So you were asked by a would-be client to submit a proposal. Maybe he or she is a happy client and would want to know other solutions you might have for them. Or maybe the request came from a rigorous business meeting with a prospect about what that target client needs. It may also be on the basis of how effective your newsletter printing or print newsletters are in marketing your business. Whatever the reason for it, the fact remains that you are going to create a proposal that would make your prospect see your distinct offer and benefits.
A proposal is your chance to set yourself apart from the rest of your competition. You would be listing all the great ways why your target clients should engage in business with you. What you need now are tips on how you can make an excellent proposal.
One of the best proposals is that which can respond appropriately to the requirements of the one requesting it. For you to write a power-packed proposal that will give you the chance to stand out and land that sale, your proposal should be responsive to the request.
It should be responsive. Coming from a request, your proposal would definitely be provided a recipe for you to follow. So much so that the amount of improvising you would do to your proposal should be at a minimum, if not very cautiously applied. You are getting points based not on how creative you would be, but on how well you follow instructions and how well you listen.
And although customers requesting for proposals would like to see you demonstrate your creativity and problem solving expertise, they would also be looking for somebody who can work according to their specifications. It’s ironic really because they would want to see a straightforward proposal based on their specifications. But they also appreciate one that would let them see how well you are with improvising.
Thus, you need to find a compromise – one that would fill the required request while showing how creative you are. You would have more freedom if you’re given free rein on the framework for your proposal. But it would be a big responsibility as you will have to define a path for your framework.
So be clear on what your target customer wants and what issues he or she wants to address. Don’t guess because you will never get the nod that way.
By knowing first the parameters that your prospect wants you to work on, you would more likely provide an effective proposal that would mean greater chances of having your prospect become a real customer.