How to Write a Proposal in 10 Easy Steps

Summary

In this Visme video, Mike Plogger outlines 10 steps to crafting an effective business proposal, emphasizing the importance of understanding your audience and detailing your company's offerings. He covers creating a compelling cover page, drafting a personalized cover letter, and providing a clear table of contents. The video also highlights the necessity of an executive summary, outlining solutions, detailing services, showcasing your team, explaining pricing, and including terms and conditions. Plogger concludes with the importance of a strong call to action, encouraging viewers to try Visme's free templates for a professional touch.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video introduces 10 steps to create an effective business proposal, emphasizing the importance of understanding the audience's needs and how to address them.
• 🔍 It highlights the necessity of knowing your audience's problems, goals, and values to tailor the proposal effectively.
• 🏢 The presenter suggests considering three fundamental aspects of your company: basic details, proof of knowledge and experience, and service details including costs.
• 📝 The cover page should include essential information like company name, logo, contact details, and a personalized touch with a date and descriptive details.
• 📜 A cover letter should introduce the company, its history, services, and why it stands out from competitors.
• 📚 The table of contents is essential for guiding the audience through the proposal and making it easy to navigate.
• 📈 The executive summary should set the stage by explaining the value of the proposal, the audience's struggles, and how the company can solve them.
• 🛠️ The solution section is crucial, detailing the problem, the proposed strategy to solve it, and a personalized timeline.
• 🔎 A dedicated page should outline services in detail, answering potential questions and clarifying what clients can expect.
• 👨‍💼 The 'About Us' page should include bios and photos of the team, industry recognition, awards, and testimonials to build trust.
• 💼 Clear pricing options should be presented, with reasoning behind the figures to show transparency and value.
• 📑 Terms and conditions should be detailed, including agreement duration, payment details, project completion timetable, and amendment procedures.
• 🎯 The proposal should end with a call to action, guiding the reader on the next steps to take, such as signing or making a payment.

Q & A

What are the 10 steps for creating a business proposal as mentioned in the video?

The video outlines 10 steps for creating a business proposal: 1) Design the cover page, 2) Write a cover letter, 3) Include a table of contents, 4) Draft the executive summary, 5) Outline the problem and solution, 6) Detail your services, 7) Create an 'About Us' page, 8) Display pricing options, 9) Add terms and conditions, and 10) Propose an offer with a call to action.

Why is understanding your audience crucial in preparing a business proposal?

Understanding your audience is crucial because it allows you to tailor your proposal to their specific needs, goals, and values. This personalization helps convince them that your business or service is the best fit for their requirements.

What information should be included in the cover page of a business proposal?

The cover page should include the company name and logo, contact information, a date, and any descriptive details that make the proposal look organized and personalized for the viewer.

How does the cover letter in a business proposal differ from the cover page?

The cover letter is the first page after the cover page and serves as an introduction to your company, its history, and the unique services it offers. It briefly mentions why your services are capable of handling the audience's needs better than competitors.

What is the purpose of the table of contents in a business proposal?

The table of contents enhances the viewing experience by outlining what sections are included in the proposal, making it easier for the viewer to navigate and find specific information they are interested in.

Why is the executive summary an important part of a business proposal?

The executive summary sets the stage by explaining the value of the proposal, identifying the audience's struggles, and how the company can solve them. It engages the audience and encourages them to continue reading the proposal.

What should be included when outlining the solution in a business proposal?

When outlining the solution, you should include the desired final outcome, a timeline for when the work will be done, and specific tactics that will solve the identified problem, personalized to the needs of the proposal's reviewer.

How does detailing your services in the proposal help the reader?

Detailing your services helps the reader by answering common questions they may have about your offerings. It provides clarity on what working with you would entail, from start to finish.

What is the role of the 'About Us' page in a business proposal?

The 'About Us' page serves to reinforce the company's uniqueness, showcase industry recognition, and provide proof of capability through awards, testimonials, and case studies. It helps build trust with the reader.

Why is it important to have clear pricing options in a business proposal?

Clear pricing options are important because they provide transparency and help the reader understand the costs associated with your services. It also allows them to make an informed decision about whether to proceed.

What should be included in the terms and conditions section of a business proposal?

The terms and conditions section should include the duration of the agreement, payment dates and details, the timetable for project completion, expectations from all parties, and provisions for amending the agreement.

How does a call to action in a business proposal encourage the reader to take the next step?

A call to action guides the reader on what they need to do next to move forward with your proposal, such as signing a contract or making a payment. It should be clear, simple, and persuasive to encourage action.

Outlines

00:00

📈 Introduction to Crafting a Business Proposal

The paragraph introduces the topic of business proposals, distinguishing them from marriage proposals with a touch of humor. It sets the stage for a video by Mike Plogger, who aims to guide viewers through the process of creating an effective business proposal using Visme's tools and templates. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of understanding the audience's needs, goals, and values, and how the company can address these through its services. It also outlines the preliminary steps in preparing a business proposal, such as gathering basic company details, showcasing qualifications and experience, and outlining the services offered, their costs, and the process involved.

05:01

📝 The 10-Step Guide to a Masterful Business Proposal

This paragraph delves into the specifics of the 10-step process for creating a compelling business proposal. It begins with the creation of a cover page, emphasizing the inclusion of essential information like company name, logo, and contact details, along with a personalized touch like a date and descriptive details. The paragraph continues with the importance of a cover letter that introduces the company and its unique selling points. It then discusses the necessity of a table of contents for a smooth navigation experience. The core of the proposal is the executive summary, which should outline the problem, the company's solution, and the value it provides. The paragraph also covers the need to articulate a clear future vision if the proposal is accepted, including outcomes and a timeline. It advises on detailing the services offered, creating an 'About Us' page to build trust, presenting pricing options clearly, and including terms and conditions. The paragraph concludes with the importance of a call to action to guide the reader towards the next steps in accepting the proposal.

Keywords

💡Business Proposal

A business proposal is a formal document that aims to persuade a potential client or partner to work with your business. It outlines the project, the problem it addresses, and how your business can offer a solution. In the video, the theme revolves around creating an effective business proposal using Visme's tools and templates, emphasizing the importance of understanding the audience and tailoring the proposal to their needs.

💡Templates

Templates in this context refer to pre-designed layouts that can be used as a starting point for creating business proposals. Visme offers free, professionally designed templates that can be customized to fit the specific needs of a business proposal. The video mentions that these templates can help speed up the process of creating a proposal and ensure a professional appearance.

💡Audience Understanding

Understanding the audience is crucial for crafting a compelling business proposal. It involves knowing their problems, goals, values, and how they can be addressed. The video stresses the importance of this step, as it lays the foundation for creating a proposal that resonates with the audience's needs and convinces them to take action.

💡Company Background

Company background refers to the history, qualifications, and personal background of a business. In the video, it's mentioned as one of the fundamental aspects to consider when creating a proposal. Sharing this information helps potential clients understand why they should choose your company over others.

💡Proof of Knowledge and Experience

This concept refers to demonstrating your business's expertise and track record in the field. The video suggests making it clear that you understand your audience's needs and are capable of helping them. This can be achieved by showcasing relevant experience, qualifications, or case studies.

💡Service Details

Service details encompass what the business offers and the associated costs. The video emphasizes the need to be transparent about the services provided and their pricing. This information is crucial for potential clients to make an informed decision about partnering with your business.

💡Cover Page

The cover page is the first thing a viewer sees in a proposal. The video advises including essential information like the company name, logo, and contact details. It sets the tone for the proposal and should be designed to look professional and personalized.

💡Cover Letter

A cover letter in a business proposal serves as an introduction to the company and its services. The video script suggests using it to briefly explain the company's history and why its services are unique, providing a compelling reason for the audience to consider the proposal.

💡Table of Contents

The table of contents in a proposal provides an overview of the document's structure. As mentioned in the video, it helps guide the reader through the proposal, making it easier for them to find specific sections and understand what to expect.

💡Executive Summary

An executive summary is a brief section at the beginning of a proposal that highlights the key points. The video explains that it should set the stage by explaining the problem and how the company can solve it, providing value to the audience and engaging them to read further.

💡Solution

In the context of a business proposal, a solution refers to the strategy or tactics the business will use to address the client's needs. The video emphasizes the importance of outlining a clear solution, including a timeline, to show the audience how their problems can be resolved through the proposed services.

💡About Us

The 'About Us' section in a proposal provides more personal insight into the company or team behind the services. The video suggests including bios, photos, and any industry recognition to build trust and credibility with the audience.

💡Pricing Options

Pricing options refer to the different packages or services a business offers, along with their costs. The video highlights the importance of presenting these options clearly and with a professional design to help potential clients make an informed decision.

💡Terms and Conditions

Terms and conditions outline the legal aspects of the agreement, including duration, payment details, and project completion timetable. The video advises including these to clarify what is agreed upon and to ensure both parties understand their obligations.

💡Call to Action (CTA)

A call to action is a prompt encouraging the audience to take the next step, such as signing a contract or making a payment. The video emphasizes the importance of making the CTA clear and persuasive to guide the audience towards completing the proposed action.

Highlights

10 steps to create a successful business proposal

Visme offers free professionally designed templates for business proposals

Understanding your audience's needs is crucial for a compelling proposal

Include company history, accomplishments, and qualifications to build trust

Outline the problem and your tailored solution in the proposal

The executive summary should highlight the value and unique selling points of your services

Create a detailed table of contents for easy navigation

Use the cover page to personalize and organize your proposal

Write a compelling cover letter to introduce your company and services

Provide a clear timeline and desired outcome in the solution section

Outline your services in detail to answer potential client questions

Include an 'About Us' page to showcase your team and credibility

Present clear pricing options and the reasoning behind them

Add terms and conditions to set expectations and legal boundaries

End with a call to action to guide the reader towards the next steps

Visme's design tools can help make your proposal visually appealing and professional

Encourage viewers to subscribe and like the video for more helpful content

Transcripts

there's marriage proposals and then

there's

business proposals both a challenge in

their own right but one has 10 steps

that are guaranteed to help

[Applause]

[Music]

hello world it's me mike plogger back

with another visme video to help you

prepare for your next

business venture while visme can help

you with a vast array of business

projects

and strategies one thing we don't

specialize in

is marriage proposals if you haven't

gotten on any yet we'll let you figure

that one out on your own but

one proposal we can help you with is a

business proposal

not only do we have professionally

designed templates available for free

on our website but in this video i'm

going to share

10 simple steps for getting started and

nailing your next proposal

stick with me and you'll have new

clients and customers

in no time so without further ado

shall we

before we hop into those 10 steps let's

first discuss the business proposal at

its core

their purpose convince someone who's

intrigued but

not necessarily convinced to take action

with your business or service

your job is to provide that little nudge

to lock them in

in order for this to happen it's up to

you to first fully understand your

audience and

what drives them what's their problem

what are their goals and values and of

course

how can you help them with their wants

and needs

once you have a good understanding of

your audience it's time to consider

three fundamental aspects of your own

company

the basic details of your company note

your history accomplishments

qualifications or even personal

background anything to help a viewer

understand

why they should choose you proof of your

knowledge and experience

make it clear you understand your

audience's needs and

are able to help details about what it

is you do and

how much it costs what's the process for

your service to

provide solutions and how much would it

cost

have all of this information at the

ready before you begin

designing it'll help later on as you

plug them into your proposal

and to help you visme has templates like

this that are already queued up with

similar information but that's just the

beginning let's dive

head first into the 10 steps of creating

a masterful proposal

where else would you start besides the

cover page

design it as you see fit maybe our

videos on presentation design ideas

could help

but make sure to include the pertinent

information like

company name and logo and any contact

information

to go the extra mile in a short and easy

step

include a date and any descriptive

details see our example

these two elements will help your

proposal look both organized

and personalized to your viewer it will

assure them that this isn't just a

generic proposal but

one built specifically for them

your first page after the flip should be

a cover letter

in your own words introduce your company

and why it is you do what you do

mention the history of your company

perhaps how you got started and

how you've grown to develop the services

you now offer

most importantly briefly mention why

your services

are unique and capable of handling your

audience's needs

better than any other potential

competitors

the third page of a strong proposal is

the table of contents

this will help enhance the viewing

experience for an onlooker who

maybe isn't fully sure what to expect

they'll understand

what's coming next and if they revisit

the proposal later on

they can easily find what they're

looking for without flipping through

various pages

this is a critical step to help them as

they're about to make a decision

the proposal as a whole is meant to

guide the audience towards making a

specific decision so

help guide them even more with a proper

table of contents

[Music]

okay now we start to get into the meat

and potatoes of your proposal

the executive summary sets the stage

with the problem

and solution section which i'll get into

here shortly

first thing you'll cover in your

executive summary is why should your

audience

read your proposal what value are you

providing

then start to mention the struggles your

audience is likely having and

how your company can solve them through

your unique services

as you write this keep in mind the word

why

why do they need your help why are you

different from other similar companies

why should they choose you if you do

this correctly your audience will be

engaged and locked in

as they continue through the rest of

your proposal

step five is the most crucial of this

entire

video it's time to outline the solution

that you're suggesting

first share what the future will look

like

should your proposal be accepted this

includes the desired final outcome

and a timeline to answer any questions

as to when

the work will be done you should be

specific here as you address the

particular needs of

whomever is reviewing your proposal so

let's break it down

why does your proposal exist what's the

problem

this must be identified and expressed

use this section to provide clarity as

to why your audience needs your help

proving you have a full understanding of

what they need

will go a very long way the second part

of this step

is the solution what's your strategy

what specific tactics do you have that

will

solve the problem include that timeline

i mentioned and

personalize it as much as you can make

it clear that this proposal was designed

specifically for one purpose

in one audience once you've done that

you're moving on to step six

up next is a page all by itself that's

meant to be

extremely specific outline your services

this differs from our previous step in

that step five was a bit more generic

step six is more detailed think of

questions you've received over and over

again from previous proposals use this

area as an opportunity to answer them

and if it's your first proposal do your

best to anticipate what questions your

clientele may have

and answer them ahead of time after this

section

your reader should have a very strong

idea of what working with you from

beginning to end

would be like should they accept your

proposal

as you start to approach the conclusion

of your proposal

create an about us page include a bio

and a photo of yourself

or your team as you reiterate why you're

so unique

what industry recognition have you

received any awards or

acknowledgement through testimonials

what about proof through previous case

studies

this is a great time to truly sell

yourself and

prove that you can be trusted

step 8 is when it's time to display the

pricing options you offer

the different options should be clear

this is where a professional

yet free design service like fizz me can

really help

we have templates available to anyone

that were built with

easy understanding in mind this will

also likely be the page that is most

often revisited so

it should have an appealing and

organized design

include any specifics of your pricing

and be prepared to explain

why you came to those numbers so it

doesn't appear like they're just

completely random specific reasoning

is important

now it's time to get technical and maybe

even legal

in step nine it's time to add your terms

and conditions

this includes the duration of the

agreement payment dates and details

the timetable for project completion and

what's expected from all the parties and

also a section on ways the agreement can

be amended by either party

essentially this is the summary on

exactly what is being agreed to

if you have a legal team to review this

well

even better get them involved to fill in

any holes that may be missing

and our last step proposing an offer

with a call to action

after all asking your reader to take the

next step with you or your company

is what completes a proposal whatever it

may be whether

a signature or a payment page guide your

reader to completing that step

with ease make it as clear simple and

persuasive

as possible as to what needs to happen

next to move forward

if your proposal is digital visme allows

you to place cta buttons

right inside your proposal partnering

with you is just

a click away and so is visme.com

as we wrap up this video you should be

prepared to write an effective proposal

to land your next client and i know i've

said this already but

give visme a try if you haven't already

the templates will speed up the process

while making you look like a true design

professional

head to visme.com now to get started

thank you so much for watching please

don't hesitate to drop us a like or

even subscribe to our channel go ahead

and browse through our playlist of

videos to see

how we can help you in other ways in the

meantime

good luck with your next proposal if you

follow our steps you'll be just

fine with visme i'm mike plogger helping

you

make information beautiful

you