Whether you are seeking funding for a new project or trying to win a contract, your proposal needs to be well-written and convincing.

A proposal template can help you do just that. By having a standardized template, you can save time and money by not having to reinvent the wheel each time you need to submit a proposal.

Not only will using a proposal template save you time, but it will also improve the quality of your proposals. Having a consistent format will make it easier for potential clients to understand your offer and increase the likelihood that they’ll accept it. It can help you organize your thoughts and present your case in a logical, coherent manner. A good template will also include tips and strategies for writing an effective proposal.

There are many different types of proposal templates available, so it is important to choose one that is appropriate for your specific needs. 

And choosing the appropriate template requires a proposal template strategy. In this article, we will talk about proposal templates and the strategies behind them.

What is a proposal template strategy?

A proposal template is a document that provides a guide for an organization, business, or individual to create a formalized request. This request can be for funds, services, or other types of approval. Thinking about how you develop proposals and how your templates might best meet your objectives to distribute customized proposals to potential clients as quickly as possible is the first step in a suitable proposal template strategy. As a result, it considers

• the frequency of proposals that your team sends.
• The kind of products or services you offer and the ways you use to sell them (i.e fixed packages or custom packages)
• How much customization you would like in your proposals
• How you add content to your proposal

In a simple world, a proposal template strategy is a plan for how you will use templates to create efficiencies in your proposal process. It should consider what types of templates you need, how you will create them, and how you will manage and update them over time.

Things you could lose out on without a fool-proof proposal strategy:

A great proposal template can be the difference between a client accepting or rejecting your offer. Here are three things you could lose out on without a fool-proof proposal strategy:

1. The chance to make a lasting first impression – first impressions are everything in business. If your proposal is sloppy or unprofessional, the client will likely not take you seriously.
2. The opportunity to demonstrate your expertise – a well-crafted proposal shows that you know what you’re doing and that you’re the best person for the job.
3. The chance to build trust and rapport – a good proposal shows that you’re trustworthy and that you have the client’s best interests at heart.

Why should you use a business proposal template?

When you’re putting together a business proposal, you want to make sure that it’s as professional and polished as possible. One way to do this is to use a business proposal template. A good template will give you a structure for your proposal and help you include all the important information. It can also make the process of creating a proposal much easier and faster.

Here are some reasons why you should use a business proposal template:

1. Save time: Templates can help you put your proposal together more quickly. This is because it provides a clear structure that you can follow and takes care of the formatting for you.
2. Look professional: Using a well-designed template will make your proposal look more professional and competent. This can help you win over clients or investors who might be on the fence about working with you.
3. A good business proposal template will also include instructions on how to fill it out, so even if you’ve never written a proposal before, you’ll be able to create a professional-looking document.

Now that you know what is a proposal template strategy and why do you need one, it’s to time see different proposal strategies.

Proposal template strategies

Template with placeholders

This has a master template with each section included. The information you submit while creating a new proposal is highlighted in the proposal software (using the text with yellow background called a placeholder or a variable). Only when necessary, you and your team modify the master proposal. Most of cases, details like client-name that may change from one proposal to another can be added by using the elements from the master proposal template.

For example, placeholders or custom variables used in Fresh Proposals. In order to get just the data that is constantly changing, placeholders or custom variables are preset tags that are added between the proposal content and the rest of your proposal content will remain unchanged.

This template approach is based on a carefully crafted content library. You structure the content in your proposal section so that neither you nor your team will need to make constant adjustments.

The whole proposal drafting process can be streamlined with this template-based approach. The content is filled in using custom variables that include the correct information about the prospect, eliminating any confusion over which template to use or what type of updates to make.

Multiple documents for different stages of the sales cycle

For different phases of the sales cycle or the client’s lifetime, different templates are set up. For example, you might want to send an engagement letter or an official contract made from a template after sending a proposal made from a template. In either or all of the documents, you can use content from the content library and, if necessary, add additional information like terms and conditions and signature boxes.

This strategy is good for those who,

• Often send documents throughout the customer lifecycle and sales process.
• Industries like accounting where the accounting agencies send documents like engagement letters, and disengagement letters along with the proposals.

Template for more than one service or product

There will be a template for each of your offerings. For example, if you have an event agency that provides event-related services along with specialized services like bridal makeup or wedding videography, Fresh Proposals provides a separate template for those specialized services as well. You and your team can easily pick the template that suits what you selling, and customize it by adding/deleting the content.

This strategy is good for those who,

• Want to sell more than one service
• Want to create detailed proposals for additional services

Template for corporate identity

Many companies often ignore the visual appeal of documents. However, it is as crucial as the written content. The client should be able to immediately identify you based on the visual appeal of your content if they receive a proposal from you. This is nothing but a “corporate identity”.

Templates give a standard layout, look and feel to every one of the sales documents. Furthermore, it makes sure that the standard text (page number, date/time, organization name, area), relevant graphics (organization logo), and firm information (contact details) are shown properly and without errors on each page.

This strategy is good for those who,

• wants to keep a reliable identity
• wants to establish striking connections with prospects

Conclusion

In conclusion, a proposal template is a valuable tool for any business owner or manager who wants to create a well-crafted, professional document. By following the tips and strategies outlined in this article, you can be sure that your proposal will make a strong impression and help you win the approval and support you need.