Got a big project or business proposal to make but you’re not sure where to start? Let Marq step in with a proposal template that will help you communicate your ideas and convince others in the room of the direction you want to go. A proposal can have many different goals in mind, but they usually center around winning approval around a central idea or plan. With the right proposal template, that goal becomes a lot easier to achieve. Whether you’re presenting to people within your organization or external clients and sponsors, the right design for your proposal can make all the difference. Our business proposal template is a great way to get you started on the right foot. By following a sample proposal template as provided by Marq, you’ll be able to include all of these elements within your own proposal. But, the proposal template is only a starting point. You can customize the template as well, creating something unique and finely tuned to your target audience. Change the font, colors, photos and more as you flex your own design skills. With easy-to-use drag and drop tools, you’ll be able to craft your proposal in a short amount of time.How to write a business proposalWith our simple proposal template, you’ll have a good idea of how to approach the proposal you want to share. From the proposal cover design to the last page, it’s a template that’s easy to follow. You might still be wondering how to write your proposal, so here are some helpful tips that can benefit you as you prepare for and write your proposal.Do your researchThis step happens before you start writing your proposal. Most proposals require extensive amounts of research. Think of this like the preparation stage, one that should be able to address any questions or concerns decision makers will have once you present your proposal.Get feedbackAs you craft your proposal, don’t be afraid to get feedback and insight from the people who will make the ultimate decision. They might even be able to help you come up with new ideas or refine some of your proposal for maximum impact. If that approach doesn’t sound appealing to you, you can also ask a team member to provide a second set of eyes.IntroductionEach proposal needs to set the right tone from the beginning, so an introduction needs to be well thought-out. As with any introduction, it has to grab the audience’s attention and really pull them into what you’re sharing. If you’re presenting your proposal to people outside your organization, this would be a good place to talk about your company, its values and its capabilities. Use the introduction to promote confidence that you can handle the responsibilities you’re asking for.The problemMore likely than not, your proposal is all about solving a problem. To get your ideas approved, you need to show that you clearly understand what the problem is. Sometimes, your audience might not even know there’s a problem. This is where you can convince them of the need for improvement. Define the issue, and make sure to frame it in such a way that your target audience understands action is needed. This part of your proposal should be one of the most compelling parts to read since it’s intended to motivate the audience to act.The solutionEvery problem needs a solution, and this should be the key part of your proposal. Go into detail about how your plan will fix the problem. Demonstrate the improvements it will make and how it will benefit the audience. Clearly lay out the objectives of your plan and the timeframe in which the plan will be enacted. This shows how you’ll be able to measure your progress over time, as well as offering a boost in confidence that you’ll succeed. Your audience, after all, will want to know not only that you’ll fix the problem but when those fixes will be in place.BudgetYour proposal will have a cost, so it’s important to talk about it in your proposal. Some budgets may only be estimates, but showing a range of possible costs is better than simply shrugging your shoulders about it. With so many organizations mainly concerned about the bottom line, it’s vital you address this issue up front. The budget may also talk about the resources your proposal may need. All of this is to give the audience a concrete idea of what it will take to fully enact your plan.SummaryAt the end of your proposal, be sure to include a summary of everything you just talked about. This summary can serve as a handy reference for anyone who wants to take a look at your proposal again but doesn’t want to go through each page. Include all of the key points in such a way that they’re easy to pick out.
