table of contents for a business proposal

3. State the problem or need.

This is where you share a summary of the issue impacting the potential client. This is your opportunity to show them you understand their needs and the problem they need help solving.

In the example above, I included several signals to showcase my expertise – that I've been in the photography biz for 10 years, that I've worked with over 500 clients, and that I've been featured a number of publications. 

As you approach this section, focus on presenting yourself as an authority. Consider leveraging tools like:

• Case studies
• Client testimonials
• Relevant awards
• Industry accreditations

6. Include pricing options.

Pricing is where things can get a bit tricky, as you don't want to under or over-price your product.

The pricing section of your proposal could include:

• A detailed pricing breakdown, including packages, tiers, and add-ons or optional services
• How product features and benefits align with pricing choices
• Pricing for different needs and budgets
• How your pricing compares with competitors
• An FAQ section to respond to anticipated objections and explain your pricing strategy

7. Summarize with a conclusion.

After sharing the above information, simplify it all into one final section.

• First, briefly summarize the proposal. Be sure to share your qualifications and why you’d serve as the best choice.
• Then, to prompt further conversation, confirm your availability to go over the next steps.
• At the end of the proposal, the goal is to have the client ready to work with you. So, be sure to offer your contact information for easy follow-up.

In need of some inspiration before you begin writing? Here are example business proposal templates from popular business proposal software companies you can use to help create your proposal.

1. HubSpot's Free Business Plan Templates

Download these Templates

We know how crucial a great business proposal is to your and your client’s success. That's why we've compiled 2 Free Business Proposal Templates for you to use and customize for any of your projects.

You'll gain access to a concise, one-page template (pictured above), as well as a longer template for you to refine your plan and proposal.

Download the templates now to get started on building your proposal.

What We Like

The one-page template is clear, straightforward, and easy to read — without skipping on the key elements of a business proposal. This format is especially useful for busy clients who appreciate brevity and clarity.

2. Web Design Proposal

With advertising on social networks projected to reach $82.23 billion dollars in 2025 , it's in your business's best interest to have a plan for growing your client's social media presence.

To help you in that effort, the information in this social media marketing proposal includes an executive summary to help introduce your high-level ideas, an assessment of the client’s company to show your diligence, and a breakdown of billing to show how your company charges for posting, content creation, and analytics.

This template includes all the bells and whistles of a social media proposal packaged in a fun yet professional design. It also includes helpful writing instructions under each section.

8. Content Marketing Proposal

Business proposal templates are helpful places to get started, but what should your business proposal look like when it's complete? This template should inspire you.

When pitching your content marketing services to clients, this template can help you organize your ideas. While it walks you through initial objectives and how to communicate your prospected results, one of the most helpful parts of this template is the pricing ideas it gives you when charging for your services.

In the business template example below, Social Portal Consulting (SPC) pitches a marketing proposal to Graphic Bean. At first sight, this proposal appeals to the creative. I recommend going a step forward and designing the layout in your or your client’s brand colors.

Besides the design, the social media icons quickly tell the prospect what platforms Social Portal is pitching. Because we see Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest icons, the client instantly knows that this proposal doesn’t include LinkedIn, YouTube, or other platforms.

While maintaining its design, this example outlines Social Portal Consulting’s plans efficiently. It begins by providing insight into Graphic Bean and its goals before elaborating on how SPC can leverage its expertise to help them achieve them.

This business proposal template includes an easy-to-follow timeframe for goals and objectives while keeping the client abreast of how payment will happen across the project.

Overall, this is an excellent example of how to combine the elements of social media marketing into a creative and concise business proposal. Finally, we'll leave you with some business proposal ideas to get you started on your own.

• Start with an outline.
• Keep it simple.
• Stay on brand.
• Quality control.
• Include data and visuals.
• Add social proof.
• Use a call-to-action.
• Create a sense of urgency.
• Make the decision for them.
• Incorporate video into your proposal.
• Include up-sell and add-on opportunities.
• Clarify your terms and conditions.
• Include a space for signatures to document agreement.
• Create a table of contents.

1. Start with an outline.

If you want to produce a thoughtful, effective business proposal, you need to have some idea of what you're hoping to achieve with it.

Before I dive into writing a proposal, I always outline the major sections of the proposal that I want to include. That way, I can stay focused and make sure my message stays intact as I write.

Use these free business proposal templates to make sure that your outline includes everything you need.

2. Keep it simple.

Ultimately, there's no definitive blueprint for how long a business proposal has to be. Yours should be however long it takes to convey the information you want to get across.

That said, I'm a firm believer in quality over quantity, especially when it comes to business proposals. Keep your sentences short and simple, and avoid including too much business jargon.

You want anyone who picks up your proposal to make sense of it. So, be straightforward and don't get too fancy. Aim for substance over flash.

3. Stay on brand.

Don't be afraid to let your company's personality shine through in your proposal. Stay true to your brand and show the client what sets you apart from your competitors.

4. Quality control.

I've made it a habit to add an editing/QA step in my writing process. During this step, I do a quick spelling and grammar check before hitting send.

So, as you draft your proposal, and after checking for the basics, keep scanning this document until it's just right.

Check to make sure your proposal:

• Meets client needs and expectations
• Highlights your value proposition
• Is well-structured and easy to read or skim
• Complies with legal, ethical, and regulatory requirements
• Looks professional and engaging

5. Include data and visuals.

You want your business proposal to capture your prospect's attention and help set you apart from any other ones they might have received. One of the best ways to do that is to include hard, quantitative data that helps stress the value of your business.

Use relevant, compelling figures that highlight what you have to offer. This can establish authority and make your proposal more convincing. It also helps to include visuals such as charts and graphs to enhance your proposal.

6. Add social proof.

From my experience, you can only be so convincing when you're personally talking up how great your business is — which is why adding social proof is key to establishing credibility.

At the end of the day, prospects are skeptical. They may not take you at your word. But they'll likely trust peers and fellow customers. That's why including elements like customer quotes and testimonials can go a long way.

7. Use a call-to-action.

I've learned that the best proposal in the world can only take you so far if you don't clearly define the next steps. That's why you have to make sure the reader knows what to do after reading your proposal.

A clear call-to-action is the best way to get there.

Define and highlight exactly what they should do to act on the interest your proposal has generated. Without that guidance, you might leave your reader in limbo.

HubSpot customers : Use this CTA builder to create powerful customized CTAs.

8. Create a sense of urgency.

No one wants to feel as if they missed out on a great opportunity. From my experience, prospect tend to drag their feet and put off making a decision if there isn't a sense of urgency.

So, as you create your business proposal, your goal should be to add a degree of urgency. When prospective clients read your business proposal they should feel that the best time to sign up for your service is now .

One way I accomplish this is by stating short and long-term goals for their business. They'll have to wait for the long-term goals, but I make the short-term goals so enticing that they'll be ready to begin a collaboration.

9. Make the decision for them.

Craft your copy in a way that seems like saying "no" to the proposal would be stepping over dollars to pick up pennies. Your offer should go above and beyond their expectations. Do everything in your power to remove friction and objections along the way.

10. Incorporate video into your proposal.

If you're creating an online proposal using document file formats like PDF, add multimedia elements. This will enhance the proposal experience, make your document richer, and keep them engaged.

Try adding a video at the beginning as an intro to your proposal. Or, put a video in the project breakdown to verbally discuss some of the more confusing parts.

Extras like this can make an impression. This tip works especially well with prospects who are visual or auditory communicators.

Pro tip : HubSpot Video makes it easy to record and embed video into a website or email for a big proposal boost.

11. Include up-sell and add-on opportunities.

They say you won't receive unless you ask. And readers won't explore the upper tiers of your solutions if you don't give them the opportunity.

So, share some upsells and add-ons about your business that they can act on. Call out a specific pain point and how this extra can add value.

With this step, balance is important. Show them everything your business has to offer without overwhelming your recipient.

12. Clarify your terms and conditions.

Your business proposal should include details on your project timeline and payment schedule. This summary is basically what you and the client agree to if they accept your proposal.

Don't forget to share this post!

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Propose your business as the ideal solution using this free template.

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Sales | How To

How to Write a Business Proposal (+ Template & Examples)

Published February 27, 2023

Published Feb 27, 2023

REVIEWED BY: Jess Pingrey

WRITTEN BY: Bianca Caballero

This article is part of a larger series on Sales Management .

Free Business Proposal Template

• 1 Determine Sales Proposal Requirements
• 2 Gather Necessary Information
• 3 Design Your Proposed Solution
• 4 Calculate Pricing
• 5 Draft Your Proposal
• 6 Edit Your Proposal Draft
• 7 Send Your Proposal
• 8 Follow Up With Your Recipient
• 9 Best Practices in Writing Sales Proposals
• 10 Bottom Line

A business proposal is a document sent to a prospective client that outlines a firm’s product or service offerings. It also explains how you will provide a solution, the cost, timeline, and qualifying information, such as your background and prior work experience. In this article, we outline eight steps for how to create a business proposal, offer a free proposal template, and provide best practices for writing proposals.

Creating a sales proposal can feel tedious, especially if you’re drafting it from scratch each time. We’ve created a free template that you can use as a resource for your sales proposal.

FILE TO DOWNLOAD OR INTEGRATE

Free Sales Business Proposal Template

Thank you for downloading!

💡 Quick Tip:

Use ClickUp for free to see your entire sales funnel in one place.

• ✓ Free forever, unlimited users
• ✓ Manage all leads, emails and tasks
• ✓ Create presentations, lead forms, and contracts
• ✓ Professional workspace templates

After you’ve downloaded our free template above, you can now customize it according to your business needs as you follow the steps to writing a proposal below:

1. Determine Sales Proposal Requirements

The first step in learning how to write a business proposal is knowing what needs to be included. Government agencies, public universities, and large corporations typically use requests for proposals (RFPs). These are formal solicitation requests for products or services in which the requirements are normally laid out line by line and must be followed precisely.

If you are writing a proposal for a potential customer undergoing your unique sales process , include things a decision-maker would like to see. For instance, pricing, timelines, and the proposed solution regarding quantities and the mode of product or service delivery are critical purchasing factors enclosed in the document.

Pro tip: ClickUp is a free-forever project management tool that helps teams:

• Create professional proposals
• Collaborate with shared tasks and team chat
• Assign tasks to teammates

Visit ClickUp

ClickUp project management board (Source: ClickUp )

2. Gather Necessary Information

Gathering essential information and materials for your proposal can be complex because each potential client may want different details. This could demand other personnel to get involved in pulling the documents and information needed. For instance, some may only request the price and proposed solution, while others will ask for your background story, client reference lists, and work samples to show you’re qualified.

While learning how to write a proposal for business purposes, you may have to dig around your file database for company information, employee biographies, marketing materials, and pricing sheets. Keeping all resources needed for a proposal in one place makes this process easier. Use customer relationship management (CRM) systems to track your proposal progress and acquire what’s needed to draft it in one place.

Pro tip: HubSpot is a popular CRM platform that lets you monitor opportunities using sales pipelines and store documents—all in one system. You can utilize the Sales Documents feature to store, share, and customize templates and materials you’ll need for your proposals.

HubSpot’s deals and opportunities pipeline (Source: HubSpot )

HubSpot’s Sales Documents library (Source: HubSpot )

3. Design Your Proposed Solution

Your proposed solution involves the processes, materials, product quantities, and personnel required to fulfill the offerings or address your customer’s problem statement. Additionally, it should be included in the scope of work section in the proposal. For businesses that only provide a product, such as equipment for a manufacturing plant, this step could be as easy as knowing the quantity and having a logistics plan for delivery and installment.

For more service-based businesses, such as business consultants or content development services, there will likely be more steps and deliverables to complete the work. Regardless of your business, you can use the five W’s and an H methodology to construct a proposed solution that addresses your prospect’s primary pain points:

• Who: Who will be involved, do the work, manage, and be a point of contact for the prospect?
• What: What solutions or products will be delivered, and what resources, processes, or technology will be used?
• Where: Where will work be done or delivered to?
• When: When will the work start and be completed, what are the key milestones throughout the project, and when is each deliverable expected to occur?
• Why: Why did you choose this particular solution for this customer’s needs?
• How: How will work be done, managed, and checked for high quality and customer satisfaction?

For example, a business-to-business (B2B) content writing business might be trying to address a statement of needs issued by a client: “We would like to express thought leadership on the topic of the Zero Trust Cybersecurity Framework.” In this case, the business could use the solution in this business proposal example:

The objective of this business proposal is to demonstrate how ABC Writing Agency can promote the thought leadership of Cybersecurity Corp. for the Zero Trust Security Model. We believe the best course of action is to research and copyright a branded e-book (roughly 4,000 words) regarding Zero Trust Security, the details of the solution, its benefits, and the modern-day security challenges it solves (what) with the final product completed in August 2022. (when) The e-book will use your logo and branding scheme to convey your personal grasp on the subject and thought leadership using a series of direct quotes and statistical callouts. (why)

To ensure high-quality work and client satisfaction, we will begin with an initial call to construct a detailed outline discussing the sections, style guides, tone, and to retrieve direct quotes. Following an initial draft, multiple rounds of edits will take place between Cybersecurity Corp. and ABC Writing Agency to develop a final draft. (how)

The project will be led by our senior editor, Collin Buchanan, and content manager, Jake Cunningham, who comes from the world of cybersecurity. Our team will utilize and manage freelancers experienced in writing e-books on technical topics to research and copyright the asset. (who) All work will be completed by us virtually and delivered via Google Docs. (where)

4. Calculate Pricing

Once you know how you’ll provide your product or service, the next step in writing a proposal is formulating the costs to specify in the document’s pricing section. This is one of the toughest steps because of all the factors that need to be considered, such as product cost and other expenses. That’s why it is critical to accurately communicate your costs to avoid losing a deal for overcharging—or worse—winning a deal with significantly underestimated costs.

As you price everything, you can either do a flat fee, hourly rate, per-unit charge, or some combination of the three. Sometimes, it’s best to work backward by establishing your desired probability first in the form of a percent like 20% profit or a flat dollar amount such as $10,000 above the work cost.

For example, you want to make a 20% profit on the work for an equipment installation job for a manufacturing business, and you’re pricing using a flat fee. You’ve itemized the costs as the following:

• 1 x $80,000 manufacturing equipment = $80,000
• 3 installation/delivery employees x 5 hours x $32 per hour = $480 wages
• $480 employee wages x 7% employer payroll tax = $33.6 payroll tax
• $480 employee wages x 20% benefits and workers’ compensation = $96 benefits and compensation
• $200 for the delivery truck and gas = $200 for delivery costs

When you add all the itemized expenses, the total cost for this installation job will be around $80,809. To get the total, you need to charge this customer to meet your desired profitability, and multiply it by 20% to get $16,162. Add that to your total cost ($80,809 + $16,162), and $96,971 is the flat fee you will charge for the installation job.

Pro tip: Struggling to visualize your pricing process? Try using these seven free estimate templates . Designed for various business types, these templates allow you to outline and itemize the costs of providing work to share with your customers to help win more deals easily.

5. Draft Your Proposal

Now that you know your proposal requirements, have gathered the necessary information, determined the proposed solution, and calculated pricing, you are ready to draft the document. Following along with our free template, your draft will consist of the following elements:

The title page leans more toward showing the professionalism of your business than providing information. There should be a specific title establishing the purpose, such as “ABC Writing Agency Proposal for Cybersecurity Corp. to Promote Thought Leadership on Zero Trust Security.”

Also, be sure to indicate who the proposal was prepared for in terms of the decision-making person and their company name. Add your logo to the front and the contact information for the primary point of contact for your business so they can contact you with further questions.

Table of Contents

Use a table of contents to break down each part of the proposal for business so they can easily navigate through it. Because of the digital age we live in, we recommend linking your table of contents electronically to each associated section. That way, those reading your proposal can go to any part of the document by clicking on the table of contents.

Executive Summary

The executive summary takes everything in your proposal and compresses it into one paragraph. Essentially, if a reader reads this section, they should be able to grasp the general idea of your solution. Here’s a business proposal example using the content writing example above:

With over 10 years of experience in writing high-quality marketing assets, we are eager to assist Cybersecurity Corp in its endeavor to promote thought leadership on Zero Trust Security. We plan to achieve this by writing a comprehensive e-book using engaging copy, stat callouts, and direct quotes from your leaders to help associate the security framework with your brand.

Company Background

Here’s your time to talk about your inception story, mission statement , founding purpose, and company history. You can also provide biographies and professional pictures of your company founders, leaders, and key personnel that might be involved in the work you provide.

This is also the time to express your unique selling proposition . In other words, addressing the question “why choose us” over competitors. Lastly, if you’ve had any recognition or won any company awards, this is the section to highlight those successes.

Scope of Work

This section correlates with creating your proposed solution in step three as you present it in an actionable business plan. Describe the work that will be completed and the tangible deliverables associated with it.

In this small business proposal example, we see how a content writing business might construct a scope of work:

We will provide content writing services to create predetermined marketing assets for Cybersecurity Corp. This includes researching online data for usable information, interviewing subject matter experts (SMEs) for additional insights and quotes, copywriting drafts, inserting callouts, and making edits per revision requests made by Cybersecurity Corp. Deliverables for the scope of work above include:

• 1 x outline developed by ABC Writing Agency and approved by Cybersecurity Corp.
• 1 x drafted e-book (max. 4,000 words) delivered by Google Doc

No matter how long your scope of work is, it’s crucial to avoid industry or technical jargon that the general audience may not understand. Take the time to review the scope of work and translate any statements that may be misunderstood or confusing.

Be sure to indicate how long you expect it to take to complete the entire scope of work. It’s also a good idea to provide estimates for each milestone or individual deliverable you set. Whenever possible, present the information visually to help your reader absorb it better. Below is a sales proposal timeline example for a sales consulting business and its milestones.

Pricing or Price Estimate

For this section, take the price calculation you did in step four and present it to the potential customer. While you should itemize it to show where the price comes from, avoid adding your desired profitability, as that should be private to your business. Make sure it’s clear as to how each item is priced, whether that be hourly, per unit, or a flat fee.

This section should also be used to explain payment expectations, e.g., when invoices must be paid by, how much money is required upfront vs after work is completed, refund policy, and if other billable expenses can be included automatically or require client approval.

Be upfront with your estimate if you don’t know how many units you’ll need or how many hours it will take to accomplish your business offering. Provide an explanation and an estimated range.

Conclusion, Terms & Appendix

The final sections should include additional information that could be useful to your prospective client. A conclusion should express your gratitude for the opportunity and explain the next steps to move forward. Terms (or terms and conditions) can be added in a proposal or in the service agreement to cover legal aspects of a working contract, like contract dispute policies, confidentiality, rules on subcontracting, etc.

The appendix is optional but would utilize visuals or supplemental documents to enrich your proposal. For instance, you might include links to sample work, a client reference list, or a catalog of options for materials or software vendors from which the client can choose.

6. Edit Your Proposal Draft

Once you have completed the first draft of your proposal, run it by multiple departments to ensure it is comprehensive and accurate. Some things to consider as you review it for potential revisions:

• Has strong readability: The proposal uses appropriate style, tone, and structured sentences to create a clean flow of information understood by the specific reader.
• Avoids grammar and technical errors: The proposal avoids punctuation, spelling, or other errors related to proper writing mechanics.
• Addresses requirements: The proposal contains all the information and sections required to meet the reader’s or customer’s needs and objectives.

Use editing tools such as Grammarly to evaluate your business proposal writing for enhanced quality. Grammarly lets users upload text into a system to check for grammar and spelling mistakes as well as for engagement and readability of content. There’s also a plagiarism check feature to evaluate the text to billions of pages online. You can even adjust style preferences when subscribing to Grammarly Business to ensure it meets all your goals.

Grammarly Business’ in-line writing suggestion (Source: Grammarly Business )

Pro tip: Use graphic design tools like Canva to give your sales proposal the professional touch it needs. Canva is a user-friendly platform with thousands of free templates for presentations, marketing materials, social media posts, and proposals for business. Users of all design skill levels can easily turn regular copies into visual masterpieces.

Canva’s sales proposal templates (Source: Canva )

7. Send Your Proposal

Now that your proposal is drafted, edited, and has the aesthetics it needs, it’s time to send the document for review. More formal submissions for RFPs may require that you submit them in person, electronically, or both, so review those provisions carefully before sending them in.

Some sales plans incorporate unsolicited proposals to new leads to present problems they didn’t know existed with viable solutions they could offer. In these cases, they use the proposal to get their foot in the door and create sales opportunities.

When taking this course of action, it’s important to add context to the unsolicited proposal. For instance, in a sales email , briefly introduce yourself, your business, and what services you provide. Furthermore, indicate why you wanted to send a proposal to them specifically and let them know they can reach out if they wish to discuss it further.

8. Follow Up With Your Recipient

Even after you send a proposal, the process is not over. Make time to follow up to confirm the contact received the proposal and see if they have any questions. Because of the proposals’ details, there are usually other clarification steps in the procurement process, such as interviews, client meetings , or sales presentations before work begins.

We recommend using a customer relationship management (CRM) system with task management capabilities to ensure sales reps don’t forget to reach out to a prospect after a proposal is initially sent. A CRM like Pipedrive lets you design and assign tasks to team members from within a project. You can also create projects that are linked to open or won deals.

Pipedrive’s project and task management feature (Source: Pipedrive )

Best Practices in Writing Sales Proposals

Now that you know the steps in how to write a business proposal, there are a few tips you can practice and maintain to produce thoughtful and effective proposals.

Keep It Simple

When learning how to make a business proposal, remember to write short, simple sentences. While there is no strict rule on the business proposal format or length, make sure it is straightforward and easy to understand. Avoid loading it with too much business jargon and fancy words. Instead, strike the sweet spot between conveying essential information and ensuring anyone who reads it can understand it.

Outline Major Sections & Pertinent Information

The first thing to do when learning how to do a business proposal is to outline all the major sections of your document. This should also include all the pertinent information that you want to get across. The business proposal outline will help you stay focused on the main points of the document and keep your ideas from drifting away.

Add Data & Visuals

Capture your prospect’s attention by including quantitative data and figures highlighting your offerings and the value of your company. For example, you can show your month-on-month sales trends as proof of your stellar performance. Adding visual elements like charts and graphs can also help make your proposal more engaging.

Increase Credibility With Social Proof

Assert your company’s credibility. Many prospects won’t readily believe your claims about your business and are most likely to trust the word of their own peers and other customers. To help build your credibility and gain their trust, include social proof, such as reviews and testimonials from your own customers.

Use a Call to Action (CTA)

After the prospect reads your proposal, direct them to the next step. Use a call to action with a verb that defines what they should do to act on their interest in your proposal. Examples of CTAs are “Subscribe today” or “Download this guide now.” You can also use a CTA with a no-obligation statement like “Sign up, it’s free” for prospects who perceive risks in taking action.

Another excellent idea when adding CTAs is to create a sense of urgency to make your prospect feel that now is the best time to subscribe to your service. Some people are motivated to do something right away for fear of missing out (FOMO). That said, phrases like “Limited-time offer” and “On sale now for 20% off” can trigger action from prospects.

Stay True to Your Brand

Each company has a different brand voice and personality. Staying true to your business brand is a great way to stand out among your competitors. For instance, if your company sells baby clothes, it is best to use language that parents with babies can relate to, like “cute and cuddly” or “snug and comfy.” Use a more formal tone of voice in your proposal if you are selling office wear.

Bottom Line

Many business owners and sales managers would like to standardize their proposal-writing system. However, it can be tricky to address the unique needs of every solicited and unsolicited opportunity to get the correct information in order and present their proposed solutions. Our how-to sales proposal examples and free template will help you streamline your bidding process to win more deals.

About the Author

Find Bianca On LinkedIn

Bianca Caballero

Bianca Caballero is a subject matter expert at Fit Small Business who covers Sales and Customer service topics. Prior to working at FSB, she was in field sales and territory management. When she launched her career as a writer, she worked with companies from the US, Australia, and China. At present, she uses her 12+ years of writing experience to provide FSB readers with the best answers to their questions.

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How to Write a Business Proposal (Examples & Templates)

A complete guide to writing business proposals that land deals. Easy-to-follow steps, actionable examples, and insider tips from sales pros.

John McTale

11 minute read

Not a fan of writing business proposals? Few people are. After all, it puts you in quite a vulnerable position. You need to convince prospects to pick you and make them understand why you’re the perfect fit for their needs.

This guide will show you a simple step-by-step process you can follow to ace every business proposal you create. Plus, for every section of your proposal, you’ll get sample content you can take as a point of reference and use to score more deals.

First, see a business proposal example created with Storydoc:

Interactive

Static, plain-text proposals are a relic of the past. With Storydoc, you’ll get engaging, interactive proposals looking better than anything you’ve ever created. Rise above your competitors and give your customers a proposal they will be proud to show their boss.

What is a business proposal ?

A business proposal is a formal document devised by a company and delivered to a prospect with the purpose of securing a contractual agreement between the two parties. A good business proposal shows to your potential clients why your offer is the most beneficial to them. Before we dig deeper, if you just need a quick checklist, here it is. To learn more about a specific section just click on a desired item in the interactive table of contents and we’ll take you right there.

Here's how to write a business proposal:

Now, let’s go through each step and see some examples.

1. Create a title page

Starting with the basics. The title page of your business proposal needs to feel professional and inviting. Most importantly, though, make it feel as personal as possible. Include:

• The name of your business
• The subject matter of your proposal
• Your prospect’s name and job title
• Your prospect’s company logo
• Submission date

Business proposal title page example:

Jane Atkins ABC Company Inbound Marketing Proposal for Acme Corp

Submitted to: John Random, VP Growth Submitted on: May 5, 2023

Using your client’s logo is virtually a must. But you kick your title page up a notch by applying other elements of their branding, too: think colors, master visuals, and overall vibe. They will notice and appreciate it. These unique business name ideas will make you stand out from the crowd - your business name matters.

2. Include an interactive table of contents

One of the keys to success in business communication is setting up expectations and then meeting them. A table of contents achieves just that: you tell your readers exactly what they’ll find in your proposal. If you’re sending your proposal electronically, make the ToC clickable, with jump-to links to appropriate chapters of your proposal. It will make navigating through the document so much easier (much like we did with this piece, you're welcome!).

Speaking of electronic versions… Do your best to prevent your prospects from printing out your proposal. A 2020 study found that once someone prints your proposal, your chances of landing the deal shrink by 84%!

Sample table of contents:

Executive Summary

Assessment and Project Overview

Methodology - SEO Audit - Internal Linking Optimization - Digital PR Assets - Digital PR Outreach

Qualifications and Testimonials

Terms and Conditions

Agreement and Rollout Process

3. Write a compelling executive summary

As the name implies, an executive summary is a section that, well, summarizes the whole document. In business proposals, your executive summary should contain the essence of your value proposition: explain why you’re submitting the proposal, what makes your product or services relevant to the client’s specific needs, and how you’re going to tackle their problems. The key thing to remember? Don’t mistake an executive summary for an introduction. The summary is basically a shortened version of your whole proposal. Its purpose is to provide a busy reader ( who could be your prospect ’s boss, the titular executive) with an overview of your offer, clear enough for them to not have to read the proposal in full. If you want to learn more about writing executive summaries, specifically, see our dedicated guide: Executive Summary—Examples and Definition

Sample executive summary for a business proposal:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This proposal outlines a detailed plan of action aimed at maximizing the profits of Acme Corp by boosting the inbound organic traffic to your e-commerce store. As your company displays a very high on-site conversion rate and the online traffic you generate is highly monetizable, the best strategy for maximizing your revenue is boosting your SEO performance. Acme Corp is lagging behind its key competitors in most of the search performance metrics: domain rating, backlink quality , and, as a result, organic traffic. Applying basic SEO maintenance will result in a dramatic increase of relevant monthly visitors to your site, contributing to a substantial increase in revenue. In the second phase of the project, our team will enhance your online presence and earn high-quality backlinks through a data-driven digital PR campaign, further improving your domain rating and the consequent search engine rankings for the highest-converting keywords and phrases.

While executive summaries come at the beginning of business proposals, write this section last. Create the rest of your proposal beforehand, then “skim the cream:” compile the key bits into the summary.

4. Identify the problem and propose a solution

Here’s where the big guns come in. If you’ve managed to get them interested enough to reach this part, you’re halfway there. It doesn’t mean it gets easier at this point. Quite the contrary— This section, usually called “Assessment,” or “Project Overview,” is the meat and potatoes of your proposal. You need to make sure it tastes like Black Angus fillet mignon with gratin dauphinoise. Here are a few tips for making it powerful and convincing to your prospects:

• Focus on the grander scheme of things here. Paint a big picture, plant an idea: it’s not the time to get to the nitty-gritty yet.
• B2B buyers can smell generic from miles away. Do your best to customize this part to the exact needs of your customer, never use a copy-pastable template.
• Make it about them. Instead of “selling” your product or services, focus on the tangible business result they’ll get out of this. ROI is the most direct, hard-hitting metric after all.
• Don’t overuse jargon or highly technical terms. You’re communicating with a human, not an algorithm.
• It’s okay to use your sales deck as a point of reference. It’s what got them interested in the first place, so do rely on the same main message.

Sample project overview in a business proposal:

ASSESSMENT AND PROJECT OVERVIEW Acme Corp is currently looking for ways to bring more inbound traffic to the company website. As an e-commerce business with competitively priced, high-quality performance clothing, any traffic you generate is highly monetizable. Your current traffic sources mostly constitute direct (15%), AdWords (40%), and display ads (18%). Organic traffic acquisition has been heavily underperforming for your site. At the same time, both your key competitors, DoeSports and GreenWay, bring in twice as much organic traffic as you do through paid sources (via Ahrefs, and SimilarWeb analysis). This shows that SEO efforts can be highly profitable in your industry. Your e-commerce store suffers from a few easy-to-fix SEO issues that we will address immediately:

• Poor-quality backlinks from spam sites, low SEO health score, and irrelevant anchor text in internal links.
• Fixing these issues alone will boost your SERP positions by 5–10 places for highest-volume keywords, amounting to 5,000–8,000 more unique visitors per month.
• Considering your extremely high average conversion rate of 3% and an average conversion value of $75, those efforts will increase monthly revenue by at least $11,250.

Furthermore, in comparison to your competitors, AcmeCorp has a poor domain rating: 49, compared to 66 of DoeSports and 70 of GreenWay, indicating fewer relevant backlinks and weaker referring domains. Our team will acquire relevant, high-quality backlinks from key industry publications through digital PR and outreach campaigns based on unique data-driven studies. This will result in:

• A significant boost in your domain rating, directly contributing to all major search engines rankings.
• A projected boost in traffic to your website of further 12,000 visitors per month.
• Enhanced brand visibility.

Even at the stage of the deal where you send the proposal, don’t assume your customer understands what they’re buying and why they need it. You still need to get your sales message across: let your prospects understand the value attached to your price tag.

5. Explain your methodology

If the executive summary of a business proposal is the why , and the project overview, the what , here’s the part where you describe how . If you’ve nailed the previous sections, your prospect knows that your solutions are relevant to their problems and has a bird’s eye view of expected outcomes. It’s time to explain your methods for achieving what you promise to deliver. List all the deliverables they can expect from the project or service, together with a timetable and a list of dependencies detailing the deadlines or frequency of delivering specific items or milestones. How granular you are in this part largely depends on the duration of collaboration you’re discussing, and many other project-specific details.

Example #1:

If you’re writing an event video proposal, you’ll want to explain what the client can expect:

• Before the event (consulting your needs and ideal outcomes, auditing the venue, setting up lighting, and so on),
• During the event (how many videographers on site, exact timetable, total shooting time),
• After the event (post-production, sound and music, additional editing, total length of video material delivered).

Example #2:

If, on the other hand, your proposal refers to long-term marketing consulting contract, the description of your methodology will be more general:

• Month 1: identifying and fixing technical SEO issues (anchor text, internal linking, backlink quality).
• Month 2: auditing the site content and optimizing existing URLs for search engine performance using an SEO rank tracker tool .
• Month 3: automating the funnel, running A/B tests on form pages.

And so on… Let’s have a look at what it might look like in practice.

Business proposal sample—methodology:

METHODOLOGY

• Disavowing links from low-reputation websites
• Fixing critical issues on existing URLs
• Improving site speed
• Fixing errors in robots.txt
• Optimizing meta titles and meta descriptions
• Fixing errors in HTML tags

Internal Linking Optimization

• Identifying internal linking opportunities
• Creating SEO-friendly anchor text combinations
• Removing links to 404 URLs

Digital PR Assets

• Running unique surveys via OnePoll
• Creating data-driven content relevant to the audiences of industry online publications
• Creating shareable infographics depicting the findings of the study

Digital PR Outreach

• Identifying key leads in relevant industry websites
• Email outreach to our database of relevant contacts
• Passive link building via Google AdWords

6. Back up your proposal with proof of qualifications

Your business proposal might be visionary so far. Still, if it’s not credible, it will get you nowhere. The client might love your ideas. They might be beyond excited to see them come to life. But— They don’t know you. And remember the old saying: “Trust everybody, but always cut the cards.” (Yes, it’s a euphemism for “Trust no one, ever.”) How do you make them trust you? Show them you’ve done it before and you succeeded. Again, and again. List verifiable, measurable achievements you or your company can boast about and pepper those with social proof. See a few examples:

• Customer case studies,
• Testimonials,
• Certifications,
• Industry awards,
• Years of experience,
• Media mentions.

The ideal composition of those will depend on the type of project and the industry: If you’re a photographer, your client won’t care too much about the awards you might have gotten or what The New Yorker wrote about your solo show. They’ll want to review your portfolio to see if that’s the vibe they're into and hear from your past clients to check if you’re not a pain to work with. If, in turn, you’re writing a marketing business proposal, your best bet will be to emphasize examples of your past campaigns together with detailed key metrics you boosted for your clients. Writing a proposal in an informal tone? You can add a short “About Us” section. Introduce team members who would be working on the project and explain what makes them the best professionals available on the market for solving the particular problem in question.

7. Outline your pricing options

This is where things get rather technical. On the face of it, the pricing section seems fairly obvious. They might be in love with your solutions, but they don’t yet know if they can afford you. Pricing is a tricky part on your end, though. You don’t want to scare off your lead with a sky-high estimate; at the same time, you don’t want to undersell yourself. The best option is to go for an interactive pricing page where every type of service or activity has a separate price tag to it and your clients can easily select a package that suits their needs and meets their budget—ideally, the total price should get automatically calculated. Alternately, you can use an estimate generator , which is an effective tool for automatically calculating cost forecasts based on various criteria and input data. This tool is both affordable and consumes little computing resources, so you can get it along with the best laptop for the money in the $300-$500 range. If you don’t have such an option at hand, create a very specific pricing table that clearly identifies each item or service, as well as the billing period. Here’s a practical example.

Sample pricing for a business proposal:

Remember, your goal is to make them comfortable with the pricing. Make them understand that your offer is not a cost but an investment worth every penny. A great way to achieve this is adding a live ROI calculator. It’s a perfect reminder of why they’re reading the proposal in the first place: to find a solution that will help them increase the revenue.

Below, you can see a sample ROI calculator created with our presentation maker tool :

Interactive ROI calculator example

8. Finish with terms and conditions + contractual agreement

Here’s a bad dream— The client loved your proposal, you’re midway through the project, and, all of a sudden, they’re refusing to make a second payment on your account. “We agreed on 30% upfront, and a full payment upon completion.” You know that’s not what you agreed on. Or do you? A proper business proposal comes with a detailed set of terms and conditions, together with contractual agreement at the bottom, helping both parties involved avoid any misunderstandings. In the terms and conditions, describe the timeline of the project, payment terms and schedule, cancellation policy (if applicable), and possible pre-agreement amendments to the proposal itself.

Sample terms and conditions for a business proposal:

TERMS AND CONDITIONS Timeline Start date: June 1, 2023 End date: July 31, 2023 Total payment due: $11,150 40% of the total payment is due upon signing. 100% of the total payment is due upon project completion. After the final payment, any elements of text, graphics, photos, or other creative work created by ABC Company for Acme Corp are owned by Acme Corp. ABC Company retains the right to showcase their creative work done for Acme Corp as examples in their portfolio. Prior to signing the contractual agreement, elements of this proposal might be amended in cooperation with Jane Atkins, ABC Company.

At the bottom of your document, include a legal agreement clause and a space for signatures. Make it easy for them to make a decision without additional documents. Adding a date and signature space in a business proposal will help you close the deal faster. For maximum convenience, you’ll want electronic signatures enabled.

Sample agreement clause for a business proposal:

If you agree to the terms of this inbound marketing proposal, please sign in the field below. Your signature indicates that you enter into a contractual agreement with ABC Company that commences on the date signed below. [ date ] [ signature ] John Random, Acme Corp

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And that’s a wrap…

I hope this step-by-step overview of business proposal writing has straightened out any queries or doubts you might have had. For the final word, here are a few extra tips to keep in mind before you hit “send.”

Business proposal tips:

• Start with an outline.
• Never reuse old proposals.
• Use hard numbers whenever possible.
• Don’t shy away from your brand.
• Make next steps obvious.
• Re-read, proofread and edit.

Thanks for reading. Keeping my fingers crossed for your proposal!

Hi, I'm John, Editor-in-chief at Storydoc. As a content marketer and digital writer specializing in B2B SaaS, my main goal is to provide you with up-to-date tips for effective business storytelling and equip you with all the right tools to enable your sales efforts.

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How to Write a Business Proposal in 7 Steps

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Whether you’re a B2B or a B2C company, you’re in the business of convincing customers to choose to spend their money with your business. For a B2B company that process usually involves a business proposal. In the B2B industry, once you've attracted new customers, which are most likely other businesses, you have to actually make a deal. Unlike B2C companies, who use marketing strategies and then hope their customers respond and purchase their product and service, there's a little more involved in this exchange. That's where your business proposal will come into the picture.

Luckily, even though your process and the exact format for your business proposal can be unique to your company, there is also a general formula you can follow to make things easier, especially the first few times you write a proposal.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the general steps of how to write a business proposal—including how to decide what kind of proposal you're writing, how you should organize it, and what information you should include.

How to write a b usiness proposal: 7 essential steps to follow

With these starting points in mind, let's get down to the process. Whether you’re just learning how to write a business proposal, or want to change up the one you’ve already been using, you’ll want to break down writing into a step-by-step approach. The organization is key when you’re writing a business proposal—structure will not only help you answer the core questions mentioned above, but it’ll also help you create consistent, successful proposals every time you’re pitching new business.

This being said, when writing a business proposal, you can break down the document into these sections:

Introduction

Table of contents

Executive summary

Project details

Deliverables and milestones

Bonus: Appendix (if necessary)

Step 1: Introduction

The introduction to your business proposal should provide your client with a succinct overview of what your company does (similar to the company overview in your business plan). It should also include what sets your company apart from its peers, and why it’s particularly well-suited to be the selected vendor to undertake a job—whether the assignment is a singular arrangement or an ongoing relationship.

The most effective business proposal introductions accomplish more with less: It’s important to be comprehensive without being overly wordy. You'll want to resist the temptation to share every detail about your company’s history and lines of business, and don’t feel the need to outline every detail of your proposal. You'll want to keep the introduction section to one page or shorter.

Step 2: Table of contents

Once you've introduced your business and why you're the right fit for the client you're submitting the proposal to (a quasi-cover letter), you'll want to next create a table of contents. Like any typical table of contents, this section will simply outline what the client can expect to find in the remainder of the proposal. You'll include all of the sections that we'll cover below, simply laid out as we just did above.

If you're sending an electronic proposal, you may want to make the table of contents clickable so the client can easily jump from section to section by clicking the links within the actual table of contents.

Step 3: Executive summary

Next, your business proposal should always include an executive summary that frames out answers to the who, what, where, when, why, and how questions that you’re proposing to the client lead. Here, the client will understand that you understand them.

It's important to note that despite the word "summary," this section shouldn't be a summary of your whole business proposal. Instead, this section should serve as your elevator pitch or value proposition. You'll use the executive summary to make an explicit case for why your company is the best fit for your prospect’s needs. Talk about your strengths, areas of expertise, similar problems you’ve solved, and the advantages you provide over your competitors—all from the lens of how these components could help your would-be client’s business thrive.

Step 4: Project details

When it comes to how to write a business proposal, steps four through six will encompass the main body of your proposal—where your potential client will understand how you’ll address their project and the scope of the work.

Within this body, you'll start by explaining your recommendation, solution, or approach to servicing the client. As you get deeper within your explanation, your main goal will be to convey to the client that you’re bringing something truly custom to the table. Show that you've created this proposal entirely for them based on their needs and any problems they need to solve. At this point, you'll detail your proposed solution, the tactics you’ll undertake to deliver on it, and any other details that relate to your company’s recommended approach.

Step 5: Deliverables and milestones

This section will nest inside the project details section, but it’s an essential step on its own.

Your proposal recipient doesn’t get merely an idea of your plan, of course—they get proposed deliverables. You'll outline your proposed deliverables here with in-depth descriptions of each (that might include quantities or the scope of services, depending on the kind of business you run). You never want to assume a client is on the same page as you with expectations, because if you’re not aligned, they might think you over-promised and under-delivered. Therefore, this is the section where you'll want to go into the most detail.

Along these lines, you can also use this section of the prospective client's proposal to restrict the terms and scope of your services. This can come in handy if you’re concerned that the work you’re outlining could lead to additional projects or responsibilities that you’re not planning to include within your budget.

Moreover, you might also want to consider adding milestones to this section, either alongside deliverables or entirely separately. Milestones can be small, such as delivery dates for a specific package of project components, or when you send over your first draft of a design. Or, you can choose to break out the project into phases. For longer projects, milestones can be a great way to convey your company’s organization and responsibility.

Step 6: Budget

There’s no way around the fact that pricing projects isn’t easy or fun—after all, you need to balance earning what you’re worth and proving value, while also not scaring away a potential client, or getting beaten out by a competitor with a cheaper price. Nevertheless, a budget or pricing section is an integral part of a business proposal, so you'll want to prepare your pricing strategy ahead of time before getting into the weeds of any proposal writing.

This being said, if you fear the fee might seem too high to your potential client, you might decide to break out the individual components of the budget—for example: social media services, $700; web copywriting $1,500—or create a few different tiers of pricing with different services contained in each. The second approach might not work for all types of businesses or proposal requests, but it may be worth considering if you’re worried about your overall fee appearing steep.

With these points in mind, once you've determined how to outline your pricing, you'll list it out (you might even include optional fees or services) and the overall cost for the scope of work you've described.

Step 7: Conclusion

Finally, your conclusion should wrap up your understanding of the project, your proposed solutions, and what kind of work (and costs) are involved. This is your last opportunity to make a compelling case within your business proposal—reiterate what you intend to do, and why it beats your competitors’ ideas.

If you're writing an RFP, again, meaning a potential client has requested this document from you, you might also include a terms and conditions section at this point. This end-on piece would detail the terms of your pricing, schedule, and scope of work that the client would be agreeing to by accepting this proposal.

Bonus step: Appendix (optional)

After the conclusion, you might also decide to include an appendix—where you add any supplemental information that that either doesn’t fit within the main proposal without being disruptive for the reader, or is less than essential to understanding the main components of your proposal. You’ll likely only need an appendix if you have stats, figures, illustrations, or examples of work that you want to share with your potential client. This being said, you might also include contact information, details about your team, and other relevant information in this section.

If you don't have any additional information to include, don't worry—you can end your business proposal with the conclusion section.

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Once we uncover your personalized matches, our team will consult you on the process moving forward.

Business proposal considerations

Before you dive into determining how to write a business proposal that will give you a competitive edge, there are a few important things to keep in mind.

First, you'll want to make sure that you’re accomplishing the right objectives with your proposal. When writing a business proposal, you’re trying to walk a line between both promoting your company and addressing the needs of your would-be client, which can be difficult for any company to do.

This being said, you'll want to remember that a business proposal is different than a business plan, which you likely already wrote for your company when you were starting your business. Your business plan spells out your company's overall growth goals and objectives, but a business proposal speaks directly to a specific could-be client with the purpose of winning their business for your company.

With this in mind, in order to write a business proposal for any potential client, you'll need to establish your internal objectives and how these will contribute to the work you're proposing. To explain, you'll need to consider the following:

What tasks will need to be done for this work?

Who will do each task, and oversee the job at large?

What you’ll charge for the job?

Where will the work be delivered?

When will it be done?

Why are you the best fit for the job the client needs to be accomplished?

How will you achieve results?

Not only are these questions at the heart of clear and concise writing, but you also won't be able to write your business proposal without answers to them. So as you're going through the different pieces of your business proposal, keep in mind the objectives of your business, while also remaining persuasive regarding why the potential client should work with you instead of someone else.

The next important thing you'll need to keep in mind before you start writing a business proposal is what kind of proposal are you writing. Essentially, there are two types of business proposals—solicited proposals where someone requested the proposal from your company—and unsolicited proposals, where you're sending the document to another business unprompted.

In the case of solicited proposals, often called RFPs (short for a request for proposal), it’s likely that this potential client already knows at least a little about your business. With these kinds of business proposals, you'll want to spend less time convincing the client that you're the best small business consultant for the job and more on making your proposal feel custom to their specific brief, project, or problem. On the whole, the less generic your business proposal is, the more likely you are to win the work.

Unsolicited proposals, on the other hand, are much harder to sell.

As you’re writing a business proposal to a company that doesn’t know they may need your services, you’ll want to focus on getting them to understand why your company is specifically unique. You want to show them that you can add significant value to their business that they don’t already have. If there is currently someone performing the function you would like to, the sell will even be more difficult.

Business proposal examples

So, now that we've gone through all of the steps to show you how to write a business proposal, let's discuss some examples. As you go through the writing process, you might find it's helpful to consult external resources to review business proposal samples or templates and see how other businesses have structured these types of documents. Specifically, it might be even more helpful to review business proposal examples that relate to your particular industry—such as marketing, advertising, or finance.

General business proposal sample

If you're looking for a general business proposal example, you might consult BPlan, which offers advice, examples, and templates for the documents that are required to plan and operate a small business. In the BPlan sample, BPlan breaks their example into three overarching parts—a problem statement, a proposed solution, and a pricing estimate. This may be a good place to start if you're writing a business proposal for the first time and need a simple, general example to follow.

For a solicited proposal or RFP, you may want to reference a business proposal example that specifically operates under the assumption that you've been asked for this proposal. In this case, you may check out one of the downloadable RFP templates from Template Lab.

Template Lab offers both Word and PDF versions of their templates—and these business proposal samples will include sections more appropriate for RFPs including terms and conditions, scheduling, and points of contact.

Business proposal template services or software

For the most advanced and plug-and-play type business proposal samples, you may decide to utilize a service like Proposify or PandaDoc. These software services allow you to choose from their library of professionally designed and outlined business proposal examples (which are also usually industry-specific) and customize the template for your business's needs.

It's important to note, however, that although you may be able to sign up for a free trial for these services, most of them will eventually require a paid subscription.

5 best practices for writing a business proposal

Writing a business proposal can seem overwhelming at first, as it requires you to provide information about your company and its services as they relate specifically to what your prospect needs. As you go through the process again and again, however, it will become easier and easier to write a succinct and effective business proposal.

This being said, there are a few best practices you can keep in mind to help you as you get started:

1. Be direct.

Although you might feel the urge to show off your language skills while trying to impress a client, when you’re writing a business proposal, tour best bet to win business is to be clear, concise, and direct. You won't want to use overly flowery language or anything that could possibly be misconstrued.

2. Don’t leave room for ambiguity.

You'll want to make sure your proposal is straightforward and easy to understand, with no room for misinterpretation around what you say you’ll do or deliver.

Therefore, you'll want to avoid overly complicated industry jargon to be sure your client can understand exactly what you're talking about and what it means within the scope of your (and their) business.

3. Write for the right audience.

If you were writing a proposal for a specialty food business, it shouldn't look or sound exactly the same as if you were writing a proposal for an asset management company. You'll always want to keep your audience in mind as your craft and develop your proposal.

Ultimately, your best bet is to be straightforward, clear, and stick to the details, but you also shouldn't be afraid to tailor your writing to your audience so that your client feels that the proposal has truly been created with their business in mind.

This being said, your proposal should show that you not only understand your potential client but that you also respect them professionally.

4. Consider a title page.

Although this may not be necessary for a shorter business proposal, a title page can help with the general organization, flow, and professional feel of your document.

Like a title page for any other type of report, this one-page cover sheet would precede the remainder of your proposal and would likely include your business's name, contact information, and logo, as well as who you're submitting the proposal to.

Depending on your business or the potential client you're submitting the proposal to, you might decide that a title page is unnecessary, however, it's worth keeping in mind that it may be something to visually draw in your reader from the start.

5. Err on the side of brevity.

Finally, within the world of business proposals, shorter is usually better. This isn't to say, of course, that you should leave out details or omit important sections—it simply means that you should try to find the most succinct way to say what you need to say and get your point across to the potential client.

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The bottom line

There's no doubt about it—learning how to write a business proposal is a lot of work. Luckily, however, you can follow our steps so you know what to include in your proposal and how to include it.

Ultimately, selling your services to potential clients is part of running and managing your business and as you do it again and again, it will only become easier.

This being said, as you go through the lifecycle of your business, you'll begin to accumulate a library of business proposals that you can continuously reference and use to develop your pitching strategy and writing process based on proposals that have and have not worked. And, hopefully, by taking the time to invest in this business proposal process, you'll be winning the work you need to grow your business.

This article originally appeared on JustBusiness, a subsidiary of NerdWallet.

On a similar note...

December 21, 2023

Can't find what you're looking for?

How to Write a Business Proposal: A Comprehensive Guide with Template for Success

Discover the art of crafting successful business proposals with our comprehensive guide. Learn how to write a business proposal step-by-step and access a ready-to-use template for guaranteed success. Elevate your proposal writing skills with expert tips and strategic insights.

What's Inside?

Business Proposal: An In-Depth Definition

A business proposal is a formal document that expresses a company's or an individual's intention to offer a specific product or service and outlines how this proposal will be presented to potential buyers, customers, business partners, or investors.

These proposals are typically considered official documents and are crafted with a high level of professionalism in terms of content and presentation.

In essence, a business proposal serves as a comprehensive introduction to a business endeavor, strategically designed to persuade and inform its audience.

Through the use of clear language, detailed information, and a polished presentation, these proposals play a crucial role in shaping successful business interactions.

Key Elements of a Business Proposal

1) Title: The proposal opens with a concise title that encapsulates the core theme of the document.

2) Business Description: A detailed explanation of the product or service being offered, including its features and benefits.

3) Value Proposition: Emphasis on the advantages and benefits the proposed product or service will bring to the recipient, be it a customer, business partner, or investor.

4) Costs and Pricing: A breakdown of the costs associated with the product or service and the proposed pricing structure.

5) References and Success Stories: Inclusion of references and past success stories to establish credibility and showcase prior achievements.

6) Timeline: A proposed schedule outlining when the business relationship or project is expected to commence and conclude.

7) Terms and Conditions: Clear articulation of the terms and conditions, including payment terms, for the proposed transaction.

8) Contact Information: Information about how interested parties can get in touch with the proposing company or individual.

Purpose and Significance

1) Capturing Interest: Business proposals aim to capture the attention of potential clients, partners, or investors.

2) Sales and Partnerships: These documents are instrumental in pitching a product or service for sales process, establishing business partnerships , or attracting investment.

3) Professional Presentation: Business proposals serve as a means to professionally present a company's capabilities and offerings, leaving a positive impression on the recipient.

How To Write A Business Proposal Step By Step

Writing a business proposal involves a series of steps to effectively communicate your business idea , product, or service to potential clients, partners, or investors. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you create a comprehensive business proposal:

1) Title Page

Start with a clear and concise title that reflects the essence of your proposal.

Include your company name, logo, and relevant contact information.

2) Executive Summary

Provide a brief overview of your business, the purpose of the proposal, and the key highlights.

Highlight the most critical points, such as your unique selling proposition and the benefits you offer.

3) Table of Contents

Include a table of contents to make it easy list for readers to navigate through your proposal.

4) Introduction

Introduce your company, its background, and the purpose of the proposal.

Clearly state what problem or need your proposal aims to address.

5) Problem Statement or Needs Analysis

Clearly articulate the problem or needs that your product or service addresses.

Provide relevant data, statistics, or examples to support your claims.

6) Proposed Solution

Present your product or service as the solution to the identified problem or needs.

Clearly outline the features and benefits of what you're offering.

7) Objectives and Goals

Specify the goals and objectives of your proposal. What do you aim to achieve with this partnership or project?

8) Target Audience

Clearly define your target audience or market.

Demonstrate your understanding of the needs and preferences of your target customers like social media marketing.

9) Methodology

Outline the approach or methodology you will use to implement your proposed solution.

Detail the steps involved and the timeline for each.

10) Implementation Plan

Provide a detailed plan for how you intend to implement your proposal.

Include milestones, timelines, and responsibilities.

11) Budget and Pricing

Present a detailed budget, including costs associated with your proposed solution.

Clearly outline your pricing structure and any payment terms.

12) Company Overview

Include information about your company, its history, mission, and values.

Highlight relevant experience, skills, and qualifications.

13) Testimonials or Case Studies

Include any testimonials, references, or case studies that showcase your past successes.

Demonstrate your track record and build credibility.

14) Conclusion

Summarize the key points of your proposal.

Reiterate the benefits of your solution.

15) Call to Action

Clearly state what action you want the reader to take.

Provide contact information and next steps.

16) Appendices

Include any additional supporting documents, such as resumes, charts, graphs, or additional data.

17) Editing and Proofreading

Review your proposal for clarity, coherence, and grammatical accuracy.

Ensure that your proposal is error-free and professionally presented.

Create Your Own Business Proposal With Decktopus

Try Decktopus now and craft your business proposals in an impressive way! With a variety of rich templates, a user-friendly interface, and diverse slide types , you can present your business proposals with a professional touch.

Try the best proposal maker!

Blend visual and text elements perfectly, making your proposal more effective and appealing. Getting started with Decktopus is a breeze.

Personalize templates, add text, and enhance your presentation with visual elements. Decktopus makes it easy to include budget and pricing details, ensuring transparency and clarity in your business proposal.

‍ With advanced features, you can highlight customer testimonials and success stories in dedicated slides. By showcasing reliable references, Decktopus empowers you to stand out with your business proposals .

Remember, using Decktopus is just a few clicks away! Try it now and enjoy presenting your business proposals in a more attractive, impactful, and professional manner.

Discover the convenience of Decktopus's Business Proposal Template Library , where you can easily find the perfect template for your needs.

Explore the diverse range of options and simplify your proposal creation process. Start creating impactful business proposals with Decktopus now!

Check out our Business Proposal Templates here.

Advantages of Using Decktopus for Proposal Creation

Decktopus's AI-powered proposal maker offers numerous benefits, making it a valuable tool for businesses:

How It Works?

1) Effortless Process: Your proposal deck is ready in minutes without the hassle of dealing with alignments, font sizes, or design structures. Our user-friendly interface takes care of the details so you can focus on your content.

2) Seamless Sharing: Share your proposals anywhere with custom links tailored for your proposal decks. Forget about changing the link every time you update the content; Decktopus streamlines the sharing process.

3) Quick Feedback: No more waiting for email responses. Utilize built-in forms within your proposal deck to gather feedback fast from potential customers. Decktopus ensures a swift and efficient feedback loop, enhancing your communication with your audience.

More Features

Proposal business example with decktopus.

Experience a stellar business proposal with our example created using Decktopus!

Explore a comprehensive showcase of how Decktopus transforms your proposals into professional and impactful presentations.

If you need a comprehensive solution for your yoga course, you can create an excellent presentation using the Decktopus proposal maker feature!

If you are producing a podcast and need sponsorship agreements for more people to hear your voice, then this deck is perfect for you.

Discover the power of Decktopus! Elevate your presentations with ready-to-use slide types like timeline, offer, chart, form, case studies, and team. Upgrade your content creation game today!

Visit Desktopus for this and more templates.

Business Proposal Template Library

Decktopus has excellent business proposal templates for every profession and industry, from spa businesses to online coaching.

Absolutely, you must leverage Decktopus for your business templates! By clicking the image, you'll enter the enchanting world of Decktopus , gaining access to professionally crafted business proposal templates tailored specifically for your company.

Try these templates now!

This image will lead you to the ease of creating and sharing a successful business proposal. Click now to explore Decktopus' unique features.

Some Questions To Consider While Crafting A Proposal

1) Identify your role within the project.

2) Determine the decision-makers involved.

3) Outline your main priorities and concerns.

4) Assess the available financial support.

5) Familiarize yourself with both your solution and your organization.

6) Highlight your industry experience.

To maximize the effectiveness of your proposal, dedicate time to preparation, planning, drafting, and reviewing, keeping your audience in mind. The effort invested in comprehending your reader's perspective will pay off in the later stages of proposal development.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) how to create a business proposal.

Have you tried Decktopus AI, which prepares these steps for you? With its rich business proposal library, Decktopus is ready to meet all the needs of you, your company, and your team.

Just a single click is enough to explore our template library.

2) Can I use the business proposal template without downloading it?

Certainly! You have the flexibility to utilize the business proposal template without the need for downloading. Unlike various template platforms, Decktopus allows you to work with the template directly without the necessity of downloading it.

The document is stored in the cloud, enabling you to share, present, and collaborate seamlessly without the hassle of downloading.

All templates are readily accessible. Simply begin by employing it with a click on the use button above!

3) Where can I find a business proposal template?

You're in the right place! Explore this page to discover over 60 business proposal templates for immediate use. Whether you're in Marketing, Insurance, Coaching, Sales, Engineering, and more, Decktopus is the ideal destination for all your business proposal template needs.

4) How can I use a business proposal template?

Simply click on the button next to the template in Decktopus!

Once you've created your account, fill in the blanks, follow the overall content flow, add the details your business needs, and voila!

5) How to write a business proposal template?

Firstly, ensure your template maintains clarity and conciseness. It's essential for potential clients or partners to grasp your proposal swiftly and effortlessly, avoiding unnecessary details.

Secondly, center your attention on the requirements of your client or partner. What are their specific needs? How can your proposal contribute to achieving their objectives?

Ensure your proposal directly speaks to these requirements. Lastly, emphasize the importance of visuals.

6) How to do a business proposal template?

Creating a business proposal template involves structuring a document with key sections. Start with a cover page featuring company details. Follow with an executive summary, introducing the proposal's purpose and main points.

Provide an overview, define the problem or opportunity, and set objectives. Outline the methodology, timeline, and budget. Highlight qualifications, address risks, and specify terms and conditions. Conclude by summarizing key points and offering a clear call to action.

Regularly update the template for relevance and clarity, ensuring it aligns with business needs.

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How to Format a Business Proposal (With Examples)

Table of Contents

How a proposal is read by a client, business proposal title page, table of contents and headings, white space, lists and tables, client specifications, visual appeal, online versus offline submission.

You wrote a proposal that persuasively sells your solution to a client’s problem. Now, you need to make it look great.

Formatting a proposal can be an intimidating process. There is a range of aesthetics, design tools, and printing options. We created this article based on a common question we receive in our online proposal writing course . Clients often ask: 'What is the best way to format my proposal?'.

We will answer this question by getting you to see your proposal as a client would. Then, we’ll outline basic formatting techniques that can be used thoughtfully and strategically to strengthen your proposal.

In order to understand how to format a successful proposal , we need to understand how the client reads one.

It’s almost guaranteed that the initial review of the document will be a speed read. The client will be looking to quickly understand the proposed solution, budget, and other key details. At some point in its consideration, it will hopefully be read thoroughly. But to make it to that stage, the document needs to support skimming.

Your preparation process should have identified the key concerns or decision points, which are formatted to be easily found. You may also be familiar with the style they find most useful. These considerations allow you to format with the reader in mind.

The title page is flexible in its formatting. It can be any design, so long as it is professional, legible, and appropriate to the industry.

A proposal title, though, is often a missed opportunity. These documents are often called: “Proposal for XYZ Company.” Not only is this boring, but it also does nothing to highlight the benefit offered to the client.

Your title page should immediately sell your proposal. Read the following title examples and see if it makes you want to read more of the document:

Title : Customer Service Review Subtitle : Reduce Response Time and Customer Satisfaction Strategies

Title : Technical Report Writing Training Subtitle : Convey Complex Information to Technical and Non-Technical Audiences

Title : Point of Service Software Upgrade Subtitle : Ease Client Scheduling Across Four Regions

Skimming a document is much easier with a table of contents. The table consists of each heading and subheading and the associated page number.

Each distinct topic within your proposal should have its own section with headings and subheadings. A wall of text is cluttered and overwhelming to the reader. Breaking out the text into smaller paragraphs and sections makes the document more visually digestible.

These section titles also offer a big opportunity. The wording of each heading and subheading doesn’t need to be simply descriptive. They can be persuasive and compound the overall impact of the document.

White space is your friend. It gives the document a modern, accessible appearance.

This effect can be achieved in many ways. Add (more) space between paragraphs and sections. Increase margins. Break large paragraphs into smaller ones.

Important or bulky information can be presented more clearly using lists or tables. These forms naturally draw the eye of the reader. Their separation from paragraphs adds importance to that information.

Wedding planner services on the wedding day include staff coordination, decoration organization, vendor confirmation, venue consultation, schedule logistics, and troubleshooting.

Wedding planner services on the wedding day include:

• staff coordination
• decoration organization
• vendor confirmation
• venue consultation
• schedule logistics
• troubleshooting

The list presents the same information in a format that is easier to read, remember, and reference.

Always verify if the client has any formatting specifications.

Some RFPs must be submitted with proposal sections directly answering to RFP sections. Clients may have document length or font instructions. Other clients have no directions and prefer creativity in the document.

No matter the directions, they must be followed exactly. The client has provided them for a reason. To incorporate all their desires ensures your document can properly fall into their internal review process. Importantly, it also shows your attention to detail.

There is flexibility within the proposal aesthetic, so long as it meets certain qualities.

The proposal should feel complete. The overall design of the document is appealing and encourages the audience to open and read more. Images and graphics are inserted where they enhance the bid (and never distract the reader).

Many companies also strive for consistency, so that clients can recognize their work. A style guide is highly valuable in this case. The guide is developed based on best practices and preferences within the company. It can define any aspect from font selection to word choice. Following a style guide produces documents with a certain standard and uniformity. If there is a marketing department in your company, coordinate with their graphics team to ensure you are using the brand graphics correctly.

Another handy tool for standardization is a template. Whether an internal or online version, these prepared documents can save time for the writer. In templates, many of the formatting decisions have already been made.

Templates should be used with caution. Each proposal must be crafted to meet the client’s needs. If the existing template does not suit the current client, the proposal needs to be modified or entirely restarted.

In our ultimate guide to writing a proposal, we discuss when and how to use graphics. Graphics can either hurt or aid in your presentation of content. As a general rule, you want to keep them simple and easy to understand. They should not be flashy or distracting. If you have a graphic designer at your company, you can ask them for assistance.

• Ensure that the graphics are large enough to read
• Use your company colors when possible
• Ask yourself if each graphic adds or distracts from the message
• Evaluate what message readers will get who flip through the proposal only looking at the graphics briefly.
• Use whitespace liberally
• Use a simple and easy to read typeface
• Use hierarchy to order your content

We have put together a list of proposal templates that have been professionally formatted. These examples proposals span multiple industries and were created by proposal software companies. You can view the documents and our critiques of each in our article 10 Best Proposal Examples .

The submission type must be factored into formatting. Online and offline proposals present their own benefits and challenges. What looks sleek online may look terrible in hard copy, and vice versa.

No matter the format, submit the highest quality version possible to the client.

Always review your proposal and its formatting in the exact way your client will receive it. A pro tip is to ensure that electronic submissions can still be easily and properly printed. There are still many decision-makers who prefer a paper copy.

In either case, an introductory letter or email is valuable. This text can be added to the email or as a printed page that lies on top of the hard copy. The letter provides an introduction to the proposal and the benefit to the client. It can also provide an opportunity to invite the next action from the proposal, such as a review meeting.

A business proposal needs to look great. It also needs to be accessible and client-ready. Thoughtful formatting ensures that the persuasive texts actually gets read.

Win more business with strong proposal writing skills.

Our Proposal Writing Course includes instructor feedback & coaching to review any proposal you write.

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Business Plan Table of Contents

Your business plan table of contents will outline your plan.

A business plan is expected to be compelling, well-organized, and presented in a logical sequence. Following this business plan table of contents will ensure your document hits the mark! Remember that your business plan does not have to be a formal document, but it should speak to all the objectives critical to your success.

A business plan table of contents like the one below will put you on a straight course to starting and finishing your business plan quickly and with confidence that you’re doing it right. In fact, you should consider this business plan table of contents to be your business plan outline for your entire plan, even if you are starting with just an executive summary .

Understand the Standard Format 

Then use one of the customized templates provided.

Customizing a business plan’s table of contents to a specific industry is crucial for several reasons. First, it ensures that the plan addresses the unique challenges, opportunities, and competitive dynamics inherent in that industry. Every industry has its nuances; for example, a tech startup might need to focus heavily on innovation and scalability, while a restaurant must emphasize menu design and customer experience. A tailored table of contents ensures that these critical elements are not overlooked.

Customization facilitates more effective communication with stakeholders, such as investors, partners, and employees. Stakeholders are often familiar with industry-specific benchmarks and expectations. A customized plan demonstrates that the founders deeply understand their industry and are serious about addressing its specific requirements.

A tailored plan helps in setting realistic goals and strategies that are relevant to the industry. For instance, a service industry business would focus on customer satisfaction metrics, while a manufacturing business would emphasize production efficiency and supply chain management.

Finally, customizing the table of contents for industry-specific needs allows founders to identify and mitigate risks unique to their industry. This foresight not only prepares the business for potential challenges but also instills confidence in potential investors and partners, showing that the founders have a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to succeed in their industry.

The examples below are already fine-tuned to the needs of top industries for startup businesses. Click any of the labels to jump to the example on this page.

Follow a Straightforward Format

The information and structure found on this page will help you think about and convey your business idea in a format that investors understand. It’s not just for investors!

Following all the major sections of this page will help you crystallize your thinking about your business in a holistic way that will serve you well, even if you’re not seeking funding. From your market analysis, marketing plan to your financial plan and cash flow statement, you’ll learn to think about your business in depth, on terms important to your success!

Does your business plan really need a table of contents? In short, yes! That’s why we have included this section as a guideline or template. You should always include a table of contents with your business plan unless you are presenting only Executive Summary that is 2 – 5 pages in length.

Make Your Plan Easy to Read and Understand

Keep in mind that a business plan is often not read from front to back, in order. Different people will have different specific interests. A table of contents lets readers quickly find the information that is most important to them.

Including a table of contents is both a courtesy and a way to help bankers and potential investors make efficient use of your business plan. If it’s well organized and includes a table of contents, you’ll be getting started on the right foot.

It’s common for a business plan to be updated on a regular basis, long after the first draft is complete. A small change on page two might suddenly mean the page numbers listed in the table of contents need to be corrected. Be sure to update your table of contents to reflect these changes. To make this task a breeze, use the Table of Contents feature built into Microsoft Word.

Why do we include such an obvious suggestion? The fact is, many people overlook this step. Don’t give some junior analyst at a venture capital firm with 100 business plans to review an early opportunity to say, “This person is sloppy and doesn’t pay enough attention to details. Next plan.”

Follow the Format for Proven Success

If you use The Outline provided with this document as the starting point for your table of contents, you can include the subtopics while you’re creating the plan. Then, in your final Table of Contents, you’ll include only the major section titles.

Introduction and Overview

This section in a small business plan table of contents provides an introduction to the plan and gives a brief overview of the business, including its purpose, products or services, business’s unique selling proposition , and target market. It sets the stage for the rest of the plan and provides context for the reader.

Sales & Market Potential

Products and services.

Describes the products or services offered by the business and how they meet the needs of the target market. It is important because it helps the reader understand the business’s offerings and how they are positioned in the market.

Provides an industry overview and in-depth market analysis of the target market, including demographics, size, and trends. It is important because it demonstrates the business’s understanding of its target audience and the potential for growth in the market.

• Direct and Indirect Competitors

Every business plan needs to identify who they will compete with, both directly and indirectly. Be direct! Glossing over this makes investors nervous.

• Go-To-Market Plan

Details the strategies and tactics the company will use to reach and acquire customers, including market segmentation, target customers, distribution channels and pricing. This section should take into account the competitive analysis.

• Sales and Marketing Plan

Outlines the marketing objectives -the strategies and tactics- the business will use to reach and engage its target market and drive sales. It is important because it illustrates how the business will generate revenue and achieve its financial goals.

Team and Operating Plan

• Management Team

Typically includes information about the key individuals involved in the company, including their backgrounds, experience, and roles within the organization.

• Operating Plan

Outlines the day-to-day operations of the company, including details on the production or development process, logistics, and supply chain management. Be sure that the operating plan you present is matched by the people you’ll have on your management team.

SWOT Analysis (optional but helpful)

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats. A way to document and evaluate a company’s internal and external environment. It identifies the company’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as opportunities and threats in the marketplace. It’s a summary of the internal and external factors that can help or hinder the company’s success.

Financial Information

• Financial Projections

Your financial plan should include an income statement (profit and loss) showing the company’s projected revenue and expenses for at least three years. The income statement provides a detailed breakdown of the company’s projected income and expenses, including revenue streams, cost of goods sold, operating expenses, and net income.

Capitalization or “Cap Table”

Provides information on the sources of funding for the company and the ownership structure. This can include information on equity funding, debt financing, and other funding sources.

• Use of Funds

Details how the company plans to use the funds raised, including information on specific investments, expansion plans, and other expenditures. It should also include information on how the funds will be allocated to different areas of the business, such as research and development, marketing, and operations.

Additional Information

• Exit Strategy

This section of a business plan outlines the company’s plans for exiting the business, such as through a sale of the company or an initial public offering (IPO). It should include information on the timing of the exit, the expected return on investment, and the potential buyers or investors.

• Payback Analysis

Provides information on the projected return on investment and the time frame in which the company expects to recoup its initial investments. This section should include information on the company’s projected cash flow, as well as any return-on-investment calculations.

• Notices and Disclaimers

Used to provide legal and regulatory information about the company, its products, and its services. This can include information on patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other legal matters. It also may include a disclaimer statement that the plan is for informational purposes only and that the company cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided.

Summary of Business Plan Table of Contents

The business plan table of contents above serves as both a table of contents and an outline for your business plan. This business plan outline can even be used to help you draft your executive summary following the same format in less detail. You will find that this business plan format is used throughout this site. Every section is explained in detail and includes examples or templates you can use. Follow this format you’ll end up with a well-organized business plan.

Industry-Specific Business Plan Table of Contents Examples

Below is a generic business plan table of contents example, followed by more than 10 industry-specific examples.  For each example, we’ve noted the differences and points of emphasis for each industry, compared to the generic example. Choose the example that is closest to your type of business and you’ll be miles ahead as you start your business plan.

Generalized – Business Plan Table of Contents

The table of contents example below will generally apply to any business.  We have also provided some more-specific examples below.  Choose the example that is most appropriate for your type of business.

• SWOT Analysis
• Capitalization

Coaching and Training

Coaching and training business plan table of contents.

In a coaching and training business plan, the table of contents should reflect the unique aspects of a service-based industry where the primary offerings are knowledge, expertise, and personalized services. Compared to a generic business plan, there’s a stronger focus on the expertise of the service providers, customized service offerings, client engagement strategies, and detailed service delivery models. Here’s how these differences are emphasized in the table of contents:

The table of contents for a Coaching and Training Business Plan focuses on the specific needs and dynamics of the coaching and training industry. Unlike more product-oriented plans, this plan emphasizes the qualifications and expertise of the coaching team, the customization of service offerings, client relationship strategies, and operational details geared towards service delivery. Financial projections and marketing strategies are tailored to reflect the nature of selling services, such as coaching or training hours, rather than physical products.

Executive Summary

Brief overview of the coaching and training services, business objectives, and market potential.

Business Description

Detailed insight into the coaching and training business, its founding principles, and unique service proposition.

Market Analysis

• Industry Overview
• Target Client Demographics and Needs
• Market Trends in Coaching and Training

Service Offerings

• Detailed Description of Coaching and Training Services
• Customization of Services
• Unique Service Delivery Models

Marketing and Client Engagement Strategy

• Branding and Positioning
• Client Acquisition and Retention Strategies
• Online and Offline Marketing Tactics

Operational Plan

• Service Delivery Logistics
• Client Scheduling and Management Systems
• Quality Assurance Measures

Management and Staffing

• Professional Qualifications of Coaches/Trainers
• Staffing Needs and Training Programs
• Organizational Structure

Financial Plan

• Pricing Strategy for Services
• Revenue Projections and Cost Analysis
• Cash Flow and Break-Even Analysis
• Risk Management Strategies
• Legal and Ethical Considerations
• Future Growth and Expansion Plans

E-commerce Business Plan Table of Contents

The table of contents for an E-commerce Business Plan is tailored to address the specific requirements of an online business model. This includes an emphasis on digital marketing strategies, e-commerce technologies, online customer experience, data analytics for customer behavior, and supply chain management suitable for online sales. The plan should also cover cybersecurity measures, website optimization, and the legalities of online trading.

Concise overview of the e-commerce business, highlighting the main objectives, target market, and unique online value proposition.

Detailed description of the e-commerce business model, history, and vision. Explanation of the online marketplace and its potential.

• E-commerce Market Trends and Growth
• Target Audience and Online Consumer Behavior
• Competitive Landscape in the Digital Space

Product and Service Line

• Products/Services Offered Online
• Product Sourcing and Fulfillment Strategies
• Pricing and Profit Margins

Digital Marketing and Sales Strategy

• SEO and Content Marketing
• Social Media Marketing and Engagement
• Email Marketing and Online Advertising
• E-commerce Platform and Technology Stack
• Order Processing and Logistics
• Customer Support and Service

Management and Organization

• Management Team and Organizational Structure
• Staffing for Online Operations
• Training and Development in E-commerce Skills
• Revenue Streams in E-commerce
• Cost Structure and Budgeting
• Financial Projections and ROI Analysis
• Legalities and Regulations in E-commerce
• Risk Management and Cybersecurity
• Future Growth Strategies and Scaling Plans

Health and Wellness Studio

Health and wellness organization business plan table of contents.

The table of contents for a Health and Wellness Organization Business Plan should cater to the specifics of a wellness service industry. It should emphasize the quality of wellness programs, the expertise of the staff, the creation of a conducive wellness environment, and the marketing strategies tailored to attract and retain wellness enthusiasts. Additionally, the financial aspects should reflect the unique business model of wellness services.

Overview of the health and wellness organization, its mission, target clientele, and unique wellness offerings.

Organization Overview

Detailed description of the organization, its founding principles, types of wellness programs offered, and the overall wellness philosophy.

• Wellness Industry Trends
• Target Market Demographics and Preferences
• Competitive Landscape in the Wellness Sector

Programs and Services

• Diverse Wellness Program Offerings (e.g., Yoga, Fitness Classes)
• Program Development and Innovation
• Personal Training and Customized Wellness Plans

Marketing and Client Engagement

• Branding Strategies for the Wellness Market
• Client Acquisition and Retention Plans
• Community Outreach and Wellness Events
• Facility Management and Environment
• Staffing with Qualified Instructors and Support Team
• Client Service and Experience Enhancements
• Leadership Team in Health and Wellness
• Instructor Qualifications and Recruitment
• Staff Training and Wellness Education
• Pricing Strategies for Wellness Services
• Revenue Projections and Membership Models
• Expense Management and Profitability Analysis
• Risk Management and Safety Protocols
• Legal and Regulatory Compliance in Health Services
• Long-term Development and Expansion Strategies

Hotel and Lodging

Boutique hotel and lodging business plan table of contents.

The table of contents for a Boutique Hotel and Lodging Business Plan is designed to address the intricacies of running a boutique-style hospitality business. It emphasizes creating a unique guest experience, leveraging the boutique’s unique selling propositions, detailed market analysis for the hospitality sector, and a robust operational plan that covers everything from room design to guest services. The financial section should be tailored to reflect the revenue streams and cost structure specific to boutique hotels.

Overview of the boutique hotel concept, mission, unique selling points, and target market.

Hotel Concept and Design

Detailed description of the hotel’s theme, design elements, and the guest experience strategy.

• Overview of the Boutique Hotel Market
• Target Guest Demographics and Preferences
• Analysis of Competitors and Market Trends
• Rooms and Accommodations
• Unique Guest Services and Amenities
• Additional Facilities (e.g., Spa, Restaurant, Event Spaces)

Marketing and Guest Engagement

• Brand Development for Boutique Hotels
• Marketing Strategies for Target Niches
• Partnerships with Local Businesses and Attractions
• Day-to-Day Hotel Operations
• Staffing and Management Structure
• Customer Service Excellence
• Management Team and Hospitality Expertise
• Staff Recruitment and Training Programs
• Guest Relations Management
• Funding Requirements and Sources
• Revenue Projections and Pricing Strategy
• Cost Analysis and Profit Margins
• Regulatory Compliance and Licensing
• Risk Management and Insurance
• Future Expansion and Growth Plans

Manufacturing

Manufacturing business plan table of contents.

This Manufacturing Business Plan focuses on the specifics of producing goods, managing a supply chain, and meeting market demands efficiently. Key elements include detailed descriptions of the manufacturing process, cost-effective production strategies, inventory management, and market penetration tactics. The financial section should reflect the capital-intensive nature of the manufacturing business and outline strategies for scaling up production.

Overview of the manufacturing business, its products, market positioning, and manufacturing capabilities.

Detailed description of the manufacturing business, including history, type of products manufactured, and unique aspects of the operations.

• Industry Overview and Market Trends
• Target Market and Customer Analysis
• Competitive Analysis in the Manufacturing Sector

Manufacturing Process and Operations

• Details of the Production Process
• Plant and Machinery
• Supply Chain Management and Raw Material Sourcing
• Product Line Overview
• Research and Development for New Products
• Quality Assurance and Compliance

Marketing and Sales Strategy

• Market Penetration and Distribution Channels
• Branding and Product Positioning
• Sales Forecasts and Targets
• Facility Management and Workflow
• Health, Safety, and Environmental Policies
• Human Resource Management in Manufacturing
• Organizational Structure and Key Personnel
• Manufacturing Expertise and Team Composition
• Staff Training and Development
• Capital Expenditure and Funding Requirements
• Cost Structure and Profit Margin Analysis
• Revenue Projections and Financial Forecasts
• Regulatory Compliance and Certifications
• Future Expansion and Growth Opportunities

Medical Office

Medical office business plan table of contents.

This Medical Office Business Plan is specifically designed to cater to the operations of a healthcare facility. It focuses on the delivery of high-quality medical services, patient relationship management, adherence to healthcare laws and standards, and the effective management of medical and administrative staff. The financial aspects should reflect the operational costs associated with running a medical office and strategies for sustainable growth.

Overview of the medical office, including the type of practice (e.g., dermatology), mission, healthcare services offered, and target patient demographic.

Practice Description

Detailed description of the medical office, including the history of the practice, medical specialties offered, and unique aspects of patient care.

• Healthcare Industry Trends and Growth
• Local Market Demand and Patient Demographics
• Competitive Analysis of Other Medical Practices

Medical Services Offered

• List of Healthcare Services and Specialties (e.g., Dermatological Treatments)
• New Patient Services and Ongoing Care Programs
• Advanced Medical Technologies and Procedures

Marketing and Patient Engagement Strategy

• Branding and Positioning in the Healthcare Market
• Patient Acquisition and Retention Methods
• Community Outreach and Health Awareness Programs
• Clinic Workflow and Patient Management
• Staffing: Medical Professionals and Support Staff
• Healthcare Compliance and Quality Control
• Leadership Team and Medical Credentials
• Staff Recruitment, Training, and Development
• Performance Management and Staff Retention
• Revenue Streams: Patient Services and Insurance Billing
• Operating Costs and Expense Management
• Financial Projections and Funding Requirements
• Regulatory Compliance and Medical Ethics
• Risk Management and Patient Safety
• Future Expansion and Diversification Plans

Retail Business

Retail – business plan table of contents, focus on retail-specific elements.

Detailed Product Descriptions : Unlike a generic business plan, a retail business plan needs to provide a more in-depth description of the range of products or services offered. This includes details about suppliers, inventory management, and unique selling propositions of the products.

Market and Competitive Analysis Specific to Retail : The market analysis section should focus on the retail market’s dynamics, including customer demographics, buying behaviors, and seasonal trends. The competitive analysis needs to address direct and indirect competitors in the retail space, covering aspects like store layout, pricing strategies, customer service, and location advantages.

Sales and Marketing Strategy with a Retail Slant : The plan should outline specific retail marketing and sales strategies. This includes in-store promotions, visual merchandising, online marketing tailored to a retail audience, customer loyalty programs, and strategies for an omnichannel retail experience.

Operational Details Geared Towards Retail Operations : The operational plan should focus on retail-specific elements like store location, layout, foot traffic, shelving and display, checkout processes, inventory turnover, and staffing tailored for retail operations. Retail-specific Financial Projections : In a retail business plan, the financial section needs to be tailored to retail metrics. This includes detailed projections of sales volume, seasonal fluctuations in sales, inventory costs, and other retail-specific financial considerations.

Management and Staffing for Retail : Unlike a generic business plan, the retail plan should discuss staffing needs in the context of a retail operation, including sales staff, inventory managers, and other roles essential to a retail store.

Customer Experience and Service : A significant aspect of the retail business plan is the focus on customer experience and service strategies, highlighting how the retail business will create an enjoyable shopping experience and build customer loyalty.<

By focusing on these key areas, a retail business plan addresses the unique challenges and opportunities of the retail sector, providing a roadmap tailored to the specific needs and dynamics of a retail business.

Overview of the retail business, vision, and mission.

Detailed description of the retail business, including the type of retail, history, and unique value proposition.

• Target Market Demographics and Psychographics
• Market Needs and Trends

Competitive Analysis

• Competitive Advantage
• Product Range
• Supplier Information
• Pricing Strategy
• Sales and Marketing Strategy
• Promotional Strategies
• Customer Engagement Plan
• Store Location and Layout
• Inventory Management
• Customer Service Policies

Management and Personnel

• Staffing and Personnel Plan
• Training and Development
• Startup Expenses and Capitalization
• Projected Income Statements
• Cash Flow Projections
• Break-Even Analysis
• Risk Analysis
• Legal Considerations and Disclaimers

Personal Services

Personal services / salon services, business plan table of contents.

• Service Differentiation
• Customer Experience
• Local Market Analysis
• Revenue Streams
• Health and Safety Compliance

Professional Services

Professional business services, business plan table of contents, client services and market potential.

• Service Offerings and Specialization
• Target Client Demographics
• Competitive Landscape Analysis
• Marketing and Brand Positioning

Operational Excellence

• Leadership and Management Structure
• Staff Expertise and Development
• Operational Workflow and Efficiency
• Quality Assurance and Standards

Financial Management

• Revenue Forecasting and Billing Models
• Cost Analysis and Management
• Funding and Capital Management
• Financial Goals and Milestones

Strategic Growth and Expansion

• Market Expansion Strategies
• Service Diversification
• Strategic Partnerships and Alliances
• Future Growth Projections

Risk Management and Compliance

• Legal and Ethical Compliance
• Risk Mitigation Strategies
• Client Confidentiality and Data Security
• Professional Liability Considerations

Restaurants

Restaurant business plan table of contents, market analysis and concept development.

• Concept and Cuisine Style
• Target Market and Customer Demographics
• Location Analysis and Accessibility
• Competitive Landscape

Menu and Service Offerings

• Menu Development and Pricing
• Beverage Program and Pairings
• Service Style and Customer Experience
• Seasonal Offerings and Special Events
• Restaurant Layout and Design
• Kitchen and Back-of-House Operations
• Health, Safety, and Hygiene Compliance
• Leadership Team and Organizational Structure
• Employee Roles and Responsibilities

Marketing and Customer Engagement

• Brand Development and Positioning
• Marketing Strategies and Promotions
• Customer Loyalty Programs
• Community Engagement and Public Relations

Financial Planning and Management

• Revenue and Sales Forecast
• Cost Management and Profitability Analysis
• Budgeting and Expense Controls
• Investment and Funding Strategy

Expansion and Growth Opportunities

• Future Location Expansion
• Franchising Potential
• Menu Diversification and Innovation
• Partnership and Collaboration Opportunities

Software as a Service

Software as a service (saas) business plan table of contents, product development and innovation.

• Software Solution and Features
• Technology Stack and Development Roadmap
• User Experience and Design Principles
• Innovation and Continuous Improvement

Market Analysis and Strategy

• Target Market and Customer Segmentation
• Competitive Analysis and Differentiation
• Market Trends and Growth Opportunities
• Pricing and Subscription Models

Customer Acquisition and Success

• Sales Strategy and Channels
• Customer Onboarding and Retention
• Support and Customer Service

Operational Plan and Infrastructure

• Scalable Infrastructure and Cloud Services
• Data Security and Compliance
• Team and Talent Management
• Business Process Optimization

Financial Planning and Metrics

• Revenue Forecasting and Cash Flow Management
• Key Performance Indicators and Metrics
• Funding and Investment Strategy
• Expense and Cost Management

Leadership and Team Development

• Executive Team and Company Structure
• Staff Hiring and Development Plans
• Company Culture and Values
• Performance and Growth Pathways

Expansion and Growth Strategies

• New Market Penetration
• Product Line Extensions
• International Expansion

Technology Services

Technical services (outsourced it services) business plan table of contents, service offerings and expertise.

• Overview of Services (Support, Help Desk, Networking, Administration)
• Technical Specializations and Certifications
• Service Delivery Models
• Innovations in IT Service Management

Market Analysis and Client Engagement

• Target Market and Client Segmentation
• Competitive Landscape and Positioning
• Client Feedback and Relationship Management
• Workflow Efficiency and Process Optimization
• Team Structure and Management
• Data Security and Privacy Protocols

Financial Management and Growth Strategy

• Revenue Models and Pricing Strategies
• Financial Projections and Budgeting
• Cost Control and Profitability Analysis
• Expansion and Scaling Opportunities

Leadership and Staff Development

• Recruitment, Training, and Skill Development
• Performance Evaluation and Incentive Programs
• Culture and Employee Engagement
• Industry Regulations and Legal Compliance
• Risk Assessment and Mitigation Strategies
• Client Data Protection and Security Measures
• Emergency Response and Continuity Planning

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