How to write a proposal for a successful outcome

[How to write a proposal for a successful outcome]

Knowing how to write a persuasive proposal is important in many settings, from school projects to the workplace. Whether you are looking for funding, collaborators on a project or to sell a product or service to a client, learning how to write an engaging and impressive proposal is a skill that can help in many walks of life.

In this article, we share some tips on how to write proposals effectively and what a successful proposal should include.

Why do you need to know how to write a proposal?

A proposal is a specialized form of document you write to outline your intentions for a plan, agreement or project. Whatever area you are studying or working in, at some point you may be asked to – or need to – write a proposal with a specific purpose or outcome in mind. Some common forms of proposals include:

Book proposals.

Usually, authors write book proposals to attract agents, or agents write book proposals wishing to offer a book to a publishing house on behalf of their clients.

Research Proposal

Most common within the science and education sectors, research proposals outline the question, methods and intentions of a research project.

Business proposals.

Typically, business proposals set forth an agreement between a company and client, usually detailing the exchange of services, goods or payment.

What to include when you write a proposal

How to write a proposal effectively depends on the type of proposal you are writing, who the intended recipients are and what the purpose of the proposal is. However, when you write a proposal these elements should always be included:

A clear introduction.

In the introduction, briefly yet clearly build up the context surrounding the discussion points of the proposal. For instance, a science proposal regarding research into local climate change would open with a paragraph on why climate change is an issue for contemporary society.

A specific issue.

Once you have established the opening context behind the proposal you are writing, it is key to outline an obvious issue for the reader. Whether it is a concern of the lack of renewable energy in the area or a client's issue you believe you can solve, every good proposal contains something like this.

An intended solution.

When you are writing your proposal, you should ensure that you give the proposed solution to the problem or point of interest. As per our example, this could be the implementation of a new wind farm to meet renewable energy demands or the offering of a product to meet the needs of a client.

A conclusion.

Once you outline the solution, the ideal proposal ends with a neat and concise conclusion. This conclusion typically reaffirms the main selling points of the product or service you are proposing.

How to write a proposal

Writing a proposal can often require a lot of time and effort. Whether you are writing a proposal for work or school, a proposal is an important document that could be the deciding factor in securing your desired contract, grade, funding or offer. Here is our step-by-step guide on how to write a proposal that is well-structured and could lead to a successful outcome:

1. Planning

Before you write your proposal, it is vitally important that you plan its content thoroughly. It might help if you put together a flow chart first and aim to include the following:

The intended audience for your proposal.

Whether it is a single recipient or a group of people, noting down your target audience allows you to remain focused on why you are proposing a solution. Identifying your target audience also allows you to clarify your scope and reasoning to suit their needs.

The situation and why it matters to you.

It may be hard to write a proposal without a clear reason. By planning what you wish to say within your proposal, you can then begin to create an outline that can be fleshed out into clear and structured paragraphs.

The solution or product you wish to propose.

Throughout the planning stage of your proposal, have an endpoint in mind. A benefit of noting down the solution in your plan is that it provides you with the space to deal with any potential minor flaws.

The style of writing you plan on emulating.

In most cases, proposals are written in standard English and have a formal tone. Even if you are good at written communication , it helps to create a style sheet to hand so you can use a consistent style of writing throughout.

2. Writing

When you have completed planning, it is time to write your proposal. Use your planning notes or flow chart as a guide, and aim to write a proposal containing four clear, compelling sections as we outline below:

Introduction

In the introduction, include a hook that entices your target audience to read on. Include any background information regarding your proposal to be outlined in later sections. Aim to briefly state your identified problem as a gateway into the next section, ideally keeping your proposal introduction to one paragraph in length.

Point of interest

This is half of the main body of the text. Unless you are confident that your target audience is familiar with the topic, thoroughly explain the relevant information. Aim to include facts and statistics that reinforce the reasoning that this is a relevant topic to the reader. One thing to keep in mind whilst writing a proposal is that your point of interest needs to always be personally relevant to your target audience. Remember to check back on your plan or flow chart, so you remain focused on who you are writing for and why.

Solution

In terms of space on the page, when you are writing a proposal aim to dedicate an equal amount to the solution as you did the point of interest. When writing about the solution, aim to be as precise as possible so you can convince readers you are the best provider of what is needed. This precision extends to the inclusion of further facts and statistics if needed, including schedules, budgets and more.

A successful solution demonstrates that you have extensively considered all plausible outcomes before reaching this one. Within the solution section, write about the impact that what you offer may have, be that on an individual, local or international basis. You may also wish to cover why your target audience is personally invested in your solution.

Conclusion

The conclusion is the last part of writing your proposal. In this, strive to mirror your introduction in that it is a concise summary of the contents of the document. Restate some of the dominant benefits of your solution to really emphasize why you are the first choice. We also recommend that you end on a simple sentence thanking your readers for their consideration and time.

3. Revising

Once you have drafted your proposal, it is key that you double-check your work. This ensures that the spelling, grammar, tone and overall message of the proposal is accurate and does not contain mistakes. By ensuring that everything is correct and as you like it, there is less chance of the reader misinterpreting your message or perceiving you as unprofessional due to standard mistakes in the spelling, punctuation and grammar of the piece. It is a good idea to wait a day or two to re-read the proposal or to ask a friend or colleague to proofread it for you to spot any mistakes.

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