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How to write a business proposal

Karen Perks • November 28, 2022

Preparing to start writing a business proposal? Feeling overwhelmed and struggling to know where to start or what to include? We understand it can be daunting to put your business out there and potentially face rejection.

 

However, just as equally, a well-written business proposal could be the thing that launches your business into new levels of success. At Bid and Business Writers, we excel at crafting business proposals and have over 14 years of experience supporting businesses to put their best foot forward.

 

Whether you want our help to write your proposal or hope to manage the process on your own, we're here to help you make sense of how to write a business proposal letter.

What Is a Business Proposal?

 

A business proposal is a document that is prepared by a business to send to a client to work with them on a set project or form a partnership.

 

It is a form of promotional document that informs and persuades the client about how you can be of value to them and help you form beneficial relationships with other businesses. Before we answer the question ‘how do I write a business proposal?’ Let's review the different types of proposals.

Different Types of Business Proposals


Formally Solicited


In this scenario, a business you’d like to work with has formally requested you to submit a proposal to them. Your proposal will be in response to a public request and will cover specific points the business making the request has outlined.

 

You may have no former contact with the business and will be competing against many other businesses. If this is your first formal solicitation, you’re no doubt wondering how to write a business case proposal - we’ll delve into that further on.

Informally Solicited


An informally solicited proposal may come about as a result of an interaction between yourself and another business. In these situations, you are unlikely to be competing against other proposals and there may be fewer formalities attached.

Unsolicited


Acting as a form of cold-call marketing, an unsolicited proposal is a generic proposal that some businesses will hand out as a means of generating more connections with other businesses. 

A man and a woman are sitting at a table with a man holding a piece of paper.

How To Write A Good Business Proposal


So how do you write a business proposal and where do you begin? Just like grant proposals or government proposals, there tends to be an accepted format for how to put one together and not miss anything important.

 

Should you elect to use a pre-prepared template, be sure that it covers the essentials.

 

Your business proposal should include:

1.  A title page

Make this both professional and fun, creating intrigue on your title page will make the reader want to know more. Be sure to include your business name, contact details, date of submission and the name of your proposal. We recommend also including your company logo on this page.

 

Your title page should be both succinct and specific, able to convey the essential information about your business at a glance. 

2.  A table of contents

Clients will appreciate a document that is easy to navigate and a table of contents delivers this. Consider having your list cover, in chronological order, FAQs and specific concerns the client has so they can easily jump to the answers they need. 

3.  A cover letter

No more than one page, this cover letter is your chance to introduce yourself. It should include information about your business's background, your mission statement and your value proposition statement (your unique selling point).

 

Visual elements are welcome on a cover letter for a business proposal so don't be afraid to add some flair.

4.  An executive summary

The why of your proposal, this section details your intention behind sending the proposal and information about why you’re the best fit for the client's needs.

 

Be succinct and specific and demonstrate that you understand the client's issues and how your business is best placed to resolve these for them. Explain how you can benefit them and support them to achieve their goals and invite them to continue reading.

 

An executive summary should be between two to four pages long and on its own as a standalone document be easily understood.

5.  An outline of the problem and solution

While your executive summary touched on this, in this section you’ll go further into the details. Your summary defined the what and the why, now it's time for the how and the when.

 

These pages should include research and clear answers to questions your client will have regarding your proposal. This shows you have done your homework and take the proposal seriously.

6.  A pricing table

Every client will want a clear indication of what this proposal may cost them, it's recommended, where possible to include ‘options’ rather than flat rate fees. This gives the client flexibility and adds to your appeal.

7.  An ‘About Us’

Tell the story of your business, outline any conflicts you have resolved and the team that helped you achieve this. Position yourself as being on a journey with goals and a passion for learning and growing. This can help your client feel inspired to be part of your next chapter and helps them connect with you on a more personal level.

8.  Summary of your qualifications

Include customer reviews, former client feedback (with their permission), endorsements from other experts in your field, case studies, formal qualifications and training and more. This serves to legitimise your claims and build confidence in the reader.

9.  Terms of the agreement

Finally, clarify what you’re offering to the client and detail and terms and conditions. A proposal can be considered legally binding in some instances, so it is wise to check with a legal representative regarding your obligations.

 

Finish this section with a call to action and outline when you’ll be in touch.

Need Help?


We recognise that many business owners simply do not have the time to craft a business proposal amongst other important tasks. The good news is that instead of stressing over questions such as ‘how do you write a proposal for a business plan?’ you can simply outsource it to skilled professionals. 

 

At Bid and Business Writers, we make preparing a perfectly polished and professional business proposal a breeze. We are passionate about supporting your business to thrive and never miss another valuable opportunity. Call us today on 0482 072 929 to learn more. 

Resource Centre

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How a professional grant writer will improve your success rate of landing that grant

By Karen Perks • January 6, 2023
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How to write a government proposal

By Karen Perks • November 28, 2022
Are you familiar with how to write a grant proposal ? What about how to write a government grant proposal ? Are they different? What should you be aware of? Understanding how to write a proposal for funding from the government can mean the difference between having your proposal accepted or rejected. At Bid and Business Writers, we have extensive experience writing government proposals and a proven record of success. Whether you hope to write your government proposals in-house or wish to outsource their preparation to a specialist writer , we’re here to help you better understand what makes for a winning proposal. What Is a Government Proposal? Unlike a standard grant proposal, a government proposal is not written with the intention of securing funding for a project. Government proposals are prepared in the hope that a business can secure a lucrative contract with the government for a specific product or service. Also known as tender writing, governments often ask for tenders or bids for goods and services they require as a way of ensuring they are receiving the most competitive price. Government proposals can be for contracts at a federal, state and local level. Successful applicants for government proposals gain not only valuable contracts but grow their public profile and reputation. This is why preparing a polished proposal is essential for any business that hopes to grow and enjoy renewed success. Common Challenges With Government Proposals While government tenders follow a similar outline as a grant proposal, they have some unique challenges that can make them much more difficult to prepare. These challenges are including but are not limited to: Being hard to navigate with complex instructions and requirements Having strict word limits or page restrictions Being incredibly time-consuming to prepare Using industry-specific language that can be difficult to understand Needing a large team to manage the various components Requiring extensive additional support paperwork on top of the standard proposal inclusions As governments are taxpayer-funded organisations, there has to be absolute transparency throughout the tender process which is why these types of proposals present additional challenges. The good news is, that despite these challenges, it is still possible to write a winning proposal and win a coveted Government contract.
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How to write a grant proposal for non-profit

By Karen Perks • November 28, 2022
If you’ve ever written a grant proposal for a for-profit organisation you’ll know how involved they can be. However, what if you’re writing grant proposals for nonprofits? Do they differ greatly in content and presentation? In truth, yes. While the core elements remain the same, the narrative, formats and length of non-profit proposals can differ substantially. Grant funding is essential to the operation and long-term survival of most non-profit organisations and unsurprisingly it can be incredibly competitive. So how do you ensure your grant proposals for non-profit organisations stand out from hundreds of other applications? At Bid and Business Writers, we have the experience and skills you need to craft a winning proposal. Let us walk you through how to write a grant proposal for a non-profit and help your organisation thrive. What Is a Non-Profit Grant Proposal? Similar to for-profit grant proposals, a non-profit grant proposal seeks to obtain funding for a specific project. They are often more involved and require extensive input and preparation due to the nature of the projects. Grants can make up a significant portion of a non-profits funding. Governments , foundations and private institutions offering grants to thousands of worthy causes annually. They seek to match their available funding with the most appropriate organisation and they do this by reviewing grant proposals . Each proposal is intended to show the funders why your organisation needs the money or is more deserving of it than other applicants. Who Should Be Involved in A Non-Profit Grant Proposal? Non-profit grant proposals are often outsourced to professional grant writers. They may also involve the expertise of a fundraising consultant, development coordinator, fundraising director, board members, community leaders and more. Non-profit organisations, by virtue of being non-profit, often have limited resources or time to spend on the creation of lengthy grant proposals. As they rely heavily on the funding they are applying for, these proposals require focused expertise and skill.
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By Karen Perks • November 28, 2022
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What does a bid writer do?

By Karen Perks • November 28, 2022
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