Business proposal templates

A business proposal may seem easy, but the process can be challenging, especially if you’re new to it. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered – here is how to write a business proposal that gets results. Plus, we’ll provide you with free business proposal templates to help get you started.

The importance of sending a business proposal

When you’re running a business, it’s important to always be on the lookout for new opportunities. After all, you never know when a potential client or customer might come knocking. And when they do, you’ll want to be prepared with a well-crafted business proposal.

A business proposal is essentially a sales pitch. It’s an opportunity to sell your products or services to prospective clients or customers. And just like any other sales pitch, you’ll need to put your best foot forward if you want to stand out from the competition with your unsolicited proposal.

How to title a business proposal

In fact, you may not be the only person sending business proposals to this potential client or customer, so an effective business proposal must stand out from the rest. One way to make a perfect proposal amazing is to choose an attention-grabbing title.

Your title should give the reader a general idea of your proposal without giving too much away, so keep it short and to the point. It’s also important that your title is relevant to your proposal. Otherwise, you risk confusing or frustrating your reader and not sealing the deal you wanted.

Business proposal subject line examples

• [Company Name] – New Business Proposal
• [Your Name] – Follow Up Business Proposal
• Re: [Name of Potential Client] – Business Proposal
• Attention: [Name of Decision Maker] – Business Proposal Regarding [Topic of Project]
• Action Required: Review Business Proposal for [Name of Project]
• Time-Sensitive: Read This Business Proposal
• [Company Name] – Urgent Business Proposal
• [Your Name] – [Company Name]’s Business Proposal for [Topic of Project]
• Business Proposal – Please Read
• Collaboration [Your Company] x [Name of Potential Client] | Business Proposal
• [Your Name] x [Name of Potential Client] | Business Proposal
• Briefing Paper – [Your Company] & [Name of Potential Client] | Business Proposal
• Strategic Partnership Proposal – [Your Company] & [Name of Potential Client]

How to write a business proposal

To successfully write and deliver a business proposal, keep in mind the communication plans you have in place. Before you start contacting businesses with proposals, make sure that this aspect is taken care of.

When writing a sales proposal, you need to understand that decision-makers often don’t have time to read through long, drawn-out documents. It’s therefore important to write a proposal that is clear, concise, and to the point, especially if you want to speed up the sales process.

The best way to do this is by using a creative business proposal template to help organize your thoughts and professionally present your proposal. Plus, it’ll save you time in the long run.

Determine if the business proposal is cold outreach, or if the potential customer has already shown some interest. For cold outreach, your proposal should be more professional and include an executive summary. For the latter, you can focus on the project itself and be less formal in tone. Remember to refer to any previous conversations that you’ve had with the prospect in your project proposals.

Keep in mind that the goal of a professional proposal is to persuade the reader to see things from your perspective and take action accordingly. Therefore, make a strong case for why they should choose your products or services over those of your competitors.

The more you personalize your proposal, the better. Tailor it to the specific needs of your potential client or customer. Research and find out as much as possible before you even start writing. The more information you have, the better equipped you’ll be to include project details and write a relevant proposal to their needs.

What to include in a business proposal

• executive summary
• introduction
• problem statement
• proposed solution
• project timeline

• detailed budget
• about your company
• examples of previous work
• call to action

Business proposal examples and templates

1

[Company Name] – New Business Proposal

Executive Summary:

In light of your specific needs, we believe that our [products/services] are the best solution for your company. Our team is highly experienced and qualified to provide you with the [type of service] you require. We have a proven track record of success and would be honored to put forward our skills and experience to work for you.

Company Introduction:

Over the years, we have been able to help our clients by providing them with high-quality [services/products]. We are proud of the long-standing relationships we have built with our clients and we work hard to maintain that trust.

The Problem:

We understand that you are currently facing the problem of [describe the client’s problem]. This can be a difficult and time-consuming task, which is why we are proposing our [products/services] as a solution.

The Solution:

Our team has the necessary skills and experience to provide you with a comprehensive solution that will address your needs. We believe that our [products/services] are the best option for you, as they have already helped our other clients achieve their desired results.

Project Timeline and Budget:

We have attached a detailed project timeline and budget to this proposal so that you can gain a clear understanding of the work that will be done and the associated costs from it.

[Company Name] – Previous Work Examples:

As requested, we have included examples of our previous work with similar clients. We have also included a list of references so that you can speak to our past clients directly.

Call to Action:

We would be honored to put our skills and experience to work for you. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this proposal further, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Company Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]

2

Re: [Name of Potential Client] – Business Proposal

Executive summary:

As a team of experienced professionals, we believe that collaboration is key to success. We would be honored to put our skills and experience to work for you and contribute to the success of your company.

Company introduction:

We are a [type of company] that has been in business for [X] years. We have worked with clients in a variety of sectors, including [list of industries].

The challenge:

We are fully aware of the challenge you are currently facing with [describe the client’s problem]. Since challenges like this can be difficult and time-consuming, we are proposing our [products/services] as a solution.

The solution:

We decided to put together a comprehensive solution that will address all of your needs. Our team has the necessary skills and experience to provide you with a [type of solution] that will help you achieve your desired results.

Project timeline and budget:

We believe that the work can be completed within [number of weeks/months]. The budget for this project is $[total amount].

Relevant examples of our previous work:

Our past collaborations with clients in similar situations should give you a better idea of what to expect from us.

What’s next?

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this proposal further, please do not hesitate to contact us. We would be more than happy to answer any of your questions.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

3

Attention: [Name of Decision Maker] – Business Proposal Regarding [Topic of Project]

Dear [Name of Potential Client]

On behalf of [Company Name], I’d like to submit this business proposal for your review.

As a [type of company], we have worked with clients in a variety of sectors, including [list of industries]. We are confident that we have the necessary skills and experience to provide you with a comprehensive solution that will address your needs.

Since we’ve been operating for [X] years, we have the relevant experience to put together a [type of solution] and make [Name of Project] successful.

Your challenges, [describe the client’s problem], are ours too. We believe you need a team of experienced experts who can provide you with a [type of solution] that will help you achieve your desired results.

In this proposal, we have included a detailed project timeline and budget to give you a clear understanding of the work that will be done and the associated costs. Our estimation is that the work can be completed within [number of weeks/months].

Furthermore, we have included relevant examples of our previous work with clients in similar situations. These should give you a better idea of what to expect from us.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this proposal further, please do not hesitate to contact us.

4

Action Required: Review Business Proposal for [Name of Project]

Executive Summary:

[Company Name] is delighted to submit this business proposal for your review. Our team of experienced professionals are confident that we have the necessary skills and experience to provide you with a comprehensive solution that will address all of your needs.

Company introduction:

As a [type of company], we have worked with clients in a variety of industries, including [list of industries]. Our team members have extensive experience in [type of solution] and are confident that we can provide you with a successful solution.

Problem Statement:

[describe the client’s problem] this may be a bottleneck for your company and our team can help you overcome it.

Solution:

We are proposing a [type of solution] to help you achieve your desired results. This comprehensive solution includes [key features of solution].

Project timeline and budget:

We have included a detailed project timeline and budget for your review. Our estimation is that the work can be completed within [number of weeks/months]. As for the budget, we have estimated a total cost of $[total amount], which could be divided into [X] payments.

Examples of previous projects delivered by [Company Name]:

To give you a better idea of what to expect, we have included relevant examples of our previous work with clients in similar situations.

What’s next?

If you have questions or would like to discuss this proposal further, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you for your time and consideration.

5

[Your Name] – [Company Name]’s Business Proposal for [Topic of Project]

Thank you for the opportunity to submit a proposal for [Name of Project]. We understand that you are looking for a [type of service] and our team is confident that we can provide you with the solution you need.

Company Overview:

We at [Company Name] are a [type of company] with extensive experience working with clients in [list of industries]. Our team members have excellent skills in [type of solution] and are confident that the solutions and methods we use are the most effective.

Collaboration Scope:

The scope of our collaboration with you will be as follows: [key features of solution].

We believe that this is the most comprehensive solution to your problem and we are confident in our ability to deliver results. If required, we can also provide you with [type of solution] for the project.

Project timeline:

The estimated time required to complete marketing plans for the project is [number of weeks/months].

Pricing and payment terms:

The total cost of the project is $[total amount], or we can offer you a [pricing plan]. Payment would be upfront and cover the entire project.

What’s next?

If you have questions or would like to discuss this proposal further, please do not hesitate to contact us.

6

Collaboration [Your Company] x [Name of Potential Client] | Business Proposal

Executive Summary:

Bearing in mind that you are looking for a [type of service], we believe that [Company Name] is the best solution for your needs. Our team stands out for its experience with [type of solution] and by always providing the most effective solutions to our clients.
We have put together a comprehensive proposal that includes an executive summary, introduction, problem statement, proposed solution, project timeline, detailed budget, and information about our company. We have also included examples of our previous work and a list of references.

About [Company Name]

[Company Name] is a [type of company] that has worked with clients in various industries, including [list of industries].
What sets us apart from other companies is our dedication to providing the best possible service and always finding the most effective solutions for our clients.

We understand that everyone is different, and so we tailor our services to each individual client’s needs. Our team members have extensive experience in [type of solution] and are confident that the solutions and methods we will use are the most effective.

Brief Introduction:

[Company Name] would like to offer you a comprehensive solution to your problem, which includes [key features of solution].
We believe that this is the most comprehensive solution to your problem and we are confident in our ability to deliver results. If required, we can also provide you with [type of solution] for the project.

Project timeline:

The estimated time required to complete the project is [number of weeks/months].

Pricing:

Upon our estimation, the total cost of the project will be $[total amount]. The payment schedules will be divided into [X] payments, each of which will be due upfront. A detailed breakdown of the costs associated with the project is included in the attached budget.

What’s next?

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this proposal further, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you soon and thanks for considering [Company Name]

References:

[Company Name] has worked with clients in various industries, including [list of industries].
We have put together a comprehensive proposal and included examples of our previous work and a list of references.

Thank you for your time,
[Company Name]

Business proposal good practices

Here are a few tips to help you send a polished proposal to people who may be interested in your offer.

• Start by doing your research. This will give you a better understanding of your audience and what they’re looking for.
• Stress the unique selling points of your products or services. What makes them different from what your competition is offering?
• What is your company background? Even a single USP can boost your B2B sales process.
• Be clear and concise. If you want to send an excellent business proposal that brings results, make sure you get to the point quickly.
• Double-check that you have included all relevant details. Describe your development process, project overview, or related business consulting services. If it’s a long document, group business proposal content sections into a table of contents.
• End with a call to action. Tell your clients what you want them to do next and make it easy for them to take that step.
• Emphasize the benefits that your potential client or customer will enjoy. What’s in it for them? Why should they choose your offer? If your entire proposal doesn’t speak volume to their needs, they’re not going to bother reading it.
• Use simple language and avoid technical jargon. A business proposal is considered a formal document, keep in mind that not everyone will be familiar with industry-specific terms.
• Make sure your proposal is error-free by proofreading it carefully before you send it out. Nothing will sink your chances faster than a typo or grammatical errors.
• If applicable, outline the steps that you’ll take to complete the project as well as future plans you may want to offer. Even if it’s a basic proposal for now, listing essential elements will show a potential client that you have a plan and you’re organized.
• Include information about your company: your experience, qualifications, and any relevant awards or certifications. This will help build trust and confidence in your ability to deliver on what you’re proposing.
• Don’t forget about attaching case studies or client testimonials. These can be very helpful for convincing your reader that you’re the right company to onboard. Since opinions from external clients serve as social proof, they can bring you closer to success.
• Use an attention-grabbing proposal template. Leveraging an editable proposal template can help you customize your message to each prospect’s needs.

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Summary

Business proposals can be make-or-break opportunities for your company. Sending the right business proposal template can be the difference for landing a new client.

By following the best practices above, you can increase your chances of writing a proposal that is not only read but also accepted. And with professional proposal templates, you’ll be well on your way to success.

Frequently

asked question .

How often should I send business proposals?

The answer to this question depends on your business and your relationship with the potential client. If you’re just starting out, you may want to send a marketing proposal for every project that comes your way. As you build up a client base, you can be more selective about which projects you submit proposals for.

What should I include in a business proposal?

The contents of a business proposal varies depending on the project and the client’s needs. In general though, you’ll want to include an executive summary, introduction, problem statement, proposed solution, project timeline, detailed budget, and information about your company.

How long should a business proposal be?

The lengths vary depending on the project and the client. In general, a one-pager will do in many cases, but for more complex projects you may need to include additional information in your project proposal templates.

What is the difference between a business proposal and a business plan?

An unsolicited business proposal is typically used to pitch a new idea or project to a potential client, while a business plan is more focused on long-term strategy and growth.

Should I follow up after sending a business proposal?

Yes, you should always follow up after sending a business proposal to show that you’re interested in the project and that you’re willing to put in the effort to seal the deal. A simple email or phone call can go a long way, but you can also get creative with your follow-ups.

What are the most popular types of proposals?

There are different business proposal format templates that you can use for an event proposal template, a bid proposal, SEO proposal template, video production proposal template, funding proposal template, or a business consulting proposal template. With many modern proposal templates, you can quickly customize your message to any type of proposal.