We constantly receive requests to write or improve business proposals of many different kinds. This is our specialty. We've been writing proposals for almost thirty years. Our proposals are clear, persuasive, organized for the best effect, and usually successful!

Many people as ask us for an outline or example that they can follow. Although we believe there is no standard form or ideal example, you can go to this link to see how we organized a real proposal. Although we do not include the whole, finished proposal, you will see how a proposal requires a strong organization with clear headings and a "top down" order (of importance in the ideas).

STEP 1: We can only work from what you provide us. It should not take you very long, at the "brainstorming" stage, to write down everything that you can think of about your project. Write it in point form or full sentences or a ramble, but give us everything we need: information about the recipient, your company or self, the goal of your proposal, the objections or difficulties to overcome, the financial details (if appropriate). List all your strengths.

We've been told by our customers that we read their minds. It isn't true, although our insight is good, because we know what to look for and what to express, based on our extensive experience.

STEP 2: After we analyze your information, we will probably e-mail back to you, asking one or two key questions that arise from what you've told us. We will need to determine the true scope of your job. Sometimes the project is clear enough to determine the scope, and we will quote a price in our first email to you. (See the section below for pricing estimates.)

STEP 3: We can often complete a short proposal (not a business plan though) within 24 hours or less. It will depend on how much information we must "divine". Truly, we dig deep for the information that will convince your reader! We read your web site, check out your competitors, research your topic. We read between the lines of your ideas, and we examine our own experience in life and business. Expect us to phone or email you at least once or twice to clarify information. We will also email you to let you know of our progress.

Absolutely! We will save you days of work, perhaps weeks of work. Yes! You will be astonished at how thoroughly and clearly your great ideas are presented. (Read a few comments from our customers.) You should understand too, that we will keep working at the proposal until you are satisfied with it.

If your idea is a good one, we can make it "sell" itself. If it isn't… well, we can help you make the strongest case, and get your reader to "hear you out".

Most business proposals will cost somewhere between $80 (US Dollars) and $3,000. Yes, that is a wide range. An average fee is perhaps $225 (U.S). We have a page that shows some typical price ranges. Our fee will depend on how much information you have provided, including the quality and number of the arguments you have prepared.

A business proposal is essentially a persuasive document. One- or two-page persuasive letters or memos can be considered proposals, although most people would reserve the term "proposal" for documents that are longer. These longer documents are formalized; they look like much like reports. It is correct to classify proposals as persuasive reports. The objective of a proposal's argument can be almost anything, but it's usually to convince the reader of something that you want:

• to buy a service or product from you
• to convince the reader of the existence of a situation, or to take a course of action (eg. convincing your department of your need for a new computer)
• to provide you with funds (for example, a loan or grant, or to become a partner or shareholder)

Proposals can be solicited by the reader. A common method of soliciting a proposal is a formal "request for bids" or "request for proposal" (RFP). However, if your customer in conversation asks you for a proposal for expanded service, that is "solicited", and your chances for a fair reading are quite good. On the other hand, if you send a proposal that is not expected or requested, then that "unsolicited" proposal could possibly be rejected out of hand - tossed out without a reading.

Solicited or not, the reader will have certain expectations about your proposal: what it should say and how it should look. Many RFP's define very specific format and content. Your proposal must adhere to these or be rejected outright. Other expectations are more subtle: a certain tone, a high level of organization, brevity, clarity, completeness.

In contrast to the reader's demands and expectations, the writer of a high quality proposal will want to be creative in order to capture the reader's interest, and to distinguish that proposal from competitors'.

This skill is acquired from experience. It is applied with extreme attention to detail and with an over-riding view of the purpose of the proposal.

The following is not exhaustive, nor necessary, but is typical of a business proposal.

• persuasive cover letter is placed or paper-clipped on top of the bound or stapled proposal
• attractive cover page and table of contents, even if the document is only 3-4 pages in total length
• an overview (variously named), less than 1 page in length
• a body with a modular structure: sections, with descriptive headings and subheadings
• the sections and the ideas within the sections are ordered from most- to least-important
• the entire proposal (excluding cover, contents, and appendices) is typically no more than 6 pages in length
• all supportive documents and arguments are in the appendices
• use of persuasive writing techniques, such as writing in the active voice.

Business plan types of proposals are like other proposals, but have considerable financial data, usually centered on a cash flow projection (proforma). Most of that information is contained within the appendices, but is referenced from the proposal body.

A business plan (proposal) is usually intended to convince a lender to provide funding. The lender will want to know at least the following:

• the product or service
• unique qualities of your business
• the market: size, and your sales strategy
• your competitors: strengths, weaknesses
• full description of your costs
• suppliers and supply difficulties
• contingencies
• personnel, including your own experience and abilities