Secrets to Writing a Killer Proposal

Post on 21-Jan-2015

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Proposal writing is often seen as a black art that, frankly, often scares and stuns many creative business owners. This session will break down the myths and stereotypes of proposal writing and present a new, fun, and productive approach to getting a proposal done well and on time. We will discuss various proposal formats, examine style, functionality, and contemplate the difference between an proposal vs. contract. Other topics such as scheduling, estimating and handling negotiations will be discussed as well.

Transcript of Secrets to Writing a Killer Proposal

The Secrets to Writing a Killer ProposalDaniel Schutzmith

Who Am I?

www.graphicdefine.org

School of Visual Arts

What Is a Proposal?

What Is a Proposal?

an offering from a seller to a prospective buyer.

What Is a Proposal?

part of the sales process.

Why Do aProposal?

Why Do a Proposal?

lets our clients know:• what we will do

Why Do a Proposal?

lets our clients know:• what we will do• how we do it

Why Do a Proposal?

lets our clients know:• what we will do• how we do it• how long it will take

Why Do a Proposal?

lets our clients know:• what we will do• how we do it• how long it will take• how much it will cost

Why Do a Proposal?

lets our clients know:• what we will do• how we do it• how long it will take• how much it will cost• what else we can do

Proposalvs.

Estimate

NEW BUSINESS DOCUMENTS

ESTIMATE PROPOSAL

• Provides an overview of the project costs • Provides an overview of the project

process

• 1 day to write • 3 – 5 days to write

• Is meant to establish a sense of cost • Is meant to establish a sense of scope

• Usually contained in 1 page • Usually contained in multiple pages

• Quantitative • Qualitative

• No legal merit • No legal merit

• Generally includes a signature of

acknowledgement (not legally binding)

• No signature lines

QUOTE CONTRACT

• Provides an overview of the project costs

as related to project scope

• Provides an overview of the project

process, project costs, and legal standards

that will be followed

• 1 – 2 days to write • 5 – 10 days to write

• Is meant to establish a sense of cost along

with scope

• Is meant to establish a legal agreement for

work

• Usually contained in 1-2 pages • Usually contained in multiple pages

• Includes Standard Terms • Includes Terms & Conditions

• Legally binding • Legally binding

• Signature line of acceptance of work • Signature line of acceptance of work,

terms & conditions

Proposal vs. Estimate

NEW BUSINESS DOCUMENTS

ESTIMATE PROPOSAL

• Provides an overview of the project costs • Provides an overview of the project

process

• 1 day to write • 3 – 5 days to write

• Is meant to establish a sense of cost • Is meant to establish a sense of scope

• Usually contained in 1 page • Usually contained in multiple pages

• Quantitative • Qualitative

• No legal merit • No legal merit

• Generally includes a signature of

acknowledgement (not legally binding)

• No signature lines

QUOTE CONTRACT

• Provides an overview of the project costs

as related to project scope

• Provides an overview of the project

process, project costs, and legal standards

that will be followed

• 1 – 2 days to write • 5 – 10 days to write

• Is meant to establish a sense of cost along

with scope

• Is meant to establish a legal agreement for

work

• Usually contained in 1-2 pages • Usually contained in multiple pages

• Includes Standard Terms • Includes Terms & Conditions

• Legally binding • Legally binding

• Signature line of acceptance of work • Signature line of acceptance of work,

terms & conditions

Quote vs. Contract

Proposal Life Cycle

Proposal Life Cycle

1. Interest

Proposal Life Cycle

1. Interest2. Validation

Proposal Life Cycle

1. Interest2. Validation3. Research

Proposal Life Cycle

1. Interest2. Validation3. Research4. Preparation

Proposal Life Cycle

1. Interest2. Validation3. Research4. Preparation5. Delivery

Proposal Life Cycle

InValid RePreDel

1. Interest

1. Interest

• Informal Request

1. Interest

• Informal Request• Formal Request

1. Interest

• Informal Request• Formal Request• No Request

1. Interest

Request For Proposal

(RFP)

1. Interest

RFP usually provides:•Project Overview •Deliverables •Timeline •Budget

1. Interest

RFP usually provides:•Technical Reqs. •Proposal Reqs. •Judging Criteria

2. Validation

Scope

2. Validation

Time

2. Validation

Cost

2. Validation

3. Research

4. Preparation

5. Delivery

Proposal Ingredients:• Cover Page• Contact Information• Stake Holders• Scope• Objectives

5. Delivery

Proposal Ingredients:• Target Audience• Deliverables• Process• Milestone Schedule• Payment Schedule

5. Delivery

Proposal Ingredients:• Fees• Strategy• Company History• Principal Bios• Case Studies / Awards

4. Preparation

Studiometry

Microsoft Project

Get a Copywriter

4. Preparation

Use Templates

4. Preparation

Be Organized

4. Preparation

Avoid Bullshit

4. Preparation

No Sales Lines

4. Preparation

No Spec Work

4. Preparation

Focus on Process

4. Preparation

Don’t Delay

4. Preparation

5. Delivery

5. Delivery

Before sending:• spell check• proof read• check schedule• check costs• check names / titles

Send on Time

4. Preparation

PDF

4. Preparation

Hard Copy

4. Preparation

Walk Through

4. Preparation

Answer Questions Quickly

4. Preparation

The Secret to a Killer Proposal is.....

Detail