writing proposals?
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- trooperbill
When writing a proposal should i put a cost breakdown with the highlights of each service before i go into any detail, or just leave it to an 'investment' page at the end where costs are broken down.
- Continuity0
I'd put it at the end; it summarises the financials for the client _after_ you've sold them on the reasons why earlier on in the proposal.
- trooperbill0
...but dont most people just skip to the costs?
- jamble0
I always put the cost breakdown near the end after I've outlined the scope of the project.
- airey0
just write it on a post-it note and send it c.o.d. if they're 'to good' for your proposal well fuck 'em.
- Continuity0
Some do skip, but the savvy ones don't; they want to know how you're going to solve their problem, how you'll address their needs, what additional value to you provide, what each service offer means to them and their needs in general. A cost breakdown alone doesn't tell the whole story.
- trooperbill0
lol...
- trooperbill0
are there any good examples out there?
- maikel0
try the following...
write an executive summary outlining scope, cost, schedule and all the other requirements.
then write in full a description of the project.
try to explain technical jargon in plain english or add a glossary. put 'further reading' in case they want to understand the technologies better. it will show that you can communicate even with the non-geek kind.
in your breakdown include how many people, how many hours and the cost per resource. you will find easier to justify how much you charge if you do that...and try to bullshit very little or none. people don't like reading this shite anyways...
- never, ever state the number of hours. What you do has value for beyond the time it takes to implement.Amicus
- btw... have you ever estimated the no. of hours correctly? No? well there's another reason not to state hours.Amicus
- mate, it is an estimate, that you update regularly. have you ever used project / merlin?
maikel
- trooperbill0
why? surely the client needs the same information?
- trooperbill0
any update on this... any more comments?
- bogue0
i'd be interested in hearing how people are simplifying and making this process more efficient. Currently finding writing proposals (not that i'm the one writing proposals) is an extremely time consuming process... especially for a project you're not guaranteed to get.
Anybody finding good ways of speeding up this process?
- vaxorcist0
what kind of proposal? Who's the audience?
If it's governmental or non-profit, then remember that they have to justify hiring you, and be ready for alot of questioning of random stuff...
If it's a small startup, they want to know you "really get it" and are willing to deal with their business model changes
In the photo business, there's a tool called "blinkbid" which I believe you can download free for 30 days,etc... might be worth a look for a model, but that biz is different in many ways....
- JSK0
Are you asking for money? Looking for investment?
OR
Are you pitching your service to get business?
They can take varying route in structure and organization.
- trooperbill0
its a service to get business.
- JSK0
Title
About (only useful if people have never met you)
Process (only useful if people have never met you)
Past Work (only useful if people have never met you)
Proposal intro
Proposal concept
Proposal process
Proposal timeline
Proposal next steps
Cost - I would send or give another document detailing out the cost break down as the deck can be shared with lots of people.
- CheDouglas0
In my opinion you don't win work with a proposal--it is a relationship thing. if the initial briefing/s and meeting/s go well then all you should really need to do is ask for the budget up front.
once you gain trust you should be managing their budget for them. then outline your fixed costs for services and any other allocations to suppliers etc.
never show hours in an estimate or really a breakdown for that matter.. just a slab of work which includes x,y,z