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Proposal Writing Strategies |
By:
DJ Nelson |
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There are two main reasons to write a business proposal. Either
someone has invited you to submit a RFP (Request for Proposal);
or you are trying to gain support or funding from your employer
or another organization.
When drafting a proposal the most important thing to keep in
mind is that the reader is looking for benefits; they want to
know how your product, service, or idea adds value to their
operation. Therefore your proposal must be well-written and it
also must clearly indicate how you can fulfill a current need.
Here are a few tips to help you improve your proposal:
1. Make the proposal about your customer. A proposal is not the
time to tell about your mission, your locations, or how long you
have been in business. Instead you should state how these (or
any other) aspects benefit your client.
2. Show and don't tell. Do not tell your prospect what you can
do for them, but show them using clear examples. Avoid
unsubstantiated hype like "best value", "low risk", and "cutting
edge"; unless you are willing to prove it.
3. Be careful not to include irrelevant information. If you are
making the proposal about the reader, and showing instead of
telling, then you should have no problem with this.
4. If you are responding to a RFP, read the request more than
once. You want to ensure that you completely grasp the
requirements.
5. Show your creditability. Who have you worked with before? How
did you help them and how does that relate to the company you
are submitting this proposal to?
6. Watch your language. It is very important to make sure your
proposal is politically correct. Additionally, you want to avoid
jargon unless it is commonly known in the field you are
targeting. Also, avoid writing in passive voice.
7. Include samples if it is appropriate. This is a great way to
show that you are capable of handling the job.
8. Be specific. State your time frame for completing the project
and your rates (if applicable). This will help eliminate
differences in expectations.
9. Above all, if you are a poor writer, seek assistance.
Proposal writing is time-consuming and it requires a certain
amount of skill.
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Article Source: http://www.PopularArticles.com/article25617.html |
Article: Proposal Writing Strategies
Author: DJ Nelson
Total Views: 37
Word Count: 345
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