If you’re looking to send better proposals in 2023, you’ve come to the right place! It’s no secret that a great proposal can make or break a business deal, so taking the time to improve them is crucial. There are a few key things you can do to up your proposal game. 

4 Ways to send winning proposals

To get the most out of your proposals, there are a few simple steps you can take.

1. Rather than broadening the scope of your proposal, go deeper

Four to five years ago, proposals usually contained nine sections, including a background of the customer, a cover letter, an executive summary, about us, a scope of work, a timeline, pricing, terms, and a conclusion. Today, proposals have seven sections; Cover letter, about us, scope of work and pricing, timeline, case study, and terms. 

Although there are two fewer sections, the content of today’s proposals is 70% more expansive. This is because customers are looking for more detail, especially when it comes to the scope and pricing of the project. 

Cover letter

In a proposal, this is particularly important as you want to make sure your potential client knows who they’ll be working with and have confidence in your ability to deliver what they need. 

Your cover letter should include some key points, such as thanking them for considering your proposal, outlining what you can offer and how this aligns with their needs, highlighting relevant experience or qualifications, and ending on a positive note with an invitation to discuss further or answer any questions they may have.

Scope of work 

In order to ensure that customers are more likely to accept a proposal, it is essential to explain the scope of the project in an understandable and clear way. This means that any potential customer should be able to understand exactly what they are getting for their money.  By giving a clear breakdown of the scope of the project, customers are more likely to be willing to accept the proposal than simply summarising it in a few sentences. 

Pricing

When putting together a proposal for potential clients, it’s crucial to include pricing information. It can be tempting to leave this out in hopes of negotiating higher rates later on or not wanting to scare off the client with a high price tag, but transparency is key. 

Be upfront about your fees and break them down as much as possible so the client understands exactly what they’re paying for. 

Additionally, including pricing demonstrates that you’re organized and professional. Your proposal will appear more complete and legitimate, which will ultimately make the client more comfortable moving forward with you. So don’t be afraid to put it all out there – it just might help seal the deal.

Timeline

Did you know that clients are more likely to accept a proposal if it includes a timeline? 

It’s true! 

When clients see a clear and organized plan of action, they tend to feel more confident in the project and what to expect. Timelines can make the proposal more tangible and give clients an idea of when things will happen. They also show that you value their time and recognize the importance of hitting deadlines. 

A detailed timeline can help set expectations for both parties, making it easier to move forward with the project. So if you’re trying to win over a client, consider adding a clear and concise timeline to your proposal. It may just make all the difference!

Case study

Including a case study in your proposal is an effective way to increase its chances of being accepted. Case studies provide real-life examples that demonstrate how the proposed solution can work in practice. 

When decision-makers see concrete evidence of successful outcomes for others facing similar challenges, they are more likely to trust that the proposed solution will work for them too. The case study should be relevant and tailored to the specific context of the proposal, with data and testimonies from key stakeholders impacted by the problem at hand. 

By presenting a case study in a clear and concise manner, you can help decision-makers understand the problem, recognize its complexity, and visualize how your solution could make a difference. By including these details, customers can make an informed decision about the project and enter into a contract with confidence.

Terms & Conditions/Sign off

When drafting a proposal, it is important to include a set of Terms and Conditions to protect your firm. These Terms and Conditions should address the scope of the proposal, the time frame for completion, payment terms, and any other applicable policies. 

The Terms and Conditions should clearly outline the extent of the firm’s responsibilities and the expectations of the client.

2. Deliver it quickly

If you want to stay ahead of the competition, you need to be quick. The majority of successful proposals are sent in just under an hour, so you need to act swiftly to ensure that you don’t miss out. 

Time is of the essence when it comes to getting ahead in the business world, so make sure that you don’t hesitate to submit your proposal as soon as you have the necessary information. 

Prioritising speed is especially important if you are competing against other businesses. The faster you can get your proposal out, the better chances you have of success. But how do people do that? 

Ahhh, automation!!!

Today more than ever, automation is the key to success. By automating the process of creating and submitting your proposal, you can save time and energy while ensuring accuracy. Automation with the help of proposal software allows you to quickly and easily create, manage, and submit your proposal with fewer errors and at a faster rate. 

Automating the process also helps you streamline the proposal review process, ensuring that your proposal is seen by the right people, in the right order, and as quickly as possible. With proposal software, you can also track the progress of your proposal, so you can always know what’s going on and adjust your strategy if needed. 

3. eSign the proposal before sending 

Countersigning is an important step in the process of sending a proposal or contract to a client. It is the act of signing the document to show that you have read and understood it and are willing to accept the terms and conditions set out in it. This is usually done by the person who is responsible for the proposal or contract. 

Countersigning is a form of assurance that the document is in good order and that all parties involved are aware of its contents. It also serves as a form of protection for both parties in the event that there is a dispute or disagreement about the terms of the document. This is why it is important to countersign any documents before sending them to a client.

What else improves your close rate when it comes to sign-offs? Electronic signature!!!

With electronic signatures, you can quickly and effortlessly sign documents from anywhere in the world, saving time and money. This eliminates the need for paper forms and costly overnight delivery services. Beyond the ease and security of electronic signatures, they can also help to streamline your workflow, making it easier to close deals faster and more efficiently.

4. Don’t make it boring

The close rate is affected by multiple factors, from the quality of the proposal to the suitability of the proposal for the customer’s needs. However, one factor that many people overlook is the modern features that make the proposal more attractive and easy-to-use.

Modern features can help to attract customers and make the proposal more appealing to them. Features such as a modern design and easy-to-navigate interface can make the proposal more attractive and inviting for customers to read. 

Additionally, features such as multimedia content, interactive elements, and additional resources can also help to make the proposal more attractive and easy to use. These features can make it easier for customers to understand the proposal and make a decision on whether to accept or reject it.