Write a Proposal That Gets You Noticed

No matter what business you’re in, at some point you’ll probably be asked to submit a business proposal. When that time comes, it’s important to remember that the best company may not win the contract, but the best proposal likely will.
A proposal is more than a quote or description of how you would do the job. It’s a sales tool. Your proposal must be well written and do a fantastic job of selling you and your small business.

Every business proposal should include a description of the project and how you would complete the project. It should also include an estimated timeline for project completion and a breakdown of costs. But, for your proposal to stand out, it needs to have that something “extra” to help your potential client make his or her decision. Here are three ways to make your business proposals stand out from the crowd:

1. Describe the benefits of contracting your small business
Describing how your business will complete the project isn’t enough. Explain how and why you can do it better than your competitors. You may have included the benefits of hiring you on your website or in a brochure sent along with your proposal, but write them out here again anyway. When your prospect reads your proposal, don’t assume she will take the additional time needed to visit your website or read your marketing collaterals.

2. Include samples and testimonials
Your potential client may have come into your shop and seen your work. She may have visited your website and seen pictures of your previous projects. Perhaps you were highly recommended by a friend or acquaintance. But don’t rely on your prospect’s memory. Include samples or pictures of your work in your proposal. Include one or two relevant testimonials. Remind them why they liked you. Don’t take the chance that they’ll remember on their own, because they probably won’t.

3. Make it easy to read
Ensure your information is organized and easy to read. Use headings to separate the information you present. The appropriate font for your proposal is dictated by whether this will be a printed or online document. For a professional and easy to read printed proposal, try using Arial in the headings and Times New Roman in the body text. If it will be read online, Arial is an easier font to read than Times New Roman. For an online document, try Arial Bold for your headings and Arial for your body text.

No one can guarantee you’ll win every contract. But incorporating these elements into your proposals will ensure that they’ll be read and that they will leave a positive impression of your small business.

Denise Willms,a homeschooling mother of two, helps work-at-home-moms get targeted traffic to their websites through copywriting, article writing, and press releases. Subscribe to her newsletter, WAHM-Articles Ezine, and receive 105 Power Tips to Get Your Online Business Noticed and Profiting.

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