PROPOSAL
WRITING
➢A proposal is a document that outlines a plan of
action, request for funding, or proposal of an idea.
➢Proposal writing can be used in various settings,
including business, academia, and government
What is a ➢In each case, the goal is to present a clear and
concise plan to convince the reader to approve the
Proposal? proposal.
➢It offers comprehensive information about the
project an organization wants to implement
➢It outlines the process and resources required to
complete the project successfully
➢It also includes the objectives and goals of the
project.
Types of Proposal Writing
➢Proposal writing is a vast field with various types of proposals
➢You can choose the type of proposal depending on your purpose.
Business Proposals
• Companies offer this type of proposal to their potential clients when
they want to win a project or contract.
• It outlines the company’s capabilities, experience, and resources. It
also includes information about the proposed project, including the
scope, timeline, and cost.
• Business proposals persuade the reader to invest in the company or
buy its products or services.
• The proposal must be convincing enough to make the reader want to
take action.
Solicited Proposals
➢These proposals are written in response to an RFP (request for
proposal) or a verbal request.
➢A customer asks for proposals from various vendors with specific
requirements.
➢The vendor then responds to the RFP with a proposal outlining how it
will meet the organization’s needs.
Unsolicited Proposals
• An unsolicited proposal is a proposal that the customer does not
request.
• It is a marketing tool used to generate new business opportunities.
The vendor identifies a potential problem or need of the customer
and writes a proposal outlining how the vendor’s product or service
can solve the problem.
• This type of proposal must be well-researched and carefully written
to convince the customer to consider the vendor’s solution.
• It brings the risk of being rejected outright as the customer may not
be interested in the solution you have offered.
Other types of proposals
• Grant Proposals
• Investment Proposals
• Internal Project Proposals
• Research Proposals
Steps to Write a Proposal?
• Proposal writing is an important skill to learn if you want to succeed
in business. It is a complex process that requires research, planning,
and writing.
• There are many different types of proposals, and each has its format
and structure.
• Here are the steps you need to take for the proposal writing process:
Identify Your Readers
• Before you start writing, you need to know your target audience
• It will help you determine what information to include in the proposal and
how to present it
• It is also necessary to tailor the proposal to the specific needs of the reader.
• If you are writing a proposal for a business client, you will need to include
information about your company, your products or services, and your
experience.
• You will also need to demonstrate why you are the best choice for the
project. If you are writing a research proposal, you will need to convince
the sponsor that your research is essential and have a sound plan to
execute it.
State Executive Summary
➢ As you start writing a proposal, you need to introduce your company or
yourself.
➢ The executive summary is a brief introduction to your company. The
introduction should be to the point.
➢ It should also include the products or services you offer or the research
you conduct.
➢ It should also describe how your organization will offer the client’s
needs.
➢ The goal is to give the reader an overview of what you do and why you
are the best choice for the project.
➢ You can also add a brief statement about your company’s history of
success in this section.
Mention The Purpose of the Proposal
• After the brief introduction, you need to state the purpose of your
proposal.
• It allows the reader to understand the objective of your proposal and
what you hope to achieve.
• The purpose can be to win a contract, get funding for a project, or
simply offer your services.
Explain The Solution
• After you have stated the problem, you need to offer a solution.
• The solution must be feasible, and it should address the reader’s
needs.
• It should also be cost-effective and efficient. Include the details of
your proposed solution in this section.
• Be sure to include any relevant data or statistics in this section. Also,
include a timeline for the completion of the project.
Introduce The Authority
• Introducing your company’s authority is vital as it enables the clients
to learn about the decision-makers.
• You can add the introduction and brief biographies of the team
members in this section.
• Include a brief description of the experience of the key members of
your organization.
• Also, highlight their achievements and notable projects they have
worked on.
• Your team’s experience and achievements will help the reader
understand your ability to complete the project.
Discuss The Budget
• After you have explained the solution, you need to discuss the
budget.
• The budget should be realistic and cover all the expenses associated
with the project.
• Include why you need the funds and how you will use them. Also,
explain the return on investment for the client.
Add a Request for Proposal Approval
• You can add a few lines at the end of your proposal requesting the
approval of the proposal.
• It shows your humbleness and respect for the client.
• It will also help the reader to understand that you are serious about
the project and ready to start work.
Add a Call-to-Action (CTA)
• A call to action is an essential element of a proposal.
• It helps the reader to understand what you want from them.
• You can add a call to action at the end of your proposal or in a
separate section.
• Adding a compelling CTA will encourage the reader to take the
desired action. You can use phrases like “Contact Us,” “Call us,” or
“Visit our Website” to encourage the reader to take action.
