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Top 10 Creative Proposal Templates To Help Artists And Creators

Naveen Kumar

When you hear the word ‘creativity,’ the first image that comes to mind is of renowned artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Salvador Dalli, and Pablo Picasso bent over a canvas. These classic historical painters are an inspiration for today’s artists who look up to them for inspiration and want to earn a name. 

Without any doubt, if artists just want to exist, only artistic talent and perfection counts. In today’s harsh, cold commercial world, however, growing a business, earning big, and acquiring fame from any creative talent require something (in fact, a lot) more. You have to master the art of presenting yourself and your work. You need to master proposal writing and presentation skills.

A professional proposal differentiates an ‘artist’ from a ‘creative professional’ and a life spent in penury to a world where you can make your work count. Purists might scoff at this, but you need to be realistic. Whether you are a designer, visual or sound artist, or writer, the need for a proposal is inescapable for all creative professionals. It is  the key  to locking the deal with your clients in an easy and professional way.

A creative person needs a creative introduction. Take a look at this guide that will help you to create an innovative and unique introduction presentation with high-quality PPT designs.

Pre-designed Creative Proposal Templates

Creative heads always keep any kind of paperwork or record-keeping as the last thing on their priority list. They like to invest their valuable time in more innovative and mind-stimulating activities than in administrative tasks. To save a creative mind from drowning in the ocean of insipid documentation, we offer these easy-to-customize creative proposal templates. 

In this blog, we will share two types of ready-made creative proposals. These are complete decks and single PPT Templates. We also offer three bonus presentation decks for designers.

 Let’s look into these hypnotic designs and understand how they can help grab clients!

1. Creative Service Proposal PowerPoint Presentation

This aesthetic-looking creative service proposal PPT Deck helps you influence and deliver an impactful brand message. Use this design to share the importance of your service in the growth of your client’s business. This all-inclusive presentation will help you discuss the project context, services, investment and packages, project schedule, and timeline. Phases in the project schedule such as creative discovery, competition analysis, concept rough sketch & presentation, revision of the plan, and finalizing the project are vital in giving your prospects the process overview.

Download this template

Presenting analytical information in a creative way is an art that every professional should know to make the business interesting. Use these  creative and eye-catchy picture arts  to create an easy-to-understand and eye-appealing PPT presentation of analytical data.

2. Creative Service Proposal A4 Documents Presentation

Our designers devise this A4 style design of the creative proposal to help artists present proposals in a compact yet comprehensive manner. The high-quality infographics, ocean green theme, and creative font of this PPT Design will help you make a stunning impression. It will add value to your proposal with its professional document report layout.

Setting and running a creative (service) agency needs a lot of effort and funds. Raising funds is not that easy. You need the right tools like these  presentation slides  to bag funds and expand your creative agency.

3. Cover Letter Template For Creative Proposal

A cover letter template holds great importance in your creative proposal. It will help you put the purpose of the proposal in a matter-of-fact manner and approach clients with ease. This sample cover letter template for a creative proposal is easy to customize and share with partners across any format of your liking.

4. Project Context Creative Proposal Template

A project context slide is needed in a creative proposal presentation to present the key points of the project. Use this illustrative PowerPoint Template to share the gist of your project or service in your proposal. It will help you discuss the problem statement and solution.

5. Our Service And Offerings Slide For Creative Proposal

This slide will help a creative professional to enlist his/her valuable service and present them in an easy-to-understand manner. This sample template for the creative proposal includes a text column for 14 services. You can customize the number as per requirement. It also contains space to share images or a glimpse of your work.

6. Pricing Model And Packages Template For Creative Proposal

Sharing the pricing model in a creative proposal is essential to signal your professionalism. It helps the client know how cost-effective and relevant your professional creative services are. Use this pricing model sample PowerPoint Layout to present the cost of your service in a polished manner. 

7. Project Schedule Template For Creative Proposal

Use this PowerPoint Design to share a comprehensive schedule for completing the client’s project. Win business and client confidence with this presentation template that links the idea to its final execution. It will help you present the plan in phases like creative discovery, competition analysis, and project finalization.

8. Project Timeline Creative Proposal Template

This presentation slide will help you inform the client about the expected timelines for project completion. You can add the period in terms of hours, days, weeks, or months in the pre-designed space in front of the project phase or step. This is important to give an estimate and hope about how soon your services will show the result in terms of the return on investment.

9. Case Study For Creative Proposal Sample Template

Showcase your achievements as a creative professional and service provider in the form of case studies using this brilliantly creative PPT Template. This sample design gives you space to describe key details like the solution provided, delivery time, budget, and related images.

10. Terms And Conditions Sample Template for Creative Proposal

Define terms and conditions in a strategic and elegant manner using this PPT Preset. Set clear service and payment guidelines, define contract fulfillment or termination rules, and describe the notice period and renewal conditions using this layout. You can even take the client’s digital signatures with names on this editable graphic.

Sealing the Deal and Bonus Presentation Design Slides

1. client confirmation template for creative proposal.

Once the audience is informed about your creative service and related aspects like solutions you can provide to their problem, payment, timeline, terms & conditions, etc., it’s time to seal the deal. Take the help of this editable and printable PPT Template to capture the client’s signature and win business.

2. Logo Designing Service Proposal PowerPoint Presentation

This comprehensive proposal presentation deck will help you pitch your logo design service in a persuasive manner. Use this customized PPT Preset to share the services you offer, their custom prices, project timelines, and terms and conditions. Slides in this design come with high-quality infographics.

3. Designing Service Proposal PowerPoint Presentation

The impressive design in the slide above will help you describe the wide range of services you offer in a simplified manner so that your prospect will understand it with ease. Mention the key problems and the solutions suggested by your skilled workforce in this pre-designed proposal presentation. Elucidate the pricing package you offer — hourly and customized packages — to persuade your client to choose the deal per their needs. Impress your clients with a clear outline of the phases in which the project will be executed; your proficiency in meeting deadlines and execution will give you tremendous recall value.

4. Graphic Design Proposal PowerPoint Presentation

Despite being the best in the market, many designers fail to find adequate work as they keep ignoring the relevance of a creative proposal. This ready-to-present graphic design proposal template is the right fit for a skilled and creative graphic designer who wants to bag clients with ease. Its excellent color scheme and editable content will help you portray your skills and abilities with an X-factor that your previous proposals might have lacked. This graphic-design PowerPoint Presentation is perfect for any individual or company looking to wow potential clients with a fine-crafted proposal that stands out from the rest. Help your clients recognize your value and potential with this creative proposal PPT Deck. 

Having a professional proposal is important for a creative expert. It will increase the value of their work and the rate of success in grabbing new clients. A creative professional might lack this skill, and that’s fine. We are here to fill this glaring gap in your professional armory with our pre-designed and customizable creative proposal presentation templates and decks. Go grab them and get ready to show your worth to the world.

If you are still unable to find what you are looking for, do not hesitate to reach out to our  presentation service team . They will help you in preparing a personalized proposal to meet your needs.

FAQs on Creative Service Proposal

1. how do you write a creative proposal.

Creative proposals are the tools to pitch your professional skills in a proficient manner. Although there is no standard format to write one, you can consider the following steps: 

• Conduct market research to find clients who need your professional creative services.
• Enlist potential clients and start drafting unique proposals for each.
• Add a cover letter with a summary of the proposal.
• Write project context — problem and solution.
• Pitch your services in a graceful manner.
• Share detailed prices and customized packages with clients.
• Prepare the project schedule (phases) and timeline (time taken to complete each phase).
• Add evidence of your work in the form of achievements and case studies.
• Include terms and conditions for payment, termination, and renewal of the contract.
• At last, it must include a client confirmation letter before starting work.

2.  What is a creative proposal?

Creative proposals are the preliminary documents that creative experts to pitch their professional services to prospective clients. These proposals include details of services, problem-solution statements, packages, terms & conditions, and execution plans for the project. It is a necessity in today’s world as, without this pitch, most people who need your service will be unwilling to trust you and hand you that lucrative contract. In today’s commercial world, it signals that you can channel your creative talents to business needs and deliver to client expectations. It might not please purists, but a creative proposal actually signals the value of your creative energies. 

3. How do you design an attractive creative proposal?

Making a proposal attractive is an art that business professionals, be it on the creative side, must learn to master. An attractive proposal always helps in winning clients. Some skills that make your creative proposal more attractive and impressive are: 

• Use positive and engaging words. Keep the language simple and professional.
• Keep the proposal easy on the eye and mind by making it short and simple.
• In your proposal, focus on key problems and solutions your product or service can offer to the client.
• Outline the execution process and your Unique Selling Propositions (USPs) in the proposal in detail.
• Set realistic and achievable goals to avoid overcommitting or underdelivering.
• Break down the cost to every penny and help clients understand where you will spend the project budget.
• Add relevant images and infographics, and pay close attention to the design.
• Make sure to read and edit the proposal before submitting it.

4. What are the five steps in writing a business proposal?

The five steps or phases in writing a business proposal are:

• Market research and analysis.
• Understanding the problem and uncovering a solution to it.
• Run the test and analyze the results/impacts/benefits of the solution.
• Prepare an execution plan and a detailed budget for the implementation of the solution you offer.
• Write a proposal covering all key elements of a pitch. Remember, attention to detail is the key competence that creative people have. Showcase this in your proposal.

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Creative Writing research proposals

Some guidelines to assist you in developing a proposal for a research higher degree in Creative Writing at the University of Melbourne (MA or PhD).

The creative PhD at the University of Melbourne is developed and marked as a single thesis, with two major elements: a dissertation and a creative work.

Each part usually contributes 50% to the overall word count. It is possible to increase the dissertation above 50%, but the creative work cannot be more than 50%.

One way to understand the unity of the creative PhD thesis is to consider that there is one overarching research question or hypothesis, which is approached within the thesis in two different manners, a scholarly one and a creative one.

The dissertation is not an exegesis. The dissertation does not offer a commentary on the creative processes or the intentions of the writer. The dissertation is intended to stand independently as a scholarly work making an original contribution to its field or discipline. In creative writing, this field is often interdisciplinary, but it can be characterised as a discipline interested in writerly questions, that is questions that take into account creativity, creative processes, the decision-making that goes into a creative text, cultural and technological influences on writing, questions of genre boundaries (including emerging genres, hybrid genres), and questions that address issues in conceiving of writing as a craft. This is a broad description and it is not exhaustive, but it does indicate that most dissertations are investigating aspects of the act of writing.

In your proposal you should make it clear what your research question is, and how this question fits with or responds to an ongoing critical discourse. You should identify the fields or disciplines you will draw upon, what models of analysis you will adopt, and what critical and creative texts you wish to discuss in your dissertation.

The creative work will need to be articulated in your proposal with some detail, understanding that as with all creative works there will be room for re-considerations and re-drafting. You should show how your creative work addresses or arises from your research question.

Your proposal should include an indicative list of the texts you will consult.

For more information please see the Doctor of Philosophy (Arts) web page.

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• How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

Published on October 12, 2022 by Shona McCombes and Tegan George. Revised on November 21, 2023.

A research proposal describes what you will investigate, why it’s important, and how you will conduct your research.

The format of a research proposal varies between fields, but most proposals will contain at least these elements:

Introduction

Literature review.

• Research design

Reference list

While the sections may vary, the overall objective is always the same. A research proposal serves as a blueprint and guide for your research plan, helping you get organized and feel confident in the path forward you choose to take.

Table of contents

Research proposal purpose, research proposal examples, research design and methods, contribution to knowledge, research schedule, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about research proposals.

Academics often have to write research proposals to get funding for their projects. As a student, you might have to write a research proposal as part of a grad school application , or prior to starting your thesis or dissertation .

In addition to helping you figure out what your research can look like, a proposal can also serve to demonstrate why your project is worth pursuing to a funder, educational institution, or supervisor.

Research proposal length

The length of a research proposal can vary quite a bit. A bachelor’s or master’s thesis proposal can be just a few pages, while proposals for PhD dissertations or research funding are usually much longer and more detailed. Your supervisor can help you determine the best length for your work.

One trick to get started is to think of your proposal’s structure as a shorter version of your thesis or dissertation , only without the results , conclusion and discussion sections.

Download our research proposal template

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Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We’ve included a few for you below.

• Example research proposal #1: “A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management”
• Example research proposal #2: “Medical Students as Mediators of Change in Tobacco Use”

Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes:

• The proposed title of your project
• Your supervisor’s name
• Your institution and department

The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for your project. Make sure it succinctly explains what you want to do and why.

Your introduction should:

• Introduce your topic
• Give necessary background and context
• Outline your  problem statement  and research questions

To guide your introduction , include information about:

• Who could have an interest in the topic (e.g., scientists, policymakers)
• How much is already known about the topic
• What is missing from this current knowledge
• What new insights your research will contribute
• Why you believe this research is worth doing

As you get started, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the most important research on your topic. A strong literature review  shows your reader that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge or theory. It also shows that you’re not simply repeating what other people have already done or said, but rather using existing research as a jumping-off point for your own.

In this section, share exactly how your project will contribute to ongoing conversations in the field by:

• Comparing and contrasting the main theories, methods, and debates
• Examining the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
• Explaining how will you build on, challenge, or synthesize prior scholarship

Following the literature review, restate your main  objectives . This brings the focus back to your own project. Next, your research design or methodology section will describe your overall approach, and the practical steps you will take to answer your research questions.

To finish your proposal on a strong note, explore the potential implications of your research for your field. Emphasize again what you aim to contribute and why it matters.

For example, your results might have implications for:

• Improving best practices
• Informing policymaking decisions
• Strengthening a theory or model
• Challenging popular or scientific beliefs
• Creating a basis for future research

Last but not least, your research proposal must include correct citations for every source you have used, compiled in a reference list . To create citations quickly and easily, you can use our free APA citation generator .

Some institutions or funders require a detailed timeline of the project, asking you to forecast what you will do at each stage and how long it may take. While not always required, be sure to check the requirements of your project.

Here’s an example schedule to help you get started. You can also download a template at the button below.

Download our research schedule template

If you are applying for research funding, chances are you will have to include a detailed budget. This shows your estimates of how much each part of your project will cost.

Make sure to check what type of costs the funding body will agree to cover. For each item, include:

• Cost : exactly how much money do you need?
• Justification : why is this cost necessary to complete the research?
• Source : how did you calculate the amount?

To determine your budget, think about:

• Travel costs : do you need to go somewhere to collect your data? How will you get there, and how much time will you need? What will you do there (e.g., interviews, archival research)?
• Materials : do you need access to any tools or technologies?
• Help : do you need to hire any research assistants for the project? What will they do, and how much will you pay them?

If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Methodology

• Sampling methods
• Simple random sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Cluster sampling
• Likert scales
• Reproducibility

 Statistics

• Null hypothesis
• Statistical power
• Probability distribution
• Effect size
• Poisson distribution

Research bias

• Optimism bias
• Cognitive bias
• Implicit bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Anchoring bias
• Explicit bias

Once you’ve decided on your research objectives , you need to explain them in your paper, at the end of your problem statement .

Keep your research objectives clear and concise, and use appropriate verbs to accurately convey the work that you will carry out for each one.

I will compare …

A research aim is a broad statement indicating the general purpose of your research project. It should appear in your introduction at the end of your problem statement , before your research objectives.

Research objectives are more specific than your research aim. They indicate the specific ways you’ll address the overarching aim.

A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.

A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.

A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.

All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.

Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.

Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.

The best way to remember the difference between a research plan and a research proposal is that they have fundamentally different audiences. A research plan helps you, the researcher, organize your thoughts. On the other hand, a dissertation proposal or research proposal aims to convince others (e.g., a supervisor, a funding body, or a dissertation committee) that your research topic is relevant and worthy of being conducted.

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McCombes, S. & George, T. (2023, November 21). How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved August 15, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/research-process/research-proposal/

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Home » How To Write A Proposal – Step By Step Guide [With Template]

How To Write A Proposal – Step By Step Guide [With Template]

Table of Contents

How To Write A Proposal

Writing a Proposal involves several key steps to effectively communicate your ideas and intentions to a target audience. Here’s a detailed breakdown of each step:

Identify the Purpose and Audience

• Clearly define the purpose of your proposal: What problem are you addressing, what solution are you proposing, or what goal are you aiming to achieve?
• Identify your target audience: Who will be reading your proposal? Consider their background, interests, and any specific requirements they may have.

Conduct Research

• Gather relevant information: Conduct thorough research to support your proposal. This may involve studying existing literature, analyzing data, or conducting surveys/interviews to gather necessary facts and evidence.
• Understand the context: Familiarize yourself with the current situation or problem you’re addressing. Identify any relevant trends, challenges, or opportunities that may impact your proposal.

Develop an Outline

• Create a clear and logical structure: Divide your proposal into sections or headings that will guide your readers through the content.
• Introduction: Provide a concise overview of the problem, its significance, and the proposed solution.
• Background/Context: Offer relevant background information and context to help the readers understand the situation.
• Objectives/Goals: Clearly state the objectives or goals of your proposal.
• Methodology/Approach: Describe the approach or methodology you will use to address the problem.
• Timeline/Schedule: Present a detailed timeline or schedule outlining the key milestones or activities.
• Budget/Resources: Specify the financial and other resources required to implement your proposal.
• Evaluation/Success Metrics: Explain how you will measure the success or effectiveness of your proposal.
• Conclusion: Summarize the main points and restate the benefits of your proposal.

Write the Proposal

• Grab attention: Start with a compelling opening statement or a brief story that hooks the reader.
• Clearly state the problem: Clearly define the problem or issue you are addressing and explain its significance.
• Present your proposal: Introduce your proposed solution, project, or idea and explain why it is the best approach.
• State the objectives/goals: Clearly articulate the specific objectives or goals your proposal aims to achieve.
• Provide supporting information: Present evidence, data, or examples to support your claims and justify your proposal.
• Explain the methodology: Describe in detail the approach, methods, or strategies you will use to implement your proposal.
• Address potential concerns: Anticipate and address any potential objections or challenges the readers may have and provide counterarguments or mitigation strategies.
• Recap the main points: Summarize the key points you’ve discussed in the proposal.
• Reinforce the benefits: Emphasize the positive outcomes, benefits, or impact your proposal will have.
• Call to action: Clearly state what action you want the readers to take, such as approving the proposal, providing funding, or collaborating with you.

Review and Revise

• Proofread for clarity and coherence: Check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
• Ensure a logical flow: Read through your proposal to ensure the ideas are presented in a logical order and are easy to follow.
• Revise and refine: Fine-tune your proposal to make it concise, persuasive, and compelling.

Add Supplementary Materials

• Attach relevant documents: Include any supporting materials that strengthen your proposal, such as research findings, charts, graphs, or testimonials.
• Appendices: Add any additional information that might be useful but not essential to the main body of the proposal.

Formatting and Presentation

• Follow the guidelines: Adhere to any specific formatting guidelines provided by the organization or institution to which you are submitting the proposal.
• Use a professional tone and language: Ensure that your proposal is written in a clear, concise, and professional manner.
• Use headings and subheadings: Organize your proposal with clear headings and subheadings to improve readability.
• Pay attention to design: Use appropriate fonts, font sizes, and formatting styles to make your proposal visually appealing.
• Include a cover page: Create a cover page that includes the title of your proposal, your name or organization, the date, and any other required information.

Seek Feedback

• Share your proposal with trusted colleagues or mentors and ask for their feedback. Consider their suggestions for improvement and incorporate them into your proposal if necessary.

Finalize and Submit

• Make any final revisions based on the feedback received.
• Ensure that all required sections, attachments, and documentation are included.
• Double-check for any formatting, grammar, or spelling errors.
• Submit your proposal within the designated deadline and according to the submission guidelines provided.

Proposal Format

The format of a proposal can vary depending on the specific requirements of the organization or institution you are submitting it to. However, here is a general proposal format that you can follow:

1. Title Page:

• Include the title of your proposal, your name or organization’s name, the date, and any other relevant information specified by the guidelines.

2. Executive Summary:

•  Provide a concise overview of your proposal, highlighting the key points and objectives.
• Summarize the problem, proposed solution, and anticipated benefits.
• Keep it brief and engaging, as this section is often read first and should capture the reader’s attention.

3. Introduction:

• State the problem or issue you are addressing and its significance.
• Provide background information to help the reader understand the context and importance of the problem.
• Clearly state the purpose and objectives of your proposal.

4. Problem Statement:

• Describe the problem in detail, highlighting its impact and consequences.
• Use data, statistics, or examples to support your claims and demonstrate the need for a solution.

5. Proposed Solution or Project Description:

• Explain your proposed solution or project in a clear and detailed manner.
• Describe how your solution addresses the problem and why it is the most effective approach.
• Include information on the methods, strategies, or activities you will undertake to implement your solution.
• Highlight any unique features, innovations, or advantages of your proposal.

6. Methodology:

• Provide a step-by-step explanation of the methodology or approach you will use to implement your proposal.
• Include a timeline or schedule that outlines the key milestones, tasks, and deliverables.
• Clearly describe the resources, personnel, or expertise required for each phase of the project.

7. Evaluation and Success Metrics:

• Explain how you will measure the success or effectiveness of your proposal.
• Identify specific metrics, indicators, or evaluation methods that will be used.
• Describe how you will track progress, gather feedback, and make adjustments as needed.
• Present a detailed budget that outlines the financial resources required for your proposal.
• Include all relevant costs, such as personnel, materials, equipment, and any other expenses.
• Provide a justification for each item in the budget.

9. Conclusion:

•  Summarize the main points of your proposal.
•  Reiterate the benefits and positive outcomes of implementing your proposal.
• Emphasize the value and impact it will have on the organization or community.

10. Appendices:

• Include any additional supporting materials, such as research findings, charts, graphs, or testimonials.
•  Attach any relevant documents that provide further information but are not essential to the main body of the proposal.

Proposal Template

Here’s a basic proposal template that you can use as a starting point for creating your own proposal:

Dear [Recipient’s Name],

I am writing to submit a proposal for [briefly state the purpose of the proposal and its significance]. This proposal outlines a comprehensive solution to address [describe the problem or issue] and presents an actionable plan to achieve the desired objectives.

Thank you for considering this proposal. I believe that implementing this solution will significantly contribute to [organization’s or community’s goals]. I am available to discuss the proposal in more detail at your convenience. Please feel free to contact me at [your email address or phone number].

Yours sincerely,

Note: This template is a starting point and should be customized to meet the specific requirements and guidelines provided by the organization or institution to which you are submitting the proposal.

Proposal Sample

Here’s a sample proposal to give you an idea of how it could be structured and written:

Subject : Proposal for Implementation of Environmental Education Program

I am pleased to submit this proposal for your consideration, outlining a comprehensive plan for the implementation of an Environmental Education Program. This program aims to address the critical need for environmental awareness and education among the community, with the objective of fostering a sense of responsibility and sustainability.

Executive Summary: Our proposed Environmental Education Program is designed to provide engaging and interactive educational opportunities for individuals of all ages. By combining classroom learning, hands-on activities, and community engagement, we aim to create a long-lasting impact on environmental conservation practices and attitudes.

Introduction: The state of our environment is facing significant challenges, including climate change, habitat loss, and pollution. It is essential to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills to understand these issues and take action. This proposal seeks to bridge the gap in environmental education and inspire a sense of environmental stewardship among the community.

Problem Statement: The lack of environmental education programs has resulted in limited awareness and understanding of environmental issues. As a result, individuals are less likely to adopt sustainable practices or actively contribute to conservation efforts. Our program aims to address this gap and empower individuals to become environmentally conscious and responsible citizens.

Proposed Solution or Project Description: Our Environmental Education Program will comprise a range of activities, including workshops, field trips, and community initiatives. We will collaborate with local schools, community centers, and environmental organizations to ensure broad participation and maximum impact. By incorporating interactive learning experiences, such as nature walks, recycling drives, and eco-craft sessions, we aim to make environmental education engaging and enjoyable.

Methodology: Our program will be structured into modules that cover key environmental themes, such as biodiversity, climate change, waste management, and sustainable living. Each module will include a mix of classroom sessions, hands-on activities, and practical field experiences. We will also leverage technology, such as educational apps and online resources, to enhance learning outcomes.

Evaluation and Success Metrics: We will employ a combination of quantitative and qualitative measures to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. Pre- and post-assessments will gauge knowledge gain, while surveys and feedback forms will assess participant satisfaction and behavior change. We will also track the number of community engagement activities and the adoption of sustainable practices as indicators of success.

Budget: Please find attached a detailed budget breakdown for the implementation of the Environmental Education Program. The budget covers personnel costs, materials and supplies, transportation, and outreach expenses. We have ensured cost-effectiveness while maintaining the quality and impact of the program.

Conclusion: By implementing this Environmental Education Program, we have the opportunity to make a significant difference in our community’s environmental consciousness and practices. We are confident that this program will foster a generation of individuals who are passionate about protecting our environment and taking sustainable actions. We look forward to discussing the proposal further and working together to make a positive impact.

Thank you for your time and consideration. Should you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me at [your email address or phone number].

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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College of Arts & Sciences

Creative Writing Honors Thesis Proposal

Application guidelines.

Students interested in pursuing a senior thesis project in creative writing should create a proposal according to the guidelines below. They must also show evidence of substantial and successful course work in the specific genre in which they wish to pursue a project (i.e. if the student is interested in a poetry project, they should have already taken at least one poetry writing class, received an outstanding grade in that class, and have plans to take more classes or tutorials in poetry writing and/or to take full advantage of other poetry offerings sponsored by the University, including those sponsored by the Lannan Center).  Students who wish to pursue a hybrid critical/creative project should include elements of both application guidelines in their applications, including their writing samples.

The proposal should include the following:

• A project description that explains the scope, focus, goals, and intent of the project (3 pages, double-spaced)
• A brief artist’s statement (2–3 pages, double-spaced) that does the following:
• Provides a narrative account of how the student came to be interested in this particular project (course work, readings, unofficial creative and intellectual explorations);
• Demonstrates the student’s proficiency in the project’s genre, and delineates the course work, tutorials, readings, and extracurricular activities that have prepared them for this project;
• Situates the project, providing an analysis of how it engages with other contemporary works in the same genre and/or its historical precedents;
• Outlines how this project will engage with and contribute to timely aesthetic, intellectual, and creative conversations.

Research Proposal Writing for Fine Arts and Music

Where to start, phase 1- go deep, phase 2- give yourself some structure, phase 3- writing your research question, phase 4- finalising your research question, research methodologies, key research texts.

• Graduate Research
• Talk to a Librarian

Your creative project is well underway and now it is time to research and write about it. But how do you turn your ideas into a  research question?

Use the tabs on this page to work through  Phases 1, 2, 3 and 4 . These may help you identify themes and questions you would like to explore in your project, and how to turn these into successful library search strategies.

The library also has many resources available to help you learn more about Practice-Based Research and other research methodologies. There are links to these in the  Research Methodologies  and  Key Research Texts  tabs.

1) Reflect on your current creative project. Write down your motivations and aims for creating the project. Write down any significant discoveries you have made along the way. 

2) Ask yourself, have there been any issues arising from the project that I could research? These issues may be based around the concept, themes or technical aspects of your work or a combination of these. 

3) If you are struggling to identify any issues, talk with peers who know your work and ask them for feedback. Explain to them your motivations, aims and discoveries. Ask them if your work effectively achieves what you set out to do. Write down any issues related to your work that come from this discussion. 

4) Based on the issues you and your peers have identified, select one or two issues that are the most interesting and important for you. These issues will form the basis of your research question. 

1) Using the 1 or 2 issues you have identified, you can narrow the focus of your research question. Here are a few questions to ask:

• Time period (Is my work related to a specific period?)
• Person (Is my work related to a specific director, composer, choreographer, performer or writer?)
• Technical tool (Does my work use any particular technique?)
• Social or political issue (Does my work address a social issue such as war, disease, love, race or sexuality?)
• Contemporary issue (Does my work explore an issue in contemporary music theatre? Eg. music, writing, performance venues, lyrics, acting or dancing)
• What kind of role does my creative project have in the broader context of contemporary music theatre?

2) Make a list of responses to these questions. Select which responses are most interesting and relevant to your creative project.

You will now have a narrower idea for your research question.

1) Play around with your research question. Write it down as a question or statement in a number of different ways. Try to get to at least ten different statements, but no pressure! Not all of them will be good. You might:

• Change around the phrasing of the issue
• Change your original words for synonyms
• Say the question out loud
• Explain it to one of your peers and write down your explanation.

2) Highlight the questions that seem clearest to you. 

3) Forget about your question or topic for 24 hours. Instead, reflect on your creative project, watch some documentation or perform part of the project.

4) Return to your list of questions with fresh eyes. Make a list of the best three questions/topic sentences. If you have already identified that one question is the best one for you, stick with that one. 

1) For each question, spend 10 minutes searching  Discovery . Use an  Information Search Planner  to help you search effectively (download one from the link below). 

2) Assess the results of your searches as you go and use these results to help you choose one of your three questions. Ask yourself:

• Is there a lot of information available on this topic?
• Has my question already been answered?
• Who is writing about the topic of my question?
• Which of my searches is finding results that are the most interesting and relevant to my creative project?

3) By answering the questions above, you will be able to select a suitable question.  If not, reassess your question and repeat Phase 2 onwards. Alternatively, you may wish to discuss your question with your lecturer or supervisor.

REMEMBER:  Your question will change over time. When you are making work and researching, your ideas will change and your question can too!

The Library collections offer many resources on research methods. Doing a simple keyword search in the  Library Catalogue  will give you a list of many. You can use the keywords below as a starting point:

• Practice-led research
• Practice based research
• Research-led practice
• Artistic research

You can also  modify your search  to limit it to resources held at Southbank Library, or to our Online Resources if you're interested in an ebook.

Subject Headings in the Catalogue

The links below will launch a search in the library catalogue for specific subject headings:

Arts -- Research

Qualitative Research

Quantitative Research

Mixed Methods Research

Research Method

SAGE Research Methods

SAGE Research Methods is a research tool to help you design your research project.  Search by keywords or use the visual interface in the  Methods Map . Its main focus is research in the social sciences.

• SAGE Research Methods SAGE Research Methods is a research methods tool which links SAGE’s renowned book, journal and reference content with truly advanced search and discovery tools. Researchers can explore methods concepts to help them design research projects, understand particular methods or identify a new method, conduct their research, and write up their findings. SAGE Research Methods Cases is a collection of case studies of real social research that faculty can use in their teaching. Cases are original, specially commissioned, and designed to help students understand often abstract methodological concepts by introducing them to case studies of real research projects.

• Next: Graduate Research >>
• Last Updated: Aug 7, 2024 10:23 AM
• URL: https://unimelb.libguides.com/proposalwritingcreativearts

How to Write a Research Proposal: (with Examples & Templates)

Table of Contents

Before conducting a study, a research proposal should be created that outlines researchers’ plans and methodology and is submitted to the concerned evaluating organization or person. Creating a research proposal is an important step to ensure that researchers are on track and are moving forward as intended. A research proposal can be defined as a detailed plan or blueprint for the proposed research that you intend to undertake. It provides readers with a snapshot of your project by describing what you will investigate, why it is needed, and how you will conduct the research.  

Your research proposal should aim to explain to the readers why your research is relevant and original, that you understand the context and current scenario in the field, have the appropriate resources to conduct the research, and that the research is feasible given the usual constraints.  

This article will describe in detail the purpose and typical structure of a research proposal , along with examples and templates to help you ace this step in your research journey.  

What is a Research Proposal ?  

A research proposal¹ ,²  can be defined as a formal report that describes your proposed research, its objectives, methodology, implications, and other important details. Research proposals are the framework of your research and are used to obtain approvals or grants to conduct the study from various committees or organizations. Consequently, research proposals should convince readers of your study’s credibility, accuracy, achievability, practicality, and reproducibility.   

With research proposals , researchers usually aim to persuade the readers, funding agencies, educational institutions, and supervisors to approve the proposal. To achieve this, the report should be well structured with the objectives written in clear, understandable language devoid of jargon. A well-organized research proposal conveys to the readers or evaluators that the writer has thought out the research plan meticulously and has the resources to ensure timely completion.  

Purpose of Research Proposals  

A research proposal is a sales pitch and therefore should be detailed enough to convince your readers, who could be supervisors, ethics committees, universities, etc., that what you’re proposing has merit and is feasible . Research proposals can help students discuss their dissertation with their faculty or fulfill course requirements and also help researchers obtain funding. A well-structured proposal instills confidence among readers about your ability to conduct and complete the study as proposed.  

Research proposals can be written for several reasons:³  

• To describe the importance of research in the specific topic  
• Address any potential challenges you may encounter  
• Showcase knowledge in the field and your ability to conduct a study  
• Apply for a role at a research institute  
• Convince a research supervisor or university that your research can satisfy the requirements of a degree program  
• Highlight the importance of your research to organizations that may sponsor your project  
• Identify implications of your project and how it can benefit the audience  

What Goes in a Research Proposal?    

Research proposals should aim to answer the three basic questions—what, why, and how.  

The What question should be answered by describing the specific subject being researched. It should typically include the objectives, the cohort details, and the location or setting.  

The Why question should be answered by describing the existing scenario of the subject, listing unanswered questions, identifying gaps in the existing research, and describing how your study can address these gaps, along with the implications and significance.  

The How question should be answered by describing the proposed research methodology, data analysis tools expected to be used, and other details to describe your proposed methodology.   

Research Proposal Example  

Here is a research proposal sample template (with examples) from the University of Rochester Medical Center. 4 The sections in all research proposals are essentially the same although different terminology and other specific sections may be used depending on the subject.  

Structure of a Research Proposal  

If you want to know how to make a research proposal impactful, include the following components:¹  

1. Introduction  

This section provides a background of the study, including the research topic, what is already known about it and the gaps, and the significance of the proposed research.  

2. Literature review  

This section contains descriptions of all the previous relevant studies pertaining to the research topic. Every study cited should be described in a few sentences, starting with the general studies to the more specific ones. This section builds on the understanding gained by readers in the Introduction section and supports it by citing relevant prior literature, indicating to readers that you have thoroughly researched your subject.  

3. Objectives  

Once the background and gaps in the research topic have been established, authors must now state the aims of the research clearly. Hypotheses should be mentioned here. This section further helps readers understand what your study’s specific goals are.  

4. Research design and methodology  

Here, authors should clearly describe the methods they intend to use to achieve their proposed objectives. Important components of this section include the population and sample size, data collection and analysis methods and duration, statistical analysis software, measures to avoid bias (randomization, blinding), etc.  

5. Ethical considerations  

This refers to the protection of participants’ rights, such as the right to privacy, right to confidentiality, etc. Researchers need to obtain informed consent and institutional review approval by the required authorities and mention this clearly for transparency.  

6. Budget/funding  

Researchers should prepare their budget and include all expected expenditures. An additional allowance for contingencies such as delays should also be factored in.  

7. Appendices  

This section typically includes information that supports the research proposal and may include informed consent forms, questionnaires, participant information, measurement tools, etc.  

8. Citations  

Important Tips for Writing a Research Proposal  

Writing a research proposal begins much before the actual task of writing. Planning the research proposal structure and content is an important stage, which if done efficiently, can help you seamlessly transition into the writing stage. 3,5  

The Planning Stage  

• Manage your time efficiently. Plan to have the draft version ready at least two weeks before your deadline and the final version at least two to three days before the deadline.
• What is the primary objective of your research?  
• Will your research address any existing gap?  
• What is the impact of your proposed research?  
• Do people outside your field find your research applicable in other areas?  
• If your research is unsuccessful, would there still be other useful research outcomes?  

  The Writing Stage  

• Create an outline with main section headings that are typically used.  
• Focus only on writing and getting your points across without worrying about the format of the research proposal , grammar, punctuation, etc. These can be fixed during the subsequent passes. Add details to each section heading you created in the beginning.   
• Ensure your sentences are concise and use plain language. A research proposal usually contains about 2,000 to 4,000 words or four to seven pages.  
• Don’t use too many technical terms and abbreviations assuming that the readers would know them. Define the abbreviations and technical terms.  
• Ensure that the entire content is readable. Avoid using long paragraphs because they affect the continuity in reading. Break them into shorter paragraphs and introduce some white space for readability.  
• Focus on only the major research issues and cite sources accordingly. Don’t include generic information or their sources in the literature review.  
• Proofread your final document to ensure there are no grammatical errors so readers can enjoy a seamless, uninterrupted read.  
• Use academic, scholarly language because it brings formality into a document.  
• Ensure that your title is created using the keywords in the document and is neither too long and specific nor too short and general.  
• Cite all sources appropriately to avoid plagiarism.  
• Make sure that you follow guidelines, if provided. This includes rules as simple as using a specific font or a hyphen or en dash between numerical ranges.  
• Ensure that you’ve answered all questions requested by the evaluating authority.  

Key Takeaways   

Here’s a summary of the main points about research proposals discussed in the previous sections:  

• A research proposal is a document that outlines the details of a proposed study and is created by researchers to submit to evaluators who could be research institutions, universities, faculty, etc.  
• Research proposals are usually about 2,000-4,000 words long, but this depends on the evaluating authority’s guidelines.  
• A good research proposal ensures that you’ve done your background research and assessed the feasibility of the research.  
• Research proposals have the following main sections—introduction, literature review, objectives, methodology, ethical considerations, and budget.  

Frequently Asked Questions  

Q1. How is a research proposal evaluated?  

A1. In general, most evaluators, including universities, broadly use the following criteria to evaluate research proposals . 6  

• Significance —Does the research address any important subject or issue, which may or may not be specific to the evaluator or university?  
• Content and design —Is the proposed methodology appropriate to answer the research question? Are the objectives clear and well aligned with the proposed methodology?  
• Sample size and selection —Is the target population or cohort size clearly mentioned? Is the sampling process used to select participants randomized, appropriate, and free of bias?  
• Timing —Are the proposed data collection dates mentioned clearly? Is the project feasible given the specified resources and timeline?  
• Data management and dissemination —Who will have access to the data? What is the plan for data analysis?  

Q2. What is the difference between the Introduction and Literature Review sections in a research proposal ?  

A2. The Introduction or Background section in a research proposal sets the context of the study by describing the current scenario of the subject and identifying the gaps and need for the research. A Literature Review, on the other hand, provides references to all prior relevant literature to help corroborate the gaps identified and the research need.  

Q3. How long should a research proposal be?  

A3. Research proposal lengths vary with the evaluating authority like universities or committees and also the subject. Here’s a table that lists the typical research proposal lengths for a few universities.  

Q4. What are the common mistakes to avoid in a research proposal ?  

A4. Here are a few common mistakes that you must avoid while writing a research proposal . 7  

• No clear objectives: Objectives should be clear, specific, and measurable for the easy understanding among readers.  
• Incomplete or unconvincing background research: Background research usually includes a review of the current scenario of the particular industry and also a review of the previous literature on the subject. This helps readers understand your reasons for undertaking this research because you identified gaps in the existing research.  
• Overlooking project feasibility: The project scope and estimates should be realistic considering the resources and time available.   
• Neglecting the impact and significance of the study: In a research proposal , readers and evaluators look for the implications or significance of your research and how it contributes to the existing research. This information should always be included.  
• Unstructured format of a research proposal : A well-structured document gives confidence to evaluators that you have read the guidelines carefully and are well organized in your approach, consequently affirming that you will be able to undertake the research as mentioned in your proposal.  
• Ineffective writing style: The language used should be formal and grammatically correct. If required, editors could be consulted, including AI-based tools such as Paperpal , to refine the research proposal structure and language.  

Thus, a research proposal is an essential document that can help you promote your research and secure funds and grants for conducting your research. Consequently, it should be well written in clear language and include all essential details to convince the evaluators of your ability to conduct the research as proposed.  

This article has described all the important components of a research proposal and has also provided tips to improve your writing style. We hope all these tips will help you write a well-structured research proposal to ensure receipt of grants or any other purpose.  

References  

• Sudheesh K, Duggappa DR, Nethra SS. How to write a research proposal? Indian J Anaesth. 2016;60(9):631-634. Accessed July 15, 2024. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5037942/  
• Writing research proposals. Harvard College Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships. Harvard University. Accessed July 14, 2024. https://uraf.harvard.edu/apply-opportunities/app-components/essays/research-proposals  
• What is a research proposal? Plus how to write one. Indeed website. Accessed July 17, 2024. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/research-proposal  
• Research proposal template. University of Rochester Medical Center. Accessed July 16, 2024. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/MediaLibraries/URMCMedia/pediatrics/research/documents/Research-proposal-Template.pdf  
• Tips for successful proposal writing. Johns Hopkins University. Accessed July 17, 2024. https://research.jhu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Tips-for-Successful-Proposal-Writing.pdf  
• Formal review of research proposals. Cornell University. Accessed July 18, 2024. https://irp.dpb.cornell.edu/surveys/survey-assessment-review-group/research-proposals  
• 7 Mistakes you must avoid in your research proposal. Aveksana (via LinkedIn). Accessed July 17, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/7-mistakes-you-must-avoid-your-research-proposal-aveksana-cmtwf/  

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How to Write a Project Proposal (Examples & Template Included)

Table of Contents

Types of project proposals, project proposal vs. project charter, project proposal vs. business case, project proposal vs. project plan, project proposal outline, how to write a project proposal, project proposal example, project proposal tips, what is a project proposal.

A project proposal is a project management document that’s used to define the objectives and requirements of a project. It helps organizations and external project stakeholders agree on an initial project planning framework.

The main purpose of a project proposal is to get buy-in from decision-makers. That’s why a project proposal outlines your project’s core value proposition; it sells value to both internal and external project stakeholders. The intent of the proposal is to grab the attention of stakeholders and project sponsors. Then, the next step is getting them excited about the project summary.

Getting into the heads of the audience for which you’re writing the project proposal is vital: you need to think like the project’s stakeholders to deliver a proposal that meets their needs.

We’ve created a free project proposal template for Word to help structure documents, so you don’t have to remember the process each time.

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Project Proposal Template

Use this free Project Proposal Template for Word to manage your projects better.

In terms of types of project proposals, you can have one that’s formally solicited, informally solicited or a combination. There can also be renewal and supplemental proposals. Here’s a brief description of each of them.

• Solicited project proposal: This is sent as a response to a request for proposal (RFP) . Here, you’ll need to adhere to the RFP guidelines of the project owner.
• Unsolicited project proposal: You can send project proposals without having received a request for a proposal. This can happen in open bids for construction projects , where a project owner receives unsolicited project proposals from many contractors.
• Informal project proposal: This type of project proposal is created when a client asks for an informal proposal without an RFP.
• Renewal project proposal: You can use a renewal project proposal when you’re reaching out to past customers. The advantage is that you can highlight past positive results and future benefits.
• Continuation project proposal: A continuation project proposal is sent to investors and stakeholders to communicate project progress.
• Supplemental project proposal: This proposal is sent to investors to ask for additional resources during the project execution phase.

All the elements in the above project proposal outline are present in our template. This free project proposal template for Word will provide you with everything you need to write an excellent project proposal. It will help you with the executive summary, project process, deliverables, costs—even terms and conditions. Download your free template today.

A project proposal is a detailed project document that’s used to convince the project sponsor that the project being proposed is worth the time, money and effort to deliver it. This is done by showing how the project will address a business problem or opportunity. It also outlines the work that will be done and how it will be done.

A project charter can seem like the same thing as a project proposal as it also defines the project in a document. It identifies the project objectives, scope, goals, stakeholders and team. But it’s done after the project has been agreed upon by all stakeholders and the project has been accepted. The project charter authorizes the project and documents its requirements to meet stakeholders’ needs.

A business case is used to explain why the proposed project is justified. It shows that the project is worth the investment of time and money. It’s more commonly used in larger companies in the decision-making process when prioritizing one project over another.

The business case answers the questions: what is the project, why should it be taken up, who will be involved and how much will it cost? It’s therefore related to a project proposal, but the project proposal comes before the business case and is usually part of the larger proposal.

Again, the project proposal and the project plan in this case are very similar documents. It’s understandable that there would be some confusion between these two project terms. They both show how the project will be run and what the results will be. However, they’re not the same.

The project proposal is a document that aims to get a project approved and funded. It’s used to convince stakeholders of the viability of the project and their investment. The project plan, on the other hand, is made during the planning phase of the project, once it’s been approved. It’s a detailed outline of how the project will be implemented, including schedule, budget, resources and more.

There are several key operational and strategic questions to consider, including:

• Executive summary: This is the elevator pitch that outlines the project being proposed and why it makes business sense. While it also touches on the information that’ll follow in the project proposal, the executive summary should be brief and to the point.
• Project background: This is another short part of the proposal, usually only one page, which explains the problem you’ll solve or the opportunity you’re taking advantage of with the proposed project. Also, provide a short history of the business to put the company in context to the project and why it’s a good fit.
• Project vision & success criteria: State the goal of the project and how it aligns with the goals of the company. Be specific. Also, note the metrics used to measure the success of the project.
• Potential risks and mitigation strategies: There are always risks. Detail them here and what strategies you’ll employ to mitigate any negative impact as well as take advantage of any positive risk.
• Project scope & deliverables: Define the project scope, which is all the work that has to be done and how it will be done. Also, detail the various deliverables that the project will have.
• Set SMART goals: When setting goals, be SMART. That’s an acronym for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. All your goals would be defined by those five things.
• Project approach: Define the approach you’ll use for the contract. There are several different types of contracts used in construction , for example, such as lump sum, cost plus, time and materials, etc. This is also a good place to describe the delivery method you’ll use.
• Expected benefits: Outline the benefits that will come from the successful completion of the project.
• Project resource requirements: List the resources, such as labor, materials, equipment, etc., that you’ll need to execute the project if approved.
• Project costs & budget: Detail all the costs, including resources, that’ll be required to complete the project and set up a budget to show how those costs will be spent over the course of the project.
• Project timeline: Lay out the project timeline , which shows the project from start to finish, including the duration of each phase and the tasks within it, milestones, etc.

In addition to these elements, it’s advisable to use a cover letter, which is a one-page document that helps you introduce your project proposal and grab the attention of potential clients and stakeholders.

To make the best proposal possible, you’ll want to be thorough and hit on all the points we’ve listed above. Here’s a step-by-step guide to writing a persuasive priority proposal.

1. Write an Executive Summary

The executive summary provides a quick overview of the main elements of your project proposal, such as your project background, project objectives and project deliverables, among other things. The goal is to capture the attention of your audience and get them excited about the project you’re proposing. It’s essentially the “elevator pitch” for the project life cycle. It should be short and to the point.

The executive summary should be descriptive and paint a picture of what project success looks like for the client. Most importantly, it should motivate the project client; after all, the goal is getting them to sign on the dotted line to get the project moving!

2. Provide a Project Background

The project background is a one-page section of your project proposal that explains the problem that your project will solve. You should explain when this issue started, its current state and how your project will be the ideal solution.

• Historic data: The history section outlines previously successful projects and those that could have run more smoothly. By doing so, this section establishes precedents and how the next project can be more effective using information from previous projects.
• Solution: The solution section addresses how your project will solve the client’s problem. Accordingly, this section includes any project management techniques , skills and procedures your team will use to work efficiently.

3. Establish a Project Vision & Success Criteria

You’ll need to define your project vision. This is best done with a vision statement, which acts as the north star for your project. It’s not specific as much as it’s a way to describe the impact your company plans to make with the project.

It’s also important to set up success criteria to show that the project is in fact doing what it’s proposed to do. Three obvious project success criteria are the triple constraint of cost, scope and time. But you’ll need to set up a way to measure these metrics and respond to them if they’re not meeting your plan.

4. Identify Potential Risks and Mitigation Strategies

To reduce the impact of risk in your project, you need to identify what those risks might be and develop a plan to mitigate them . List all the risks, prioritize them, describe what you’ll do to mitigate or take advantage of them and who on the team is responsible for keeping an eye out for them and resolving them.

5. Define Your Project Scope and Project Deliverables

The project scope refers to all the work that’ll be executed. It defines the work items, work packages and deliverables that’ll be delivered during the execution phase of your project life cycle. It’s important to use a work breakdown structure (WBS) to define your tasks and subtasks and prioritize them.

6. Set SMART Goals for Your Project Proposal

The best mindset when developing goals and objectives for your project proposal is to use the SMART system :

• Specific – Make sure your goals and objectives are clear, concise and specific to the task at hand.
• Measurable – Ensure your goals and objectives are measurable so it’s obvious to see when things are on track and going well, and conversely, when things are off track and issues need to be addressed. Measurable goals make it easy to develop the milestones you’ll use to track the progress of the project and identify a reasonable date for completion and/or closure.
• Attainable – It’s important every project has a “reach” goal. Hitting this goal would mean an outstanding project that extends above and beyond expectations. However, it’s important that the project’s core goal is attainable, so morale stays high and the job gets done with time and resources to spare.
• Relevant – Make sure all of your goals are directly relevant to the project and address the scope within which you’re working.
• Time-Based – Timelines and specific dates should be at the core of all goals and objectives. This helps keep the project on track and ensures all project team members can manage the work that’s ahead of them.

7. Explain What’s Your Project Approach

Your project approach defines the project management methodology , tools and governance for your project. In simple terms, it allows project managers to explain to stakeholders how the project will be planned, executed and controlled successfully.

8. Outline The Expected Benefits of Your Project Proposal

If you want to convince internal stakeholders and external investors, you’ll need to show them the financial benefits that your project could bring to their organization. You can use cost-benefit analysis and projected financial statements to demonstrate why your project is profitable.

9. Identify Project Resource Requirements

Project resources are critical for the execution of your project. The project proposal briefly describes what resources are needed and how they’ll be used. Later, during the planning phase, you’ll need to create a resource management plan that’ll be an important element of your project plan. Project requirements are the items, materials and resources needed for the project. This section should cover both internal and external needs.

10. Estimate Project Costs and Project Budget

All the resources that you’ll need for your project have a price tag. That’s why you need to estimate those costs and create a project budget . The project budget needs to cover all your project expenses, and as a project manager, you’ll need to make sure that you adhere to the budget.

11. Define a Project Timeline

Once you’ve defined your project scope, you’ll need to estimate the duration of each task to create a project timeline. Later during the project planning phase , you’ll need to create a schedule baseline, which estimates the total length of your project. Once the project starts, you’ll compare your actual project schedule to the schedule baseline to monitor progress.

Now let’s explore some project proposal examples to get a better understanding of how a project proposal would work in the real world. For this example, let’s imagine a city that’s about to build a rapid transit system. The city government has the funds to invest but lacks the technical expertise and resources that are needed to build it, so it issues a request for proposal (RFP) document and sends it to potential builders.

Then, the construction companies that are interested in executing this rapid transit project will prepare a project proposal for the city government. Here are some of the key elements they should include.

• Project background: The construction firm will provide an explanation of the challenges that the project presents from a technical perspective, along with historical data from similar projects that have been completed successfully by the company.
• Project vision & success criteria: Write a vision statement and explain how you’ll track the triple constraint to ensure the successful delivery of the project.
• Potential risks and mitigation strategies: List all risks and how they’ll be mitigated, and be sure to prioritize them.
• Project scope & deliverables: The work that’ll be done is outlined in the scope, including all the deliverables that’ll be completed over the life cycle of the project.
• Set SMART goals: Use the SMART technique to define your project goals by whether they’re specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.
• Project approach: Define the methodology that the project manager will employ to manage the project. Also, figure out what type of contract will be used to define the project.
• Expected benefits: Show how the project will deliver advantages to the company and define what these benefits are in a quantifiable way.
• Project resource requirements: List all the resources, such as labor, materials, equipment, etc., needed to execute the project.
• Project costs & budget: Estimate the cost of the project and lay that out in a project budget that covers everything from start to finish.
• Project timeline: Outline the project schedule, including phases, milestones and task duration on a visual timeline.

Whatever project proposal you’re working on, there are a few tips that apply as best practices for all. While above we suggested a project proposal template that would have a table of contents, meaning it would be many pages long, the best-case scenario is keeping the proposal to one or two pages max. Remember, you’re trying to win over stakeholders, not bore them.

Speaking of project stakeholders , do the research. You want to address the right ones. There’s no point in doing all the work necessary to write a great proposal only to have it directed to the wrong target audience. Whoever is going to read it, though, should be able to comprehend the proposal. Keep the language simple and direct.

When it comes to writing, get a professional. Even a business document like a project proposal, business case or executive summary will suffer if it’s poorly constructed or has typos. If you don’t want to hire a professional business writer, make sure you get someone on your project team to copy, edit and proof the document. The more eyes on it, the less likely mistakes will make it to the final edition.

While you want to keep the proposal short and sweet, it helps to sweeten the pot by adding customer testimonials to the attachments. Nothing sells a project plan better than a customer base looking for your product or service.

ProjectManager & Project Proposals

ProjectManager allows you to plan proposals within our software. You can update tasks for the project proposal to signify where things stand and what’s left to be done. The columns allow you to organize your proposal by section, creating a work breakdown structure (WBS) of sorts.

When building a project proposal, it’s vital to remember your target audience. Your audience includes those who are excited about the project, and see completion as a gain for their organization. Conversely, others in your audience will see the project as a pain and something to which they aren’t looking forward. To keep both parties satisfied, it’s essential to keep language factual and concise.

Our online kanban boards help you think through that language and collaborate on it effectively with other team members, if necessary. Each card shows the percentage completed so everyone in the project management team is aware of the work done and what’s left to be done.

As you can see from the kanban board above, work has begun on tasks such as product documentation and design. Tasks regarding stakeholder feedback, ideation, market research and more have been completed, and there’s a good start on the engineering drawings, 3D rendering, supply chain sourcing and translation services.

A PDF is then attached to the card, and everyone added to the task receives an email notifying them of the change. This same process can be used throughout the life-cycle of the project to keep the team updated, collaborating, and producing a first-class project proposal. In addition to kanban boards, you can also use other project management tools such as Gantt charts , project dashboards, task lists and project calendars to plan, schedule and track your projects.

Project proposals are just the first step in the project planning process. Once your project is approved, you’ll have to solidify the plan, allocate and manage resources, monitor the project, and finally hand in your deliverables. This process requires a flexible, dynamic and robust project management software package. ProjectManager is online project management software that helps all your team members collaborate and manage this process in real-time. Try our award-winning software with this free 30-day trial .

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Blog Business How to Write a Project Proposal (with Examples & Templates)

How to Write a Project Proposal (with Examples & Templates)

Written by: Jennifer Gaskin Dec 11, 2023

For businesses that rely on clients and partnerships to generate sales and revenue, project proposals are must-haves. A polished, professional project proposal is one of the best ways to present the capabilities your team has and put your goods and services in the best possible light.

But creating a good project proposal is more than just a timeline and a budget. Adding visual flourishes like charts, graphs and other imagery can help elevate a boring proposal to the top of the pile. Learn how you can create a successful project proposal and take a look at several project proposal templates you can fully customize using Venngage.

Click to jump ahead:

• What is a project proposal and how to use it

How to write a project proposal in 9 steps

4 project proposal examples with templates.

• What are the 6 types of project proposals?

What are the contents of a project proposal?

What is a project proposal & how to use it.

A project proposal is a formal document that outlines the details, objectives and scope of a proposed project. The purpose of a project proposal is to describe the parameters of a potential project or initiative.

Depending on the industry and type of project proposal (more on that in a moment), these documents can include things like scope of work, timelines, staffing, budget, capability statement and more.

Companies that receive project proposals from other firms or individuals use these documents to narrow down their options and make an informed decision about the best partner for them. And companies that create project proposals use them to make their pitch for the project.

Here’s an example of a project proposal to propose a new partnership:

It’s important to note that project proposals are not the same as business proposals , though there are some similarities. One of the biggest differences is that business proposals tend to be more general and expansive. Learn more about writing a great business proposal.

Writing a great project proposal can be a challenge. That’s because you need to craft the message specifically for the company or individual you’re sending the proposal to.

But don’t worry if you don’t know where to start, here’s how you write an effective project proposal:

Step 1: Review the RFP (if you have one)

If there is no formal RFP, you’ll still need to start out researching as much as you can about your potential client. That means finding out not only about the problem you’re hoping to solve but the history of the client, their industry, their competitors and more. Getting to know them better will help you understand how to portray yourself or your company in the best light.

Step 2: Create a project proposal outline

Whether you use the sections we listed above in that order, add or remove ones or shift things around, jot down a quick outline of sections to keep in mind as you work.

Step 3: Define the problem and present your solution

Kick things off by clearly nailing down the problem or need your project is tackling. Back it up with some hard evidence and data to show why this issue is a big deal. Break it down for your audience, explaining how your project is going to make their lives better.

Step 4: Highlight elements that may set your proposal apart

For example, if you know that your company will be able to complete the task more quickly than any competitors, make that the focus of your solution or scope of work section. Compare your proposed timeline with what your competitors are likely to propose to the client.

You should also make notes of any elements that you might be able to visualize through a graph, chart or other design element — visuals can help not only make your project proposal easier on the eyes, but they can make it more memorable and illustrate to the client that you are able to think creatively.

Here’s an example of how it can look in your project proposal:

Step 5: Define project deliverables and goals

A rock-solid project hinges on clarity, and that starts with laying out precisely what your project will deliver. Whether it’s reports, shiny new products, or top-notch services, make it crystal clear from the get-go.

Next, set the bar with measurable goals and objectives that scream success. Break them down so everyone’s on the same page. And because time is money, map out a timeline that’s not just a bunch of dates but a roadmap with key pit stops.

These milestones and deadlines are the heartbeat of your project, guiding you through each phase and making sure you hit the finish line with style. It’s all about setting the stage for success and making sure everyone’s got their eyes on the prize.

Step 6: State your plan or approach

Now, we’ve made it to the meat of your project proposal. In this section, walk your readers through the nitty-gritty of your project management approach.

Break down the essentials when it comes to resources—think people, equipment, and budget. And, while you’re at it, clue them in on your game plan for handling potential challenges through your risk management strategy. Additionally, consider your approach to project management, for example  agile project management  prioritizes flexibility and adaptability in order to effectively respond to changes and deliver successful outcomes.

Step 7: Outline your project schedule and budget

Crafting a successful project hinges on meticulous planning, starting with the creation of a detailed project schedule.

Break down the project into specific tasks and assign realistic timelines to each one. This step-by-step schedule, like a roadmap, not only helps in visualizing the project’s progression but also aids in resource allocation and risk management.

Simultaneously, developing a comprehensive budget is paramount. Dive deep into identifying and estimating all project costs, including personnel, materials equipment, and any potential contingencies. The budget acts as the financial backbone, ensuring that resources are allocated judiciously.

But here’s the deal – keep it real. Your schedule and budget need to be doable, considering the real-world factors at play. It’s all about laying the groundwork for success and keeping everyone in the loop from start to finish.

Step 8: Write the executive summary

The executive summary serves as the project’s sneak peek, condensing the entire proposal into a punchy snapshot. This opening act isn’t just a formality; it’s your chance to grab the reader’s attention from the get-go.

Picture it like the movie trailer – it needs to be compelling, leaving the audience eager for the full feature. In this compact summary, shine a spotlight on the critical elements of your proposal.

Outline the problem you’re tackling, showcase your ingenious solution, spell out the perks and benefits and throw in a quick glance at the budget for good measure. It’s your project’s elevator pitch, setting the stage for what’s to come and making sure your audience is hooked right from the first line.

Step 9: Proofread and edit

Before sending your proposal out into the world, give it a thorough once-over. Take the time to meticulously proofread every nook and cranny, hunting down grammar slip-ups, punctuation quirks and sneaky spelling errors.

A second perspective can catch things you might have overlooked. And let’s talk presentation – ensure your proposal isn’t just a content champ but looks the part too. Format it like a pro, making sure it’s visually appealing and easy on the eyes.

After all, a polished proposal not only communicates your ideas effectively but also leaves a lasting impression. Browse Venngage’s selection of project proposal templates to get a head start today!

Additional tips:

Avoid overly salesy language.

It can be tempting, particularly if you’re sending unsolicited project proposals, to use some of the same language in your proposal as you might in an ad, but you should keep such wording to a minimum.

Let the proposal speak for itself; if you or your firm truly are the best one for the job, it should be evident in your proposal. Being straightforward can also signal to the hiring party that you don’t want to waste their time with flowery language. It’s better to deal in facts rather than opinions for project proposals.

Establish a single point of contact

Some project proposals will include lists or even short bios of your staff members who will be involved in the project. But it’s a good idea to ensure that your project proposal makes it clear whom the client should contact to move the project forward or submit any questions. Include this person’s information at the beginning and the end of your document.

Write with one voice

While it’s common for large RFPs to be completed by many people on the team, ensure that whoever is responsible for bringing it all together has a chance to make the document feel cohesive. It should read as if one person put the entire thing together.

Now that we’ve explored some of the background and purpose of project proposals, let’s take a look at some templates you can customize using Venngage for your own project.

Construction project proposal examples

The construction industry is a complex one, and project proposals are critical for landing business and keeping projects on track. But there are many approaches a construction project proposal can take.

Taking the complicated and making it simple is a challenge, particularly in this field, but as this project proposal example shows, it can be done. By using simple, clear language and well-placed visual emphasis, this free project proposal template stands out for its simplicity.

Many hiring companies simply skim project proposals for things like budget and timeframe, and while you still need to craft an engaging proposal, it’s a good idea to put those types of elements front and center, as this construction project proposal does.

Remember that regardless of whether your firm is hired for the job at hand, every document you send to another business is a chance to establish your company’s brand identity. Use a template like the one below, update it with your logo and brand colors and fonts to keep it aligned with your messaging.

As you can see from the example below, a few color changes can make a huge difference:

To easily apply your brand colors and logos, simply have them automatically extracted from your website using Autobrand:

And apply them to your design in one click with My Brand Kit :

Design project proposal examples

You might think it would be a no-brainer for a designer to create a well-designed project proposal, but it’s common for creative people to have difficulty when it comes to analytical thinking. That’s why having a couple of great project proposals in your back pocket is perfect for a designer.

Project proposals in creative fields tend to be a bit less buttoned-up than those in other industries, so use your proposal as an opportunity to make a bold design statement. The template below, for example, uses a striking color palette and minimalist imagery on the cover to make the proposal stand out, and those touches are reinforced throughout the document.

This example, similarly, uses creative color combinations to strike a design-forward tone. But as both of these templates illustrate, the bones of the project proposal must be sound, and all the information required should still be covered.

Work project proposal examples

Not every industry requires a unique approach to project proposals, and, in fact, for most applications, a general work proposal template will suffice, provided that you do your due diligence in following any requirements set forward by the hiring party.

This template created for a consulting firm illustrates a straightforward approach to project proposals that you can easily adapt for your needs. Add or remove pages, insert charts and graphs or new icons and craft a compelling narrative.

This project proposal template is an excellent example of how companies can use established templates to create a unique proposal. Note how they’ve used the sections that apply to them and put them together in a way to appeal to their potential client.

Marketing project proposal examples

Marketers and marketing agencies are regularly asked to submit RFPs, whether for individual projects or long-term engagements, so the average marketing agency will need to have several project proposals on hand that they can modify when new requests come in.

This social media marketing project proposal template is ideal for a single campaign rather than a multi-year engagement. In that situation, it’s crucial to make sure all dates and milestones in the campaign are clearly stated.

Ideally, a marketing agency or marketer will get a chance to pitch for long-term work. In that case, this project proposal template is ideal for outlining all aspects of the project proposal, including a timeline that extends to a full year.

A critical aspect of modern marketing success is doing a great deal of research on keywords, competitors and traffic, and many marketers include such metrics in their project proposals, along the lines of this example. Note how high-impact charts and graphs are used to help the audience absorb the data and make an informed decision. There are various marketing proposal examples that you can look at to inspire your next proposal design and help catch the attention of your clients.

Visit Proposally.ai for more project proposal examples .

What are the 6 types of project proposal s?

Because every project is unique, there are many types of project proposals, but these are the most common ones:

Solicited through RFP

RFP stands for Request for Proposal (they may also be called Request for Quotation, or RFQ).

These types of project proposals typically come with the most stringent requirements and obligations. The hiring company will usually list out the elements that must be included in the RFP as well as any limitations or conditions that apply.

From the vendor’s standpoint, being asked to submit an RFP is generally a good sign because it means that your firm (or yourself, if you’re an individual) has made it through the initial round of research by the hiring party.

I nformally solicited

Informally solicited project proposals are similar to RFPs or formally solicited proposals in that they may have just as many requirements, but because they’re outside of the formal RFP process, the requirements often aren’t stated up front. That could mean the vendor needs to do more research and ask more questions of the hiring party, or it could mean there actually aren’t as many requirements.

Another benefit of submitting an informally solicited project proposal is that the absence of a formal process likely means the vendor will be up against less competition.

Unsolicited

Also called spec (speculative) proposals, unsolicited project proposals come from the vendor’s side rather than the hiring party.

These proposals are particularly difficult because the hiring party, well, may not be hiring at all. With a spec or unsolicited project proposal, the vendor believes there’s a need for their services and must not only convince the hiring party that the need exists, but that the vendor is the best one to fill that need.

Pre-proposals

Pre-proposals can be considered mini versions of RFPs. They are often sought by a hiring party that wants to avoid a lengthy proposal process — or simply doesn’t want to read a long pitch. These types of proposals are brief, usually a few pages at most, and depending on the results, the hiring party may make an offer or make a full RFP request.

Non-competing/continuation proposals

Continuation proposals are common in multi-year projects or ones in which both parties may have agreed to certain conditions governing how the project proceeds.

With a continuation proposal, the goal isn’t to pitch your services but rather to keep the client up to date on the project, inform them of any metrics they need to know or that may be part of the scope of work and get their formal approval to continue with the project.

Competing/renewal proposals

Renewal proposals are similar to continuation proposals, but instead of being created in the middle of a project, a renewal project proposal is generated once a project or contract has ended. They’re also called competing proposals because the vendor will need to make their case as to why the project or contract should be renewed .

It may be wise to approach these types of proposals as you might an unsolicited one, but the benefit to the vendor is that (if the project has been a success), they will have past results with that specific client to showcase in their new proposal.

The content of project proposals will vary depending on the industry and the type of proposal. For example, while solicited, unsolicited and pre-proposals will typically include a budget that is negotiable, a continuation proposal’s budget has likely already been set. That said, here are the typical contents of a project proposal:

• Summary : An executive summary or project background is typically the first section of a project proposal. Most vendors use this as an opportunity to thank the hiring company for the opportunity, as well as summarizing what the client is about to see through the remainder of the proposal.

This template shows a complete executive summary for a product launch, which can be longer than a typical executive brief or project background in your proposal — something to keep in mind:

• Objective : An explanation of what needs to be done or what problem can be solved if the hiring party accepts the proposal.

• Solution : An explanation of what the vendor would do to solve the problem or how they would approach completing the needed task.

• Scope of work : A detailed description of what exactly would be done, when and how much it would cost. This section may also need to include legal information, though in most cases, contracts are separate from project proposals.

Here’s an example of how you can write down the scope of work for your proposed project:

Call to action : The final section of your project proposal (assuming there are no appendices) should let the hiring party know what to do next. Include a place for them to sign the document to show their acceptance, as well as contact information in case they have further questions. To make the proposal legally binding, you can send it to your client via a free eSignature software such as Papersign  and collect their signature in a compliant manner.

• Appendix : Appendices in project proposals could include information that didn’t fit within the client’s requirements or that helps to further explain information in the main part of the document. This section is optional.

Project proposal FAQs

What is the difference between project proposals and project charters.

The difference between both is that project proposals serve to present a project’s goals and approach for approval. On the contrary, project charters officially authorize the project, defining roles, responsibilities and initial objectives.

What is the difference between project proposals and business cases?

Project proposals focus on securing approval by presenting a project idea and its feasibility. On the other hand, a business case provides a more comprehensive analysis, including financial aspects and long-term strategic impact, aiding stakeholders in making informed decisions.

What is the difference between project proposals and project plans?

Project proposals aim to gain approval by detailing the project’s purpose and scope, whereas project plans are comprehensive documents specifying tasks, timelines and resources necessary for successful project execution.

Highlight your products effectively with Venngage’s professional project proposal templates

Letting a potential customer know what you’re capable of is a critical tool in many fields, and project proposals can highlight your company in a way few other documents can.

Start with one of these templates or create your project proposal from scratch. Whether your company has just gotten an RFP or you want to land that big fish in your industry, Venngage makes it simple to create an effective project proposal without becoming overwhelmed. It’s free to get started.

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How to Write a Proposal in 10 Easy Steps [Templates Included]

You’re tasked with writing a proposal, and a lot is at stake.

Now is not the time to guess. What should you write? How can you appeal to the client’s deepest desires? How do you satisfy client expectations for your specific industry?

Now is the time to follow a proven process. We’ve analyzed millions of proposals sent with our software to see which tips and tricks actually have an impact on closing rates.

We’re covering all that and more.

Keep reading for our step-by-step guide that shows you exactly how to write a proposal simply by customizing the sections in one of our proposal templates . The right template will show you exactly what to include while helping you save hours on design and formatting.

What’s in this guide:

What is a proposal?

How to write a proposal in 10 easy steps, industry-specific proposal writing guidelines, 3 proposal templates, next steps: write your own proposal.

A proposal is a document that outlines a project or service to clarify the details and get agreement from all parties involved. Proposals typically include the overall service approach, important timelines, and key deliverables.

For best results, use proposal software instead of a PDF. This way, you’ll get important features for sales like e-signatures, brand and content control, and full visibility into the client’s viewing activity.

The 9 Important parts of a proposal

There are many different ways to structure a proposal . Through our research of successful proposals , we’ve found that the winning documents usually include these key sections:

Executive Summary

Deliverables

Terms and Conditions

Case Studies (or Social Proof)

Each proposal might name these key sections differently, or put them in a different order.

No matter the sections you choose, make sure you include a table of contents. If you use Proposify , the table of contents is automatically shown on the left-hand side, so clients can easily click around to review different sections again. As you might imagine, the pricing section is often viewed a few times before a decision is made.

Proposals vs reports

While a proposal is used to pitch a new project or service (either to a client or internally to your boss), a report is designed to share details on a project that’s already taken place. Use reports to audit business operations or share the success of a marketing campaign.

Follow along with our step-by-step process, as we use our advertising proposal template . While the content of the examples is specific to advertising, this template can easily be adjusted to fit any industry or project type.

Step 1. Discover the needs and requirements

You can’t write a great proposal without a great pitch.

Take the time to understand what your client needs, what their goals are, what they’re concerned about, and what results they care about most.

If you’re pitching a project internally, be sure to talk with different stakeholders and members of your team.

Tips for discovery:

During discovery sessions , ask the appropriate questions to find out if the client is worth your time. Do they fit your ideal client profile? Are they ready to implement your solution? Set criteria to determine if this prospect is ready to even receive a proposal for you. And make sure to update your criteria over time as you learn more about your ideal client.

Proactively discover and handle objections . Ask the client about any concerns, hesitations, or times they’ve been burned by service providers before. This way, you know exactly what points to cover in your proposal.

Get verbal agreement from the client on your pitch and approach before putting it in writing with a proposal.

Step 2. Create the cover page

Kick off your proposal writing with a compelling cover page (also known as the title page). The visuals and style take center stage here—it’s your first impression after all. As for the text, you just need a proposal title and key details such as your company’s name, the client’s name, the date, and your contact information.

Our proposal example features a bright, bold design and all of the details you need. There’s no “one way” to do this right, as long as you’re following your brand guidelines.

Tips for creating cover pages:

Give your project a results-driven title that will immediately put the entire pitch and investment into perspective.

Make sure to choose a proposal template that matches the style of your brand, as it will be easy to change the colors and text later.

Step 3. Write the cover letter

Now it’s time to write your cover letter. This is one of the most challenging proposal sections to write because it really sets the tone for the rest of your pitch.

The cover letter (also known as the executive summary) should do more than just provide an overview. This section must be persuasive enough to convince your client to read the rest of the proposal.

Appeal to their desires, hit their key pain points, and get them excited about the transformation you can provide. Make sure you’re crafting compelling, relevant messaging specifically for each individual buyer.

Tips for writing cover letters:

Make sure the copy is on brand. That might mean funny and irreverent or serious and formal.

Put the focus on the outcome of the service, whether that’s customer acquisition, improved facility safety, or a memorable event.

Step 4. Create a company bio

Before you move on to the project approach and pricing, it’s smart to tell the potential client a bit about your company.

This section could include basic information such as your founding date and the niche you focus on, as well as small business bragging rights, such as awards, average results, or audience reach.

If this is an internal pitch, you can write about your team instead of the entire company.

In our example proposal, there’s one page for a company bio and one page for company statistics that matter to the potential client.

Tips for writing company bios:

Even though this section is about you, find ways to make it about your prospective client. Include the company details that show that you can get them the results they’re looking for.

Get creative. Instead of just a wall of text, can you use icons or statistics to show who you are?

Make sure to save this section as a template to re-use it for future proposals. You don’t have to modify this for each client, but you might want to create slightly different company bios for different services (if you offer very different services).

Step 5. Add social proof

We recommend that you include social proof immediately after your company bio section. This way, you use the words of your previous clients to back up the nice things you just said about yourself.

Social proof can be testimonials, mini case studies, reviews, and star rating averages.

If you’re doing creative or construction work, you might also want to include a couple of portfolio samples.

Tips for using social proof:

Match the testimonial or review to the pitch. Have a bank of testimonials to choose from so you can always pick the most relevant ones.

Be concise. You may want to trim or edit long testimonials so each one is under 50 words. Otherwise, prospective clients might not read them.

Continue to proactively collect social proof. Ask happy clients to write a testimonial or review you online

Step 6. Outline the core approach

Now it’s time to sell your services. Create an approach section to showcase what you want you plan to offer the client.

There are so many different ways to write this section, as it really depends on what you’re pitching. You might break the work down into categories with bullet points or descriptions for each category. Or, you might write a few paragraphs describing your proposed solution and why you believe it’s the best fit for the client.

Tips for writing approach sections:

Consider giving this section a unique name, such as The Project Path , Our Plan , or Let’s Get to Work .

Beef it up with additional details. You might include a list of deliverables, a more detailed breakdown of the scope of services, or a timeline illustration with important milestones.

If you don’t have package options and there’s only one price listed, then this section should be very detailed. If there are pricing and service options, then this section will be simpler, and the following section will have the service breakdowns (per package options).

Step 7. Create a pricing table

When writing proposals, make sure to give plenty of time and attention to the pricing section. All of the details and options you provide will help clients better understand what they’re getting.

We recommend naming this section "Your Investment" as it helps remind potential buyers of the investment they’re making in their business.

In our example below, you’ll see 3 package options on the first page of the pricing section. And then, the client can select their package choice on the second page. This will automatically update the total pricing of the proposal.

Tips for proposal pricing:

Use optional pricing when possible, such as packages, project lengths, or add-ons, because these methods are known to positively affect closing rates .

Make sure to clarify the different types of costs, such as hourly costs versus fixed costs for an event management pitch.

Step 8. Write bios for your team members

In Step 4, you created a bio for your company to sell your company’s expertise and prove that you have what it takes to succeed at the service you’re pitching.

Now it’s time to show your client the real humans they’ll be working with if they decide to work with you. Think of this as the “you’re in good hands” section.

Include the faces the client will interact with, making sure to specify your team’s unique talents and what they bring to the table.

Tips for writing team bios:

Only include bios for up to 6 people. You could write bios for the entire company (for a very small business), the executive team, or the people who will handle the account if the proposal is won.

Use this section to show off not only your credentials but your personality. Have fun with it, but as always, stay on brand. A formal proposal might skip the jokes and stick just to the accolades.

Step 9. Add your business contract

This section of the proposal should include the contractual details that will formalize the agreement. This way, you can send the business proposal, and you don’t have to also send a separate contract.

You might have multiple pages of legal clauses or a simple statement of work.

Tips for writing proposal contracts:

If the statement of work isn’t already clarified in the meat of the proposal, make sure to include it here.

Include a clause on refunds, cancellations, and project modifications.

Make sure to have your legal team help you craft the contract section so you know it satisfies your company’s requirements.

Step 10. Sign and send it for signature

And lastly, you need to write your e-signatures page and add an e-signature for yourself and one for your client.

As soon as a client has chosen their pricing options, they can sign the proposal to begin the project.

Tips for adding proposal e-signatures:

Write a message above the signature that helps to seal the deal. Talk about how excited you are to get started and clarify what the immediate next steps will be after the proposal is signed.

Always sign your proposals before you send them! Our research shows that a proposal is more likely to close if you’ve already signed it by the time the client opens it.

Review your proposal analytics to know how to follow up with clients. For example, if a client hasn’t opened the proposal yet, remind them to do so. But if they’ve opened it several times, ask if they have any questions or if they would like to modify the project.

Every industry has its own proposal writing best practices. Here are some tips to consider.

When writing a software proposal, ensure you include ample information on how you will help the client implement and utilize your software. That might look like staff training sessions, custom integrations, a pilot rollout, etc.

Construction

In the construction industry, you will likely receive a request for proposals (RFPs) from large corporations and government agencies. So make sure you check the details of the RFP so that your solicited proposal covers all required information.

You typically need to include a very detailed pricing and timeline breakdown, and you might need to showcase your adherence to state and county requirements , whether for certifications, environmental protections, etc.

Marketing is all about results. You should include a couple of different formats of social proof, such as statistics with client results and testimonials. Marketing also requires a lot of creativity regardless of the channel, so make sure you showcase your company’s creative side with unique proposal headings and imagery.

When you’re writing a proposal for event management, catering, or some other service, you need to keep a couple of things in mind. First, make sure that you source testimonials from event attendees, not just your direct clients. Also, your pricing section should include the fixed costs (such as a venue) and the variable costs (like your team’s hours decorating the event or the venue’s bar tab at the end of the night). For any variable costs, provide an estimate that’s 10% higher that what you actually expect.

Proposify offers dozens of proposal templates to guide your writing and help you win deals. Here are some of our favorites.

1. Construction job proposal template

Ready-made for the construction industry, this template includes previous projects to serve as portfolio pieces, a detailed project summary with items the client is expected to provide, and a project schedule.

2. Accounting proposal template

While this template was created for accounting services , it can be easily modified to fit various consulting services. The top sections include the introduction letter, about us page, project summary with goals and service breakdown, and a detailed pricing estimate.

3. Catering proposal template

With this event catering proposal template , you’ll get a short and sweet introduction page, a longer company bio, a food showcase, event details (great for proactively handling any confusion or mix-ups), a theme moodboard, and a menu sample.

This proposal could be adapted for other types of creative work, such as photography, retail store decorating, or makeup services.

To write an effective proposal, you must start with a solid understanding of the client’s needs. This way, you can put their desired results and transformation front and center. Write a cover letter, project summary, company bio, and pricing table to clarify what the client will receive while also selling your company as the best solutions provider.

You can easily write a proposal using our detailed, beautifully designed proposal templates .

Ready to close deals faster? Start your free trial of Proposify.

Dayana Mayfield is a B2B SaaS copywriter who believes in the power of content marketing and a good smoothie. She lives in Northern California. Connect with her on LinkedIn here: linkedin.com/in/dayanamayfield/

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How to Write a Project Proposal (Examples & Templates)

Written by: Unenabasi Ekeruke

A project is not something that just comes together overnight. It often takes strategic planning and a significant amount of time to get it right and receive the support it needs to thrive.

To fast-track approval for an external or internal project, it’s important to successfully present your ideas . And although a convincing elevator pitch may work in some circumstances, it’s often not enough. This is where writing a project proposal comes in.

But what is a project proposal exactly?

A project proposal is a powerful document that communicates what the project is all about, how it will be executed, and what outcomes can be expected.

Read on to learn what a project proposal is and what it should include. We've also included templates and tips to help you create a winning project proposal.

Here’s a short selection of 8 easy-to-edit project proposal templates you can edit, share and download with Visme. View more templates below:

Table of Contents

What is a project proposal, types of project proposals.

• How to Write a Project Proposal

10 Project Proposal Template Examples

The top 7 tips for writing a project proposal, project proposal faqs, give your project proposal an upgrade today.

• A project proposal is a document that communicates everything stakeholders should know about a project, including the objectives, deliverables, timeline and budget.
• Project proposals are created to secure funding and stakeholder buy-in, win clients over and convince higher-ups to allocate resources to an idea.
• The six major types of project proposals include solicited, unsolicited, informal, renewal, continuation and supplemental project proposal.
• Six steps to writing a project proposal: write the executive summary, explain the project background, present a solution, and define the project deliverables and resources needed.
• Top tips for writing a persuasive project proposal: know your audience, keep it simple and make it persuasive, do you research, use a template and cover letter.
• Tap into Visme’s extensive template library to create winning project proposals .

A project proposal is a document or set of documents that clearly communicates and defines your project and ideas, including the goals and objectives, timelines , deliverables and budget.

Project proposals are used to tell the story of why a project idea should be executed and supported.

They are typically created for the purpose of securing funding or buy-in, winning new clients, extending an existing client’s contract or convincing someone to allocate resources to a new initiative.

It should establish what the project is, what you’re aiming to achieve with it, how you plan on getting there and why it’s worthwhile. You can use a timeline maker to visualize timelines, deadlines, and milestones, while a budget planner can help you work out inflow and outflows.

Essentially, a project proposal should not just grab attention for the sake of it. It should be persuasive with a clear, confident and congruent message.

As the project's foundation, project proposals are vital for creating clarity around the goals. They define the priorities and requirements of a project before and when a stakeholder gets involved.

There are different types of project proposals to choose from, depending on your proposal's audience and the type of proposal you're presenting.

Made with Visme Infographic Maker

Here's a brief description of each of them.

Solicited Project Proposal

A solicited project proposal is sent in response to a Request for Proposal (RFP). An RFP is a document that gets sent to a qualified organization. It announces a project, describes it and asks for a bid.

RFPs are competitive and often put businesses up against top candidates. They come with highly specific directions and require thorough research and sharp persuasive writing skills.

Unsolicited Project Proposal

An unsolicited project proposal is just that — unsolicited. It’s a bit like the cold call version of a proposal. In this situation, no one has asked for your proposal and there is no RFP involved. However, under the right circumstance, a well-executed unsolicited project proposal can be a game-changer.

A possible downside to unsolicited project proposals is not having clear knowledge of a stakeholder’s needs.

Maybe you've identified a problem and the solution to it. While the opportunity presents itself, you need resources to bring your idea to life. This is when you might turn to an unsolicited project proposal.

Informal Project Proposal

In the case of an informal project proposal, a client may reach out with an informal request for a project proposal to be sent to them. Once completed, you can respond with your pitch.

However, because this isn’t an official RFP , the rules aren’t as well established. This means that this type of proposal most likely isn’t going to come with much context. The writer will need to do a lot of solo research.

Renewal Project Proposal

A renewal is used when a project has run its course and needs to start again. The research that goes into this type of proposal typically stems from the success data of the last project.

In this project proposal format, the goal is to highlight ideal past results produced via the project. If the results are worth it, you should work to persuade project sponsors and other stakeholders of your capabilities to produce similar, or even better, future results.

Continuation Project Proposal

Continuations are usually done on a calendar basis when a project is entering a new phase or when new resources are needed to ensure the project can continue. These proposals don’t require as much work as the project has already been approved and is up and running.

For example, you can send continuation proposals when you seek additional funding to extend the project's duration and scope or continue an ongoing project beyond its initial funding period.

Supplemental Project Proposal

Along the lines of a continuation proposal, a supplemental proposal is needed in situations where you may have gone over budget or need more resources than you originally requested.

Essentially, the project scope has grown beyond initial expectations. The project team needs to modify the project's scope, budget, or timeline to address unforeseen circumstances or take advantage of new opportunities not included in the original proposal.

This proposal aims to persuade stakeholders to invest more resources by proving the value of the modified scope or project.

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How To Write a Project Proposal

After you’ve completed your project proposal outline, it’s time to write.

How you write a project proposal can make or break its success. It’s often the first and last impression a reader will have to make a final decision. So, how do you put together a project proposal that’s impactful, formative and memorable?

The best way is to follow this step-by-step plan, regardless of the type of proposal. These project proposal writing steps below will  make sure your proposal is a winner.

Step 1: Write the Executive Summary

Coming up with an executive summary is the first step to take when writing a project proposal. It’s a relatively shorter section designed to give investors and stakeholders a brief overview of the most important information about the project. It should summarize what’s coming and also persuade the reader to continue reading.

It often contains a short statement that addresses the main selling points of the project, such as:

• The core problem your proposal aims to solve
• Who will benefit and how
• What resources are needed
• A timeline and budget
• How the success of the project will be measured
• Return on investment (ROI) and more

The goal of an executive summary is to capture your audience’s attention . It should get them excited and motivated about the project you’re pitching and its potential impact.

Follow the executive summary tips below.

Step 2: Explain the Project Background

This section gives you the opportunity to go into the background of the project.

When putting together the project background, it’s critical to explain the current state of the problem and why your audience should care about solving it. Using references and statistics in this section can be helpful in getting your point across effectively.

Some points to cover may include:

• A deeper dive into the problem your project addresses
• What’s already known about the problem
• Who has addressed the problem before
• What research is out there already (if any) and
• Why past research has been insufficient at fixing the problem.

The best practice is to keep this section no longer than one page.

Step 3: Present a Solution

Now that you’ve presented the problem, you must now present the solution. This section serves as a great opportunity to outline your project approach in more extensive detail.

Some of the key items to include are a vision statement, the project schedule and any important milestones . Also include project team roles and responsibilities, reporting tools to be used throughout the project and more.

This section is great for showcasing how you’ll be measuring and reporting on your project’s success. Give an overview of which metrics you’ll watch and how you intend to display those results accurately.

Step 4: Define the Project Deliverables

Defining your project deliverables is a crucial step during the project proposal process. Stakeholders want to know just what it is you’re going to be delivering to them at the end of the project. This could be a product, a program, an upgrade in technology or something similar.

For example, depending on your project type, your project deliverable can be any of these things:

• A software application
• Training material
• Report, plan or policy document
• Infrastructure (buildings, bridges, or highways)
• Artistic or literary works

When defining project deliverables, the stakeholders should easily be able to visualize your project and the end goal in mind. Also, include realistic timelines outlining the time and date of each deliverable.

Step 5: Request Your Needed Resources

Hopefully, by this point, you have convinced your reader that your project can’t wait and needs to be implemented. Congratulations! But you're not out of the weeds yet.

Now is the time to share the pivotal details on:

• The project budget. This involves everything from the supplies needed to create the project to ad pricing and team salaries.
• A breakdown of the costs. This should cover why you need the specific resources you do. That way, stakeholders have a firm grasp on what their buy-in is being used for.
• A resource allocation plan. It’s important to include an overview of your resources being allocated and where they plan to be used. For instance, if you need $100,000 to complete your project, where will this money be going? Technology, materials, etc.?

Requesting resources can be tricky. So it’s important to be clear on what you need, how much you need and most importantly, why you need it.

It’s a good idea to save the required resources for the end of your project proposal so you’re not overwhelming anyone right away with requests. It’s better they know first what their resources are actually going to provide and the objective at hand.

Step 6: State Your Conclusion

The conclusion section of a project proposal should give a final summary and brief review of all the points already discussed. This is your last chance to win over your audience. So make it count by ensuring it incorporates the absolute most important evidence in order to receive approval.

This serves as the closing moment to emphasize the impact of your project. Prove you have adequately researched all potential solutions and are positive your proposed method is the best way to go.

This section is typically dedicated to any additional graphs , charts , images or reports that were not already cited in the proposal. With Visme’s data visualization tool , you can bring your project proposals to life with interactive graphs and charts like the one below.

For example, you can visualize key financial metrics associated with the project, such as

• Gross margin
• Cost-benefit analysis
• Return on investment (ROI) analysis
• Break-even analysis

When visualizing project tasks, milestones, and dependencies, Also, Gantt charts, PERT charts and flowcharts can come in handy.

The amount of detail you choose to include in your project proposal can vary significantly, depending on the project itself and its scope. In some cases, a brief proposal may suffice; in others, an extensive document spanning many pages may be a better fit.

No matter what amount of detail or length your project proposal needs to be, Visme has got you covered. We offer a variety of beautiful and customizable project proposal templates.

If you’re short on time and need a project proposal ASAP, use Visme’s AI Designer . This AI-powered tool will ask you a series of questions to craft a personalized template for your industry and project needs. Either way, you’re bound to find a template you love!

Here's what Autumn, a finance manager, has to say about Visme.

“I feel that for anyone who wants to improve efficiency and effectiveness at the workplace, VISME gives you the extra edge to take things forward. It's an apt tool for quickly converting your thought process into a unique communication.” 

Take a look at some of Visme’s top proposal template examples.

Example #1: Web Development Project Proposal

With this project proposal template, you can share your project ideas, attract investor interest and get them to pull out their checks. The template features an attractive cover page, color combination and layout bound to hold your readers spellbound.

Every design element in this template is customizable. You can swap content, colors, fonts, shapes and logo to match your branding.

Example #2: Project Management Proposal Template

Share your business idea and impress potential clients with this project management proposal template. The template features a sleek black theme with multiple bright colors flowing through the footer, giving off a trendy look.

Notice how this project proposal example uses icons on the cover and images in the adjoining pages. That’s the beautiful thing about using Visme. You can switch things up as much as you want.

Visme has a rich library of high-quality images and other design assets, including 3D icons, shapes and illustrations and animated graphics to make your proposal shine. So, when you’re creating a proposal template, it’s more likely to stand out professionally and visually.

Even if you don’t find a perfect fit, Visme’s got your back. You can upload yours or use our AI-image generator tool to whip up stunning images, art, illustrations and graphics in seconds.

Example #3: Technical Project Proposal

If you’re embarking on a technical project and need to secure approval, funding and the resources needed for execution, this proposal template is a must-have. This proposal serves as a plan of action that outlines the steps necessary to complete the project and helps stakeholders understand the technical aspects of the project.

Visme’s intuitive editor makes it super easy for you to customize every part of their template. You can visualize data using graphs, charts, diagrams and widgets like progress bars and radial gauges.

Notice how page 5 depicts the project timeline. You can do that and more with Visme’s timeline maker .

Example #4: Architectural Project Proposal

This template has everything you need to create a winning project proposal. From the aesthetics to the layout to the content, every part of this proposal oozes elegance and quality. It features sections like project goals, milestones and budgets, plus lots of images to add more context, each helping to bring your best project proposal ideas to life.

Amp up your proposal and create engaging reading experiences using animation and interactive elements like popups, hover effects, animated icons, illustrations and special effects.

Example #5: Simple Business Proposal Template

This simple business proposal template cuts across a wide range of use cases. You can use it to secure buy-in for a short or long-term project or business. It features key sections like introduction,  services, customer reviews, setup process, delivery timeline and pricing.

Sometimes it can be difficult to create project proposals in silos. Fortunately, you can get your team involved in the process and collaborate with style using Visme’s collaboration feature .

You can add your team to a single workspace and assign user roles and permissions. Team members can tag each other, leave comments and feedback, react, resolve and delete comments.

Furthermore, you can take advantage of the workflows feature to assign different sections of the proposal to specific team members. Likewise, you can use it to ask the team lead for approval on the final design.

Example #6: Construction Proposal Template

Win your next project bid with this attention-grabbing project proposal template. The bright color combination and high-quality images are next-level, giving your proposal a trendy and professional look.

Customize the template by replacing the placeholder text and then proceed to edit the visual elements until you’re satisfied with the look and feel.

Once done, you can download your proposal in PDF, JPG, PNG and HTML5 format. Or share it online using a live link or embed it on your website.

Example #7: Nonprofit Proposal Template

Are you running a nonprofit organization and want to solicit funding, grants, or other forms of support from individuals, corporations, or government agencies? We’ve got a project proposal template for you.

Share important information about your project, program or initiative using this enchanting proposal template from Visme. The template has a superb selection of high-resolution stock photos that add flair to your design, plus an exquisite design layout that will help you draw attention to your content.

Example #8: Financial Proposal Template

Elevate your company's product proposal using Visme's polished proposal template. Our templates offer a sophisticated design layout, a range of high-quality stock photos, and separate sections for product specifications, budget, and usage. This expertly crafted template serves as the perfect example of a proposal that knows how to stand out.

Utilize our data visualization tools to effectively visualize financial details like budget, cost and expenditure analysis. You can even add an extra page to your document to capture investment requirements, cost analysis, revenue projections, risk analysis and more.

Example #9: Corporate Proposal Template

This template is professionally to grab the attention of potential business partners and give your corporate image a boost. You can customize the proposal for a new product development project or corporate initiative.

Visme’s brand design tool can help ensure your proposal stays on brand. You can create beautiful templates, a library of assets and reusable content blocks tailored specifically to your brand. Simply input your website address into the AI-powered brand wizard and watch the magic happen.

Example #10: Partnership Proposal Template

Writing a partnership proposal requires putting your best foot forward. And that’s what this template offers. It encapsulates all of the key details, including the company overview, benefits or value proposition and legal considerations.

With Visme’s Dynamic Fields , preparing a proposal is a piece of cake. You can easily update information throughout your projects and ensure you don’t miss out on anything important.

Example #11: Purchasing Proposal Template

Writing a good proposal is also an essential skill for procurement experts. If you’re looking to convince higher-ups, clients and other stakeholders to release funds for procurement, this template is a perfect pick. It highlights why they should invest in the equipment, the specifications and pricing details.

Feel free to add in more details as you deem fit. Add a flipbook effect so your readers can flip through pages as though they are opening a book.

Example #12: Freelance Proposal Template

Whether you’re a freelancer, creative or professional, you need a captivating proposal that pitches your service in the most compelling way.

The good news is that this template fits the bill. The template displays unique designs, distinctive layout, color and font combinations on all pages.

Use it to show your clients why you’re the best fit for the project, what they should expect, goals, payment and budget. After sharing your proposal, monitor Visme’s analytics to see who has viewed or clicked on it.

Example 13: Bid Proposal Template

Make a strong case for your company and win your next bid with this stunning project proposal template from Visme.

The proposal template features a minimalist yet sleek design that captures the eyes. The colorful geometric pattern and a blend of high-resolution photos make this template a masterpiece.

Furthermore, it includes a formal letter, budget and conditions for project commencement and completion.

Get help writing critical proposal sections so they’re concise and easy to understand, using the Visme AI Writer . Use the prompt window to ask the AI to condense, reword, summarize or edit your proposal text.

Make this template your own by editing content, changing image(s), applying custom colors, fonts and logo and more.

Example #14: One Page Proposal Template

Who says your proposal has to consist of multiple pages? Visme allows you to switch things up with your designs.

Capture the essence of your project using this attractive one-page proposal . The template design layout allows you to keep the information short, sweet and to the point, making it easy for clients to make decisions fast.

Didn’t see what you were looking for? No problem. Visme has a large variety of proposal templates that are colorful, visual, attractive and simple to use. Check out the rest of our project proposal templates in our fully stocked library.

No matter which proposal format you’re working on, here are seven tips that apply as best practices for all.

1. Know Your Audience

It’s important to keep your audience (i.e. the stakeholders) in mind while you write your proposal. Consider where they’re coming from. Why should they give you funding? Will it have a direct impact on them? Knowing your audience can help increase your chances of winning your audience over.

2. Keep It Simple

Although a project proposal is often a hefty lift, that doesn’t mean it needs to be overly complex. This means you can discuss the project plan , but you don’t need to discuss every technical detail. It’s also imperative to keep your writing style simple, clear and free of errors .

3. Be Persuasive

If your reader isn’t intrigued by your project, it will be much harder to get them on board. To combat this, focus more on how it will benefit others and how it will positively impact your industry, rather than just sharing the features it will offer.

4. Do Your Research

A winning project proposal includes thorough research and knowing the ins and outs, backwards and forwards. Be sure you can back up your problem - and solution - with reputable sources via outlets such as case studies , customer testimonials, user analytics, statistics or charts.

5. Utilize the Smart Method When Setting Goals

When writing a project proposal, setting your project’s objective and locking down the right goals should not be overlooked.

If you’re running into roadblocks, consider implementing the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound) method. They help ensure your KPIs cover everything and every goal can be met effectively.

6. Include a Cover Letter and Table of Contents

Your project proposal should read like a book. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that your proposal should also include a cover letter and a table of contents .

A cover letter, paired with a table of contents, makes for a great couple. When combined, they are a perfect way to help set your audience up mentally for what they’re about to read.

To enhance reader experience, consider making your Table of Contents (TOC) clickable. This allows readers to easily navigate between sections of your proposal.

7. Use a Template

In a lot of ways, project proposals are all about making the best impression possible. Establishing a proposal using a pre-built template can help keep everyone on the same (virtual) page. It also helps keep your template looking modern and visually eye-catching. When in doubt, use a template .

Even more, use AI-backed tools like Visme’s AI document generator . Use the chatbot prompt to describe what your project proposal needs to include and the tool will suggest a number of styles based on Visme templates. Choose one and let the AI save you time and effort to create a first draft for your project proposal.

Q. Project Proposal vs. Project Charter

A project proposal is a preliminary document used to secure approval and funding for a project. The proposal typically includes a high-level overview of the project, a description of the problem or opportunity the project addresses, the proposed solution, the expected outcomes, and the cost and resource estimates.

On the other hand, a project charter is a formal document used to initiate and manage the project once it has been approved. ​​

The purpose of a project charter is to provide a clear, concise, and shared understanding of the project and its objectives and to establish a framework for project management and decision-making. The charter is typically created after the project proposal has been approved, and it provides a more detailed and specific plan for the project.

Q. What Is the Difference Between a Project Proposal and a Project?

A project proposal and a project are two distinct concepts in project management.

A project proposal is a document that outlines the plan for a proposed project. It describes what the project is about, what needs to be done, and how it will be done.

A project on the other hand, is the actual work that is carried out to achieve the objectives outlined in the project proposal. It is a specific set of activities that are planned, executed, and monitored to achieve a specific goal within a defined timeline and budget.

Q. What Are the Two Types of Proposals?

The two types of proposals are solicited proposals and unsolicited proposals .

Solicited proposals are those that are requested by a client or organization. The client typically issues a Request for Proposal (RFP) that outlines the requirements and specifications for the project and invites interested parties to submit proposals in response.

Solicited proposals are usually more structured and formal, as they need to address the specific needs and requirements outlined in the RFP.

Unsolicited proposals, on the other hand, are submitted without a formal request or invitation. These proposals are typically used to pitch an idea, product or service to a potential client or organization and persuade them to consider a partnership or collaboration. This type of proposal is usually less structured and formal.

Q. What Are the 6 Types of Project Proposals?

As highlighted in the article, the six types of project proposals include:

• Unsolicited project proposals
• Solicited project proposals
• Informal project proposals
• Renewal project proposals
• Continuation project proposals
• Supplemental project proposals

Q. What Are the 4 C’s in Proposal?

The 4 C's in a proposal refer to the key components that should be included to make a winning proposal.

Customer-focused: A good proposal should be customer-focused, meaning it should be tailored to meet the specific needs and requirements of the customer.

Clear: The proposal should be clear and concise, with a well-defined structure and logical flow. It should be easy to read and understand. Try to avoid technical jargon or unnecessary complexity.

Compelling: The proposal should be compelling, capturing the customer's attention and persuading them to take action. Make sure to use persuasive language, compelling visuals, and a well-crafted value proposition.

Competitive: The proposal should be competitive, meaning it should demonstrate how your solution is superior to that of your competition. You can achieve this by highlighting your unique selling proposition, competitive advantages, and value proposition. Also, include a clear pricing strategy and demonstrate good value for money.

Q. How Long Should a Project Proposal Be?

The length of a project proposal can vary depending on the complexity and scope of the project.

However, as a general rule, a project proposal should be concise and to the point while still providing enough information to fully describe the project, including the purpose, scope, objectives, deliverables, timelines, budget, and potential impact.

A typical project proposal can range from 5 to 20 pages, although it can be shorter or longer depending on the funding organization's requirements or the nature of the project.

Q. What Is The Format of a Proposal?

The basic proposal writing format is as follows:

• An executive summary to introduce the proposal.
• The project’s background and the problem it aims to solve.
• The potential and expected solutions the project offers.
• A list of project deliverables that will be done at the end of the project.
• A request for resources to complete the project.
• Financial metrics to highlight a budget and costs.
• Review and conclusion to close the proposal.

You can create a proposal as a document or as a presentation. Both options are viewable as flipbooks, when created with Visme.

When it comes to proposal writing and designing, it’s in your best interest to follow a formula that’s tried and true. Stick to what your clients expect from you and add a dose of your brand personality through the messaging.

Make the best impression possible and get one step closer to your goal by using a visually striking and compelling professional proposal template from Visme. Then, deploy all the design and business features to plan, create, share and manage all sorts of content within the platform.

Start creating your project proposal today with our free and easy-to-use tool.

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• 6 steps for writing a persuasive projec ...

6 steps for writing a persuasive project proposal

A project proposal is a written document outlining everything stakeholders should know about a project, including the timeline, budget, objectives, and goals. Your project proposal should summarize your project details and sell your idea so stakeholders buy in to the initiative. In this guide, we’ll teach you how to write a project proposal so you can win approval and succeed at work.

All projects have creation stories, but they don’t start with someone declaring, “Let there be resources!” To move forward with a project, teams must submit a proposal to decision-makers within their organization or to external stakeholders. 

What is a project proposal?

A project proposal is a written document outlining everything stakeholders should know about a project, including the timeline, budget, objectives , and goals. Your project proposal should summarize your project details and sell your idea so stakeholders feel inclined to get involved in the initiative.

The goal of your project proposal is to:

Secure external funding

Allocate company resources to your project

Gain stakeholder buy-in

Build momentum and excitement

Project proposals vs. project charters vs. business cases

Project proposals and project charters serve different purposes in the project creation process, and it’s important to understand the difference between the two. While a project proposal takes place in the initiation phase of the project, the project charter takes place in the planning phase. 

As mentioned above, a project proposal is a persuasive document meant to convince stakeholders why the project should be carried out. A project charter is a reference document that defines project objectives, and it can’t be created until the project proposal is approved.

People also confuse the business case with the project proposal, but the business case also comes after the proposal. Once the project is approved through a proposal, a business case may be used to secure additional funding for the project.

Types of project proposals

There are six types of proposals you may encounter as a project manager, and understanding the different formats can be useful as you write yours. Each type has a different goal.

Solicited: You’ll send solicited proposals in response to a Request for Proposal (RFP). An RFP announces a project in detail and asks for bids from qualified teams. Because you’re competing against other companies for this type of proposal, you must do thorough research and write persuasively.

Unsolicited: You’ll send unsolicited proposals without an RFP, meaning no one asked for your proposal. In this case, you won’t be up against other companies or teams, but you’ll still need to be persuasive because you have no knowledge of whether the stakeholder you’re pitching to needs you.

Informal: You may have a client send you an informal request for a project proposal, in which case you can respond with your project pitch. Because this isn’t an official RFP, the rules are less concrete.

Renewal: You’ll send renewals to existing clients in hopes that they’ll extend their services with your organization. In this type of project proposal, the goal is to emphasize past results your team has produced for the client and persuade them you can produce future results.

Continuation: You’ll send continuations as a reminder to a stakeholder letting them know the project is beginning. In this project proposal, you’ll simply provide information about the project instead of persuading the stakeholder.

Supplemental: Similar to a continuation proposal, you’ll send a supplemental proposal to a stakeholder already involved in your project. In this type of proposal, you’re letting the stakeholder know the project is beginning, while also asking for additional resources. You should persuade the stakeholder to contribute more to the project in this proposal.

The tone of voice and content of your project proposal will differ based on the type of proposal you’re sending. When you know your project goals, you can write your proposal accordingly.

How to write a project proposal

These step-by-step instructions apply to most project proposals, regardless of type. You’ll need to customize your proposal for the intended audience, but this project proposal outline can serve as a reference to ensure you’re including the key components in your document. 

1. Write an executive summary

The executive summary serves as the introduction to your project proposal. Similar to a report abstract or an essay introduction, this section should summarize what’s coming and persuade the stakeholder to continue reading. Depending on the complexity of your project, your executive summary may be one paragraph or a few paragraphs. 

Your executive summary should include:

The problem your project plans to solve

The solution your project provides for that problem

The impact your project will have 

You should only address these items briefly in your executive summary because you’ll discuss these topics in more detail later in your proposal. 

2. Explain the project background

In this section, you’ll go into the background of the project. Use references and statistics to convince your reader that the problem you’re addressing is worthwhile.

Some questions to include are:

What is the problem your project addresses?

What is already known about this problem?

Who has addressed this problem before/what research is there?

Why is past research insufficient at addressing this problem?

You can also use this section to explain how the problem you hope to solve directly relates to your organization. 

3. Present a solution

You just presented a problem in the project background section, so the next logical step in proposal writing is to present a solution. This section is your opportunity to outline your project approach in greater detail. 

Some items to include are:

Your vision statement for the project

Your project schedule , including important milestones

Project team roles and responsibilities  

A risk register showing how you’ll mitigate risk

The project deliverables

Reporting tools you’ll use throughout the project

You may not have all these items in your proposal format, but you can decide what to include based on the project scope . This section will likely be the longest and most detailed section of your proposal, as you’ll discuss everything involved in achieving your proposed solution. 

4. Define project deliverables and goals

Defining your project deliverables is a crucial step in writing your project proposal. Stakeholders want to know what you’re going to produce at the end of your project, whether that’s a product, a program, an upgrade in technology, or something else. As the stakeholder reads through your vision, this will be the section where they say, “Aha, this is what they’ll use my resources for.”

When defining your deliverables, you should include:

The end product or final objective of your project 

A project timeline for when deliverables will be ready

SMART goals that align with the deliverables you’re producing

While it’s important to show the problem and solution to your project, it’s often easier for stakeholders to visualize the project when you can define the deliverables.

5. List what resources you need

Now that you’ve outlined your problem, approach, solution, and deliverables, you can go into detail about what resources you need to accomplish your initiative.

In this section, you’ll include:

Project budget : The project budget involves everything from the supplies you’ll need to create a product to ad pricing and team salaries. You should include any budget items you need to deliver the project here.

Breakdown of costs: This section should include research on why you need specific resources for your project; that way, stakeholders can understand what their buy-in is being used for. This breakdown can also help you mitigate unexpected costs.

Resource allocation plan : You should include an overview of your resource allocation plan outlining where you plan to use the specific resources you need. For example, if you determine you need $50,000 to complete the project, do you plan to allocate this money to salaries, technology, materials, etc.

Hopefully, by this point in the proposal, you’ve convinced the stakeholders to get on board with your proposed project, which is why saving the required resources for the end of the document is a smart strategic move.

6. State your conclusion

Finally, wrap up your project proposal with a persuasive and confident conclusion. Like the executive summary, the conclusion should briefly summarize the problem your project addresses and your solution for solving that problem. You can emphasize the impact of your project in the conclusion but keep this section relevant, just like you would in a traditional essay. 

Tips for writing an effective project proposal

Following the steps listed above will ensure your project proposal has all the right elements. But if you want to impress your readers and win their approval, your writing must shine. In addition to the above, a project proposal includes:

Know your audience

As you write your proposal, keep your audience (i.e. the stakeholders) in mind at all times. Remember that the goal of the proposal is to win your audience over, not just to present your project details. For example, if you’re creating a new editing tool for a children’s publishing house, can you determine whether your stakeholders are parents and appeal to their emotional side when persuading them to buy in to your product?

Be persuasive

Persuasion is important in a project proposal because you’re hoping your audience will read your proposal and do something for you in return. If your reader isn’t intrigued by your project, they won’t feel inclined to help you. If you describe your editing tool but don’t mention the many features it will offer, how it will benefit clients, and its positive impact in the industry, your audience will wonder, “Why should I care about this project?” 

Keep it simple

While you should go into detail on your problem, approach, and solution, you shouldn’t make your project proposal overly complex. This means you can discuss the project plan for your proposed editing tool without discussing what codes the engineers will use to make each feature work. 

Do your research

A successful project proposal includes thorough research. Be prepared to back up your problem—and solution—with reputable sources, case studies, statistics, or charts so you don’t leave your audience with questions. When writing your proposal, put yourself in the reader’s shoes and ask:

Why is this a problem?

How is this a solution to the problem?

Has anyone addressed this problem before?

What are the project costs?

If you can answer these questions, then you’ve likely done enough research to support your proposed initiative.

Use project management tools to strengthen your project proposal

Good project proposals require team collaboration . With the right management tools, your team can communicate, share information, and work together on one shared document. 

When you store all your project information in one place, it’s easy to access that data when you need it. Project proposals stem from well-organized and properly planned projects, which is why project management software is a key resource to effectively write a project proposal. Ready to get started? Try Asana .

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Proposal writing tips.

Generally speaking, in your proposal you should explain your project idea, situate your work in the context of relevant scholarship, present your objectives, and describe your approach to this project. How does your work contribute to your field of study? Make sure to adhere to the page limits and other specifications! The ability to edit your argument to fit a specific length and audience will prove useful for academic presentations and interviews in the future.

A well-written proposal presents a clear vision of a project through an organized and logical chain of reasoning. Writing successful proposals entails the use of several types of writing, including explanation, description, and persuasion. Sponsors endorse proposals that demonstrate both an innovative idea and a feasible approach to completing the research project. Avoid vague language or generalizations. Express your knowledge of the subject and consideration of certain variables directly, while adhering to the page limits and specifications of the application instructions. Do not exceed the page or word limits. Proposals should employ language that can be easily understood by non-specialists. Avoid the frequent use of jargon or technical terms, especially out of context.

Defining the scope of your research is a crucial aspect of your proposal that can affect the viability of not only your application but also your scholarly work. In planning the research proposal, you should delimit the topic so as to be able to complete the research within the time frame and budget of the award. This requires thoughtful consideration of your research approach and objectives as well as awareness of the existing body of research. You should present a realistic proposal that is neither overly ambitious nor too narrow, according to the type of project and field of study. Demonstrate that you can complete your proposal, given the opportunity.

In your proposal, you are expressing your ability to achieve your research goals, convincing the sponsor that funding your project will be a fruitful endeavor. For this reason, many proposals require supporting documents such as a research plan or schedule and a budget. In addition to these materials, you may want to include practical information about your research plan that demonstrates your awareness of certain issues. For instance, you may have already made arrangements or secured research approval from a host institution or sponsor. Other aspects to consider may involve the availability of the source materials and the required language proficiencies.

Pro-Tip by a Graduate Student

Bess Ruff, Recipient of PEO Scholar Award (2021); NSF INTERN Fellowship ; Women Divers Hall of Fame Advanced Dive Training Grant

“When writing or talking about the broader impacts of my research, I have found success in being specific. To do this, I find it helpful to frame research within the context of a distinct problem or issue with which a member of the general public (i.e., a reviewer) would be familiar. For example, I contextualize my research on marine aquaculture development through the lenses of a growing global population, rising demand for seafood, and declining wild fisheries. I follow up this framing by highlighting 1) how my work specifically addresses or confronts these issues and 2) who specifically will use and/or benefit from the findings of my work and how. I think this strategy really resonates with reviewers and interviewers because it anchors your research in a narrative they can easily follow, and they can envision the distinct ways in which your research will be impactful. It also shows that you have given deliberate and purposeful consideration to the societal implications of your work. "

Workshop: Successful Funding Proposals

Join Mike Mitchell, Program Manager for The Career Center, Program Manager for Strategic Initiatives and Proposal Development, Office of Research Development in this workshop entitled ”The Ins and Outs of Proposal Writing.” This session goes over the essential points to address in an award application, indicates what to look for in a winning proposal, and provides tips and strategies to support clear, concise, interesting, and persuasive writing.

Workshop: Communicating the Significance of your Research

Explaining your research to a broad audience of fellowship reviewers can be challenging. In this interactive workshop with Dr. McCall, Assistant Director at OGFA, we will practice pitching the significance of your research to your target audience and refining the answer to the elusive “so-what” question.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 

The Basics of Grant Writing | Mike Mitchell, FSU Office of Proposal Development

Securing Re$earch Funding | Tamara Bertrand Jones, FSU College of Education

Writing Proposals for ACLS Fellowship Competitions | ACLS

How should I introduce my research project? | DAAD

Leave Dr. Seuss Out Of It | The Chronicle of Higher Education

Helping Students to Tell Their Stories | The Chronicle of Higher Education

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An research proposal examples on creative writing is a prosaic composition of a small volume and free composition, expressing individual impressions and thoughts on a specific occasion or issue and obviously not claiming a definitive or exhaustive interpretation of the subject.

Some signs of creative writing research proposal:

• the presence of a specific topic or question. A work devoted to the analysis of a wide range of problems in biology, by definition, cannot be performed in the genre of creative writing research proposal topic.
• The research proposal expresses individual impressions and thoughts on a specific occasion or issue, in this case, on creative writing and does not knowingly pretend to a definitive or exhaustive interpretation of the subject.
• As a rule, an essay suggests a new, subjectively colored word about something, such a work may have a philosophical, historical, biographical, journalistic, literary, critical, popular scientific or purely fiction character.
• in the content of an research proposal samples on creative writing , first of all, the author’s personality is assessed - his worldview, thoughts and feelings.

The goal of an research proposal in creative writing is to develop such skills as independent creative thinking and writing out your own thoughts.

Writing an research proposal is extremely useful, because it allows the author to learn to clearly and correctly formulate thoughts, structure information, use basic concepts, highlight causal relationships, illustrate experience with relevant examples, and substantiate his conclusions.

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Crafting winning proposals with practical examples.

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Founder at ReDahlia & Entrepreneurs.ng. I help new entrepreneurs start businesses in 30 days & guide companies to scale impact and revenue.

I'm in the thick of it every day: writing, reviewing or advising on proposals. Just recently, a proposal of ours swung open the doors to a leading Nigerian bank partnership. It’s these real-life wins—and the many learning curves—that I’m bringing to you.

The Importance Of A Proposal

In a service-driven business, your proposal is your firm handshake and your compelling pitch rolled into one. It's got to be crisp, clear and compelling. I've been on both sides of the table, and I know a standout proposal is more than a list of services; it’s a story that says who you are and how you'll make your client's life better.

At my company, we've learned through hands-on experience that the best proposals, no matter the industry, all share a few crucial ingredients.

The Basics Of A Proposal

Project summary.

Here, you identify the scope of the work, describe what the project is and how you will do it. You will be explaining what your idea is in this section.

How much will it cost to complete the work? Are there extraneous costs like materials, equipment, flights, rentals or storage? In the budget, state if you will charge an hourly fee or a one-off fee for the project and describe what each cost will entail.

Payment Schedule

Here, you have to state when you expect to get paid—whether you want to be paid in full at the end of the project or if you want an advance payment, especially if you have things that you will have to pay for in advance before you complete the project (e.g., rentals).

Also, you want to clearly communicate how you want to be paid—whether by direct bank transfer or by check, among other options.

This is where you identify and enumerate your concerns about the project. Say you have a project to design a website or edit a video; you have to be clear on how many revisions can be done or how many additions the client can ask for.

You do not want to work for a year on a project that should only take two weeks because a client keeps changing his or her mind. You can also state in your proposal that any such additions outside the initial brief will attract a surcharge. This guards against clients who may want an infinite number of revisions and yet not be satisfied.

While you want to do perfect work that will be loved, you also want to protect yourself, as you do not want to end up committing too much unpaid time to a project.

The trick here is to undertake as many revisions as requested only if you are billing hourly as against an already agreed-upon flat fee. Agree on the number of possible revisions and schedule such revisions appropriately, taking notes of corrections before a final review.

Contact Information

Make sure your clients know how to reach you, as your proposal may pass through different desks. Provide your contact details (telephone number, email address, website address and physical address) in the footer of every page of the proposal.

Delivery Time

You will have to state the timelines to complete each scope of the project and the final delivery time of the project.

Tips For Crafting A Successful Proposal

Make sure there are no spelling or grammar mistakes; take your time to go through the document once more before you send it out.

You want to show that you have put a lot of thought into the job or project you are bidding for, and this will come across in the project summary. So get creative with the project summary, and really explain in detail what your vision is for the project. Beyond writing it down, you may schedule a presentation virtually or in-person to drive home your salient points.

You can also create multiple proposals, one for each idea you have for the project or the job. This is because not only will the project summary be different, the budget will be different as well.

Have a good design; use clean fonts, bullet points and differentiated font sizes to guide the client through the proposal.

Create a proposal template and reuse it for efficiency. As a business owner, you should always think about efficiency and build it into your business operations.

Practical Steps To Hone Your Proposal Writing Skills

Now that you have learned the content of a compelling proposal, it is time to put it into practice using the following six steps.

1. Remember The Basics

Familiarize yourself with the essential elements of a proposal, including the project summary, budget, payment schedule, provisions, contact information and delivery time.

2. Shape Your Vision

For a practice run, choose a hypothetical project or service to work on. Craft a creative and detailed project summary that clearly communicates your vision for the project. Showcase how your ideas can benefit the client and meet their needs.

3. Develop A Budget And Payment Schedule

Create a sample budget for the project, considering all relevant costs and expenses. Outline a suitable payment schedule, taking into account any advance payments or milestones.

4. Address Provisions

Identify potential concerns or issues that may arise during the project. Set clear boundaries on revisions and additional requests to protect yourself from unreasonable demands.

5. Create A Presentation

Prepare a presentation of your proposal. You can use slides, visual aids or a video recording to make it engaging and persuasive. Practice presenting your proposal to a friend or family member, seeking feedback on clarity and coherence.

6. Craft Your Proposal Design

Finally, design a template for your proposal, incorporating clean fonts, bullet points and a logical flow. Ensure it is visually appealing and easy to navigate.

Creating a successful proposal is a vital skill in business. Your capability to express your ideas, costs and deadlines can greatly impact your ability to secure projects and clients. I can vouch for this from my organization's extensive track record of executing numerous proposals and projects.

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How to Write a Winning Consulting Proposal (Template Included)

Estimated time to read: 26 minutes

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Table of contents

Why do proposals matter, what is the best format to use for a consulting proposal, common mistakes to avoid when writing a consulting proposal, understanding the elements of a winning consulting proposal: what should be included and why, how to write a consulting services proposal step-by-step, a consulting proposal example to help you write your own, get the free consulting proposal template, what are the most popular tools for creating consulting proposals, and should you use them.

• You wrote your consulting proposal. Here’s what to do next

For the first three or four years of my independent consulting business, I never wrote formal consulting proposals . All my work came from my network, and I chose to charge by the hour. When a new client would ask me to help them, I would simply interview them to understand what they wanted to achieve and why. Then, I’d write up a Statement of Work that described the basics and have them sign it.

My process of skipping proposals and going straight to the SOW seemed straightforward and simple. Now, looking back, I realize I left money on the table by taking this approach. 

More specifically, by skipping the proposal step, I

• Set myself up to be a staff augmentation type resource they thought they were buying for whatever I was charging by the hour at that time  
• Turned my rate into the central point of focus (instead of the outcomes), and the client always wanted to negotiate it

It was only after I started approaching my consulting business as a business (instead of a way just a way to make money after I left corporate) that I was able to transition into higher-paying, more fulfilling consulting work.

Part of treating my business as a business included developing a sales process, including qualifying potential clients, conducting discovery, offering options, and formalizing the work in a proposal.

In this article, I’ll walk you through the best way to leverage consulting proposals, so you close more high-paying, fulfilling consulting work as an independent consultant.

What is a consulting proposal?

As you likely know, a consulting proposal is a document created by a consultant to outline the scope of a project, the services they will provide, the timeline, and the costs involved . 

It serves to clarify the objectives and expectations between the consultant and the client, ensuring both parties are aligned on the work to be done. The proposal typically includes a detailed description of the services, project goals, deliverables, time estimates, pricing structure, and terms and conditions. 

This document is essential for formalizing consulting engagements, as it provides a professional framework for the proposed work.

The best consulting proposal format is typically a Word document (turned into a PDF) or an online proposal using a proposal tool such as BetterProposals or Honeybook (this is my affiliate link for Honeybook).

When drafting a consulting proposal, choosing the right format is crucial to clearly communicate your value and ensure alignment with your client’s needs. A well-structured format not only enhances readability but also conveys professionalism. 

Here are the key components to include in your consulting proposal for optimal impact:

Here's the revised structure for the various sections of a consulting proposal without bold formatting:

• Executive Summary: A concise overview of the proposal, highlighting the value proposition and anticipated benefits for the client.
• Problem Statement: A clear definition of the challenges or issues the client is facing, backed by relevant data or observations.
• Objectives: Specific goals that the consulting project aims to achieve, aligned with the client’s strategic interests.
• Approach: Specify your approach to the engagement with details that could include the following. 
• Scope of Services: Detailed description of services, methodologies, and tools to be used.
• Timeline: Key phases and milestones of the project.
• Outcomes and Deliverables: Expected results and tangible products to be delivered to the client.
• Relevant Experience: Profiles and qualifications of the project team members. Examples of previous projects that demonstrate the consultant’s ability to deliver successful outcomes.
• Client Responsibilities: Outline of the client’s roles and responsibilities during the project.
• Return on Investment: Key performance indicators (KPIs) and benchmarks for evaluating project success.
• Pricing Structure: Detailed breakdown of costs, billing rates, and payment terms.
• Terms and Conditions: Legal and contractual details, including confidentiality clauses, dispute resolution mechanisms, and contract termination conditions.
• Next Steps: Clear actions required to commence the project, such as signature lines.

Each section is designed to provide detailed, structured information to aid in final decision-making and project planning.

Do I really need a consulting proposal to pitch my offer and close potential clients?

I strongly recommend you incorporate proposals into your consulting sales process so you have:

• A professional, polished, and formalized way to ensure alignment with your client and
• A tool to obtain a final decision from the client.

With that said, and this is contrary to the advice you’ll typically hear, a proposal should never be used to pitch your consulting services.

I can’t say this strongly enough, and it bears repeating.

A proposal should never be used to pitch your consulting services.

When you hide behind a proposal, 

• You lose the opportunity to have a dialogue with your potential client so you can refine your recommendations and uncover their objections.
• You lose the opportunity to further build a relationship with your potential client.
• You risk turning yourself into a commodity.

A helpful way to look at this is to understand the “job” that you’re giving to the consulting proposal. The “job” of the consulting proposal is to serve as a final check against the direction you and your client have co-created and agreed to and to have a formal mechanism for ensuring you’re aligned on and agreed to the scope, payment, and terms of the work you’ll be doing for that client.

The “job” of the consulting proposal is not to pitch, sell, or close your consulting services.

For more on Pitching Your Consulting Services , listen to Episode 149 of the Grow Your Independent Consulting Business podcast.

When to write a proposal

I find it’s common for consultants to prematurely send proposals. 

Premature proposals typically occur when

• You’re nervous to discuss the money 
• You’re not sure how to navigate the to potential client’s objections
• The client asks for a proposal, and you immediately agree, as opposed to explaining to the prospect how your sales process works and how it benefits both of you not to jump to  a proposal

For more on avoiding premature consulting proposals, listen to Episode 119 of the Grow Your Independent Consulting Business podcast - Premature Consulting Proposals: A Costly Mistake to Avoid.

You’re probably asking, ”When is the best time to send a consulting proposal so I don’t send one prematurely?”

Ideally, you will send a proposal after you’ve to agreement on the scope, approach, and pricing. This will turn your proposal into a formality instead of treating it as a sales tool.

Consulting proposal do’s and don’ts

Speaking of what to do and what not to do for your consulting proposals, let’s talk through that.

Best practices to follow

The best practices to follow when you’re writing and presenting a consulting proposal are:   

• Use a “lighter weight” approach to save time and gain alignment. I recommend writing up a “discussion document” to gain alignment with your client. It’s faster and less formal than your consulting proposal. When everything is agreed upon, you can formalize the agreement into a proposal or Statement of Work.
• Treat the consulting proposal as a formality instead of a sales tool. Consultants are often nervous about talking about money and scope, for fear that the client will be frustrated. So, they use the consulting proposal, thinking it will handle the “hard conversations.”  A document’s job is not to manage the hard conversations for you. That’s your job as the salesperson in your consulting business. 

• Align with the potential client on the overall sales process to avoid premature proposals. Proactively share your sales process with the potential client, including when a proposal would come into play. For example, you might share a slide at the beginning of your first Discovery meeting where you explain the steps you’ll lead them through to gain clarity on objectives, scope, approach, and financials.
• Get into a productive headspace to write an effective proposal . When it’s time to write your “discussion document” and your proposal, get into an effective sales mindset so that your writing comes across as clear, concise, and definitive. If you’re experiencing self-doubt, you’ll water down your proposal.

The common mistakes to avoid when you’re writing and presenting a consulting proposal are:

• Expecting the proposal to sell work. The proposal should be a formality and not a tool to close the deal.
• Not requiring a proposal review meeting. Don’t send a proposal and expect the client to get back to you. That’s how the proposal goes into a black hole, and ghosting can easily happen. Instead, schedule a proposal review meeting to review the proposal. You can send the proposal 24 hours in advance for their preread.
• Negotiating with yourself as you write your proposal. It’s common for self-doubt and second-guessing to creep in as you write a proposal. When you approach your proposal from a lack of confidence or self-doubt, you’ll water down your proposal, including client requirements, scope, boundaries, and pricing. As a result, you end up negotiating with yourself as you write the proposal, and you can undercut yourself. Instead, use the “discussion document” concept to propose options to a client and to get their real-time feedback on what they value, what they don’t value, and their budget.  
• Don’t let a scarcity mindset water down your proposal. You might be in between clients and feel desperate to land work. This puts you in a scarcity mindset where you compromise on your business requirements. Don’t let a scarcity mindset water down your proposals. Instead, leverage mindset tools to generate confidence, clarity, and conviction ahead of time. You’ll be able to build more trust with your clients and close more work when you take this approach instead of approaching from desperation or neediness.
• Treating the proposal as your resume. You are not selling yourself. You are selling the outcomes you’ll help your client achieve. You can include an “About Us” section in the proposal, tailoring it with examples that are similar to your potential client’s project. At the same time, don’t make this about selling yourself.

There are 13 elements of a winning consulting proposal. Let’s break them down.

1. Executive summary 

The executive summary of a consulting proposal provides the decision-maker and stakeholder with an overview of your proposed engagement and is written with those decision-maker and stakeholder interests in mind. It should include the project's objective, which clearly states the goal and intended outcome of your engagement. It also needs a summary problem statement that outlines the client's main challenges or opportunities, demonstrating your understanding of their needs. Finally, it should include an overview of the proposed solution, summarizing your approach or methodology and highlighting the strategic value you offer.

To write a powerful executive summary, consider the following questions:

• What are the top 1-3 business problems the client is trying to solve?
• Why do they care about solving those problems?
• How does your solution solve those problems?

2. Problem Statement

The problem statement articulates the core issues or opportunities your consulting services will address. This section should clearly define the client’s challenges, setting the stage for your proposed solutions. Including a well-defined problem statement is crucial because it demonstrates your understanding of the client's situation, emphasizes why it’s important to solve these problems, and establishes the relevance of your services. 

When writing this section, consider these three questions: 

• What specific challenges is the client facing? 
• How are these challenges affecting the client’s business?
• What evidence (e.g., data or examples) can I present that these are genuine and pressing issues?

3. Client needs and objectives

In a consulting proposal, the section on client needs and objectives is essential for aligning your services with the client’s goals. This part of the proposal should clearly identify what the client aims to achieve through your engagement, detailing both immediate needs and long-term objectives. 

Including this section is crucial as it directly links your proposed solutions to what the client deems important, demonstrating a tailored approach that is likely to result in higher client satisfaction and buy-in. 

To craft this section effectively, address these three questions: 

• What are the client’s ultimate goals for this engagement? 
• What immediate needs must be addressed, and how do they tie into the broader objectives?
• How does the client define success for this project?

4. Recommended Approach

The "Recommended Approach" section of a consulting proposal is where you outline your methodology and the specific steps you propose to tackle the client's issues. This section should detail the strategies and tools you plan to use, the phases of the project, and any key deliverables or milestones. 

Including a detailed approach is crucial as it shows your preparedness and the thoughtfulness of your plan, which reassures the client of your capability and professionalism. 

To ensure your recommended approach is robust, consider these three questions: 

• How does my proposed methodology directly address the client’s stated problems? 
• What unique aspects of my approach differentiate it from conventional strategies? 
• How will I measure and report progress? 

5. Scope of Services

The "Scope of Services" section in a consulting proposal delineates the boundaries and breadth of the work you plan to undertake. This segment should clearly outline the specific services you will provide, any deliverables, and the responsibilities you will assume during the project. 

Including this section is vital as it prevents scope creep and sets clear expectations for both parties, reducing the risk of misunderstandings and ensuring the client knows exactly what they are paying for. 

When crafting the scope of services, consider addressing these three questions: 

• What specific services will be included and excluded from the project?
• How will the services directly address the problem statement?
• What are the key deliverables and their expected completion dates?

The Scope of Services describes the "how" and "what" of the activities during the project.

6. Project outcomes and deliverables

The "Project Outcomes and Deliverables" section of a consulting proposal defines the tangible results the client can expect at the conclusion of the project. This section should include detailed descriptions of each deliverable, the anticipated outcomes, and the impact these will have on the client's operations or business goals.

This section sets measurable benchmarks for success and provides a clear vision of the consulting engagement's goals, offering the client a concrete sense of the project's value. 

When developing this section, consider these three questions: 

• What specific deliverables will address the problems identified in the problem statement?
• How will these deliverables impact the client's business or operations?
• What metrics or criteria will be used to measure the success of each deliverable?

The Project Outcomes and Deliverables section focuses on the "end results" or the impact of the activities from the Scope of Services section.

7. Timeline

The "Project Timeline" section of a consulting proposal is essential for establishing a clear schedule for the project. It should comprehensively detail the project's start and end dates, including specific "Milestones" and "Delivery Dates" for each phase of work. 

Or, if the engagement is less deliverable-oriented, such as advisory-type work, you’ll include the timeline for that type of engagement, such as six months or 12 months of support.

Including a detailed project timeline is crucial as it provides a structured framework for the project, aiding in effective "Time Management in Proposals." This ensures both parties are aligned on the pace and progression of work. 

When drafting this section, consider these questions to ensure thoroughness and clarity: 

• How are the 'Milestones' strategically spaced to ensure smooth project flow and timely deliverables?
• What contingencies are in place to adjust the 'Project Timeline' if unforeseen delays occur?
• How do the 'Delivery Dates' align with the client’s key operational or business timelines?

8. Expertise

The "Expertise" section of a consulting proposal is where you showcase your qualifications and connect your past experience to build trust that you can successfully deliver. 

This section should include a detailed account of your "Individual Expertise," relevant "Case Studies," and "Specialized Knowledge" that pertains to the client’s industry or specific problem. 

Additionally, listing "Industry Credentials," "Professional Achievements," and other relevant "Consultant Qualifications" helps establish credibility and trust with the client. 

Including this section is crucial as it provides concrete evidence of your capability and past success, which reassures the client of your competence. 

When writing this section, consider these questions to ensure its effectiveness: 

• How does my individual expertise directly relate to the client’s needs?
• Can I provide specific case studies or examples where I have successfully resolved similar challenges?
• What specialized knowledge do I possess that sets me apart from competitors?

9. Client Responsibilities

You can use the "Client Responsibilities" section of a consulting proposal to delineate what is expected from the client to ensure the successful execution of the project. 

This section should clearly outline tasks the client must undertake, such as providing necessary documents, facilitating access to key personnel, or ensuring timely feedback. 

Including this section helps prevent potential obstacles by setting clear expectations upfront, which can significantly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the consulting process. 

When preparing this section, consider incorporating these three questions to ensure clarity and accountability: 

• What specific contributions does the project require from the client to leverage the consultant’s individual expertise effectively?
• How can the client ensure that their responsibilities are fulfilled on time to meet project milestones? 
• What mechanisms are in place to monitor and communicate about the client’s fulfillment of their responsibilities?

10. Pricing/ fee structure

The "Pricing/Fee Structure" section of a consulting proposal outlines how the consultant will be compensated for their services. This section should detail the chosen "Pricing Models" (e.g., hourly rate, fixed fee, retainer, or performance-based), provide a "Cost Breakdown" for each service or phase of the project, and clarify the "Payment Terms" (such as payment schedules or conditions for payment). 

Including a clear "Fee Structure" is crucial as it ensures transparency and helps prevent future financial misunderstandings. 

The "Value Proposition" should also be evident, showing the client why the cost is justified by the expected benefits and outcomes. 

When drafting this section, consider addressing these three questions to ensure comprehensiveness and alignment with client expectations: 

• How does the pricing model align with the outcomes of the project?
• What value will justify the proposed costs? 
• What payment terms will you require?

11. Return on investment

The "Return on Investment" (ROI) section of a consulting proposal illustrates the financial and strategic benefits the client can expect from engaging your services. 

This section should quantify the anticipated outcomes in terms of cost savings, revenue growth, efficiency improvements, or other measurable benefits. The ROI analysis is essential as it helps justify the project's cost by showcasing the tangible value the client will receive. 

When formulating this section, address these three key questions to ensure relevance and accuracy: 

• What specific financial benefits can the client expect from resolving the issues outlined in the problem statement?
• What tangible and intangible benefits can the client expect from achieving the outcomes you’ll deliver?
• How soon after project completion can the client expect to see these returns?
• What metrics or data are used to calculate the expected ROI?
• How confident are you that you’ll help the client achieve their desired outcomes? Why is it that #? What would make it a 10?

12. Terms and conditions

The "Terms and Conditions" section of a consulting proposal establishes the legal and operational framework of the engagement.

This section should include details such as contract duration, confidentiality agreements, payment terms, termination clauses, and any warranties or liabilities. Comprehensive terms and conditions protect both parties, clarify obligations, and outline the procedures for handling any disputes or changes to the project scope. 

At the same time, keep it simple based on what’s needed to protect you and your business while avoiding the need to engage the Client’s legal department (if possible).

When drafting this section, it's beneficial to consider these three questions to ensure thoroughness and alignment with the project's goals: 

• How do the terms and conditions support the successful delivery of the project outlined in the problem statement?
• What specific legal protections are necessary given the nature of the client’s problem and the proposed solutions?
• How can the terms and conditions be structured to ensure clarity and fairness for both parties?

13. Next steps

The "Next Steps" section reinforces the next steps you’ve verbally agreed with the client and helps maintain momentum towards the commencement of the project. 

This section should outline the immediate actions required from both parties to get the project underway, such as the final proposal review meeting, signing the proposal, scheduling an initial meeting, and/or providing access to necessary data and resources. 

Including a clear "Next Steps" provides a clear path forward, encourages prompt decision-making, and helps prevent delays in project initiation. 

When drafting this section, consider addressing these three questions to ensure a seamless transition from proposal to project start: 

• What actions must the client take to formalize the agreement?
• What initial tasks will be undertaken once the project begins?
• How will these actions help address the challenges outlined in the problem statement?

Creating a consulting services proposal involves several steps, including the important first step of knowing when it’s the right time in your sales cycle to write a proposal.

Step 1: Write a “Discussion Document” (pre-proposal doc) to gain alignment

Before crafting a full consulting services proposal, start with a “Discussion Document.” This preliminary step involves creating a brief outline that captures your understanding of the client's needs and your initial ideas for solutions. 

This document is less formal and serves as a conversational tool to ensure both parties are aligned. It should summarize the client’s main challenges, propose potential approaches, and invite feedback. 

This interaction helps clarify expectations and refine the approach before investing significant effort into a detailed proposal. Securing early alignment will pave the way for a smoother, more targeted proposal process.

Step 2: Use the “Discussion Document” to gain alignment on the engagement approach with the potential client

After creating your “Discussion Document,” the next step is to use it to align with your potential client about the project approach. 

Aligning with your potential client involves:

- Conducting a Review Meeting: Arrange a meeting with the client to review the document together. This should be a collaborative discussion where you present your understanding of their needs and your proposed solutions.

- Gathering Feedback: During this meeting, actively seek the client's feedback on the problems outlined and the suggested solutions. Encourage them to share any concerns or additional insights they may have.

- Refining the Approach: Use the client’s feedback to refine and adjust your approach. This may involve modifying some of the solutions or even redefining certain aspects of the project to better meet the client's expectations.

- Confirming Next Steps: End the meeting by agreeing on the next steps, such as any adjustments to be made, further information needed, or timelines for submitting the formal proposal.

This step ensures that your final proposal is closely aligned with the client’s expectations and more likely to be accepted, fostering a foundation for a successful consulting engagement.

Step 3: Know that it’s time to write a proposal

Once you've used the discussion document to align with the client on the approach and have gathered sufficient feedback, the next critical step is to gain buy-in from the potential client that it’s time to transition from preliminary discussions to drafting the actual proposal. 

At this point, ensure you and the client are on the same page about the next steps, including the formal proposal, the day/time for a proposal review meeting, the signatory(s), and their internal requirements to engage an independent consultant.

Step 4: Develop the proposal

In step four, you’ll develop the proposal by combining the content of the “Discussion Document” with the proposal template to build out a formal proposal.

Step 5: Review the proposal with the potential client

After developing your consulting services proposal, the next crucial step is to review it with the potential client. This is an opportunity to walk through the proposal together, to drive clarity and alignment, and to make any necessary adjustments based on the client’s feedback.

Step 6: Execute the proposal or contract

Once the proposal has been reviewed and all necessary revisions have been made, the next step is to execute either the proposal or the contract. This is the final stage in formalizing the agreement between you and the client, transitioning from planning to action.

Step 7: Start the consulting engagement

Once the contract is signed, schedule a project kickoff meeting. This meeting should include all key team members and outline the project's initial steps, assign responsibilities, and set the tone for communication and collaboration throughout the consulting engagement.

Consulting Proposal for Operational Enhancement

HealthTech Innovations

Prepared by: ConsultingPro Group, Jane Doe

Date: [Insert Date]

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This proposal outlines a strategic advisory engagement designed to operationalize and enhance HealthTech Innovations, Inc.'s internal processes, focusing on client onboarding, enablement, and support. By refining these key areas, we aim to significantly improve customer satisfaction and client retention and increase each client's lifetime value. Our experienced team offers proven strategies and customized solutions that align with your mission to deliver superior healthcare technology services.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

HealthTech Innovations, Inc. has experienced challenges with its current client onboarding, enablement, and support processes. Inconsistent procedures and a lack of standardized tools have led to prolonged onboarding times, client dissatisfaction, and a noticeable impact on customer retention rates. These issues necessitate a structured approach to revitalize your operational frameworks and enhance client interactions.

- Enhance Client Onboarding Process: Reduce onboarding time by 30%, improving immediate client satisfaction.

- Streamline Client Enablement: Implement standardized enablement tools to facilitate smoother client interactions and service delivery.

- Optimize Support Processes: Develop a responsive support system that increases client retention by 25% within the first year.

- Increase Customer Lifetime Value: Enhance overall service delivery to boost customer lifetime value by 20%.

Our engagement will follow a four-phase approach:

• Assessment Phase: Conduct a comprehensive analysis of existing processes and identify key pain points.
• Design Phase: Develop customized solutions and standard operating procedures tailored to your specific needs.
• Implementation Phase: Roll out the new processes and ensure seamless integration with current systems.
• Monitoring and Optimization Phase: Continuously assess the effectiveness of the implemented changes and make necessary adjustments.

SCOPE OF SERVICES

For HealthTech Innovations, Inc., our engagement will focus on thoroughly assessing and enhancing your onboarding, enablement, and support processes. The detailed services provided are structured to address specific operational inefficiencies and optimize performance:

- Process Mapping and Analysis: Jane will perform a detailed mapping of your existing processes to identify bottlenecks and areas needing improvement. This foundational step is crucial for understanding the current workflow and setting the stage for effective interventions.

- Customized Operational Procedures: Based on our initial assessments, Jane will develop and implement customized operational procedures tailored specifically to your needs. This includes designing tools and resources that align with your operational goals, aiming to streamline activities and enhance efficiency.

Implementation Plan and Approach: Based on the findings from this phase, Jane will develop recommendations and facilitate decision-making for this engagement's implementation phase.

- Change Management and Enablement: To ensure seamless adoption of new processes, Jane will provide a change management plan for your team. Jane will conduct five train-the-trainer-type sessions designed to provide real-time training to be documented by HealthTech’s analysts. These sessions are designed to equip staff with the necessary skills and knowledge to utilize new technologies and procedures effectively.

- Ongoing Support and Optimization: Jane will provide post-implementation support to help ensure that the new systems integrate well with your operations and meet the KPIs. This includes regular check-ins and adjustments as needed based on real-time feedback and performance metrics.

Through these services, Jane aims to create a robust framework for HealthTech Innovations, Inc. that not only addresses immediate operational challenges but also sets a foundation for sustained improvement and growth.

- Assessment Phase: Months 1-2

- Design Phase: Months 3-4

- Develop Detailed Project Plan and SOW for Implementation and Optimization Phase: Month 5

- Implementation Phase: Months 6-9

- Monitoring and Optimization Phase: Months 9-12

OUTCOMES AND DELIVERABLES

The consulting engagement with HealthTech Innovations, Inc. is designed to deliver tangible outcomes and practical tools that will enhance your operational processes and support sustainable improvements. Here are the key outcomes and deliverables that will be provided upon the completion of our project:

- Operational Playbook: We will compile a comprehensive operational playbook that details all newly designed processes and procedures. This playbook will serve as a go-to resource for your team, ensuring consistency and clarity in the execution of onboarding, enablement, and support activities.

- Staffing Plan: A detailed staffing plan will be developed, including an evaluation of your current team structure, a gap analysis to identify staffing needs, and a hiring plan to fill any critical roles. This plan will support the effective implementation and sustainability of the new operational frameworks.

- Implementation Plan: Plan for developing tools, enabling team, and change management. This plan will include a refined fee structure based on the requirements and scope.

- Digital Dashboard: Design and work with your analytics team to deliver a custom-built digital dashboard will be provided, which will allow for real-time tracking and analysis of onboarding and support metrics. This tool will enable your management team to monitor performance closely, make data-driven decisions, and quickly identify areas for further improvement.

- Monthly Performance Reports: Design and work with your analytics team to deliver a monthly performance reporting suite. These reports will offer detailed insights and analytics on the effectiveness of the new processes, helping to measure success against predefined KPIs and facilitating ongoing optimization efforts.

- Change Management and Training Plan: The change management plan includes impacted stakeholders and team members, a process impact map (new processes, impacted processes, and discontinued processes), and a roll-out strategy. 

- Train the Trainer: Execute five (5) train the trainer sessions so the relevant team leaders in the Implementation and Customer Success teams have a detailed understanding of the new operational processes

These deliverables are designed to provide HealthTech Innovations, Inc. with the necessary tools and insights to maintain and enhance the improvements made during our consulting engagement, ensuring lasting benefits and continued growth in operational efficiency and client satisfaction.

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Jane Doe has a proven track record in transforming operational processes within the healthcare tech sector. Here are two pertinent case studies:

• MedTech Solutions: Focused on operational efficiency, Jane redesigned the onboarding and training processes for MedTech Solutions. The new streamlined procedures reduced the onboarding time by 40% and significantly improved employee satisfaction scores, demonstrating the consultant's capability to map and optimize complex processes effectively.
• CareInnovate: This project targeted client retention within a challenging competitive landscape. By revamping the customer support and client engagement models, Jane helped CareInnovate achieve a 35% improvement in client retention rates. The project involved intensive process mapping, creation of new client service protocols, and strategic technology implementations.

These experiences underscore Jane’s expertise in not only understanding and addressing specific operational challenges but also in achieving measurable success through tailored interventions.

CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES

- Designate one executive owner for this initiative who has the ability to make financial commitments, break through roadblocks, make decisions, and drive internal buy-in

- Provide access to current operational data and personnel

- Facilitate regular coordination meetings to review project progress

- Provide at least two mutually agreed business analysts

- Provide at least two mutually agreed business intelligence developers

- Designate and make available five qualified, mutually approved train-the-trainer resources

RETURN ON INVESTMENT

The objective of this engagement is to achieve:

- Reduction in onboarding time / accelerate time to revenue by 8%, worth $289M to the organization in year 1

- Increase in client retention rates by 14%, worth $877M to the organization in year 1

FEE STRUCTURE

- Total Project Cost: $245,000

- Billing: 50% upfront, 25% upon phase completion, 25% at project end

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

- Confidentiality : All project communications and results will be held in strict confidence.

- Payment Terms: Net 10 from invoice date

Please review, sign, and return the enclosed contract to initiate this project. Upon receipt, we will schedule an initial project kickoff meeting to begin the engagement.

Download My Free Proposal Template

Are you ready to elevate your services and land more ideal clients? I have just the tool for you. 

I’ve created a Consulting Proposal Template designed to help you close deals more easily with ideal consulting clients. 

Why start from scratch when you can use a proven structure?

Why Download My Free Consulting Proposal Template ?

- Save Time: My template includes all essential sections of a winning proposal, from the executive summary to detailed service scopes and deliverables. Just plug in your specific details, and you're ready to go!

- Increase Your Success Rate: Crafted from real-life experience, this template is optimized to highlight your strengths and the unique value you bring to each project. It’s structured to be persuasive and professional—exactly what your clients need to see to make that crucial decision.

- Ease of Use: It’s formatted for ease, whether you prefer to work in Word, Google Docs, or another platform. Plus, it's fully customizable—tailor it to reflect your brand and the specific needs of your clients.

What’s Included?

- A simple, professional layout that you can customize with your branding

- Guidance on writing compelling content for each section

- Tips on how to tailor the proposal to different client needs and industries

Take the Next Step Towards More High-Paying, Ideal Consulting Engagements

Download my free Consulting Proposal Template today and start transforming your proposal process. Whether you're proposing advisory-type work or project-type engagements, this template will help lay the foundation for a compelling pitch that aligns with your client’s needs and showcases your expertise.

Click here to download your free template and begin developing proposals that stand out.

The next question you might be asking is, “What’s the best tool to create the consulting proposal?”. There are a few options:

• PDF: Honestly, the most common way to build a consulting proposal is to use Microsoft Word or Google Docs and then save it as a PDF. This option isn’t as “sexy” from a tech perspective, but it’s easy and effective. 

By using a simple tool like Word, you won’t get distracted by low-value design rabbit holes. I’ve definitely been in these design rabbit holes. I don’t want you to make the mistake I did and waste that valuable time worrying about the design when the content is most important.

•   Presentation tools : If your target clients do care about design (and some do), you can leverage presentation-type tools, such as Canva, PowerPoint, or Pages, to build out your proposal. The advantage of using these tools is that they’re relatively easy to develop, especially after you’ve created your template, and you can walk the client through the proposal more effectively by using this format.
•   Proposal tools: Another option is to leverage a specialized tool designed specifically for proposal creation, such as Proposify, PandaDoc, or Honeybook. These tools offer a wide range of features, such as a template library, interactive pricing tables, lite CRM features, analytics to track how clients interact with your proposal, and e-signature features. These tools can be valuable if you have a more packaged-type offering, such as an advisory retainer, or if you work with smaller companies that will leverage your contract instead of requiring you to use their paper.

And, since you’re here (and possibly a techie like I am), I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you about another related blog article, 14 Essential Tools Every Independent Consultant Should Use .

You wrote your consulting proposal. Here’s what to do next:

Now, you have the tools to build out valuable proposals and, more importantly, to know how and when to use the proposal in your consulting sales process. Crafting a valuable proposal is just the beginning. 

The next step is to ensure that your entire sales process is as effective as your proposal process. This is where coaching can make a pivotal difference.

Why Consider Coaching?

- Optimize Your Sales Process: Coaching can help you streamline each phase of your sales cycle, from initial contact to closing the deal. A coach’s third-party perspective can equip you to manage client interactions more effectively, ensuring that you capitalize on every opportunity.

- Refine Your Pricing Strategy: Are you undercharging? Do you know you could be making more? A coach can work with you to evaluate and refine your pricing structure, ensuring it reflects the value you provide and meets your financial goals.

- Sell Your Consulting Services More Confidently: With a coach’s guidance, you’ll gain the confidence to ask for higher fees. You’ll learn to present your solution, including pricing, with confidence, making sure clients understand the value they receive.

- Land More Fulfilling Client Engagements: A coach’s expertise will help you attract and retain clients who are not just profitable but also truly fulfilling to work with. A coach can help you target engagements that align with your values, enhancing both your personal fulfillment and business success.

Take the Next Step

If you’re ready to take your consulting business to the next level, coaching with Melisa might just be your next best step. Together, you can refine your approach to ensure that your consulting proposals not only look good on paper but also translate into real-world success. 

Melisa will be with you every step of the way to ensure you’re not just reaching more clients but you’re also achieving more rewarding and lucrative engagements.

Ready to see how far you can go with the right guidance and support? Click here to apply for a coaching consultation with Melisa and start transforming your consulting practice into the thriving business you envision.

Melisa Liberman

Melisa is a private business coach for independent consultants. She helps IC business owners scale their business so they make more money, make more impact, and grow a business working on their own terms. Melisa is the host of the Grow Your Independent Consulting podcast and creator of the scale-IC Method™️.

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