What is a Business Proposal?

A business proposal is basically a sales document stipulating how a business will carry requests for a
particular project and how it will benefit the target clients and their businesses.

Purpose and Importance

 It is a formal document aimed at attracting clients, securing support from investors, or

partnering with other organizations. It can also be used by freelancers to win projects.
 In a competitive market, a well-written proposal gives you an advantage over others by clearly
presenting your value and solutions.
 The ultimate goal is to have the proposal approved by the prospective client or partner.

Types of business proposals

Aside from the subject matter of your proposal — which is usually determined by the type of
product/service your business provides — proposals fall into a handful of categories centered around
how and why the proposal was initially created.

This information is particularly important, because proposals that originate from a request for proposal
(RFP) document may be required to follow specific requirements and guidelines set forth by the
requesting organization.

Solicited business proposals

Solicited business proposals are proposals that a company has asked you to provide for their
consideration. The potential customer has reached out to your business and requested a proposal.
These proposals fall into one of two categories:

 Formally solicited proposals are typically competitive and follow a standardized (formal)
process. The prospective client sends out an RFP detailing the scope of work and requests that
your business formally submit a bid to complete that work.

Note: Solicited business proposals are written in response to published requirements, contained in a
request for proposal (RFP), request for quotation (RFQ), invitation for bid (IFB), or a request for
information (RFI).

Request for proposal (RFP)

RFPs provide detailed specifications of what the customer wants to buy and sometimes include
directions for preparing the proposal, as well as evaluation criteria the customer will use to evaluate
offers. Customers issue RFPs when their needs cannot be met with generally available products or
services. RFIs are issued to qualify the vendors who are interested in providing service/products for
specific requirements. Based on the response to RFI, detailed RFP is issued to qualified vendors who
the organization believes can provide desired services. Proposals in response to RFPs are seldom less
than 10 pages and sometimes reach 1,000's of pages, without cost data.

Request for quotation (RFQ)

Customers issue RFQs when they want to buy large amounts of a commodity and price is not the only
issue4for example, when availability or delivering or services are considerations. RFQs can be very
detailed, so proposals written to RFQs can be lengthy but are generally much shorter than an RFP-
proposal. RFQ proposals consist primarily of cost data, with brief narratives addressing customer
issues, such as quality control.

Invitation for bid (IFB)

Customers issue IFBs when they are buying some service, such as construction. The requirements are
detailed, but the primary consideration is price. For example, a customer provides architectural
blueprints for contractors to bid on. These proposals can be lengthy but most of the length comes from
cost-estimating data and detailed schedules.

Request for information (RFI)

Sometimes before a customer issues an RFP or RFQ or IFB, the customer will issue a Request for
Information (RFI). The purpose of the RFI is to gain "marketing intelligence" about what products,
services, and vendors are available. RFIs are used to shape final RFPs, RFQs, and IFBs, so potential
vendors take great care in responding to these requests, hoping to shape the eventual formal
solicitation toward their products or services.

 Informally solicited proposals are typically created based on conversations between a

prospective client and a vendor that they want to work with. There might not be any formal
documentation, and there may be no competitive process.This work can often lead to a sole-
source, non-competitive contract.

Unsolicited business proposals

Unsolicited business proposals are proposals that your company sends to a prospective client who
hasn’t asked for one. They are not submitted in response to an RFP or an information request. Such
proposals are typically created based on a market opportunity — often one that the client is either
unaware of or hasn’t yet acted upon.

3 Major Parts of Business Proposal

 Problem Statement – Describes the issue or need that the proposal aims to address.

 Proposed Solution – Presents how the business plans to solve the problem, including strategies or
services.

 Costing/Pricing – Details the financial aspect, such as the cost of the solution, pricing structure, or
budget.

When writing a business proposal, the following items are what clients are looking to understand.
Information about your company. Your background, your qualifications, and why you’re a better fit
than the rest of your competitors.

Demonstrated knowledge of the problem. Proof that you’ve listened and done your research. You
know what the client needs and you have a viable solution.

Pricing and methodology. How you plan to solve the client’s problem, information about your
proposed solution, and how much it’s going to cost.

OUTLINE FOR A BUSINESS PROPOSAL:

1. Title Page
2. Cover Letter
3. Table of Contents
4. Executive Summary
5. Proposal & Solutions Pages
6. Pricing
7. About Us
8. Testimonials & Social Proof
9. Agreement & CTA (Call to Action)

How to write a Business Proposal

1. Title Page acts as the formal introduction to the document. It includes basic information like the
proposal title, your company name and logo, the client’s name, and the date.

2. A well-structured business proposal typically begins with a cover letter serves as an

introduction and sets the tone for the entire document. This is a brief message to the client. It
introduces your business, expresses your interest in working with them, and provides a
summary of what the proposal contains.

3. Table of Contents is a list of all the sections and page numbers. It helps the client quickly find
the information they’re looking for, especially in longer proposals.

4. Following this is the executive summary, a concise yet comprehensive overview that
summarizes the main aspects of the proposal. This section introduces who you or your
company are, what services or solutions you offer, and why you are uniquely qualified to meet
the client’s needs. The executive summary acts as a compelling selling point designed to
capture the client’s attention quickly and provide a snapshot of the value your proposal
delivers.

5. The heart of the proposal is found in the proposal section itself, where you clearly articulate
the problem satement or challenge and present your detailed solution or the proposed
solution. This part includes a thorough explanation of your approach, outlining the step-by-
step methodology you will use to address the issue effectively. The step-by-step procedure will
likewise require a timetable or the schedule for the completion of the project. Make sure that
your timetable is realistic. It also demonstrates your understanding of the client’s situation and
highlights your qualifications and experience, building confidence in your ability to successfully
complete the project.
 6. Next is the pricing or budget section, which transparently details the financial aspects of the
proposal. Here, you specify the cost of your services or products, along with payment terms—
whether a one-time fee or staggered payments—allowing the client to evaluate the project’s
affordability and financial feasibility.

7. About Us Introduces the company— mission, history, experience, team members, and unique
strengths. It builds credibility and shows why you’re a reliable choice.
 Consider including the following items:
 A brief summary of your business and its operations.
 Bios and photos of the individuals they’ll be working with.
 Relevant qualifications, certifications, or experience

8. Testimonials and social proof Include quotes from satisfied clients, case studies, awards, or
stats that prove your success. These elements add trust and reassure the client that others
have had positive experiences with your business.
9. Agreement & CTA (Call to Action) - Wrap up with a formal agreement or next steps (like signing
a contract or setting a meeting). Include a clear, actionable CTA, such as “Sign below to get
started” or “Contact us today to begin.”

Note: Most business proposals follow a similar structure and/or include similar information, though the
length may vary depending on the industry and scope of work. While you’ll need to include all relevant
information that prospective clients will need in order to make a decision, take care to avoid
overcrowding them with irrelevant details.

Business proposal tips

Take your time: Although it may seem like you need to send a business proposal as quickly as possible
to gain the business, balance that need with the need to ensure that your work is accurate and detailed.
A well-crafted, correct proposal will be more effective than a rushed one.

Consider using a template: There are many business proposal templates available online that can help
you to make sure you include all necessary information in an accepted format.

Use a professional format: Regardless of whether you use a template, make sure that your proposal is
in a professional format. This includes using common business fonts, such as Times New Roman or
Calibri in 10 or 12 point, having white space for easy reading and clear section headings.

Add a title page: Although not necessarily required, including a title page with your proposal can add a
level of formality and seriousness.

Check the readability: Using bullet points, tables, sections, subsections, page numbers and bold or
italic font where appropriate can help the reader to easily browse through the proposal.

Social Media Channels

Facebook

To date, Facebook remains the most popular social media platform globally. It was developed by Mark
Zuckerberg in the early 2000s and has since evolved into a powerful communication tool. Facebook
allows users to connect with people they already know or have yet to meet, making it easy to stay in
touch or reconnect with family, friends, and acquaintances. To use Facebook, one must create an
account and fill in personal information, which may include your name, birthday, education, interests,
and work details. Users have the option to control their privacy settings, deciding which information is
visible to others and which stays private.

Facebook users can post pictures, share videos, and express their thoughts on their "wall" or timeline.
These posts can be liked, reacted to, or commented on by friends and followers, encouraging
interaction. Beyond personal use, Facebook is also a key platform for businesses, schools, and other
organizations. It is an effective tool for communication, information dissemination, and marketing. For
instance, companies often use Facebook to announce upcoming events like conventions, lectures, and
product launches. Thanks to its wide reach and low cost, Facebook has become one of the most
convenient and fastest ways to advertise and spread information online.

Twitter

Twitter is another widely used social media channel, best known for short, real-time updates or
“tweets.” Each post is limited in character count, which encourages users to be brief and direct. Twitter
is commonly used for news, opinions, trending topics, and quick interaction with followers. It is also a
platform where public figures, brands, and institutions engage directly with the public, share
announcements, or respond to customer concerns. Like Facebook, Twitter is also used for online
advertising and event promotion.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a social networking service specifically designed for professional use. It connects individuals
based on their careers, industries, and interests. Employers use LinkedIn to post job openings,
company updates, and recruit potential candidates, while professionals use it to build their online
resumes, highlight skills, and search for job opportunities.

When posting your profile on LinkedIn, it is best to focus on your professional qualifications such as
your educational background, work experience, skills, and achievements. Unlike other social platforms,
there’s no need to include personal details like home address or family information. This helps maintain
professionalism and reduce exposure to security risks. LinkedIn is highly effective in building networks,
maintaining business relationships, and discovering new career opportunities.

Instagram

Instagram is a visually focused platform perfect for sharing photos, videos, and stories. It allows users
and businesses to showcase their products, lifestyles, and creative content. Popular among younger
audiences, especially Millennials and Gen Z, it’s great for brand building and engaging with followers
through posts, Reels, and Stories. Instagram’s use of hashtags and interactive features helps increase
visibility and community engagement.

TikTok

TikTok is a platform for short-form video content, often featuring creative, fun, or viral trends. It’s
especially popular with Gen Z and allows users to quickly gain attention through trending challenges
and catchy music. The platform's algorithm promotes creativity, enabling both individuals and brands to
reach new audiences. TikTok is ideal for creating engaging, informal content with high potential for
virality.

YouTube
YouTube is a platform designed for long-form videos, such as tutorials, vlogs, and entertainment. It
allows creators and businesses to build channels, engage subscribers, and monetize content through
ads and sponsorships. YouTube has a diverse audience and offers strong search capabilities, making it
effective for reaching a wide range of viewers. It’s perfect for content that requires in-depth
explanations, demonstrations, or storytelling.

Etc…