget to use bullet points.
If your client provides a format, stick to it!

Additionally, information that is not necessary won’t improve your proposal. Discuss all important and relevant points and then go straight to a conclusion.

Include A Few Testimonials And A Call To Action

Share a few of your business’s success stories with your prospect. These anecdotes can support your claims and assist you in gaining the client’s trust by demonstrating your ability to deliver value.

Remember to add a call to action at the conclusion of your business proposal. Clients can only agree to something they are asked to do. So be bold and finish with a proactive call to action, such as setting a meeting to establish a timeframe or signing a contract.

Ask Someone To Review Your Document

For your document to convince leaders and investors, you must hand them peer-reviewed proposals.

Having a fresh pair of eyes look through your document will ensure that whatever you’re presenting has a concise and direct tone and is free of any professional jargon. Plus, they’ll make sure you haven’t overlooked any spelling or grammar errors.

Remember, most clients are typically not subject matter experts in your field, so it is vital that you provide information that is easy to understand.