You’ve done it. You’ve found the perfect one.
Whether you’ve known each other awhile or you just met, there is a definite spark, and you can see a happy partnership in the future. The only thing you need to do? Write a proposal. A business proposal.
A business proposal, sometimes referred to as an estimate or quote, is a document designed to persuade a potential client to buy your product or service.
And while it will probably have fewer flowers than a traditional marriage proposal (unless you’re in the floral industry), a good business proposal lets your client know exactly what they are getting, that they can trust you, and that you’re committed to meeting their needs through it all, for better or for worse.
There are two main types of business proposals: solicited and unsolicited.
Solicited proposals are requested by a potential client when they have a problem that you can solve or a need your business can meet, whereas unsolicited proposals aim to bring in new clients who may be otherwise unfamiliar to your business or services.
Whether solicited or unsolicited…
A good business proposal has three main parts: a statement of the problem that needs to be fixed, your proposed solution, and the price of your services. Sometimes this can be accomplished in just one short page, but longer-form proposals are ideal for bigger projects.
There are a lot of fish in the sea and a client is often being presented with several business proposals, so it’s important that yours is clear, concise, and stands out from the competition.
Your proposal should have…
A Title Page. This is where you introduce yourself and your business, so make sure you’re putting your best foot forward with a photograph or appropriate graphic and an eye catching layout. You’ll want to make sure it includes your name, your company’s name, the date you submitted the proposal and the person or organization to whom you are making the proposal.
A Table of Contents. This lets your future client know exactly what the proposal covers. If you’re presenting the proposal in an online format, make sure each link can be clicked on and will bring the client to that exact portion of the proposal.
Executive Summary. This explains your “why”: why you are the best option for the client, and why you’re sending the proposal. This summarizes the whole proposal, and your client should be able to easily understand how you can help them by just reading this summary.
Event Overview. This is where you summarize the need or problem the client is experiencing. This shows them that you hear what they need, and that you’re here to help!
Recommended Services. This is where you show them that you have an answer to their needs and are the solution to their problems (even if they didn’t know they had them yet). Make sure this is clear and provides a description of what you’re going to do, how you’re going to do it, and your expected time frame.
Qualifications. Brag a little bit! This is where you tell the client about your experience and qualifications, and why you’re the absolute best option for meeting their needs. If you have any special licenses, accreditations, or positive feedback from other clients, make sure to mention it here.
Pricing. This is where you’re going to let your client know how much your services or products cost. Ideally, you’ll be able to list some pricing options in this section, allowing some flexibility for your prospective clients.
Terms and Conditions. This is a summary of your agreement with the client if they choose to use your services or products. It’s where you list the important details, like the timeline of the project, payment schedules, and it clarifies all legal terms and conditions for both you and the client.
Signature. Leave a spot for the client to sign if they agree to the terms of the proposal. Don’t forget to add another spot that includes their best contact information so you can reach out to them if they have any unanswered questions.
While there isn’t a one size fits all approach to business proposals, we hope these tips will help you and your clients create incredible partnerships. Not quite sure where to start? Then don’t hesitate to reach out today. We at Alpha Moose are here to help you find your business happily ever after.
– AME
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