Part 1 of this series described five critical components for creating a winning proposal. In some instances, these components are all a prospective client needs to make a determination and award the job. Be sure to carefully review the request for proposal to determine the amount of information you need to include in your proposal. Remember, each proposal is unique.
Here are five more tips to keep in mind when preparing a winning proposal.
Tip #6 ? Properly Estimate Job Costs
Selecting the right price for the proposed work is a delicate balancing act. Pricing the job too low could cause you to lose money on the job. Also, a bid that's too low might be perceived by the client as unrealistic and cause you to lose the bid. Take time to properly consider the amount of time and materials involved in completing the tasks you have outlined and price the job accordingly.
Tip #7 ? Add Meat as Necessary
Proposal requirements vary greatly. If you're putting together a proposal for a major corporation or a government job, you'll probably need extensive documentation. Examples of additional information that might be required include sub-contractor agreements, non-disclosure forms, contingency plans, change order procedures, risk analysis data, benchmark results and more. If the request for proposal asks for it, be sure you include it.
Tip #8 ? Don't Reveal Too Much!
When submitting your proposed solution to the prospective client's problem, you must not reveal too much information. You need to satisfactorily explain your approach while at the same time keeping some information to yourself. Sound confusing? How about this: If you tell the client exactly how to solve the problem, the client might decide to implement your solution without your assistance! You'll lose out on the bid, not because your approach was inadequate, but because you explained it so well the client did not need an outside company to implement it.
Tip #9 ? Proper Presentation
Once you've gathered all the important components for your proposal, take time to ensure it is properly presented. Put together a Table of Contents and check that all copies of all documents are proofread, smudge-free and in the correct order. Finally, insert the proposal into a suitable binder. Give the finished document a final review; it's your last chance to correct any mistakes. Submit the proposal according to the instructions provided and make sure it is delivered before the submission deadline. If possible, deliver the proposal in person. You never know who you'll encounter on the receiving end!
Tip #10 ? Investigate the Winning Bid
If your company is not awarded the bid, try to learn more about the company that did submit the winning proposal. Put on your investigator hat. Find out the price submitted with the winning bid and the approach that was proposed. Research the company itself. Use whatever you discover as a learning tool for the next time. The information just might help your company put together the next winning proposal.
And there you have it ? ten tips for submitting a winning proposal. Good Luck!
Copyright © 2004 Cavyl Stewart. Get more software tips, strategies and recommendations to help you create winning proposals by signing up for my Exclusive 100% free, 100% original content ecourse: "The Secrets To Unlocking The Power In Your Proposals"! To sign up please visit: http://www.find-small-busin ess-software.com/proposal-ecourse.html
Are you willing to spend $1.25 to raise $1? To... Read More
1) Know the company and their culture. Are they trendy... Read More
You probably read my headline and thought, wait a minute,... Read More
Without new business, your restaurant won't be able to grow.... Read More
What Really Makes Your Postcard Mailing Successful? The biggest single... Read More
I don't know about you, but I secretly love watching... Read More
Your market is not everybody, as so many small businesses... Read More
Display graphics are graphic images used for illustration or "display"... Read More
Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what... Read More
Staying ahead of the marketing curve seems to be a... Read More
Each year, advertisers with super sized budgets sink millions of... Read More
1. Create a free ebook directory on a specific topic... Read More
Second in a series of three articles:What if you could... Read More
One of the reasons direct mail works is the personal... Read More
I just spent a week at the beach with my... Read More
Sometimes you can use a guarantee effectively in your headline.... Read More
If you sell a technical product or service, you probably... Read More
People attend trade shows because they are in a specific... Read More
Celebrities are the tastemakers that drive brand awareness and usage.... Read More
A successful marketing plan doesn't have to include an athletic... Read More
The steps to creating an effective marketing plan begin with... Read More
The trade show floor is full of different types of... Read More
We all know the value of writing articles for promoting... Read More
Businesses and other organizations use focus groups to research consumer... Read More
Being in a quandary prevents you from moving forward in... Read More
People are making a fortune on pamphlets. If you go... Read More
It's a great concept, - and it has a 'cool... Read More
AGE OLD QUESTIONBusiness scholars throughout the planet keep asking the... Read More
If you are not using flyers in your business you... Read More
What is it like from a marketing perspective to be... Read More
In Part 1 -- I discussed how to consider both... Read More
It used to be you that if you had a... Read More
You probably know that February 2nd is Groundhog Day. But... Read More
The profits of a business are totally dependent on marketing.... Read More
I have always enjoyed talking to a Realtor friend of... Read More
Cartoons have gone from celluloid to digital. Movies have gone... Read More
So you're starting a small business. You figured out what... Read More
Breaking into the international marketplace can catapult a company into... Read More
Is your marketing plan dull, flat, and downright boring? Is... Read More
In previous articles, we discussed the generation of a contact... Read More
So... you spend time and effort putting together a survey,... Read More
Give away your knowledge, and you'll make money. How does... Read More
Without new business, your restaurant won't be able to grow.... Read More
Sometimes we loose site of the small things in life... Read More
The challenge in business-to-business direct mail is knowing where to... Read More
You're probably thinking, here we go again somebody is trying... Read More
Value proposition is treated as the standards or service that... Read More
One of my favorite quotes is often used to describe... Read More
For many of service-based businesses out there, it's not that... Read More
Are you still waiting for business to turn around before... Read More
Today I've decided to share with you a new word... Read More
Networking on the Internet is the same as networking in... Read More
Entering into Global markets is a great way to organically... Read More
Do you feel uncomfortable when you're in the trade show... Read More
Lanyards are fast becoming the new "must have" promotional item.Events... Read More
You know who you are and what you want and... Read More
You couldn't help but be captivated by the unbelievably cute... Read More
The point is what you give to another you give... Read More
Tactical marketing processes are once again undergoing fundamental shifts from... Read More
Have you ever left a seminar thinking: "I could have... Read More
It's a great concept, - and it has a 'cool... Read More
When you want someone to like you, associate yourself with... Read More
With promotional items there are standards: t-shirts, mugs, note cubes,... Read More
Dumb Excuse #1"I'm not sure I want to invest any... Read More
Turn a coupon into a business card (or vice versa).Coupons... Read More
How many times has someone you've called said, "Why don't... Read More
Marketing |