{"id":286410,"date":"2024-12-27T12:10:27","date_gmt":"2024-12-27T00:10:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/?post_type=sbh&p=286410"},"modified":"2025-01-24T16:58:58","modified_gmt":"2025-01-24T04:58:58","slug":"business-proposal","status":"publish","type":"sbh","link":"https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/small-business-resources\/starting-a-small-business\/business-proposal\/","title":{"rendered":"Business Proposal"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Do you have an idea for drumming up new business? How about carving out a new niche with your existing solutions? You\u2019ll need to master the art of business proposals.<\/p>\n

A business proposal is arguably the most important tool in your entrepreneurial arsenal<\/a> \u2013 especially in those early days. You could be pitching to a new client, responding to a tender, or trying to drum up funding. Whatever the case, a well-crafted proposal is often the deciding factor in whether or not you secure the deal.<\/p>\n

So read on for how to create a winning business proposal, as well as practical tips for success and business proposal templates to inspire your own.<\/p>\n

What is a business proposal?<\/h2>\n

A formal business proposal is a document you put together to \u2018pitch\u2019 your product or service to a prospective client or stakeholder. Within this document, you\u2019ll want to highlight the problem that your business aims to solve, as well as your value proposition and how you plan to deliver results.<\/p>\n

While a business plan is all about internal strategies,<\/a> a business proposal is outward-facing. In other words, it\u2019s targeted towards potential clients and partners. Think of it as a persuasive document tailored to different business opportunities.<\/p>\n

Types of business proposals<\/h2>\n

The vast majority of business proposals will fall into one of two categories:<\/p>\n

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  1. Solicited business proposals:<\/strong> Requested by a client or organisation, you\u2019ll usually put one together in response to a request for proposal (RFP). Your proposal will need to directly address the requirements outlined by the potential client.<\/li>\n
  2. Unsolicited business proposals:<\/strong> Initiated by you or your business without a prior request. You should highlight a specific opportunity or problem and then present how your company can provide the solution.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    10 key elements of a business proposal document<\/h2>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.reckon.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Business-prop-key-elements.png” title_text=”Business Prop Key Elements” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    While each proposal will be slightly different based on the industry you\u2019re targeting and the purpose of your solution, a great business proposal covers the following components:<\/p>\n

    1. Title page<\/h3>\n

    First impressions matter. Your title page should include:<\/p>\n