how to write proposal for business plan

How to Write a Business Proposal [Examples + Template]

Published: June 10, 2024

Here’s what every new business owner needs: an extra eight hours in the day, an endless supply of coffee, and, most importantly, a really strong business proposal.

A business proposal can bridge the gap between you and potential clients. Done correctly, it will outline your value proposition and persuade a company or organization to do business with you.

Here, we’ll take a look at the various kinds of business proposals and go over how to write one. We’ll also see some ideas and examples to help guide yours.

Know exactly what you need? Jump to one of the following sections:

What is a business proposal?

How to write a business proposal, business proposal templates, business proposal examples, tips for writing a business proposal, business proposal ideas.

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A business proposal is a formal document that’s created by a company and given to a prospect to secure a business agreement.

It’s a common misconception that business proposals and business plans are the same. However, a proposal helps you sell your product or service — not your business itself.

Think of it this way: Instead of assisting your search for investors to fund your business, a proposal helps you seek new customers.

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How to write a business proposal (The modern way)

Yauhen Zaremba Director of Demand Generation at PandaDoc

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Jenny Pak Director of Program Management at PandaDoc

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Nothing speaks to a customer’s direct needs like a well-written business proposal.

It’s the key to unlocking new opportunities, securing lucrative deals, and watching your ideas flourish.

But how do you make sure that your proposal is engaging to every potential client and business owner?

As it turns out, our customers might have some ideas.

More than 7 million documents were sent via PandaDoc in 2023, and the vast majority of those documents were proposals .

This article (originally released in 2021) has been updated with insights from our analysis into those documents.

Here’s a closer look at how to write a business proposal that actually works.

Key takeaways

• A business proposal outlines a product, service, or project that a company offers potential clients or partners to convince them the business can meet their needs.
• A well-crafted business proposal is essential and should include information about your company, demonstrated knowledge of the problem, and pricing and methodology.
• Modern business proposals are sent electronically. Platforms like PandaDoc have tools to help you create a collaborative environment for negotiation, feedback, and electronic signature.
• 65% of business proposals containing a signature block close within 24 hours. Don’t forget to follow up and ask your potential client if they have any questions.

→DOWNLOAD NOW: FREE BUSINESS PROPOSAL TEMPLATE

Our data: the breakdown

Like we mentioned at the top, the insights in this article are compiled from our analysis of nearly 7 million documents that were sent through the PandaDoc platform in 2023.

Here’s a quick list of the most popular proposal and document types that were sent through our systems last year:

• NDA Template .
• Social media marketing proposal .
• Digital marketing proposal .
• Software development proposal .
• Business proposal (generic).
• Marketing proposal (generic) .
• Grant proposal .
• Sponsorship proposal .

Similar proposals of various types were also sent in smaller numbers, along with a wide array of other sales documents.

Because PandaDoc is more than a proposal platform, the lion’s share of documents flowing through our platform are invoices, quotes templates, contracts, and similar business collateral.

Proposals represent a small but essential segment of business documentation.

Other insights

While we were analyzing proposals and business documents, a few other statistics stood out to us.

• The average creation time for proposals dropped significantly when using automation tools like templates and the content library.
• The addition of an e-signature block made no significant difference in proposal creation time.

Business proposals are essential sales collateral in the business world. You’ll need one if you’re selling complete and/or complicated solutions.

Business proposals: the basics

This section covers basic information about business proposals, including an in-depth look at what they are and why you might need them.

While the technical specifications required for a proposal vary between industries, the basics regarding how a proposal is intended to function are largely the same.

We’ll cover the parts of a business proposal in the next section so, if you’re already familiar with the basics, feel free to skip ahead.

What are business proposals & why are they important?

A business proposal is a document that outlines a specific product, service, or project that a company offers to potential clients or partners, with the aim of persuading them that the business can meet their needs.

As proposals often present the benefits, features, and terms of a certain idea , these documents are important in many industries for sales, marketing, project management, and other business endeavors.

Typically, a business deal follows after a proposal has been accepted.

However, not all proposals are the same.

Depending on the needs of the client and the industry that you occupy, the content included in the business proposal format may fluctuate.

For example, while a digital marketing proposal and a proposal for building construction may have some broad similarities (introduction, pricing section, FAQs, etc.), both documents will vary wildly in terms of composition and overall goals.

It’s fair to say that the proposal required for building construction is probably longer, takes more time to create, and is likely to include a broader variety of business proposal topics than that of a sales representative trying to close a marketing deal.

The basic format of a business proposal

At a high level, most business proposals follow a similar structure and/or include similar information.

Based on our research into proposals created on the PandaDoc platform, most business proposals following this standard format are around nine pages in length .

However, keep in mind that lengths will vary depending on your industry and scope of work.

Particularly in industries like construction or home repair, where physical components and labor play a role, proposals become more complicated due to the parts and expertise involved.

As several of our own account executives and sales team members were quick to point out, longer doesn’t always mean better.

“ Short and sweet has a high conversion rate , fewer pages and less fluff is better. Ideally, a proposal should be fewer than 10 pages for transactional proposals below $10,000, and never more than 50 pages.” Josh Gillespie, Upmarket Sales

Artyom Voronetskiy, Account Executive with PandaDoc, agrees:

“ Keep it short, on-point, and eye-catching . Do not write more than six to ten pages unless your product is extremely complicated.”

While you’ll need to include all relevant information that prospective clients will need in order to make a decision, take care to avoid overcrowding them with irrelevant details.

To get a closer look at how to get started and bring your business proposal ideas to life using these steps, check out the next major section of this article.

Types of business proposals

Aside from the subject matter of your proposal — which is usually determined by the type of product/service your business provides — proposals fall into a handful of categories centered around how and why the proposal was initially created.

This information is particularly important, because proposals that originate from a request for proposal (RFP) document may be required to follow specific requirements and guidelines set forth by the requesting organization.

Here’s a breakdown of the types of proposals commonly used today.

Solicited business proposals

Solicited business proposals are proposals that a company has asked you to provide for their consideration.

The potential customer has reached out to your business and requested a proposal. These proposals fall into one of two categories:

Formally solicited proposals are typically competitive and follow a standardized (formal) process.

The prospective client sends out an RFP detailing the scope of work and requests that your business formally submit a bid to complete that work.

Informally solicited proposals are typically created based on conversations between a prospective client and a vendor that they want to work with.

There might not be any formal documentation, and there may be no competitive process.

This work can often lead to a sole-source, non-competitive contract.

Unsolicited business proposals

Unsolicited business proposals are proposals that your company sends to a prospective client who hasn’t asked for one.

They are not submitted in response to an RFP or an information request.

Such proposals are typically created based on a market opportunity — often one that the client is either unaware of or hasn’t yet acted upon.

How to write a business proposal

Writing a business proposal is like building a house.

While certain elements are always necessary — like the foundation — some components vary based on location and the architect or homeowner’s preferences.

In the same way, the components of a business proposal can vary based on industry, company size, and many other factors.

Just like writing anything else, a well-written proposal begins by gathering information and assessing the problems that your potential client is trying to solve.

When writing a business proposal, the following items are what readers are looking to understand. Think of these as the roof, walls, and foundation of your document:

• Information about your company. Your background, your qualifications, and why you’re a better fit than the rest of your competitors.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the problem. Proof that you’ve listened and done your research. You know what the client needs and you have a viable solution.
• Pricing and methodology. How you plan to solve the client’s problem, information about your proposed solution, and how much it’s going to cost.

In this section, we’ll take you through how to write a business proposal using a modified version of social media proposal template as an example.

Social Media Marketing Proposal Template

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If you’re not a social media company, don’t worry.

While the business proposal template we’re using is an example of a simple project proposal, the basic structure applies to nearly every business proposal — no matter how complex they might be.

You can download this business proposal example or other business proposal templates on our website.

Here are the main elements of a business proposal.

How to write an outline for a business proposal

A standard proposal outline typically includes most or all of the following elements:

• Title page.
• Cover letter.
• Table of contents.
• Executive summary.
• Proposal & solutions pages.
• Testimonials & social proof.
• Agreement & CTA.

However, this won’t always be the case. Shorter projects and abbreviated formats may not call for every single section.

When creating your business proposal, you should include everything you believe you need in order to sell your product or service to your prospective customer.

This usually includes the sections above, as well as any supplemental documentation to justify your costs and reinforce your proposed approach to solving the client’s problem.

If you’re sending your proposal electronically, you should also consider including an electronic signature block so that decision makers can quickly and easily seal the deal when they’re ready to proceed.

In addition to basic information about your product/service, you may want to include the following:

• Contact information.
• Value statements.
• Pricing tables.
• Client testimonials.
• Examples of past work (case studies).
• Images, graphics, and related multimedia.

To save time, gather this information before you start the proposal process.

Having this information on hand while building your proposal will make the process much easier.

Once you’ve got all the essential details and sales collateral you need, you’re ready to start creating your proposal document.

Many templates in the PandaDoc library feature fun, editable cover pages. We’re also integrated with Canva, if you want to take a hands-on approach to your layouts.

1. Create a cover page

This section of a business proposal includes basic information that your readers will need to understand the document and its content.

Consider including each of the following elements:

• Proposal title.
• Date of submission.
• Company information (company logo, company name, etc).
• Your name, title, and contact information.
• Client’s name, title, and contact information.

A cover page is the very first thing that your prospective client will see when they open your business proposal.

Give them all the details they need to identify the document at a glance, and take the time to make it look good.

Everyone knows how important that first impression can be.

Studies have shown that you have as little as 50 milliseconds to make a good first impression when designing visual content like websites.

The same holds true for the cover page of your business proposal.

This page is a place where you can freely place graphics and visual content to set the tone before the reader dives into the meat of your presentation.

Variables make it easy to modify proposal items that will change each time you send your content and allow you to reuse the same document by swapping the variable values.

PandaDoc supports variables by default, but you can also create them manually and replace the text using the find/replace tool in your word processor.

However, you won’t need to go overboard with complicated graphics and logos.

Users love simple and familiar designs , especially at a first glance.

Spending time on this page is also a great way to give your proposal a unique look and feel.

Based on what we’ve seen, some businesses skip cover pages entirely.

However, we don’t recommend it.

Take advantage of this missed opportunity from your competitors and use it to make your proposal stand out.

A simple cover letter is a great introduction to your proposal document. Using template tools and variables, each letter can be customized in moments.

2. Introduce yourself with a cover letter

You wouldn’t walk up to your potential client and dive into project specifics without taking the time to introduce yourself, would you?

A cover letter is that introduction. Consider including each of the following:

• A short blurb about your company.
• A quick summary of your proposal.
• A reason that your approach is best.
• A signoff with your contact information.

This section is essential because it helps anyone reading the document understand your relationship to their organization and how the proposal came about.

With your business proposal introduction, keep the tone light and friendly and encourage your reader to reach out with any questions.

Sign off by including your contact details so that the client can get in touch directly if they need to follow up or would like to move forward.

Cover letters don’t need to run to the point of exhaustion. They can be simple, short, and sweet.

This page can take on many forms, and you can use that flexibility to make your cover letter easier to parse.

This example rephrases the text in the image above by using bullets to make the formatting more legible:

Dear [Client.FirstName]

Thank you for considering [Sender.Company] for your social media marketing needs.

Enclosed, you’ll find a proposal based on our understanding of your social media expectations. Briefly, we propose:

An expanded social media strategy across currently unused platforms and channels.

A comprehensive distribution strategy designed to generate original and unique content.

Improved post automation for increased audience engagement during peak times.

Our methods and procedures are based on extensive analysis, an intense study of social media trends, and the application of specifics unique to [Client.Company].

We are confident in delivering effective results within your social media channels.

Thanks again for considering us, and please don’t hesitate to get in touch with questions.

My contact information is below.

Lastly, in our initial example, you’ll also notice that we’ve used an image to keep things fresh and interesting.

This is critical throughout your proposal. In our research, we found that a business proposal with media like photos and videos included is 34% more likely to close.

Including graphics and multimedia create visually appealing content that prompts engagement.

That’s huge!

As you’re making your proposal, don’t be afraid to add graphics and images to keep readers engaged.

A winning business proposal is more than just black text on a white page.

In a digital proposal, a clickable table of contents can make navigation easy. If you think the proposal will be printed, include page numbers for faster manual navigation.

3. Table of contents

A table of contents is an important, but often overlooked, part of any longer document because it helps the reader know what they can expect to find in the proposal.

Unless your business proposal is very brief, include a table of contents that outlines the basic structure of your document.

This element isn’t always necessary, but it can make a business proposal much easier to parse as your document is passed around to all appropriate parties.

How you want to approach this may vary, depending on the nature of the proposal and the client business.

Electronic documents

Electronic documents can benefit from a clickable table of contents .

Word processors typically generate these using the headings in your document .

Readers can click on them to jump to relevant sections without the need to navigate through multiple pages.

Physical documents

Physical documents will benefit from having page numbers associated with the table of contents since a business proposal PDF (hard copy) isn’t clickable.

Most word processors have an option to include page numbers in your table of contents , but make sure that you update the element when your document is complete in case the page numbers have changed.

Keep in mind that proposal documents may not be read chronologically.

Different decision makers will care about different things and will check your business proposal to see how it addresses their unique pain points.

Don’t lose a deal just because stakeholders couldn’t find what they were looking for!

The executive summary provides a high-level overview of your proposed solution and can be broken down with headings into multiple components.

4. Set the stage with an executive summary

The goal of an executive summary is to provide a holistic, high-level overview of your proposal, how it addresses the client’s problem, and its expected outcomes.

If you provided a few of these points in your cover letter, this is your opportunity to go into greater detail and summarize your overall strategy.

However, because this section needs to give a full overview, it’s difficult to write if you haven’t created the rest of your proposal.

For this reason, experienced proposal writers often write this section last.

Don’t get lost describing deliverable logistics or strategic plans.

Focus on the client’s needs and the outcomes they specifically wanted to address in their RFP.

Let your executive summary present a high-level overview and leave the other pages of the document to explain the details.

This will prevent your summary from getting overcrowded or bogged down with specifics best handled elsewhere.

Using the example in our social media proposal template , let’s pretend that our potential clients are primarily realtors in the greater Chicago area looking to reach new clients through social media marketing.

With that in mind, we could modify the executive summary in the existing template to something like this:

This proposal outlines a coordinated plan crafted with the intent of building [Client.Company]’s social media presence, primarily including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and X (Twitter).

By engaging an audience through social media channels, our team will demonstrate the ability to generate awareness, widen your company’s potential reach within your target market, and contribute to driving more website traffic, which will ultimately result in top-line growth.

We help teams identify, target, and communicate with their ideal clients through each of the following:

1. Creating engaging social content.

2. Posting company-related updates.

3. Promotions and social campaigns.

4. Integrating social activity into marketing initiatives.

5. Sustained monitoring.

6. Analytics & reviews.

While our competitors work to serve multiple industries and target audiences, we specialize in the [Client.Industry] industry. Founder Mike Smith also has a background in both social media and [Client.Industry], giving him a unique perspective on the needs of the market.

Your own executive summary and the tone you use to address problems may shift depending on the duties you’re performing for your client, and what kind of industry they’re in.

For example, if you’re targeting a young travel startup run by new college graduates, you might use a more casual tone peppered with industry jargon and humor.

By contrast, a group of C-level executives might prefer a more formal summary styled with specific metrics and numbers.

Keep your audience in mind as you write this section and demonstrate that you understand what they’re trying to achieve.

Remember: The executive summary previews the rest of the document. If your summary fails to address reader concerns, your proposal may be discarded without a full review.

Make sure your approach is clear. Tables and other visual aids are useful when summarizing your solution.

5. Proposal and solutions pages

The proposal section is the heart of your entire document.

In this section, you’ll need to fully present the solution your company has devised for a potential client.

This section should do each of the following:

• Provide a comprehensive breakdown of the solution your company has devised to solve a client’s problem.
• Tell readers exactly what deliverables they can expect and when they should expect them.
• Answer obvious questions that reviewers may have about your approach and/or methodology.

While you can write this section out in full paragraphs, visual aids can be extremely helpful in conveying critical information in a digestible way.

A timetable that pairs deliverables with their expected date can make your document more visually appealing, and your information much easier to parse.

You might also break down your main objectives even further by describing how you plan to execute a given strategy.

In our executive summary example (above), we touched on six key goals. Let’s expand on those here.

1. Creating engaging social content

Beginning with quick and thorough planning/preparation, our team will plan out a dynamic, ongoing social content calendar to guide you to your goals.

We will grow an increasing social audience and follower base using each of the following techniques:

• Hashtag campaigns.
• Strong use of keywords.
• Sharing/retweeting relevant news.
• “Liking” posts.
• Staying updated within the industry.
• Contributing our own unique content to broaden reach.

2. Posting company-related updates

Our plan is to engage your social media audience by sharing company news, press releases, events, employee spotlights, and more.

We will also pay attention to industry trends and share them.

This will help to gain exposure to your target market.

3. Promotions and social campaigns

We will utilize social channels to connect with your follower base and engage them with promotions to get them excited about both current events and the brand itself.

These campaigns may be as short as a day or run up to six months.

We’ll analyze the results from each campaign, and then we will provide a report of its success.

Results of campaigns can be compared so the most effective promotions, offers, or contests can be replicated.

4. Integrating social media activity into other marketing plans

With clear communication and monthly brainstorm meetings, we’ll be able to consolidate the marketing initiatives to fit your goals and promotional material.

Campaigns via social media are more important than just sharing about giveaways, sales, contests, and/or promotions.

We will agree on a schedule for a series of posts to keep up the exciting momentum for all prospective customers.

5. Monitoring

For maximum growth, it’s important to regularly engage with users on social platforms.

We will continually monitor each social channel and will respond to any questions, comments, and posts within a two-hour time period (during business hours).

A small delay will allow us to confirm that the information we relay to customers is accurate.

6. Analytics

We will provide you with each of the following:

• Daily and weekly analytics. Follower growth, reach, demographics, comments, “likes”, shares, retweets, and additional metrics as provided by each platform and our own internal tracking data.
• Reporting. Summarizing various results and activities over each quarter.

We will also set up a monthly meeting to go over the results and then tweak our approach accordingly.

Your own content may look different than this depending on your business proposal writing skills and services, but you can still use the example as a framework. Add in more details as needed.

For example, a cybersecurity company would need to include information on penetration testing and how often it would be done to look for possible intrusions and hacks.

Breaking up this section

While writing business proposal content, keep in mind that this section is both the most important and the most flexible section of all.

Your entire proposal doesn’t need to be bundled into a single, long section. It can easily be broken down into smaller sections such as:

• Strategic Assessment.
• Implementation.
• Goals & Outlook.

There are other combinations you can try, depending on your business proposal and how your solution should be explained.

If you’re offering a complex solution to a client problem, breaking your proposal into bite-sized chunks is a great way to ensure that readers understand your solution.

The importance of good data

Leveraging good data is critical when creating an effective business proposal.

Use details surrounding impact and ROI around your products and services to prove your worth and add value to your proposal.

Consider these two phrases:

• “Our customers love us!”
• “To date, our products and methodologies have helped more than 700 companies increase their sales by 35%!”

Which sounds better? Which is more compelling?

Numbers and figures catch the eye and help readers build trust.

By demonstrating a proven record of success, with numbers and data, you’re adding tangible details that help to justify your costs.

This is especially useful when competing with other solicited proposals, especially if you can include these data points as visual representations (charts, graphs, etc.) of your success within your proposal document.

Providing totals as an itemized list or a package option are effective approaches to pricing.

The pricing section explains how much it will cost the client for you to solve their problem.

In this section, you’ll need to do each of the following:

• Break down your proposed solution by cost.
• Indicate any product quantities as line items.
• Give package options (if applicable).

Regardless of your pricing structure, clarity and specifics are critical in this section.

To eliminate confusion, consider creating a pricing table that clearly identifies each product or service, and pair it with the most accurate pricing information you can provide.

With a dedicated table, all you’ll need to do is set the price for the item and the quantity of distribution.

If you were sending an hourly contract, the quantity is the estimated number of hours invested at a predetermined rate.

For recurring payment schedules, you’ll need to structure the document in a way that accurately reflects your monthly workflow.

Transparency is critical in this section.

Potential customers need to know how you’re charging them, what they’re being charged for, and what to expect in return.

Be sure to include these details in a clear and accurate way.

A biographical section can speak to years of experience, awards and accolades, and more.

7. About us

While you already said hello with the cover letter, this section is where you get to explain what makes your company unique.

If you’re a small business or a new company, get personal and give your potential client a chance to get to know you and your team members.

Consider including the following items:

• A brief summary of your business and its operations.
• Bios and photos of the individuals they’ll be working with.
• Relevant qualifications, certifications, or experience.

If your company has a unique backstory, a mission, or a cause that your company stands for, share that with readers. For example:

Too often in social media, good things come at a price. At Jump, paying for followers or favorable reviews of products is tantamount to criminal activity.

Authenticity is important in today’s online world, and Jump Social Media Marketing makes this our No. 1 priority in your social media space.

The information on this page doesn’t have to be a stodgy company boilerplate or a cleverly designed sales pitch.

Don’t be afraid to let your team’s personality shine through.

Glowing reviews and positive feedback can help prospective clients better understand how your organization delivers on your initiatives.

8. Testimonials and social proof

No sales proposal is complete without information about your past successes, awards, and jobs well done.

In a business proposal, this comes in the form of a social proof section, which might include:

• Past client testimonials.
• Case studies.
• Reviews and/or ratings.
• Industry awards.

Regardless of what you choose to include, don’t skip this section. Social proof matters!

According to data, over half of customers are more likely to trust earned media, like recommendations from friends and family, above all other forms of advertising.

By including recommendations from satisfied customers and industry awards that prove your expertise, you can earn additional trust from prospective clients.

Here’s a good example of how Jump Social Media Marketing might leverage the accolades they’ve received:

Jump Social Media Marketing has received major public recognition for our work.

We’ve been named as Chicago’s Best Social Media Agency for Small Businesses by the Chicago Tribune for the past three years and have been recognized as a recommended partner by the National Association of Realtors.

We also grew the Chicago Real Estate Solutions Facebook page from 0 to 5,000 in six months , secured 250 new leads in that time frame, with 25% converting to sales .

You can also provide testimonials from past clients who can speak to your approach and how it worked for them.

However, keep your industry in mind when compiling testimonials and do your best to find user feedback that fits the mood.

If your industry has serious clients, a humorous approach may not be appropriate.

If you’re working with a manufacturing company focused on B2B industries, the messaging and tone they take with their own clients — and what they expect from the businesses they work with — may follow different expectations.

Be sure to plan accordingly.

With onboard e-signing in your document, the call to action is often the signoff itself. If you choose not to include an e-signature, provide your contact information and instructions on next steps.

9. Agreement and CTA

Depending on your business proposal, you may include an agreement, a call to action, and terms and conditions at the end of your document.

Your signature below indicates acceptance of this social media marketing proposal and entrance into a contractual agreement with Jump Social Media Marketing beginning on the signature date below.

Depending on your goals and your sales process, you need to be very careful in this section.

In many jurisdictions, proposals are considered legally binding agreements if they meet the criteria for a contract.

By adding legal language and/or an electronic signature request at the bottom of your document, you might be entering into a contract earlier than expected.

This may not be ideal if your proposal is only intended to provide a rough estimate of costs or bring the client into further negotiations.

If you don’t intend to create a legally binding contract from your proposal, be sure to note that in your document and prompt the reader to contact you when they’re ready to move forward.

On the other hand, well-built proposals can double as complete contracts with all the terms and conditions necessary to start work immediately.

If you’re confident in the scope of work and you’re ready to move forward, let the client know by prompting them for a signature and using a payment gateway to capture their first payment or deposit.

How should a business proposal look?

First things first: We’re well past the turn of the century.

Nobody likes getting thick envelopes in the mail.

Modern business proposals are sent electronically, and this is more convenient for both you and your potential customers.

While it’s possible to email a proposal created with a word processor like Microsoft Word, platforms like PandaDoc are a better fit.

Our tools help you create a collaborative environment for negotiation, feedback, and electronic signature .

Regardless of how you choose to send a business proposal, be sure to pay close attention to the look and feel of your document.

Especially because your proposal may be your first impression with several key stakeholders, it’s essential that you follow expected formats and make a good impression.

Having the right design and layout tools can transform your proposal from a black-on-white Word document to a standout document that readers want to engage with.

If you search for business proposal examples online or take a look at our template library , you’ll find that most proposals rely on the structure described above to emphasize their value propositions.

Taking care to create a visually appealing business proposal will help you communicate your ideas more easily.

It’s also something that your competitors are doing and something that many clients are beginning to expect.

In our research, we found that roughly 80% of proposals included an image and 20% included a video.

We also saw higher close rates when these multimedia tools were used compared to when they weren’t.

Exactly how a business proposal is designed still has some flexibility, depending on your brand and what you’re trying to achieve, but keep in mind that it can have a big impact on success.

Business proposals with pages of blocky text are much harder to navigate than proposals with charts, graphs, images, and bullet points.

Rather than writing a 1000-word About Us section, consider including team member headshots and a brief bio.

Rather than adding highly technical language about operational processes and leaving stakeholders to figure it out, provide visual aids that summarize the information in a clear and easy fashion.

Generating personalized content quickly improves relevance and helps your team clearly define a scope of work. Onboard formatting and AI tools inside the PandaDoc platform can help.

Clearly defining your milestones isn’t the only reason to pay careful attention to how your business proposal is written.

While there can be legal ramifications to poorly written proposal content, perhaps the most important consideration is the impression that your proposal leaves behind.

Your proposal introduces your client to the quality of work they can expect from your business.

If it’s full of typos, spelling, and grammatical errors, or just seems sloppy, you’re unlikely to close the deal.

Read and re-read. Be sure to proofread every passage for errors before you send it to prospective clients or save it as a template.

You can also offset some of this tedium, especially on smaller deals, by focusing on creating a concise offering rather than a long-winded document.

A word about costs

When you’re creating proposals, it’s easy for costs to add up.

Costs for customized professional business proposals can take hours of research, consultation, and preparation — all with no guarantee of success.

That’s why savvy companies do everything they can to lower the cost of proposal preparation.

Typically this is done by generating a template for business proposals — an outline or skeleton that someone can fill out quickly to save time and expedite internal company processes.

It’s an effective way to keep overhead low.

Based on our research, an average of 20 documents are generated from each template you create.

That’s a huge time saver for any business.

If these aren’t assets that you have on your staff, consider hiring that skillset onto your team or hiring a freelancer to assist with proofreading and correction.

While many clients will overlook a stray typo or a misplaced comma, too many errors will land your proposal in the discard pile.

After you hit ‘Send’ on your business proposal

Once you’ve sent your proposal, your next step will depend on the process.

Based on our information, about 65% of business proposals containing a signature block close within 24 hours.

Even for proposals that take a little longer to close, having an e-signature block and collaboration options inside an interactive document means that review, redlining, and signoff happen in one place.

However, your mileage may vary. RFPs tend to be competitive processes, so you may have to wait until the submission window closes before you hear a response.

Don’t forget to follow up and ask your potential client if they have any questions.

Based on the business proposals we looked at, you are 30% more likely to close a deal if you send a series of reminders to keep your proposal top of mind.

Roughly one out of every three proposals you send will close faster if you send reminders. It’s a big deal.

PandaDoc and other proposal software tools can help you monitor your proposal using document analytics so that you know exactly when to reach out.

These tools let you know when your potential client viewed your proposal, how many times they opened it, and which sections they spent the most time on.

With these insights, you can anticipate their questions or objections and have your responses ready to go.

A great proposal is a blend of text and modern design. Personalization is as much about how your document looks as about what it says.

5 ideas to make your business proposal stand out

Just because you may have a perfect business proposal all ready to go, it doesn’t mean it will stand out from the crowd.

Many startups fail due to larger competitors, so a unique proposal idea can make your readers sit up and take notice.

Pizazz isn’t what matters here, rather any idea that adds value to your proposal and communicates quality.

Here are a few ideas to put the spotlight on your business proposal.

Personalize your proposal for each client

Ensure that your business proposal meets the exact challenges and interests of each recipient, as this will show you understand their specific needs.

Send a digital proposal

While you may need to send a business proposal as a PDF, include a link to a digital copy of the proposal where potential clients can review content, ask questions, and collaborate with your team.

A tool like this will give your recipient access to additional resources and make your proposal interactive.

Add a video introduction

As part of the personalization process, create a memorable experience by recording a brief video introduction.

Small touches like this can help your proposal stand out by demonstrating that you’re willing to do a little more to grab their attention.

Provide effective visual aids

Charts, graphs, and other visual aids are game-changers when it comes to creating effective documents.

Whether you need to present a specific data set or pricing breakdown, take the time to use visuals when the opportunity presents itself.

Readers will thank you for it.

Hide a few Easter eggs

A hidden message, cute animation, or a secret section are all little surprises that add a touch of fun and intrigue to your business proposal.

Easter eggs can encourage exploration and will encourage your readers to spend more time on your proposal.

It won’t be one they’ll forget in a hurry!

Jumpstart your proposal creation process with one of 1000+ documents in the PandaDoc template library.

Start with a free business proposal template

Need to know how to write a business proposal but don’t know where to begin? PandaDoc can help with some great templates.

In the data we reviewed, proposals created using our business proposal templates regularly generated high-performing results for customers with minimal editing time.

Take a look at some of the metrics around the top professional business proposal templates currently in our template library .

With PandaDoc, it’s possible to modify our existing templates and then save them as new, private templates in your content library for faster reuse.

In doing so, you can slim the entire business proposal design process down from hours to minutes or spend more time refining your proposal for maximum appeal.

To see the true power of the PandaDoc editor, be sure to check out our community gallery for expertly designed templates from real PandaDoc customers.

If you’re a PandaDoc user, you can even grab these business proposals and load them directly into your PandaDoc editor with a single click.

It’s just that easy.

PandaDoc can dramatically increase your proposal output, allowing you to send custom proposals to more customers in less time.

Use specialized tools to streamline your workflow

Ultimately, your proposal should be focused on your client’s problems and how your business plans to fix them.

But that doesn’t mean you have to do it alone.

Personalizing documents and tailoring them to a client’s needs is a time-consuming process.

For most businesses, striking a balance between personalization and efficiency is essential.

PandaDoc can help.

Our document creation process streamlines your end-to-end document workflow so that you can generate beautiful, customized documents in less time.

Send better proposals. Close deals faster.

It’s possible with PandaDoc.

Sign up for a demo to see it for yourself, or jump into the driver’s seat with a free 14-day trial and change the way you handle proposals forever.

PandDoc is not a law firm, or a substitute for an attorney or law firm. This page is not intended to and does not provide legal advice. Should you have legal questions on the validity of e-signatures or digital signatures and the enforceability thereof, please consult with an attorney or law firm. Use of PandaDocs services are governed by our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Originally was published in October 2016 and has been updated for comprehensiveness in April 2024

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How to Write a Business Plan: Step-by-Step Guide + Examples

Noah Parsons

24 min. read

Updated May 7, 2024

Writing a business plan doesn’t have to be complicated. 

In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to write a business plan that’s detailed enough to impress bankers and potential investors, while giving you the tools to start, run, and grow a successful business.

• The basics of business planning

If you’re reading this guide, then you already know why you need a business plan . 

You understand that planning helps you: 

• Raise money
• Grow strategically
• Keep your business on the right track 

As you start to write your plan, it’s useful to zoom out and remember what a business plan is .

At its core, a business plan is an overview of the products and services you sell, and the customers that you sell to. It explains your business strategy: how you’re going to build and grow your business, what your marketing strategy is, and who your competitors are.

Most business plans also include financial forecasts for the future. These set sales goals, budget for expenses, and predict profits and cash flow. 

A good business plan is much more than just a document that you write once and forget about. It’s also a guide that helps you outline and achieve your goals. 

After completing your plan, you can use it as a management tool to track your progress toward your goals. Updating and adjusting your forecasts and budgets as you go is one of the most important steps you can take to run a healthier, smarter business. 

We’ll dive into how to use your plan later in this article.

There are many different types of plans , but we’ll go over the most common type here, which includes everything you need for an investor-ready plan. However, if you’re just starting out and are looking for something simpler—I recommend starting with a one-page business plan . It’s faster and easier to create. 

It’s also the perfect place to start if you’re just figuring out your idea, or need a simple strategic plan to use inside your business.

Dig deeper : How to write a one-page business plan

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• What to include in your business plan

Executive summary

The executive summary is an overview of your business and your plans. It comes first in your plan and is ideally just one to two pages. Most people write it last because it’s a summary of the complete business plan.

Ideally, the executive summary can act as a stand-alone document that covers the highlights of your detailed plan. 

In fact, it’s common for investors to ask only for the executive summary when evaluating your business. If they like what they see in the executive summary, they’ll often follow up with a request for a complete plan, a pitch presentation , or more in-depth financial forecasts .

Your executive summary should include:

• A summary of the problem you are solving
• A description of your product or service
• An overview of your target market
• A brief description of your team
• A summary of your financials
• Your funding requirements (if you are raising money)

Dig Deeper: How to write an effective executive summary

Products and services description

This is where you describe exactly what you’re selling, and how it solves a problem for your target market. The best way to organize this part of your plan is to start by describing the problem that exists for your customers. After that, you can describe how you plan to solve that problem with your product or service. 

This is usually called a problem and solution statement .

To truly showcase the value of your products and services, you need to craft a compelling narrative around your offerings. How will your product or service transform your customers’ lives or jobs? A strong narrative will draw in your readers.

This is also the part of the business plan to discuss any competitive advantages you may have, like specific intellectual property or patents that protect your product. If you have any initial sales, contracts, or other evidence that your product or service is likely to sell, include that information as well. It will show that your idea has traction , which can help convince readers that your plan has a high chance of success.

Market analysis

Your target market is a description of the type of people that you plan to sell to. You might even have multiple target markets, depending on your business. 

A market analysis is the part of your plan where you bring together all of the information you know about your target market. Basically, it’s a thorough description of who your customers are and why they need what you’re selling. You’ll also include information about the growth of your market and your industry .

Try to be as specific as possible when you describe your market. 

Include information such as age, income level, and location—these are what’s called “demographics.” If you can, also describe your market’s interests and habits as they relate to your business—these are “psychographics.” 

Related: Target market examples

Essentially, you want to include any knowledge you have about your customers that is relevant to how your product or service is right for them. With a solid target market, it will be easier to create a sales and marketing plan that will reach your customers. That’s because you know who they are, what they like to do, and the best ways to reach them.

Next, provide any additional information you have about your market. 

What is the size of your market ? Is the market growing or shrinking? Ideally, you’ll want to demonstrate that your market is growing over time, and also explain how your business is positioned to take advantage of any expected changes in your industry.

Dig Deeper: Learn how to write a market analysis

Competitive analysis

Part of defining your business opportunity is determining what your competitive advantage is. To do this effectively, you need to know as much about your competitors as your target customers. 

Every business has some form of competition. If you don’t think you have competitors, then explore what alternatives there are in the market for your product or service. 

For example: In the early years of cars, their main competition was horses. For social media, the early competition was reading books, watching TV, and talking on the phone.

A good competitive analysis fully lays out the competitive landscape and then explains how your business is different. Maybe your products are better made, or cheaper, or your customer service is superior. Maybe your competitive advantage is your location – a wide variety of factors can ultimately give you an advantage.

Dig Deeper: How to write a competitive analysis for your business plan

Marketing and sales plan

The marketing and sales plan covers how you will position your product or service in the market, the marketing channels and messaging you will use, and your sales tactics. 

The best place to start with a marketing plan is with a positioning statement . 

This explains how your business fits into the overall market, and how you will explain the advantages of your product or service to customers. You’ll use the information from your competitive analysis to help you with your positioning. 

For example: You might position your company as the premium, most expensive but the highest quality option in the market. Or your positioning might focus on being locally owned and that shoppers support the local economy by buying your products.

Once you understand your positioning, you’ll bring this together with the information about your target market to create your marketing strategy . 

This is how you plan to communicate your message to potential customers. Depending on who your customers are and how they purchase products like yours, you might use many different strategies, from social media advertising to creating a podcast. Your marketing plan is all about how your customers discover who you are and why they should consider your products and services. 

While your marketing plan is about reaching your customers—your sales plan will describe the actual sales process once a customer has decided that they’re interested in what you have to offer. 

If your business requires salespeople and a long sales process, describe that in this section. If your customers can “self-serve” and just make purchases quickly on your website, describe that process. 

A good sales plan picks up where your marketing plan leaves off. The marketing plan brings customers in the door and the sales plan is how you close the deal.

Together, these specific plans paint a picture of how you will connect with your target audience, and how you will turn them into paying customers.

Dig deeper: What to include in your sales and marketing plan

Business operations

The operations section describes the necessary requirements for your business to run smoothly. It’s where you talk about how your business works and what day-to-day operations look like. 

Depending on how your business is structured, your operations plan may include elements of the business like:

• Supply chain management
• Manufacturing processes
• Equipment and technology
• Distribution

Some businesses distribute their products and reach their customers through large retailers like Amazon.com, Walmart, Target, and grocery store chains. 

These businesses should review how this part of their business works. The plan should discuss the logistics and costs of getting products onto store shelves and any potential hurdles the business may have to overcome.

If your business is much simpler than this, that’s OK. This section of your business plan can be either extremely short or more detailed, depending on the type of business you are building.

For businesses selling services, such as physical therapy or online software, you can use this section to describe the technology you’ll leverage, what goes into your service, and who you will partner with to deliver your services.

Dig Deeper: Learn how to write the operations chapter of your plan

Key milestones and metrics

Although it’s not required to complete your business plan, mapping out key business milestones and the metrics can be incredibly useful for measuring your success.

Good milestones clearly lay out the parameters of the task and set expectations for their execution. You’ll want to include:

• A description of each task
• The proposed due date
• Who is responsible for each task

If you have a budget, you can include projected costs to hit each milestone. You don’t need extensive project planning in this section—just list key milestones you want to hit and when you plan to hit them. This is your overall business roadmap. 

Possible milestones might be:

• Website launch date
• Store or office opening date
• First significant sales
• Break even date
• Business licenses and approvals

You should also discuss the key numbers you will track to determine your success. Some common metrics worth tracking include:

• Conversion rates
• Customer acquisition costs
• Profit per customer
• Repeat purchases

It’s perfectly fine to start with just a few metrics and grow the number you are tracking over time. You also may find that some metrics simply aren’t relevant to your business and can narrow down what you’re tracking.

Dig Deeper: How to use milestones in your business plan

Organization and management team

Investors don’t just look for great ideas—they want to find great teams. Use this chapter to describe your current team and who you need to hire . You should also provide a quick overview of your location and history if you’re already up and running.

Briefly highlight the relevant experiences of each key team member in the company. It’s important to make the case for why yours is the right team to turn an idea into a reality. 

Do they have the right industry experience and background? Have members of the team had entrepreneurial successes before? 

If you still need to hire key team members, that’s OK. Just note those gaps in this section.

Your company overview should also include a summary of your company’s current business structure . The most common business structures include:

• Sole proprietor
• Partnership

Be sure to provide an overview of how the business is owned as well. Does each business partner own an equal portion of the business? How is ownership divided? 

Potential lenders and investors will want to know the structure of the business before they will consider a loan or investment.

Dig Deeper: How to write about your company structure and team

Financial plan

Last, but certainly not least, is your financial plan chapter. 

Entrepreneurs often find this section the most daunting. But, business financials for most startups are less complicated than you think, and a business degree is certainly not required to build a solid financial forecast. 

A typical financial forecast in a business plan includes the following:

• Sales forecast : An estimate of the sales expected over a given period. You’ll break down your forecast into the key revenue streams that you expect to have.
• Expense budget : Your planned spending such as personnel costs , marketing expenses, and taxes.
• Profit & Loss : Brings together your sales and expenses and helps you calculate planned profits.
• Cash Flow : Shows how cash moves into and out of your business. It can predict how much cash you’ll have on hand at any given point in the future.
• Balance Sheet : A list of the assets, liabilities, and equity in your company. In short, it provides an overview of the financial health of your business. 

A strong business plan will include a description of assumptions about the future, and potential risks that could impact the financial plan. Including those will be especially important if you’re writing a business plan to pursue a loan or other investment.

Dig Deeper: How to create financial forecasts and budgets

This is the place for additional data, charts, or other information that supports your plan.

Including an appendix can significantly enhance the credibility of your plan by showing readers that you’ve thoroughly considered the details of your business idea, and are backing your ideas up with solid data.

Just remember that the information in the appendix is meant to be supplementary. Your business plan should stand on its own, even if the reader skips this section.

Dig Deeper : What to include in your business plan appendix

Optional: Business plan cover page

Adding a business plan cover page can make your plan, and by extension your business, seem more professional in the eyes of potential investors, lenders, and partners. It serves as the introduction to your document and provides necessary contact information for stakeholders to reference.

Your cover page should be simple and include:

• Company logo
• Business name
• Value proposition (optional)
• Business plan title
• Completion and/or update date
• Address and contact information
• Confidentiality statement

Just remember, the cover page is optional. If you decide to include it, keep it very simple and only spend a short amount of time putting it together.

Dig Deeper: How to create a business plan cover page

How to use AI to help write your business plan

Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT can speed up the business plan writing process and help you think through concepts like market segmentation and competition. These tools are especially useful for taking ideas that you provide and converting them into polished text for your business plan.

The best way to use AI for your business plan is to leverage it as a collaborator , not a replacement for human creative thinking and ingenuity. 

AI can come up with lots of ideas and act as a brainstorming partner. It’s up to you to filter through those ideas and figure out which ones are realistic enough to resonate with your customers. 

There are pros and cons of using AI to help with your business plan . So, spend some time understanding how it can be most helpful before just outsourcing the job to AI.

Learn more: 10 AI prompts you need to write a business plan

• Writing tips and strategies

To help streamline the business plan writing process, here are a few tips and key questions to answer to make sure you get the most out of your plan and avoid common mistakes .  

Determine why you are writing a business plan

Knowing why you are writing a business plan will determine your approach to your planning project. 

For example: If you are writing a business plan for yourself, or just to use inside your own business , you can probably skip the section about your team and organizational structure. 

If you’re raising money, you’ll want to spend more time explaining why you’re looking to raise the funds and exactly how you will use them.

Regardless of how you intend to use your business plan , think about why you are writing and what you’re trying to get out of the process before you begin.

Keep things concise

Probably the most important tip is to keep your business plan short and simple. There are no prizes for long business plans . The longer your plan is, the less likely people are to read it. 

So focus on trimming things down to the essentials your readers need to know. Skip the extended, wordy descriptions and instead focus on creating a plan that is easy to read —using bullets and short sentences whenever possible.

Have someone review your business plan

Writing a business plan in a vacuum is never a good idea. Sometimes it’s helpful to zoom out and check if your plan makes sense to someone else. You also want to make sure that it’s easy to read and understand.

Don’t wait until your plan is “done” to get a second look. Start sharing your plan early, and find out from readers what questions your plan leaves unanswered. This early review cycle will help you spot shortcomings in your plan and address them quickly, rather than finding out about them right before you present your plan to a lender or investor.

If you need a more detailed review, you may want to explore hiring a professional plan writer to thoroughly examine it.

Use a free business plan template and business plan examples to get started

Knowing what information to include in a business plan is sometimes not quite enough. If you’re struggling to get started or need additional guidance, it may be worth using a business plan template. 

There are plenty of great options available (we’ve rounded up our 8 favorites to streamline your search).

But, if you’re looking for a free downloadable business plan template , you can get one right now; download the template used by more than 1 million businesses. 

Or, if you just want to see what a completed business plan looks like, check out our library of over 550 free business plan examples . 

We even have a growing list of industry business planning guides with tips for what to focus on depending on your business type.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

It’s easy to make mistakes when you’re writing your business plan. Some entrepreneurs get sucked into the writing and research process, and don’t focus enough on actually getting their business started. 

Here are a few common mistakes and how to avoid them:

Not talking to your customers : This is one of the most common mistakes. It’s easy to assume that your product or service is something that people want. Before you invest too much in your business and too much in the planning process, make sure you talk to your prospective customers and have a good understanding of their needs.

• Overly optimistic sales and profit forecasts: By nature, entrepreneurs are optimistic about the future. But it’s good to temper that optimism a little when you’re planning, and make sure your forecasts are grounded in reality. 
• Spending too much time planning: Yes, planning is crucial. But you also need to get out and talk to customers, build prototypes of your product and figure out if there’s a market for your idea. Make sure to balance planning with building.
• Not revising the plan: Planning is useful, but nothing ever goes exactly as planned. As you learn more about what’s working and what’s not—revise your plan, your budgets, and your revenue forecast. Doing so will provide a more realistic picture of where your business is going, and what your financial needs will be moving forward.
• Not using the plan to manage your business: A good business plan is a management tool. Don’t just write it and put it on the shelf to collect dust – use it to track your progress and help you reach your goals.
• Presenting your business plan

The planning process forces you to think through every aspect of your business and answer questions that you may not have thought of. That’s the real benefit of writing a business plan – the knowledge you gain about your business that you may not have been able to discover otherwise.

With all of this knowledge, you’re well prepared to convert your business plan into a pitch presentation to present your ideas. 

A pitch presentation is a summary of your plan, just hitting the highlights and key points. It’s the best way to present your business plan to investors and team members.

Dig Deeper: Learn what key slides should be included in your pitch deck

Use your business plan to manage your business

One of the biggest benefits of planning is that it gives you a tool to manage your business better. With a revenue forecast, expense budget, and projected cash flow, you know your targets and where you are headed.

And yet, nothing ever goes exactly as planned – it’s the nature of business.

That’s where using your plan as a management tool comes in. The key to leveraging it for your business is to review it periodically and compare your forecasts and projections to your actual results.

Start by setting up a regular time to review the plan – a monthly review is a good starting point. During this review, answer questions like:

• Did you meet your sales goals?
• Is spending following your budget?
• Has anything gone differently than what you expected?

Now that you see whether you’re meeting your goals or are off track, you can make adjustments and set new targets. 

Maybe you’re exceeding your sales goals and should set new, more aggressive goals. In that case, maybe you should also explore more spending or hiring more employees. 

Or maybe expenses are rising faster than you projected. If that’s the case, you would need to look at where you can cut costs.

A plan, and a method for comparing your plan to your actual results , is the tool you need to steer your business toward success.

Learn More: How to run a regular plan review

Free business plan templates and examples

Kickstart your business plan writing with one of our free business plan templates or recommended tools.

Free business plan template

Download a free SBA-approved business plan template built for small businesses and startups.

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One-page plan template

Download a free one-page plan template to write a useful business plan in as little as 30-minutes.

Sample business plan library

Explore over 500 real-world business plan examples from a wide variety of industries.

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How to write a business plan FAQ

What is a business plan?

A document that describes your business , the products and services you sell, and the customers that you sell to. It explains your business strategy, how you’re going to build and grow your business, what your marketing strategy is, and who your competitors are.

What are the benefits of a business plan?

A business plan helps you understand where you want to go with your business and what it will take to get there. It reduces your overall risk, helps you uncover your business’s potential, attracts investors, and identifies areas for growth.

Having a business plan ultimately makes you more confident as a business owner and more likely to succeed for a longer period of time.

What are the 7 steps of a business plan?

The seven steps to writing a business plan include:

• Write a brief executive summary
• Describe your products and services.
• Conduct market research and compile data into a cohesive market analysis.
• Describe your marketing and sales strategy.
• Outline your organizational structure and management team.
• Develop financial projections for sales, revenue, and cash flow.
• Add any additional documents to your appendix.

What are the 5 most common business plan mistakes?

There are plenty of mistakes that can be made when writing a business plan. However, these are the 5 most common that you should do your best to avoid:

• 1. Not taking the planning process seriously.
• Having unrealistic financial projections or incomplete financial information.
• Inconsistent information or simple mistakes.
• Failing to establish a sound business model.
• Not having a defined purpose for your business plan.

What questions should be answered in a business plan?

Writing a business plan is all about asking yourself questions about your business and being able to answer them through the planning process. You’ll likely be asking dozens and dozens of questions for each section of your plan.

However, these are the key questions you should ask and answer with your business plan:

• How will your business make money?
• Is there a need for your product or service?
• Who are your customers?
• How are you different from the competition?
• How will you reach your customers?
• How will you measure success?

How long should a business plan be?

The length of your business plan fully depends on what you intend to do with it. From the SBA and traditional lender point of view, a business plan needs to be whatever length necessary to fully explain your business. This means that you prove the viability of your business, show that you understand the market, and have a detailed strategy in place.

If you intend to use your business plan for internal management purposes, you don’t necessarily need a full 25-50 page business plan. Instead, you can start with a one-page plan to get all of the necessary information in place.

What are the different types of business plans?

While all business plans cover similar categories, the style and function fully depend on how you intend to use your plan. Here are a few common business plan types worth considering.

Traditional business plan: The tried-and-true traditional business plan is a formal document meant to be used when applying for funding or pitching to investors. This type of business plan follows the outline above and can be anywhere from 10-50 pages depending on the amount of detail included, the complexity of your business, and what you include in your appendix.

Business model canvas: The business model canvas is a one-page template designed to demystify the business planning process. It removes the need for a traditional, copy-heavy business plan, in favor of a single-page outline that can help you and outside parties better explore your business idea.

One-page business plan: This format is a simplified version of the traditional plan that focuses on the core aspects of your business. You’ll typically stick with bullet points and single sentences. It’s most useful for those exploring ideas, needing to validate their business model, or who need an internal plan to help them run and manage their business.

Lean Plan: The Lean Plan is less of a specific document type and more of a methodology. It takes the simplicity and styling of the one-page business plan and turns it into a process for you to continuously plan, test, review, refine, and take action based on performance. It’s faster, keeps your plan concise, and ensures that your plan is always up-to-date.

What’s the difference between a business plan and a strategic plan?

A business plan covers the “who” and “what” of your business. It explains what your business is doing right now and how it functions. The strategic plan explores long-term goals and explains “how” the business will get there. It encourages you to look more intently toward the future and how you will achieve your vision.

However, when approached correctly, your business plan can actually function as a strategic plan as well. If kept lean, you can define your business, outline strategic steps, and track ongoing operations all with a single plan.

Noah is the COO at Palo Alto Software, makers of the online business plan app LivePlan. He started his career at Yahoo! and then helped start the user review site Epinions.com. From there he started a software distribution business in the UK before coming to Palo Alto Software to run the marketing and product teams.

Table of Contents

• Use AI to help write your plan
• Common planning mistakes
• Manage with your business plan
• Templates and examples

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How To Write a Business Proposal: Simple Proposal Template

Want to write a formal business proposal? Get a step-by-step guide, with free business proposal examples and templates.

A business proposal is key to closing more lucrative deals and winning clients. But few people know how to write a business proposal when they start a business . Business proposals can also be time-consuming to write, because it requires a level of customization.

Ahead, you’ll get a step-by-step tutorial on how to write a business proposal for your brand, with tips and examples along the way. Use the following guide, and template to create an effective business proposal.

What is a business proposal?

A business proposal is a document sent to prospective partners, clients, or investors in the hopes of working with them on a specific project⁠, in partnership or through investment.

At the most basic level, a business proposal should address the needs of prospective partners and show them why your company is the best to fill those needs. For companies focused on business-to-business (B2B) services, and those seeking investment, knowing how to write an effective business proposal is crucial for growth.

Types of business proposals

There are different types of business proposals, depending on the service and the nature of the project, but they typically fall into three distinct categories:

Formally solicited proposals

Formally solicited business proposals are used when a client you’re hoping to work with asks for a proposal, usually through a publicly posted request for proposal. In response to this request, your business writes a proposed solution based on the specific needs and requirements of the potential client.

Informally solicited business proposals

Informally solicited business proposals are typically written following conversations between a prospective client and a vendor. Usually in this case, the customer is not asking for competing proposals, and there tends to be few formal requirements.

Unsolicited business proposals

These proposals usually are more generic in nature and serve more as marketing materials. Unsolicited proposals are common at trade shows or other public venues where a business is shopping around for prospective clients, partners, or investors. While they can generate business in the proper context, unsolicited business proposals can sometimes be seen as spammy or, worse, unprofessional.

Business proposal example

It’s hard to know what a business proposal should look like if you haven’t made one before. Take a look at this example from hypothetical landscaping company Bee’s Knees, created using Shopify’s free business proposal template:

This title page is simple and to the point, emphasizing the client’s name and the project. The cover letter briefly introduces the proposal. It is written by an individual and provides a call to action without being overly salesy or overwhelming the reader with the details of the proposal.

If your proposed solution is detailed, it’s a good idea to add an executive summary. The Bee’s Knees executive summary provides a brief overview of the client’s problem and the solution. The following pages contain more detail, including a proposed project timeline. Bullet points and tables are a nice way to break up this text-heavy section.

Bee’s Knees offers three different packages and provides a brief description of each. This is helpful in the early stages of a proposal because it gives your clients flexibility. Should Bee’s Knees’ client decide to move forward, they would likely be presented with a more detailed (and legally binding) description of the costs for each service but this is an effective overview.

The About Us page explains Bee’s Knees qualifications for this project (20 years combined experience) and includes the business’s mission, values, and origin story. Consider adding founder quotes in this section, as Bee’s Knees does.

This is an example of an earlier-stage business proposal that is not legally binding. A legally binding proposal would include more detailed terms and space for the client to sign. If your proposal is not legally binding, let your client know that prices are subject to change.

Easy-to-use business proposal template

Our free business proposal template is easy to customize and provides writing prompts for each section. It’s a great option if you want a template that looks professional and provides guidance throughout the proposal-writing process.

How to write a business proposal

• Create your title page
• Write a cover letter
• Write an executive summary
• Outline your customer’s problem and your company’s solution
• Create a pricing table
• Share your brand story
• Summarize your qualifications
• Lay out the terms of the agreement

Business proposals can vary in how they’re formatted, but there are a few elements they all should contain. You can always use a free business proposal template to stay on track.

1. Create your title page

The title page acts as your proposal’s “cover,” so its aesthetics are especially important. Your title page should convey basic information about your business and the proposal. This includes the title of the proposal, your business’s name and contact information, and the date you’re submitting the proposal.

Your title page should be professional, grab the reader’s attention, and draw them in. It sets the tone of your proposal, so, like any advertisement, it should convey your brand’s style and character. It’s usually a good idea to include your company logo, too.

Avoid complicated graphics that may distract from the central message of the proposal. The cover of your business proposal is the first thing your client will see, so it’s important to convey your brand in a way that’s succinct.

2. Write a cover letter

Your cover letter serves as an introduction to you and your business. Your cover letter should be no more than one page. In a few paragraphs, briefly describe your company’s background, mission statement , and unique selling proposition .

Your cover letter should be friendly and polite⁠. Include your contact information and encourage your readers to reach out to you with any questions.

Unlike a résumé cover letter, visual graphics are encouraged, especially if they illustrate an important aspect of your brand’s accomplishments or mission.

3. Write an executive summary

The executive summary may be the most important part of your proposal. It provides details about why you’re sending the proposal and why you’re the client’s best option for solving their problem or filling their needs.

Your executive summary acts similarly to a value proposition that shows the ways your company is unique and how your prospective client, partner, or investor will benefit from working with you.

Executive summaries summarize, but they still should be specific. Identify the client’s exact issues, explain what your company does, and outline your proposed solutions to the client’s problems. There’s no need to cover logistics or strategies here—that will be covered later in the proposal.

Your executive summary should be finely tuned to the client’s needs. Even if you’re passing the proposal document on to many potential clients, it should read as though it was written for one client specifically. If different potential customers have different problems, you’ll want to make adjustments to your summary for each of them.

Your summary should give the reader a clear idea of how your company can help them, and invite them to continue reading for more details. The summary should be specific enough to act as a standalone document but brief enough that it will inspire additional questions.

Your executive summary should be two to four pages. Remember that the details will come later.

4. Outline your customer’s problem and your company’s solution

Many writers of business proposals think of their proposal pages in terms of problems and solutions. With each proposal, start by outlining the potential issues the client might face. In doing this, you show your potential clients that you have a deep understanding of their needs.

Problem and solution pages require a lot of research. You want to show potential clients you’ve done your homework: You understand their needs and know exactly what they want to do.

How you choose to break down the client’s problems and solutions is up to you. Some proposal document writers will list a number of problem statements alongside detailed deliverables. Other proposals might focus on one or two larger problems and provide a list of solutions to them.

Timetables are also important here. Potential clients will want to know how quickly you’ll be able to enact your solution and when they can expect to see results. Timetables answer these questions and are a handy visual tool to break up text.

It’s a good idea to break up your proposal content into sections that identify each problem and propose a solution. Here are some key points to address for each section:

• The problem. Use data to back up your claims, and be specific about where your client may be falling short of their goals.
• Implementation. Explain in detail what changes you plan on making, how long it will take to make these changes, and the purpose of making these changes.
• Goals. Explain how you will evaluate the success of your solution and when your client can expect to see results from the changes you’ve implemented.
• Benefits. Draw upon the assessment of the problem and explain the nature of the impact these changes will make.

Your proposal pages should cover all of the details of the plans you will implement. It’s best to break down the text into bite-sized chunks so it’s easier to read. Decorative graphics should be avoided here, but visual tools like charts and graphs are great for illustrating your points.

5. Create a pricing table

A pricing table should follow your problem and solution pages. It includes all of your products and services, paired with their pricing information.

How you structure your pricing strategy is largely dependent on the type of service or product you’re offering. But it’s usually a good idea to provide prospective clients with options. A single flat fee makes your proposal a yes-or-no question, which is easy to reject.

Adding pricing options provides clients with a more negotiable starting point, opening up the conversation about their particular needs, rather than acting as an end point.

Transparency is crucial in this section. Make sure it’s easy for your clients to understand what they’re paying for and what options they have for customizing your service. Nobody likes hidden fees or fine-print stipulations. Include all the details of your pricing options in a way that’s clear and concise.

Depending on your field, you may not want to include granular pricing details upfront before serious discussions have been had, but it’s important to get into the habit of effectively communicating your pricing regardless.

6. Share your brand story

Potential clients don’t just want to know your strategy—they want to know who you are. Craft a compelling narrative that will help readers form a connection to your business. Some elements from brand storytelling you may want to include are:

• Setting. Set the scene: Introduce the story’s protagonist(s), yourself, and your cofounders, and describe how you came together to form your business.
• Conflict. What problem inspired you to start your business? Describe the issue your business identified and set out to solve.
• Plot. How did you and your team set out to find the solution to your problem? What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
• Resolution. What was your solution? How has it changed your industry? What milestones have you hit and how did your business set out to solve the problem?
• Characters. Introduce your team. Offer brief bios of your team members and introduce your potential partners to the people they’ll be working with on your project.
• Denouement. What comes next? Describe what you see in your company’s future. Talk about how you intend to continue pursuing your goals. Make sure to set yourself up for a good sequel.

7. Summarize your qualifications

In your cover letter, you touched on what makes your company uniquely qualified to solve your customers’ problems. In the qualifications summary, you’ll go into detail about why your business is best qualified to help potential customers achieve their goals.

The best qualifications summaries rely on social proof to make their case. Include case studies of previous clients, customer testimonials , praise on social media, endorsements from trusted experts in your field, and anything else that might showcase the value you provide your clients.

8. Lay out the terms of the agreement.

At the end of your marketing proposal, outline the terms and conditions of your proposal for the client. Some proposals can be legally binding, so work with a legal expert to craft this section.

Not all business proposals include a contract, so if your proposal is meant to draw your client into further negotiations, you might just include a simple call to action that provides instructions on following up with you for further discussion.

If you do include a legally binding contract, make sure to provide clients with a space for signing the agreement, or indicating their preferred method of moving forward.

How to follow up on your business proposal

Give the prospective client time, grab their attention with a good subject line, avoid high-pressure, salesy language, be friendly, approachable, and authentic, know when to quit.

Waiting to hear back from clients during the sales process can be a little nerve-wracking, but it’s important to remain patient. Give potential decision-makers some time⁠—remember that they still need to tend to the day-to-day functions of their business.

If you haven’t heard back and want to give them a little nudge, here are some tips for following up on your proposal:

Wait at least a week before sending a follow-up. If the client has confirmed receipt of your proposal, give them a week from the date of confirmation. Keep in mind that they may want to discuss your proposal with their team before reaching back out to you.

As with other types of email marketing , a compelling subject line will increase the likelihood that prospective clients will open your email.

No need to go into finer details here⁠—let your proposal do the talking. Use your follow-up to emphasize that you’re available for any questions, and make it easy for them to reach back out to you.

Your goal here is securing a partner, not a customer. Hacky advertising cliches like “Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity!” may come off as alienating to potential clients.

Your follow-up is an opportunity to preview what it will be like working with you. Be polite, but friendly—as though you’re reaching out to your favorite work colleague.

It’s easy to overlook one or two emails, but much harder to overlook three or four. If your client hasn’t responded to three follow-ups, it’s time to move on.

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How to write a business proposal FAQ

How long should a business proposal be.

A business proposal, ideally, should be fewer than 10 pages, but its length is dependent largely on the type of proposal you’re writing and how far your services stretch. Things like your cover letter, summary, and pricing page should be kept short⁠—no more than two pages for each. The majority of your proposal should be your proposal pages, which go into detail about each aspect of your proposal.

What are the different parts of a business proposal?

A basic business proposal consists of a title page, tables of contents, cover letter, executive summary, proposal pages, pricing page, additional info about your business, and the agreement you’re proposing.

What is the basic format for a proposal?

A basic business proposal includes all of the elements listed above. Different industries may include unique features (for example, an app developer may include interactive elements to illustrate how their product works), but these aspects are considered standard features to business proposals.

How do you write a business proposal?

Start by choosing from among the many free business proposal templates, and consider what makes your business different from the competition. Why are you in the best position to assist potential clients with their needs? Be specific about what you can help your potential clients with, and make it easy for them to find out how to get in contact with you if they have questions.

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How to Write a Business Proposal – 28 Examples | Visme

Written by: Olujinmi Oluwatoni

Writing a business proposal that wins clients over is tough work. It gets even tougher when you're competing against multiple vendors for the same contract. According to a recent report by Loopio , teams on average win only 44% of their Request for Proposals (RFPs)

Here’s the silver lining: You can increase your win rate with a standout business proposal that grabs the client's attention and properly articulates your value proposition, unique strengths, and capabilities.

However, creating a professional business proposal from scratch can be challenging, especially if you lack the necessary skills and tools.

To assist you, we’ve put together 28 business proposal templates to help you write one and increase your chances of success.

Here’s a short selection of 8 easy-to-edit business proposal templates you can edit, share, and download with Visme. View more templates below:

Table of Contents

• What is a Business Proposal?

28 Business Proposal Templates to Impress Clients

• A business proposal is a document crafted to convince potential clients, investors, or partners to take a particular action, such as purchasing a product or service, investing in a project or forming a partnership.
• Visme's template library offers a diverse selection of templates covering service, product, investment, partnership, consulting, project and bid proposals. These proposal templates are easily customizable with Visme’s user-friendly drag-and-drop editor.
• Visme also offers an array of features for creating impressive and unique business proposals, including team collaboration, online sharing, AI-powered image and text tools, custom branding, analytics, data visualizations, animation and interactivity.
• With Visme’s intuitive editor, you can seamlessly customize these templates. Tap into built-in features like hundreds of free fonts, millions of free images, vector icons, data tools, animations and more to whip up the perfect proposal design in minutes.

What Is a Business Proposal?

A business proposal is a document designed to persuade a prospective client, investor, or partner to take a specific action—whether it is buying a product or service, investing in a project, or entering into a partnership.

To craft a compelling proposal, you need to grasp the client's needs, present your solution, outline your strategy and demonstrate why you or your team are the best choice to address the problem.

With Visme's wide range of proposal templates and easy-to-use editor, creating a professional business proposal is a breeze.

Hear what one of our customers has to say about Visme:

“Visme is something that I would highly recommend. It made us look a lot better in our clients’ eyes because it's something that's visually effective as a marketing tool.”

"With Visme, instead of days, a page would take us anywhere from 4-8 hours on a duplicate or templated process and even up to 72 hours for projects with unique needs and with immense input and back and forth on the design process.”

Brad Wills, Sourcing Executive at IBM's Recruitment Processing Outsourcing (RPO)! Read the full case study .

Check out these 28 business proposal examples professionally designed for almost every kind of business.

Service Proposal Templates

Product proposal templates, partnership proposal templates, investment proposal templates, consulting proposal templates, project proposal templates, bid proposal templates, 1. it service one-pager proposal template.

Looking for a quick and concise way to communicate the value and specifics of your IT service offering to potential clients or stakeholders? This service proposal template is your sure bet.

The minimalist design gives the plan a modern look and creates a powerful visual impact. Leverage the space to detail your executive summary , description of services, scope of work and lots more.

And if you’re tight on time, you can rely on Visme's AI document generator for instant proposal creation. Simply input your prompt, provide context, choose your preferred design and witness the tool swiftly generate your initial draft within seconds.

Check out how the AI document generator tool works here.

2. Marketing Agency Proposal Template

This comprehensive template is your ultimate tool to pitch your marketing agency's services and secure deals effortlessly.

Its sleek design, captivating visuals and icons ensure an attractive presentation. You can easily spotlight the problems you’ll address, solutions, project roadmap, services, the team, client testimonials and more.

Your brand identity conveys professionalism and makes your proposal more memorable to potential clients. To showcase your brand identity, ensure your proposal is branded using Visme's brand wizard . Simply input your web URL to automatically incorporate design elements from your website and access personalized, branded templates.

3. Clinical Laboratory Services

This template offers a framework to showcase your clinical services expertise and present your unique value proposition with clarity. The template offers dedicated sections for services, product breakdowns, certifications, locations and more.

Against a white backdrop, various shades of blue harmoniously blend to symbolize the beauty of healthcare and increase your proposal’s aesthetic appeal. The template also features captivating visuals, icons and an engaging layout.

Convert your product proposal into an engaging page-turner using Visme's flipbook effect . This allows your audience to virtually flip through pages, mimicking a real document experience.

4. Online Grocery Delivery Proposal Template

Seeking investment or partnerships for your groundbreaking online grocery delivery service? This online delivery service proposal template is your silver bullet.

The striking blend of lemon, blue and white gives it a great visual appeal. Each page also boasts engaging culinary visuals, icons and a refined layout that complements the content.

With detailed market analysis, innovative strategies and detailed financial projections, this template helps you present a compelling case. The best part is that the template design is fully customizable to suit any product or brand.

With our interactive features like hover effects or clickable pop-ups, you can provide more information, such as technical details or testimonials, without overwhelming the reader.

5. Consumer Product One Pager Proposal

Utilize this concise yet impactful one pager proposal to secure funding for your consumer product venture. This template allows you to distill your product's essence, market potential and competitive edge into a compelling one-page format.

It features captivating visuals, icons and harmonious color combinations, delivering a compelling presentation.

Personalize the template with your text, images, brand elements and more. You can streamline editing using Visme's dynamic fields , which eliminate the need to manually enter key information when customizing it for other clients.

Just create custom fields like company name, address, contact details and other information and automatically fill in the relevant fields with a single click.

6. Mobile Game Development Proposal Template

Looking for a way to capture potential clients' attention and secure software development projects? Start with this mobile game development proposal template. Its vibrant purple, orange and white scheme, complemented by compelling visuals and bold icons ensures your proposal stands out.

The template features sections to emphasize critical elements like introductions, overviews, goals, why to choose your services, action plans and more.

You can add more pages and customize the visuals, icons and layout to suit your brand’s needs.

7. 3D Modeling Software Proposal Template

Make a bold impression on your prospective software clients with this innovative proposal template.

The proposal boasts a captivating cover page, vibrant colors and stunning 3D visuals. It's structured with sections covering company overview, problem analysis, proposed solutions, delivery timelines and more.

Struggling with what to write in different sections? Leverage Visme’s AI writer for your initial draft. Simply provide instructions and the tool will generate well-written content matching your desired style and tone. Additionally, you can use this AI to refine, summarize, or edit your content effortlessly.

8. Jet Skis Proposal Template

Present your physical products to potential clients or investors effortlessly with this stylish proposal template.

This template comes with high-resolution stock photos, appealing vector icons and data widgets. It includes sections highlighting the advantages of your service, an overview of available models, pricing options and testimonials from satisfied customers.

Although this template was designed for water sports products, it can be customized for any brand or product.

If you want to change the visuals, explore Visme's extensive library of premium stock photos to find what suits your needs.

Learn more about how to create a product proposal in this complete guide .

9. Finance Consultancy Partnership Proposal Template

If you’re in search of a finance consultancy partnership proposal template that's straightforward and professional, then this proposal fits the bill. It features a clean, authoritative design using a white and green color palette.

All sections are neatly organized to present your firm's background, partnership model, client benefits, partner responsibilities and more. Leverage Visme analytics to track how your proposal is performing. You can easily monitor engagement metrics such as unique visits, average viewing time, duration, IP addresses and other analytics.

10. Lifestyle Brand Collaboration Proposal

Create impactful collaborations to elevate your lifestyle brand with this exquisite proposal. Its vibrant colors, dynamic layout and striking visuals make it iconic. The template provides a clear structure to showcase your brand's mission, project scope, responsibilities, terms and more.

Utilize Visme's intuitive editor to effortlessly customize colors, fonts and other elements of this template to fit your brand identity.

11. Payment App Brand Collaboration

Attract potential partners to your software brand using this well-structured collaboration proposal template. Each page employs a logical hierarchy in typefaces, fonts and elements to ensure an engaging reading experience.

You can highlight crucial aspects such as project objectives, payment app features, statistics and more with meticulous detail.

Visme’s data visualization tool will provide a clear and detailed presentation of statistics and figures in this proposal. You can access an extensive array of charts, graphs, maps, widgets and more from Visme’s library.

12. Non-profit Brand Collaboration

If you’re eager to team up with impactful organizations and expand your brand's reach while making a difference, this template is your blueprint.

With a sleek and modern design, a soothing color palette and exciting visuals, it’s sure to attract the reader's attention.

This template encompasses all essential sections to showcase your offerings, including a summary, project overview, plan, co-branding prospects, benefits, terms and beyond.

To get feedback about your proposal from coworkers quickly, you can invite them to your Visme project using Visme’s collaborative features . The workflow management tool also allows you to assign roles, establish deadlines and streamline approval processes effortlessly—all in one place.

Read this guide to learn more about how to create an effective partnership proposal.

13. Restaurant Investment Proposal

Attract prospective investors and secure funding for your culinary venture using this sophisticated investment proposal template.

Its combination of vibrant color schemes, icons and captivating images creates an impression of a refined restaurant.

Utilize its various sections to highlight your executive summary, target audience, competitive edge, business model , financial projections, SWOT analysis and other crucial details.

The template also incorporates charts to depict your target audience and financial projections. Visme enables you to seamlessly link real-time data from 3rd-party apps like Excel or Google Sheets and import tables, charts and graphs into your projects.

14. Project Investment Proposal

Showcase your project's potential to investors with this sleek investment template. Its elegant design incorporates a striking blend of black and yellow, exuding professionalism.

The template includes sections such as executive summary, project goal, target community, use of funds, assessments and more.

Customize this template by using images or videos to showcase your prior projects. This visual showcase will offer investors a glimpse of your work, significantly increasing your chances of winning.

15. Prime Real Estate Investment Proposal

Position your company as a trusted business for real estate investments with this stunning template. The layout, colors and captivating real estate imagery create a compelling visual narrative.

The template captures everything you need to show investors that you’ve done your homework. It includes an executive summary, overview, gallery, risk assessment, investment rationale and more. You can also include video testimonials of prior clients to gain potential investors’ confidence.

Each page of this document can be easily customized using Visme's user-friendly drag-and-drop editor.

16. Startup Investment Proposal

Starting a business? Utilize this startup investment proposal to highlight your idea's potential and leave a lasting impact on investors. The distinctive color scheme of yellow, white and navy blue blends to evoke a sense of innovation.

It includes clear sections to highlight your executive summary, market analysis, competitive advantage, business model and more.

In addition to your proposal, you can use Visme’s presenter studio to record your elevator pitch and share it with potential investors. This adds a personal touch and helps you engage busy executives.

17. Business Consulting Proposal

Win client's trust to hire your consulting services with this cutting-edge template proposal.

This design boasts a sleek color scheme of grays and blacks contrasted with a pristine white background, ensuring an attention-grabbing visual. It encompasses all crucial aspects, from an executive summary to project timelines, pricing models and compelling testimonials, to effectively showcase your expertise to potential clients.

You can link the icons, objects or text to a website or document for seamless navigation and engagement using interactive links.

18. IT Consulting Proposal

Craft a compelling pitch for your IT consulting service with this detailed consulting proposal template. It provides a structured framework to articulate your goals, expertise, services, recommendations and project details effectively.

Packed with captivating visuals, refined fonts, modern design elements and versatile layouts, this template ensures your proposal shines among competitors.

Personalize it to match your company's processes by incorporating text, applying your branding and expanding or adapting sections as needed.

19. Social Media Consulting Proposal

Whether you're an established social media agency or a freelancer looking to land your next big client, use this template to confidently pitch your social media consulting services.

With its sophisticated mix of blue and white hues, complemented by well-organized layouts and interactive icons, this template adds a touch of elegance to your presentation.

It covers crucial areas such as market analysis, personalized strategies, content planning and measurable objectives to craft a persuasive argument.

Make this template yours by swapping out the placeholder text and adjusting the visual elements until you're satisfied with the look and feel.

20. Marketing Consulting Proposal

Secure lucrative marketing projects confidently with this modern consultant proposal template. Its contemporary layout, crisp imagery and fusion of vibrant color themes project a high level of professionalism.

This template provides comprehensive coverage for essential aspects like the executive summary, "why choose us" section, project scope, deliverables, timeline, budget and more.

Lacking visuals for your projects? Utilize Visme's AI image generator to create relevant, high-quality, original images that breathe life into your design. Simply type in your prompts to generate professional-grade photos, paintings, pencil drawings, 3D graphics, icons, abstract art and more in seconds.

21. Web Development Proposal Template

You’ll require a standout proposal to win clients in a highly competitive web development industry. This sleek proposal can be your game-changer.

With an exquisite design layout, vector icons and a vibrant color scheme blending yellow, blue and white, this proposal immediately captures attention. The sections within cover the project overview, portfolio, website structure, timeline, budget breakdowns and more.

If you need to enhance your existing images and give them a professional look, you can utilize our AI Image Edit Tools within the Visme editor. The wizard allows you to remove backgrounds, unblur, or enlarge small images for optimal presentation.

22. Roofing Proposal

Whether you're a seasoned roofing contractor or a startup, this template will equip you to stand out and secure your roofing projects effectively.

The template utilizes a minimalist design with well-organized sections, ensuring your proposal looks both professional and visually appealing. Key sections such as project scope, materials, timelines, safety protocols and cost breakdowns lets you showcase your expertise and reliability.

Personalize the template by substituting the placeholder text and fine-tuning the visual elements until it suits your needs.

23. Construction Proposal

Utilize this refined template to leave a lasting impact and win your upcoming construction or renovation projects. Its blue, yellow and white color scheme radiates professionalism, while its captivating visuals and elegant layout effortlessly highlight your content.

The template features sections such as project scope, timeline, materials, costs and service specifics which underscore your expertise and dedication to top-notch work.

Share and download this proposal in various formats—PDF, PNG, JPG and GIF—or generate a link to share it with the client.

24. Architectural Proposal

Seal prestigious architectural deals confidently with this sleek architectural proposal template.

The template boasts high-resolution graphics, smart design elements, and engaging fonts. It includes sections for project goals, milestones, budgets and ample architectural images that add visual appeal.

Customize this template using Visme's built-in design assets or upload your own. You can use the shortcut feature for quick access to design elements on Visme. Simply type '/' to search and locate what you need in seconds.

25. Bid Proposal

If you would like to craft a winning bid proposal and enhance your business opportunities, this professional proposal template is perfect.

This template stands out with its captivating design layout, refined color scheme, and an impressive selection of fonts, icons, and images. It features a formal letter, budget breakdown and project commencement and completion terms.

What sets this template apart is its adaptability to suit any industry. Every aspect of this template is also customizable, allowing you to modify content, colors, fonts, shapes and logos to align perfectly with your brand identity.

26. Lawn Care Proposal

Communicate your expertise and dedication to impeccable lawn care with this stunning lawn care bid proposal.

This expertly crafted template boasts a captivating cover page and is filled with captivating fonts, high-definition images of lush greenery and dynamic vector icons.

You can customize every aspect of this template effortlessly. If you want to switch up the images, Visme offers an extensive array of top-notch images and design elements, from 3D icons and shapes to animated graphics, ensuring your proposal stands out vibrantly.

27. Fintech Agency Bid Proposal

Whether your agency specializes in digital banking, blockchain, payments, or other fintech solutions, this template equips you to stand out in competitive bids.

With a striking color palette of black, lemon and white, this template achieves a great balance—bold enough to captivate attention yet professional enough to exude credibility.

You can leverage the sections to highlight your firm's background, methodologies, budget and delivery aspects. The project timeline page is also particularly beneficial to provide clients with a clear glimpse of the project's completion date.

You can seamlessly integrate videos of client testimonials, your services, or a compelling brand narrative, enhancing your proposal's impact.

28. Marketing Campaign Bid Proposal Template

Looking to create a captivating bid proposal for marketing services? This template fits the bill.

The template boasts a lively color palette blending violet and white, setting the stage for a professional presentation.

It includes a succinct summary of your response to the RFP, featuring the challenge and proposed solutions, a compelling "why choose us" section and the estimated budget.

To further elevate engagement, Visme’s interactive features allow for linking specific sections to pricing pages, product page or terms and conditions. You can also employ hover effects or popups to reveal supplementary company information, enhancing the viewer's experience.

Read this article to discover professional bid proposal templates to win new clients.

Business Proposal FAQs

Q. what is the difference between a business proposal and a business plan.

A business proposal is a document crafted to persuade a prospective client to choose a company for a particular task or project. It outlines the specific project or service, pricing, deliverables and the value the company can provide.

On the other hand, a business plan is a comprehensive document that serves as a roadmap for an organization's future, guiding decision-making and operations. It outlines the company's objectives, strategies, market analysis, financial projections and operational details.

Unlike a business plan, which is internally focused, a business proposal is tailored externally to win a specific opportunity or contract.

Q. How Many Pages Should a Business Proposal Be?

Generally, a business proposal can range from 1 to 20 pages. However, there's no strict rule on length. The length of a business proposal can vary based on the specific requirements of the project or the expectations of the recipient.

Shorter proposals (one to five pages) are suitable for simpler projects or when the recipient specifies a brief document. More complex projects might require longer proposals with detailed sections on various aspects like methodology, timelines, pricing and terms.

Q. What Is the Basic Format for a Business Proposal?

A typical business proposal usually follows this basic format:

• Cover Page: This page includes your proposal title, company name, submission date and contact information.
• Executive Summary: Your executive summary section gives a brief overview of the proposal, highlighting the key points, objectives and why the proposal should be considered.
• Introduction: This section introduces the company and its background.
• Problem Statement or Needs Assessment: This section describes the client's issue or need that the proposal aims to address. This section clarifies the problem and its significance.
• Proposed Solution or Methodology: Utilize this section to highlight the company's approach to solving the client's problem. You can detail the services, products, or methodologies offered.
• Timeline or Work Plan: Your timeline section should present a schedule or timeline of how the proposed solution will be implemented, including milestones and deadlines.
• Budget or Cost Proposal: Provide a breakdown of the costs associated with the proposed solution, including fees, expenses and payment terms in this section.
• Company Expertise, Experience and Accolades: Give a compelling overview of the company's expertise, experience, relevant projects and qualifications that make it suitable for the project in this section.
• Conclusion/Next Steps: Summarize the key points and reinforce the benefits of choosing your company. Then end with a clear call to action.

Q. What Are the 3Cs of a Business Proposal?

The 3 C's of a business proposal are clarity, compelling and competitiveness. Let's take a brief look at each component:

Your business proposal should be clear and easy to understand. It should articulate the problem, proposed solution, methodology and terms in a straightforward manner. You should also avoid buzzwords and stick to languages and examples that resonate with the client.

Your proposal should be engaging, well-structured and crafted in a way that maintains interest throughout. It should incorporate visuals like images, icons, graphs or charts to complement the text and make the proposal visually appealing. You can also use storytelling techniques to illustrate the problem, the solution and the positive impact your proposal will have.

Competitive

Your proposal needs to be persuasive. It should convince the recipient that your company's solution is the best fit for their needs. This involves showcasing expertise, providing evidence of past successes and demonstrating the unique value your company brings.

Q. How Do I Write My Business Proposal?

Here are some steps to help you write an effective business proposal:

• Understand who your audience is and what their needs are
• Design a compelling cover page, title page and table of contents
• Write your executive summary
• Clearly define the client's problem or needs.
• Propose a solution (product, features and benefits)
• Showcase your company's background, team expertise, experience and qualifications.
• List deliverables, milestones, and timelines
• Provide a detailed budget and payment structure
• Include quotes from satisfied clients or references and evidence of your track record
• Write a conclusion and appendix

Visme's proposal templates come with pre-made sections to make the proposal creation process easier and more efficient. With our intuitive editor, you can customize these sections, add or remove sections as needed to fit your specific needs.

Q. What Are 5 Things All Proposals Should Include?

The five key elements every proposal should include are:

• Project background and objectives
• Problem statement
• Project scope and plan
• Timeline and budget
• Conclusion and next steps

Q. What Are the Do’s and Don'ts of Proposal Writing?

When it comes to proposal writing, there are some do’s and don'ts to keep in mind to ensure that your proposal stands out and increases your chances of success.

• Understand the client's needs and tailor your proposal accordingly. Start with a catchy and attention-grabbing introduction.
• Clearly articulate your value proposition, unique strengths and capabilities.
• Use visuals and graphics to make your proposal more engaging and memorable.
• Include testimonials or case studies to demonstrate your track record.
• Provide a detailed and realistic project plan, timeline, and budget.
• Proofread and edit your proposal thoroughly before submitting it.
• Don't use a generic proposal template without customizing it to the client's needs.
• Don't overpromise or exaggerate your capabilities.
• Don't use jargon or technical terms that may confuse the client.
• Don't submit a proposal that is too long or too short.
• Don't forget to follow up with the client after submitting the proposal.

Q. Which Phrases Are Best Avoided in a Proposal?

• "I think," "I'm not sure," "I believe," and similar phrases can seem hesitant and unconfident. Instead, state your ideas and arguments with conviction.
• "The best," "the greatest," or "the top-ranked"—empty"superlatives like this can come across as exaggerated and lacking credibility.
• "This might be a stupid question, but..."—never apologize for asking a question or suggesting an idea. It's important to demonstrate confidence in your abilities and ideas.
• Jargon or technical language that the client may not understand; keep in mind that the proposal may be read by individuals who are not familiar with your industry or field. Use plain language and avoid technical terms that may be confusing.
• "Trust me"—this phrase can sound condescending and unprofessional. Instead, provide evidence and data to support your arguments and proposals.
• "Our competitors are terrible." Avoid speaking negatively about your competitors. Rather, focus on highlighting your own strengths and unique selling points.

Create Professionally Engaging Proposals & More with Visme

An engaging and professionally crafted proposal increases your likelihood of closing deals or securing business partnerships.

With Visme’s proposal maker , creating an impactful proposal can be a walk in the park. It offers professional templates and robust editing tools designed for various proposal needs.

Moreover, Visme provides features like real-time collaboration, interactive data visualizations, online sharing, AI tools, analytics and graphics, elevating your proposal to new heights.

Sign up for Visme today to start creating winning proposals.

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Your business may be great but how do you convey that to the clients? A business proposal is what you need! It is an instrument that can guide you to new partnerships, secure funding, and expand your company’s horizons. Whether you’re pitching services to a potential client or seeking financial backing from an investor, understanding how to make a compelling business proposal is quintessential. 

This article will take you through the essentials of what a business proposal is, and its different types. It also has a step-by-step guide on how to create a business proposal, complete with practical tips, examples, and templates!

Ensure your business proposal is polished and professional! Get started

Let’s begin with an easy business proposal definition:

What is a business proposal?

A business proposal is a formal document that is created to communicate a specific offer or intention to a potential client to secure their business. In simpler words, it is a document designed to offer specific goods or services to a potential client or buyer. 

A proposal in business is different from what a business plan is. While a business plan is all about how you run your company, a business proposal is more about convincing others to work with you. It outlines what you can offer, how you plan to deliver your services or products, and why you are the best choice.

Types of business proposals

Business proposals can generally be classified into three types:

Solicited business proposals

These are written when a potential client asks for specific information about your services. The clients are already interested in what you offer and want more details.

Unsolicited business proposals

These proposals are sent out on your own initiative. They’re like a marketing brochure and need to be persuasive to catch the interest of potential clients who might not be actively searching for your services.

Informal and formal proposals

Informal proposals are less structured while formal proposals are structured, outlined, and formal. Informal proposals may look more like a letter. Formal proposals follow a clear outline and are usually more detailed often involving contracts.

Let’s move on to the most interesting part: how to write a business proposal.

How to write a business proposal

Follow this step-by-step guide with practical tips to understand how to write an effective proposal for your business. 

Step 1: Understand what the client needs

Clearly understand what the client needs to solve or achieve. 

1. Review the Request for Proposal (RFP) if provided, to understand the specific requirements and criteria.

2. Conduct research to gather information about the client’s business, industry trends, competitors, and previous solutions they’ve tried.

3. Communicate directly with the client to clarify any uncertainties about their needs and expectations.

Tip: Make a checklist of what the client wants so you can refer to it as you write your proposal.

Step 2: Create a Title Page

Design a title page that is both informative and visually appealing. Create the title page according to the business proposal format.

1. Include the proposal title , which should be clear and concise, directly addressing the proposal’s purpose.

2. Add the name of the recipient or the company the proposal is addressed.

3. List your company’s name and contact information , including address, phone number, email, and website. 

4. Date the proposal to keep track of when the offer was submitted.

5. Incorporate a logo and design elements that reflect your company’s brand.

Tip: Keep the design simple and professional. Avoid cluttering the title page with too much information or overly flamboyant designs.

Step 3: Define what your services will cover

Explain in detail what exactly will your services provide.

1. Start with an executive summary , outlining the key points of the proposal. Include the benefits of how your services will help the client.

2. Write the problem statement , and mention what needs of the client require to be catered to.

3. Specify the solution and deliverables including what services/products will be delivered, and the end results that the client can expect.

4. Set clear boundaries to avoid misunderstandings about your scope, which can lead to unmet expectations and disputes.

Tip: Use bullet points to ensure clarity and that all the deliverables are understood distinctly.

Step 4: Detail your company’s qualifications and experience

Convince the client that your company is the best choice for the project by showcasing your expertise and successful track record.

1. Introduce your company and highlight the achievements to showcase how you are the right choice for the job.

2. Showcase your team’s expertise by briefly introducing key team members who will be involved in the project. Include their roles, experience, and any specific skills or certifications that are relevant to the proposed work.

3. Include testimonials or case studies from similar projects to build credibility.

Tip: Incorporate visuals such as graphs or charts to demonstrate past successes or testimonials in a more engaging way.

Step 5: Make a timeline for the project

Establish a realistic timeline for project completion.

1. Break down the project into smaller phases or milestones.

2. Assign estimated durations to each phase and mark down important dates.

3. Consider potential obstacles that might come up and have a plan for dealing with them.

Tip: Use a Gantt chart to visually represent the timeline, phases, and dependencies.

Step 6: Pricing and budget

Provide the client with a detailed and transparent cost breakdown.

1. List all costs associated with the project, including direct costs, labor, and materials.

2. Offer pricing options if applicable (e.g., tiered pricing for different levels of service).

3. Explain your terms of payment such as due dates for payments, acceptable payment methods, and any payment plans.

4. Add an appendix if necessary for any supporting documents or detailed technical specifications.

Tip: Follow a proper financial statement format to ensure better understanding and record-keeping.

Step 7: Review and edit

Ensure the proposal is polished and free of errors. Also, check and ensure that the business proposal outline has been properly followed throughout.

1. Proofread for punctuation , spelling, and grammar mistakes .

2. Review for clarity and flow , ensuring that the document logically progresses from one section to the next.

3. Get feedback from a colleague or mentor who can provide a fresh perspective.

Tip: Consider using professional proofreading and editing services to refine the proposal further. You can also use proofreading tools such as grammar checkers and content editors if you want to do it yourself.

Step 8: Follow up with the client

Stay in contact with the client even after you send the proposal.

1. Confirm receipt of the proposal with the client.

2. Offer to discuss any questions they might have after reviewing the document.

3. Be proactive about contacting the client to provide additional information and remind them why your proposal is the best choice.

Tip: Set a reminder to follow up if you haven’t heard back within a timeframe that respects the client’s decision-making process.

Now let’s look at some examples of business proposals for a better understanding of the business proposal format and outline.

Business proposal examples

Example 1: marketing services proposal, example 2: software development proposal, business proposal template.

You can use the given free business proposal template as a starting point for your business proposal. Incorporating the steps mentioned in the guide, you can create a winning proposal for yourself!

Creating a business proposal doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. By knowing what your client wants and organizing your ideas well, you can write a proposal that not only shows the value of your solution but also lays the groundwork for a successful partnership.

To ensure your business proposal is polished and professional, consider leveraging expert editing and proofreading services offered by PaperTrue. Our team of professionals can help refine your document, ensuring clarity and impact to make the best possible impression on your prospective clients!

Keep reading for more useful resources:

• How to Write a Cover Letter: 7 Tips from Business Editors
• Mastering Professional Email Writing: Steps, Tips & Examples
• Exploring Writing Styles: Meaning, Types, and Examples
• Top 10 English Correctors to Perfect Your Text in 2024
• 10 Best AI Writer Tools Every Writer Should Know About

Frequently Asked Questions

What should be included in a business proposal, how long should a business proposal be, how can i make my business proposal stand out.

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How To Write A Business Plan (2024 Guide)

Updated: Apr 17, 2024, 11:59am

Table of Contents

Brainstorm an executive summary, create a company description, brainstorm your business goals, describe your services or products, conduct market research, create financial plans, bottom line, frequently asked questions.

Every business starts with a vision, which is distilled and communicated through a business plan. In addition to your high-level hopes and dreams, a strong business plan outlines short-term and long-term goals, budget and whatever else you might need to get started. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to write a business plan that you can stick to and help guide your operations as you get started.

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Drafting the Summary

An executive summary is an extremely important first step in your business. You have to be able to put the basic facts of your business in an elevator pitch-style sentence to grab investors’ attention and keep their interest. This should communicate your business’s name, what the products or services you’re selling are and what marketplace you’re entering.

Ask for Help

When drafting the executive summary, you should have a few different options. Enlist a few thought partners to review your executive summary possibilities to determine which one is best.

After you have the executive summary in place, you can work on the company description, which contains more specific information. In the description, you’ll need to include your business’s registered name , your business address and any key employees involved in the business. 

The business description should also include the structure of your business, such as sole proprietorship , limited liability company (LLC) , partnership or corporation. This is the time to specify how much of an ownership stake everyone has in the company. Finally, include a section that outlines the history of the company and how it has evolved over time.

Wherever you are on the business journey, you return to your goals and assess where you are in meeting your in-progress targets and setting new goals to work toward.

Numbers-based Goals

Goals can cover a variety of sections of your business. Financial and profit goals are a given for when you’re establishing your business, but there are other goals to take into account as well with regard to brand awareness and growth. For example, you might want to hit a certain number of followers across social channels or raise your engagement rates.

Another goal could be to attract new investors or find grants if you’re a nonprofit business. If you’re looking to grow, you’ll want to set revenue targets to make that happen as well.

Intangible Goals

Goals unrelated to traceable numbers are important as well. These can include seeing your business’s advertisement reach the general public or receiving a terrific client review. These goals are important for the direction you take your business and the direction you want it to go in the future.

The business plan should have a section that explains the services or products that you’re offering. This is the part where you can also describe how they fit in the current market or are providing something necessary or entirely new. If you have any patents or trademarks, this is where you can include those too.

If you have any visual aids, they should be included here as well. This would also be a good place to include pricing strategy and explain your materials.

This is the part of the business plan where you can explain your expertise and different approach in greater depth. Show how what you’re offering is vital to the market and fills an important gap.

You can also situate your business in your industry and compare it to other ones and how you have a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Other than financial goals, you want to have a budget and set your planned weekly, monthly and annual spending. There are several different costs to consider, such as operational costs.

Business Operations Costs

Rent for your business is the first big cost to factor into your budget. If your business is remote, the cost that replaces rent will be the software that maintains your virtual operations.

Marketing and sales costs should be next on your list. Devoting money to making sure people know about your business is as important as making sure it functions.

Other Costs

Although you can’t anticipate disasters, there are likely to be unanticipated costs that come up at some point in your business’s existence. It’s important to factor these possible costs into your financial plans so you’re not caught totally unaware.

Business plans are important for businesses of all sizes so that you can define where your business is and where you want it to go. Growing your business requires a vision, and giving yourself a roadmap in the form of a business plan will set you up for success.

How do I write a simple business plan?

When you’re working on a business plan, make sure you have as much information as possible so that you can simplify it to the most relevant information. A simple business plan still needs all of the parts included in this article, but you can be very clear and direct.

What are some common mistakes in a business plan?

The most common mistakes in a business plan are common writing issues like grammar errors or misspellings. It’s important to be clear in your sentence structure and proofread your business plan before sending it to any investors or partners.

What basic items should be included in a business plan?

When writing out a business plan, you want to make sure that you cover everything related to your concept for the business,  an analysis of the industry―including potential customers and an overview of the market for your goods or services―how you plan to execute your vision for the business, how you plan to grow the business if it becomes successful and all financial data around the business, including current cash on hand, potential investors and budget plans for the next few years.

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Home » How To Write A Proposal – Step By Step Guide [With Template]

How To Write A Proposal – Step By Step Guide [With Template]

Table of Contents

How To Write A Proposal

Writing a Proposal involves several key steps to effectively communicate your ideas and intentions to a target audience. Here’s a detailed breakdown of each step:

Identify the Purpose and Audience

• Clearly define the purpose of your proposal: What problem are you addressing, what solution are you proposing, or what goal are you aiming to achieve?
• Identify your target audience: Who will be reading your proposal? Consider their background, interests, and any specific requirements they may have.

Conduct Research

• Gather relevant information: Conduct thorough research to support your proposal. This may involve studying existing literature, analyzing data, or conducting surveys/interviews to gather necessary facts and evidence.
• Understand the context: Familiarize yourself with the current situation or problem you’re addressing. Identify any relevant trends, challenges, or opportunities that may impact your proposal.

Develop an Outline

• Create a clear and logical structure: Divide your proposal into sections or headings that will guide your readers through the content.
• Introduction: Provide a concise overview of the problem, its significance, and the proposed solution.
• Background/Context: Offer relevant background information and context to help the readers understand the situation.
• Objectives/Goals: Clearly state the objectives or goals of your proposal.
• Methodology/Approach: Describe the approach or methodology you will use to address the problem.
• Timeline/Schedule: Present a detailed timeline or schedule outlining the key milestones or activities.
• Budget/Resources: Specify the financial and other resources required to implement your proposal.
• Evaluation/Success Metrics: Explain how you will measure the success or effectiveness of your proposal.
• Conclusion: Summarize the main points and restate the benefits of your proposal.

Write the Proposal

• Grab attention: Start with a compelling opening statement or a brief story that hooks the reader.
• Clearly state the problem: Clearly define the problem or issue you are addressing and explain its significance.
• Present your proposal: Introduce your proposed solution, project, or idea and explain why it is the best approach.
• State the objectives/goals: Clearly articulate the specific objectives or goals your proposal aims to achieve.
• Provide supporting information: Present evidence, data, or examples to support your claims and justify your proposal.
• Explain the methodology: Describe in detail the approach, methods, or strategies you will use to implement your proposal.
• Address potential concerns: Anticipate and address any potential objections or challenges the readers may have and provide counterarguments or mitigation strategies.
• Recap the main points: Summarize the key points you’ve discussed in the proposal.
• Reinforce the benefits: Emphasize the positive outcomes, benefits, or impact your proposal will have.
• Call to action: Clearly state what action you want the readers to take, such as approving the proposal, providing funding, or collaborating with you.

Review and Revise

• Proofread for clarity and coherence: Check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
• Ensure a logical flow: Read through your proposal to ensure the ideas are presented in a logical order and are easy to follow.
• Revise and refine: Fine-tune your proposal to make it concise, persuasive, and compelling.

Add Supplementary Materials

• Attach relevant documents: Include any supporting materials that strengthen your proposal, such as research findings, charts, graphs, or testimonials.
• Appendices: Add any additional information that might be useful but not essential to the main body of the proposal.

Formatting and Presentation

• Follow the guidelines: Adhere to any specific formatting guidelines provided by the organization or institution to which you are submitting the proposal.
• Use a professional tone and language: Ensure that your proposal is written in a clear, concise, and professional manner.
• Use headings and subheadings: Organize your proposal with clear headings and subheadings to improve readability.
• Pay attention to design: Use appropriate fonts, font sizes, and formatting styles to make your proposal visually appealing.
• Include a cover page: Create a cover page that includes the title of your proposal, your name or organization, the date, and any other required information.

Seek Feedback

• Share your proposal with trusted colleagues or mentors and ask for their feedback. Consider their suggestions for improvement and incorporate them into your proposal if necessary.

Finalize and Submit

• Make any final revisions based on the feedback received.
• Ensure that all required sections, attachments, and documentation are included.
• Double-check for any formatting, grammar, or spelling errors.
• Submit your proposal within the designated deadline and according to the submission guidelines provided.

Proposal Format

The format of a proposal can vary depending on the specific requirements of the organization or institution you are submitting it to. However, here is a general proposal format that you can follow:

1. Title Page:

• Include the title of your proposal, your name or organization’s name, the date, and any other relevant information specified by the guidelines.

2. Executive Summary:

•  Provide a concise overview of your proposal, highlighting the key points and objectives.
• Summarize the problem, proposed solution, and anticipated benefits.
• Keep it brief and engaging, as this section is often read first and should capture the reader’s attention.

3. Introduction:

• State the problem or issue you are addressing and its significance.
• Provide background information to help the reader understand the context and importance of the problem.
• Clearly state the purpose and objectives of your proposal.

4. Problem Statement:

• Describe the problem in detail, highlighting its impact and consequences.
• Use data, statistics, or examples to support your claims and demonstrate the need for a solution.

5. Proposed Solution or Project Description:

• Explain your proposed solution or project in a clear and detailed manner.
• Describe how your solution addresses the problem and why it is the most effective approach.
• Include information on the methods, strategies, or activities you will undertake to implement your solution.
• Highlight any unique features, innovations, or advantages of your proposal.

6. Methodology:

• Provide a step-by-step explanation of the methodology or approach you will use to implement your proposal.
• Include a timeline or schedule that outlines the key milestones, tasks, and deliverables.
• Clearly describe the resources, personnel, or expertise required for each phase of the project.

7. Evaluation and Success Metrics:

• Explain how you will measure the success or effectiveness of your proposal.
• Identify specific metrics, indicators, or evaluation methods that will be used.
• Describe how you will track progress, gather feedback, and make adjustments as needed.
• Present a detailed budget that outlines the financial resources required for your proposal.
• Include all relevant costs, such as personnel, materials, equipment, and any other expenses.
• Provide a justification for each item in the budget.

9. Conclusion:

•  Summarize the main points of your proposal.
•  Reiterate the benefits and positive outcomes of implementing your proposal.
• Emphasize the value and impact it will have on the organization or community.

10. Appendices:

• Include any additional supporting materials, such as research findings, charts, graphs, or testimonials.
•  Attach any relevant documents that provide further information but are not essential to the main body of the proposal.

Proposal Template

Here’s a basic proposal template that you can use as a starting point for creating your own proposal:

Dear [Recipient’s Name],

I am writing to submit a proposal for [briefly state the purpose of the proposal and its significance]. This proposal outlines a comprehensive solution to address [describe the problem or issue] and presents an actionable plan to achieve the desired objectives.

Thank you for considering this proposal. I believe that implementing this solution will significantly contribute to [organization’s or community’s goals]. I am available to discuss the proposal in more detail at your convenience. Please feel free to contact me at [your email address or phone number].

Yours sincerely,

Note: This template is a starting point and should be customized to meet the specific requirements and guidelines provided by the organization or institution to which you are submitting the proposal.

Proposal Sample

Here’s a sample proposal to give you an idea of how it could be structured and written:

Subject : Proposal for Implementation of Environmental Education Program

I am pleased to submit this proposal for your consideration, outlining a comprehensive plan for the implementation of an Environmental Education Program. This program aims to address the critical need for environmental awareness and education among the community, with the objective of fostering a sense of responsibility and sustainability.

Executive Summary: Our proposed Environmental Education Program is designed to provide engaging and interactive educational opportunities for individuals of all ages. By combining classroom learning, hands-on activities, and community engagement, we aim to create a long-lasting impact on environmental conservation practices and attitudes.

Introduction: The state of our environment is facing significant challenges, including climate change, habitat loss, and pollution. It is essential to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills to understand these issues and take action. This proposal seeks to bridge the gap in environmental education and inspire a sense of environmental stewardship among the community.

Problem Statement: The lack of environmental education programs has resulted in limited awareness and understanding of environmental issues. As a result, individuals are less likely to adopt sustainable practices or actively contribute to conservation efforts. Our program aims to address this gap and empower individuals to become environmentally conscious and responsible citizens.

Proposed Solution or Project Description: Our Environmental Education Program will comprise a range of activities, including workshops, field trips, and community initiatives. We will collaborate with local schools, community centers, and environmental organizations to ensure broad participation and maximum impact. By incorporating interactive learning experiences, such as nature walks, recycling drives, and eco-craft sessions, we aim to make environmental education engaging and enjoyable.

Methodology: Our program will be structured into modules that cover key environmental themes, such as biodiversity, climate change, waste management, and sustainable living. Each module will include a mix of classroom sessions, hands-on activities, and practical field experiences. We will also leverage technology, such as educational apps and online resources, to enhance learning outcomes.

Evaluation and Success Metrics: We will employ a combination of quantitative and qualitative measures to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. Pre- and post-assessments will gauge knowledge gain, while surveys and feedback forms will assess participant satisfaction and behavior change. We will also track the number of community engagement activities and the adoption of sustainable practices as indicators of success.

Budget: Please find attached a detailed budget breakdown for the implementation of the Environmental Education Program. The budget covers personnel costs, materials and supplies, transportation, and outreach expenses. We have ensured cost-effectiveness while maintaining the quality and impact of the program.

Conclusion: By implementing this Environmental Education Program, we have the opportunity to make a significant difference in our community’s environmental consciousness and practices. We are confident that this program will foster a generation of individuals who are passionate about protecting our environment and taking sustainable actions. We look forward to discussing the proposal further and working together to make a positive impact.

Thank you for your time and consideration. Should you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me at [your email address or phone number].

About the author

Muhammad Hassan

Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer

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How to Write a Proposal in 10 Easy Steps [Templates Included]

You’re tasked with writing a proposal, and a lot is at stake.

Now is not the time to guess. What should you write? How can you appeal to the client’s deepest desires? How do you satisfy client expectations for your specific industry?

Now is the time to follow a proven process. We’ve analyzed millions of proposals sent with our software to see which tips and tricks actually have an impact on closing rates.

We’re covering all that and more.

Keep reading for our step-by-step guide that shows you exactly how to write a proposal simply by customizing the sections in one of our proposal templates . The right template will show you exactly what to include while helping you save hours on design and formatting.

What’s in this guide:

What is a proposal?

How to write a proposal in 10 easy steps, industry-specific proposal writing guidelines, 3 proposal templates, next steps: write your own proposal.

A proposal is a document that outlines a project or service to clarify the details and get agreement from all parties involved. Proposals typically include the overall service approach, important timelines, and key deliverables.

For best results, use proposal software instead of a PDF. This way, you’ll get important features for sales like e-signatures, brand and content control, and full visibility into the client’s viewing activity.

The 9 Important parts of a proposal

There are many different ways to structure a proposal . Through our research of successful proposals , we’ve found that the winning documents usually include these key sections:

Executive Summary

Deliverables

Terms and Conditions

Case Studies (or Social Proof)

Each proposal might name these key sections differently, or put them in a different order.

No matter the sections you choose, make sure you include a table of contents. If you use Proposify , the table of contents is automatically shown on the left-hand side, so clients can easily click around to review different sections again. As you might imagine, the pricing section is often viewed a few times before a decision is made.

Proposals vs reports

While a proposal is used to pitch a new project or service (either to a client or internally to your boss), a report is designed to share details on a project that’s already taken place. Use reports to audit business operations or share the success of a marketing campaign.

Follow along with our step-by-step process, as we use our advertising proposal template . While the content of the examples is specific to advertising, this template can easily be adjusted to fit any industry or project type.

Step 1. Discover the needs and requirements

You can’t write a great proposal without a great pitch.

Take the time to understand what your client needs, what their goals are, what they’re concerned about, and what results they care about most.

If you’re pitching a project internally, be sure to talk with different stakeholders and members of your team.

Tips for discovery:

During discovery sessions , ask the appropriate questions to find out if the client is worth your time. Do they fit your ideal client profile? Are they ready to implement your solution? Set criteria to determine if this prospect is ready to even receive a proposal for you. And make sure to update your criteria over time as you learn more about your ideal client.

Proactively discover and handle objections . Ask the client about any concerns, hesitations, or times they’ve been burned by service providers before. This way, you know exactly what points to cover in your proposal.

Get verbal agreement from the client on your pitch and approach before putting it in writing with a proposal.

Step 2. Create the cover page

Kick off your proposal writing with a compelling cover page (also known as the title page). The visuals and style take center stage here—it’s your first impression after all. As for the text, you just need a proposal title and key details such as your company’s name, the client’s name, the date, and your contact information.

Our proposal example features a bright, bold design and all of the details you need. There’s no “one way” to do this right, as long as you’re following your brand guidelines.

Tips for creating cover pages:

Give your project a results-driven title that will immediately put the entire pitch and investment into perspective.

Make sure to choose a proposal template that matches the style of your brand, as it will be easy to change the colors and text later.

Step 3. Write the cover letter

Now it’s time to write your cover letter. This is one of the most challenging proposal sections to write because it really sets the tone for the rest of your pitch.

The cover letter (also known as the executive summary) should do more than just provide an overview. This section must be persuasive enough to convince your client to read the rest of the proposal.

Appeal to their desires, hit their key pain points, and get them excited about the transformation you can provide. Make sure you’re crafting compelling, relevant messaging specifically for each individual buyer.

Tips for writing cover letters:

Make sure the copy is on brand. That might mean funny and irreverent or serious and formal.

Put the focus on the outcome of the service, whether that’s customer acquisition, improved facility safety, or a memorable event.

Step 4. Create a company bio

Before you move on to the project approach and pricing, it’s smart to tell the potential client a bit about your company.

This section could include basic information such as your founding date and the niche you focus on, as well as small business bragging rights, such as awards, average results, or audience reach.

If this is an internal pitch, you can write about your team instead of the entire company.

In our example proposal, there’s one page for a company bio and one page for company statistics that matter to the potential client.

Tips for writing company bios:

Even though this section is about you, find ways to make it about your prospective client. Include the company details that show that you can get them the results they’re looking for.

Get creative. Instead of just a wall of text, can you use icons or statistics to show who you are?

Make sure to save this section as a template to re-use it for future proposals. You don’t have to modify this for each client, but you might want to create slightly different company bios for different services (if you offer very different services).

Step 5. Add social proof

We recommend that you include social proof immediately after your company bio section. This way, you use the words of your previous clients to back up the nice things you just said about yourself.

Social proof can be testimonials, mini case studies, reviews, and star rating averages.

If you’re doing creative or construction work, you might also want to include a couple of portfolio samples.

Tips for using social proof:

Match the testimonial or review to the pitch. Have a bank of testimonials to choose from so you can always pick the most relevant ones.

Be concise. You may want to trim or edit long testimonials so each one is under 50 words. Otherwise, prospective clients might not read them.

Continue to proactively collect social proof. Ask happy clients to write a testimonial or review you online

Step 6. Outline the core approach

Now it’s time to sell your services. Create an approach section to showcase what you want you plan to offer the client.

There are so many different ways to write this section, as it really depends on what you’re pitching. You might break the work down into categories with bullet points or descriptions for each category. Or, you might write a few paragraphs describing your proposed solution and why you believe it’s the best fit for the client.

Tips for writing approach sections:

Consider giving this section a unique name, such as The Project Path , Our Plan , or Let’s Get to Work .

Beef it up with additional details. You might include a list of deliverables, a more detailed breakdown of the scope of services, or a timeline illustration with important milestones.

If you don’t have package options and there’s only one price listed, then this section should be very detailed. If there are pricing and service options, then this section will be simpler, and the following section will have the service breakdowns (per package options).

Step 7. Create a pricing table

When writing proposals, make sure to give plenty of time and attention to the pricing section. All of the details and options you provide will help clients better understand what they’re getting.

We recommend naming this section "Your Investment" as it helps remind potential buyers of the investment they’re making in their business.

In our example below, you’ll see 3 package options on the first page of the pricing section. And then, the client can select their package choice on the second page. This will automatically update the total pricing of the proposal.

Tips for proposal pricing:

Use optional pricing when possible, such as packages, project lengths, or add-ons, because these methods are known to positively affect closing rates .

Make sure to clarify the different types of costs, such as hourly costs versus fixed costs for an event management pitch.

Step 8. Write bios for your team members

In Step 4, you created a bio for your company to sell your company’s expertise and prove that you have what it takes to succeed at the service you’re pitching.

Now it’s time to show your client the real humans they’ll be working with if they decide to work with you. Think of this as the “you’re in good hands” section.

Include the faces the client will interact with, making sure to specify your team’s unique talents and what they bring to the table.

Tips for writing team bios:

Only include bios for up to 6 people. You could write bios for the entire company (for a very small business), the executive team, or the people who will handle the account if the proposal is won.

Use this section to show off not only your credentials but your personality. Have fun with it, but as always, stay on brand. A formal proposal might skip the jokes and stick just to the accolades.

Step 9. Add your business contract

This section of the proposal should include the contractual details that will formalize the agreement. This way, you can send the business proposal, and you don’t have to also send a separate contract.

You might have multiple pages of legal clauses or a simple statement of work.

Tips for writing proposal contracts:

If the statement of work isn’t already clarified in the meat of the proposal, make sure to include it here.

Include a clause on refunds, cancellations, and project modifications.

Make sure to have your legal team help you craft the contract section so you know it satisfies your company’s requirements.

Step 10. Sign and send it for signature

And lastly, you need to write your e-signatures page and add an e-signature for yourself and one for your client.

As soon as a client has chosen their pricing options, they can sign the proposal to begin the project.

Tips for adding proposal e-signatures:

Write a message above the signature that helps to seal the deal. Talk about how excited you are to get started and clarify what the immediate next steps will be after the proposal is signed.

Always sign your proposals before you send them! Our research shows that a proposal is more likely to close if you’ve already signed it by the time the client opens it.

Review your proposal analytics to know how to follow up with clients. For example, if a client hasn’t opened the proposal yet, remind them to do so. But if they’ve opened it several times, ask if they have any questions or if they would like to modify the project.

Every industry has its own proposal writing best practices. Here are some tips to consider.

When writing a software proposal, ensure you include ample information on how you will help the client implement and utilize your software. That might look like staff training sessions, custom integrations, a pilot rollout, etc.

Construction

In the construction industry, you will likely receive a request for proposals (RFPs) from large corporations and government agencies. So make sure you check the details of the RFP so that your solicited proposal covers all required information.

You typically need to include a very detailed pricing and timeline breakdown, and you might need to showcase your adherence to state and county requirements , whether for certifications, environmental protections, etc.

Marketing is all about results. You should include a couple of different formats of social proof, such as statistics with client results and testimonials. Marketing also requires a lot of creativity regardless of the channel, so make sure you showcase your company’s creative side with unique proposal headings and imagery.

When you’re writing a proposal for event management, catering, or some other service, you need to keep a couple of things in mind. First, make sure that you source testimonials from event attendees, not just your direct clients. Also, your pricing section should include the fixed costs (such as a venue) and the variable costs (like your team’s hours decorating the event or the venue’s bar tab at the end of the night). For any variable costs, provide an estimate that’s 10% higher that what you actually expect.

Proposify offers dozens of proposal templates to guide your writing and help you win deals. Here are some of our favorites.

1. Construction job proposal template

Ready-made for the construction industry, this template includes previous projects to serve as portfolio pieces, a detailed project summary with items the client is expected to provide, and a project schedule.

2. Accounting proposal template

While this template was created for accounting services , it can be easily modified to fit various consulting services. The top sections include the introduction letter, about us page, project summary with goals and service breakdown, and a detailed pricing estimate.

3. Catering proposal template

With this event catering proposal template , you’ll get a short and sweet introduction page, a longer company bio, a food showcase, event details (great for proactively handling any confusion or mix-ups), a theme moodboard, and a menu sample.

This proposal could be adapted for other types of creative work, such as photography, retail store decorating, or makeup services.

To write an effective proposal, you must start with a solid understanding of the client’s needs. This way, you can put their desired results and transformation front and center. Write a cover letter, project summary, company bio, and pricing table to clarify what the client will receive while also selling your company as the best solutions provider.

You can easily write a proposal using our detailed, beautifully designed proposal templates .

Ready to close deals faster? Start your free trial of Proposify.

Dayana Mayfield is a B2B SaaS copywriter who believes in the power of content marketing and a good smoothie. She lives in Northern California. Connect with her on LinkedIn here: linkedin.com/in/dayanamayfield/

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Home > Business > Business Startup

How To Write a Business Plan

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Starting a business is a wild ride, and a solid business plan can be the key to keeping you on track. A business plan is essentially a roadmap for your business — outlining your goals, strategies, market analysis and financial projections. Not only will it guide your decision-making, a business plan can help you secure funding with a loan or from investors .

Writing a business plan can seem like a huge task, but taking it one step at a time can break the plan down into manageable milestones. Here is our step-by-step guide on how to write a business plan.

Table of contents

• Write your executive summary
• Do your market research homework
• Set your business goals and objectives
• Plan your business strategy
• Describe your product or service
• Crunch the numbers
• Finalize your business plan

By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy .

Step 1: Write your executive summary

Though this will be the first page of your business plan , we recommend you actually write the executive summary last. That’s because an executive summary highlights what’s to come in the business plan but in a more condensed fashion.

An executive summary gives stakeholders who are reading your business plan the key points quickly without having to comb through pages and pages. Be sure to cover each successive point in a concise manner, and include as much data as necessary to support your claims.

You’ll cover other things too, but answer these basic questions in your executive summary:

• Idea: What’s your business concept? What problem does your business solve? What are your business goals?
• Product: What’s your product/service and how is it different?
• Market: Who’s your audience? How will you reach customers?
• Finance: How much will your idea cost? And if you’re seeking funding, how much money do you need? How much do you expect to earn? If you’ve already started, where is your revenue at now?

Step 2: Do your market research homework

The next step in writing a business plan is to conduct market research . This involves gathering information about your target market (or customer persona), your competition, and the industry as a whole. You can use a variety of research methods such as surveys, focus groups, and online research to gather this information. Your method may be formal or more casual, just make sure that you’re getting good data back.

This research will help you to understand the needs of your target market and the potential demand for your product or service—essential aspects of starting and growing a successful business.

Step 3: Set your business goals and objectives

Once you’ve completed your market research, you can begin to define your business goals and objectives. What is the problem you want to solve? What’s your vision for the future? Where do you want to be in a year from now?

Use this step to decide what you want to achieve with your business, both in the short and long term. Try to set SMART goals—specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound benchmarks—that will help you to stay focused and motivated as you build your business.

Step 4: Plan your business strategy

Your business strategy is how you plan to reach your goals and objectives. This includes details on positioning your product or service, marketing and sales strategies, operational plans, and the organizational structure of your small business.

Make sure to include key roles and responsibilities for each team member if you’re in a business entity with multiple people.

Step 5: Describe your product or service

In this section, get into the nitty-gritty of your product or service. Go into depth regarding the features, benefits, target market, and any patents or proprietary tech you have. Make sure to paint a clear picture of what sets your product apart from the competition—and don’t forget to highlight any customer benefits.

Step 6: Crunch the numbers

Financial analysis is an essential part of your business plan. If you’re already in business that includes your profit and loss statement , cash flow statement and balance sheet .

These financial projections will give investors and lenders an understanding of the financial health of your business and the potential return on investment.

You may want to work with a financial professional to ensure your financial projections are realistic and accurate.

Step 7: Finalize your business plan

Once you’ve completed everything, it's time to finalize your business plan. This involves reviewing and editing your plan to ensure that it is clear, concise, and easy to understand.

You should also have someone else review your plan to get a fresh perspective and identify any areas that may need improvement. You could even work with a free SCORE mentor on your business plan or use a SCORE business plan template for more detailed guidance.

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The takeaway

Writing a business plan is an essential process for any forward-thinking entrepreneur or business owner. A business plan requires a lot of up-front research, planning, and attention to detail, but it’s worthwhile. Creating a comprehensive business plan can help you achieve your business goals and secure the funding you need.

Related content

• 5 Best Business Plan Software and Tools in 2023 for Your Small Business
• How to Get a Business License: What You Need to Know
• What Is a Cash Flow Statement?

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Blog Business How to Write a Project Proposal (with Examples & Templates)

How to Write a Project Proposal (with Examples & Templates)

Written by: Jennifer Gaskin Dec 11, 2023

For businesses that rely on clients and partnerships to generate sales and revenue, project proposals are must-haves. A polished, professional project proposal is one of the best ways to present the capabilities your team has and put your goods and services in the best possible light.

But creating a good project proposal is more than just a timeline and a budget. Adding visual flourishes like charts, graphs and other imagery can help elevate a boring proposal to the top of the pile. Learn how you can create a successful project proposal and take a look at several project proposal templates you can fully customize using Venngage.

Click to jump ahead:

• What is a project proposal and how to use it

How to write a project proposal in 9 steps

4 project proposal examples with templates.

• What are the 6 types of project proposals?

What are the contents of a project proposal?

What is a project proposal & how to use it.

A project proposal is a formal document that outlines the details, objectives and scope of a proposed project. The purpose of a project proposal is to describe the parameters of a potential project or initiative.

Depending on the industry and type of project proposal (more on that in a moment), these documents can include things like scope of work, timelines, staffing, budget, capability statement and more.

Companies that receive project proposals from other firms or individuals use these documents to narrow down their options and make an informed decision about the best partner for them. And companies that create project proposals use them to make their pitch for the project.

Here’s an example of a project proposal to propose a new partnership:

It’s important to note that project proposals are not the same as business proposals , though there are some similarities. One of the biggest differences is that business proposals tend to be more general and expansive. Learn more about writing a great business proposal.

Writing a great project proposal can be a challenge. That’s because you need to craft the message specifically for the company or individual you’re sending the proposal to.

But don’t worry if you don’t know where to start, here’s how you write an effective project proposal:

Step 1: Review the RFP (if you have one)

If there is no formal RFP, you’ll still need to start out researching as much as you can about your potential client. That means finding out not only about the problem you’re hoping to solve but the history of the client, their industry, their competitors and more. Getting to know them better will help you understand how to portray yourself or your company in the best light.

Step 2: Create a project proposal outline

Whether you use the sections we listed above in that order, add or remove ones or shift things around, jot down a quick outline of sections to keep in mind as you work.

Step 3: Define the problem and present your solution

Kick things off by clearly nailing down the problem or need your project is tackling. Back it up with some hard evidence and data to show why this issue is a big deal. Break it down for your audience, explaining how your project is going to make their lives better.

Step 4: Highlight elements that may set your proposal apart

For example, if you know that your company will be able to complete the task more quickly than any competitors, make that the focus of your solution or scope of work section. Compare your proposed timeline with what your competitors are likely to propose to the client.

You should also make notes of any elements that you might be able to visualize through a graph, chart or other design element — visuals can help not only make your project proposal easier on the eyes, but they can make it more memorable and illustrate to the client that you are able to think creatively.

Here’s an example of how it can look in your project proposal:

Step 5: Define project deliverables and goals

A rock-solid project hinges on clarity, and that starts with laying out precisely what your project will deliver. Whether it’s reports, shiny new products, or top-notch services, make it crystal clear from the get-go.

Next, set the bar with measurable goals and objectives that scream success. Break them down so everyone’s on the same page. And because time is money, map out a timeline that’s not just a bunch of dates but a roadmap with key pit stops.

These milestones and deadlines are the heartbeat of your project, guiding you through each phase and making sure you hit the finish line with style. It’s all about setting the stage for success and making sure everyone’s got their eyes on the prize.

Step 6: State your plan or approach

Now, we’ve made it to the meat of your project proposal. In this section, walk your readers through the nitty-gritty of your project management approach.

Break down the essentials when it comes to resources—think people, equipment, and budget. And, while you’re at it, clue them in on your game plan for handling potential challenges through your risk management strategy. Additionally, consider your approach to project management, for example  agile project management  prioritizes flexibility and adaptability in order to effectively respond to changes and deliver successful outcomes.

Step 7: Outline your project schedule and budget

Crafting a successful project hinges on meticulous planning, starting with the creation of a detailed project schedule.

Break down the project into specific tasks and assign realistic timelines to each one. This step-by-step schedule, like a roadmap, not only helps in visualizing the project’s progression but also aids in resource allocation and risk management.

Simultaneously, developing a comprehensive budget is paramount. Dive deep into identifying and estimating all project costs, including personnel, materials equipment, and any potential contingencies. The budget acts as the financial backbone, ensuring that resources are allocated judiciously.

But here’s the deal – keep it real. Your schedule and budget need to be doable, considering the real-world factors at play. It’s all about laying the groundwork for success and keeping everyone in the loop from start to finish.

Step 8: Write the executive summary

The executive summary serves as the project’s sneak peek, condensing the entire proposal into a punchy snapshot. This opening act isn’t just a formality; it’s your chance to grab the reader’s attention from the get-go.

Picture it like the movie trailer – it needs to be compelling, leaving the audience eager for the full feature. In this compact summary, shine a spotlight on the critical elements of your proposal.

Outline the problem you’re tackling, showcase your ingenious solution, spell out the perks and benefits and throw in a quick glance at the budget for good measure. It’s your project’s elevator pitch, setting the stage for what’s to come and making sure your audience is hooked right from the first line.

Step 9: Proofread and edit

Before sending your proposal out into the world, give it a thorough once-over. Take the time to meticulously proofread every nook and cranny, hunting down grammar slip-ups, punctuation quirks and sneaky spelling errors.

A second perspective can catch things you might have overlooked. And let’s talk presentation – ensure your proposal isn’t just a content champ but looks the part too. Format it like a pro, making sure it’s visually appealing and easy on the eyes.

After all, a polished proposal not only communicates your ideas effectively but also leaves a lasting impression. Browse Venngage’s selection of project proposal templates to get a head start today!

Additional tips:

Avoid overly salesy language.

It can be tempting, particularly if you’re sending unsolicited project proposals, to use some of the same language in your proposal as you might in an ad, but you should keep such wording to a minimum.

Let the proposal speak for itself; if you or your firm truly are the best one for the job, it should be evident in your proposal. Being straightforward can also signal to the hiring party that you don’t want to waste their time with flowery language. It’s better to deal in facts rather than opinions for project proposals.

Establish a single point of contact

Some project proposals will include lists or even short bios of your staff members who will be involved in the project. But it’s a good idea to ensure that your project proposal makes it clear whom the client should contact to move the project forward or submit any questions. Include this person’s information at the beginning and the end of your document.

Write with one voice

While it’s common for large RFPs to be completed by many people on the team, ensure that whoever is responsible for bringing it all together has a chance to make the document feel cohesive. It should read as if one person put the entire thing together.

Now that we’ve explored some of the background and purpose of project proposals, let’s take a look at some templates you can customize using Venngage for your own project.

Construction project proposal examples

The construction industry is a complex one, and project proposals are critical for landing business and keeping projects on track. But there are many approaches a construction project proposal can take.

Taking the complicated and making it simple is a challenge, particularly in this field, but as this project proposal example shows, it can be done. By using simple, clear language and well-placed visual emphasis, this free project proposal template stands out for its simplicity.

Many hiring companies simply skim project proposals for things like budget and timeframe, and while you still need to craft an engaging proposal, it’s a good idea to put those types of elements front and center, as this construction project proposal does.

Remember that regardless of whether your firm is hired for the job at hand, every document you send to another business is a chance to establish your company’s brand identity. Use a template like the one below, update it with your logo and brand colors and fonts to keep it aligned with your messaging.

As you can see from the example below, a few color changes can make a huge difference:

To easily apply your brand colors and logos, simply have them automatically extracted from your website using Autobrand:

And apply them to your design in one click with My Brand Kit :

Design project proposal examples

You might think it would be a no-brainer for a designer to create a well-designed project proposal, but it’s common for creative people to have difficulty when it comes to analytical thinking. That’s why having a couple of great project proposals in your back pocket is perfect for a designer.

Project proposals in creative fields tend to be a bit less buttoned-up than those in other industries, so use your proposal as an opportunity to make a bold design statement. The template below, for example, uses a striking color palette and minimalist imagery on the cover to make the proposal stand out, and those touches are reinforced throughout the document.

This example, similarly, uses creative color combinations to strike a design-forward tone. But as both of these templates illustrate, the bones of the project proposal must be sound, and all the information required should still be covered.

Work project proposal examples

Not every industry requires a unique approach to project proposals, and, in fact, for most applications, a general work proposal template will suffice, provided that you do your due diligence in following any requirements set forward by the hiring party.

This template created for a consulting firm illustrates a straightforward approach to project proposals that you can easily adapt for your needs. Add or remove pages, insert charts and graphs or new icons and craft a compelling narrative.

This project proposal template is an excellent example of how companies can use established templates to create a unique proposal. Note how they’ve used the sections that apply to them and put them together in a way to appeal to their potential client.

Marketing project proposal examples

Marketers and marketing agencies are regularly asked to submit RFPs, whether for individual projects or long-term engagements, so the average marketing agency will need to have several project proposals on hand that they can modify when new requests come in.

This social media marketing project proposal template is ideal for a single campaign rather than a multi-year engagement. In that situation, it’s crucial to make sure all dates and milestones in the campaign are clearly stated.

Ideally, a marketing agency or marketer will get a chance to pitch for long-term work. In that case, this project proposal template is ideal for outlining all aspects of the project proposal, including a timeline that extends to a full year.

A critical aspect of modern marketing success is doing a great deal of research on keywords, competitors and traffic, and many marketers include such metrics in their project proposals, along the lines of this example. Note how high-impact charts and graphs are used to help the audience absorb the data and make an informed decision. There are various marketing proposal examples that you can look at to inspire your next proposal design and help catch the attention of your clients.

Visit Proposally.ai for more project proposal examples .

What are the 6 types of project proposal s?

Because every project is unique, there are many types of project proposals, but these are the most common ones:

Solicited through RFP

RFP stands for Request for Proposal (they may also be called Request for Quotation, or RFQ).

These types of project proposals typically come with the most stringent requirements and obligations. The hiring company will usually list out the elements that must be included in the RFP as well as any limitations or conditions that apply.

From the vendor’s standpoint, being asked to submit an RFP is generally a good sign because it means that your firm (or yourself, if you’re an individual) has made it through the initial round of research by the hiring party.

I nformally solicited

Informally solicited project proposals are similar to RFPs or formally solicited proposals in that they may have just as many requirements, but because they’re outside of the formal RFP process, the requirements often aren’t stated up front. That could mean the vendor needs to do more research and ask more questions of the hiring party, or it could mean there actually aren’t as many requirements.

Another benefit of submitting an informally solicited project proposal is that the absence of a formal process likely means the vendor will be up against less competition.

Unsolicited

Also called spec (speculative) proposals, unsolicited project proposals come from the vendor’s side rather than the hiring party.

These proposals are particularly difficult because the hiring party, well, may not be hiring at all. With a spec or unsolicited project proposal, the vendor believes there’s a need for their services and must not only convince the hiring party that the need exists, but that the vendor is the best one to fill that need.

Pre-proposals

Pre-proposals can be considered mini versions of RFPs. They are often sought by a hiring party that wants to avoid a lengthy proposal process — or simply doesn’t want to read a long pitch. These types of proposals are brief, usually a few pages at most, and depending on the results, the hiring party may make an offer or make a full RFP request.

Non-competing/continuation proposals

Continuation proposals are common in multi-year projects or ones in which both parties may have agreed to certain conditions governing how the project proceeds.

With a continuation proposal, the goal isn’t to pitch your services but rather to keep the client up to date on the project, inform them of any metrics they need to know or that may be part of the scope of work and get their formal approval to continue with the project.

Competing/renewal proposals

Renewal proposals are similar to continuation proposals, but instead of being created in the middle of a project, a renewal project proposal is generated once a project or contract has ended. They’re also called competing proposals because the vendor will need to make their case as to why the project or contract should be renewed .

It may be wise to approach these types of proposals as you might an unsolicited one, but the benefit to the vendor is that (if the project has been a success), they will have past results with that specific client to showcase in their new proposal.

The content of project proposals will vary depending on the industry and the type of proposal. For example, while solicited, unsolicited and pre-proposals will typically include a budget that is negotiable, a continuation proposal’s budget has likely already been set. That said, here are the typical contents of a project proposal:

• Summary : An executive summary or project background is typically the first section of a project proposal. Most vendors use this as an opportunity to thank the hiring company for the opportunity, as well as summarizing what the client is about to see through the remainder of the proposal.

This template shows a complete executive summary for a product launch, which can be longer than a typical executive brief or project background in your proposal — something to keep in mind:

• Objective : An explanation of what needs to be done or what problem can be solved if the hiring party accepts the proposal.

• Solution : An explanation of what the vendor would do to solve the problem or how they would approach completing the needed task.

• Scope of work : A detailed description of what exactly would be done, when and how much it would cost. This section may also need to include legal information, though in most cases, contracts are separate from project proposals.

Here’s an example of how you can write down the scope of work for your proposed project:

Call to action : The final section of your project proposal (assuming there are no appendices) should let the hiring party know what to do next. Include a place for them to sign the document to show their acceptance, as well as contact information in case they have further questions. To make the proposal legally binding, you can send it to your client via a free eSignature software such as Papersign  and collect their signature in a compliant manner.

• Appendix : Appendices in project proposals could include information that didn’t fit within the client’s requirements or that helps to further explain information in the main part of the document. This section is optional.

Project proposal FAQs

What is the difference between project proposals and project charters.

The difference between both is that project proposals serve to present a project’s goals and approach for approval. On the contrary, project charters officially authorize the project, defining roles, responsibilities and initial objectives.

What is the difference between project proposals and business cases?

Project proposals focus on securing approval by presenting a project idea and its feasibility. On the other hand, a business case provides a more comprehensive analysis, including financial aspects and long-term strategic impact, aiding stakeholders in making informed decisions.

What is the difference between project proposals and project plans?

Project proposals aim to gain approval by detailing the project’s purpose and scope, whereas project plans are comprehensive documents specifying tasks, timelines and resources necessary for successful project execution.

Highlight your products effectively with Venngage’s professional project proposal templates

Letting a potential customer know what you’re capable of is a critical tool in many fields, and project proposals can highlight your company in a way few other documents can.

Start with one of these templates or create your project proposal from scratch. Whether your company has just gotten an RFP or you want to land that big fish in your industry, Venngage makes it simple to create an effective project proposal without becoming overwhelmed. It’s free to get started.

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How to Write a Business Project Proposal that Gets Approved

Updated on: 5 January 2023

Writing a business project proposal definitely takes time and careful consideration, but it will pay off when you have managed to impress your investors. 

Your project getting approved or funded may depend on how effective your project proposal is, so investing that extra effort into perfecting it is essential. 

There are steps that you can follow to make sure that your business proposal makes a great impact on your company’s decision-makers , and in this post, we will walk you through them, explaining how to write a project proposal step-by-step. Also provided are templates that you can use to write a winning project proposal.   

What is a Project Proposal 

Let’s start with the basics. 

What is a project proposal? It’s a document that lists down all aspects of a project ; its background, vision, goals, tasks, requirements, owners, associated risks, etc. So it basically explains what your project is, what you want to achieve with it, and how you plan to execute it. 

It’s one of the many crucial parts of the planning phase of the project. It lays out each and every step of the project, allowing everyone to understand what is required of them, their priorities, and the common goal they are supposed to work towards. 

The purpose of the project proposal is to communicate the value of your project to all stakeholders; clients, employers, investors, and convince them of the value of the project.

Benefits of a well-structured project proposal 

• Clarifies the expectations of the project – project requirements and the action plan
• Helps increase the viability of the project 
• Offers a large overview of the project allowing you to identify issues easily 
• Simplifies project implementation  

Different types of project proposals include

• Formally solicited – a proposal that is made in response to an official Request for Proposal (RFP). The RFP document usually outlines the stakeholder requirements and even sometimes spells out the instructions to prepare the proposal. 
• Informally solicited – this type of proposal does not require an RFP, which means there is no official document outlining the demands of the customer or the stakeholder, therefore doesn’t consist of the specific details a formal one usually has.  
• Unsolicited – this type of proposal is thought of by the person creating them and not expected or requested by anyone, yet they can be of a lot of value to the stakeholder .  
• Continuation – this basically requires you to update an ongoing or already approved proposal or remind the stakeholders of it. You are required to check-in with the stakeholders and discuss progress. 
• Renewal – this is written in support of renewing a project that has been terminated or outlived its usefulness. 
• Supplemental – when you need more resources than what was originally allocated to a project, you can write a supplemental project proposal . Its purpose is to justify the need for extra resources and re-estimate the project scope and timeline.  

How to Write a Project Proposal

Once you have identified the type of project proposal that suits your requirement, you can start writing your business project proposal. 

Before you actually begin to write down the project proposal, there are a few preliminary steps that you need to take. These are: 

• Identify who your stakeholders are. While you should aim to win the attention and interest of your stakeholders with your proposal, the best way to do that is to think like them. Understand who they are, what they already know of, and what they prefer in terms of your idea. Based on who they are, you can alter the information you include, and the language you use. 
• Gather information about the problem the project is aiming to solve, especially in terms of how it’s affecting your stakeholders and their interests.
• Conduct research into the current state of the issue and the potential solutions that have already been discovered by those who are outside of your company or by your own team. This will help you adjust your own solution to generate a more solid argument or determine whether it’s worth pursuing (especially if the solutions found by others have already been tested and failed). 
• Determine the impact of the project on your company’s success or how it will benefit your stakeholders. Layout the success metrics for the proposal and showcase the results, and if you find any risks involved, don’t be afraid to bring them to light as well; in any case, knowing them will allow you to alter your action plan to withstand them. 
• Specify a timeline and the resources needed to complete the project. Check if the teams, equipment, and material needed to carry out the project tasks are available and the objectives can be achieved in a timely manner. Take into account the other projects your team will be working on, the equipment or material that’s currently unavailable, and any extra costs on resources you will have to bear in order to carry out the proposed project. 
• Create an outline of your project proposal based on the information you have gathered. Write down the core elements; more or less the basic elements should include an introduction, problem, solution, the action plan, timeline and resources, and a conclusion.

Completing the initial steps above provides you a good head start to writing your business project proposal. Your next step is to organize your research into a coherent document – an actual proposal. Here’s how to write a proposal for a project from scratch; 

1. Write the executive summary

The executive summary offers a quick overview of the proposal that is to follow. It’s not only the first thing the reader will see, but sometimes it’s the only thing a stakeholder will read before making a decision about the proposed idea. Therefore, the executive summary should make sense to someone who hasn’t read it; for this purpose, it should consist of a synopsis of all the sections in the document. 

• An analysis of the problem 
• The conclusions you have arrived at 
• The recommended action plan   

Aim to keep the summary intriguing and convincing; make use of notable statistics in the first two sentences to pique the interest of the reader. 

2. Define the problem 

Give a brief description of the problem your project aims to solve. 

Referring to the research you have done earlier, you can explain the current situation of the problem in terms of what’s being done about it both within and outside of your organization, and why your stakeholders should be concerned about it.

While you need to be straightforward with your explanation, remember to use the language and concepts your stakeholders resonate with the most. 

03. Introduce your solution 

Now that the stakeholders know what the problem is, it’s time to explain how your project or your solution comes into play. This section is usually the most detailed out part of the project proposal, and to retain the attention of your reader, you can play around with the use of visuals.  

This section should explain your solution along with how you plan to execute it. It should reinforce the fact that your decision is backed by proper and thorough research. Clarify,

• The project approach ; how the team will be put together, the tools and equipment that will be used, and how you will be handling the changes during execution. 

• Project schedule ; list the project tasks along with time estimations for each of them. The task breakdown will enable you to allocate your team properly, and you can use a Gantt chart in this section to clearly outline the resources, tasks, and timeline. 

• Project deliverables ; deliverables are the outcomes of a completed project (i.e. product, service or a detailed report). Mention your project deliverables along with delivery dates. Use a work breakdown structure here to help the stakeholders get a clearer picture.    

As required you can also include additional information such as the anticipated risks and steps you would take to overcome them, a communications plan , and milestones to help track progress.  

In order to make this section more reader-friendly, you can present all this information using an action plan . 

04. Outline the project costs

This section focuses on the estimated cost of the proposed project. It should include an itemized budget for the project. 

The purpose of this section is to help the investors get an idea as to whether the project costs can fit into their own budgets, therefore make sure that the calculations are as accurate as possible.

05. Conclude your proposal 

Provide a brief review of all the key points discussed throughout the proposal. As this is the last section, it’s also the last chance you have to convince your stakeholders; therefore reinforce your solution and why your stakeholders should care about it while ensuring that your proposed method is in the best interest of the organization.

06. Add an appendix 

This section is reserved for the reference documents, charts , graphs, etc. that were referred to when writing the project proposal.  

07. Revise and refine 

In order to substantiate your professionalism and win over your stakeholders, you must present an error-free project proposal. 

Proofread your proposal to check for any spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. Often a fresh pair of eyes helps detect mistakes easily; either get a colleague to review the document or wait 1-2 days and review it anew yourself. 

Project Proposal Templates 

A detailed, well-structured project proposal will help you stay focused and stay on track by offering you the necessary instructions throughout the project, which is certainly better than picking things out from your memory or conversations you had with your team during that meeting a few weeks back. 

To make it easy for everyone, you can have a standard project proposal template that they can refer to when documenting their project idea. 

Following are a few project proposal templates that you can share with the team.

One Page Business Project Proposal

You can edit this template online and share the link with your team or the stakeholders online so they can collaborate on it too. Connect with them via Creately in-app video conferencing and walk them through each section of the proposal. Alternatively, using in-line commenting, they can also leave their feedback on the proposal.

Project Proposal Template

What’s Your Process for Writing a Business Project Proposal? 

Creating a project proposal can sometimes be a mini project in itself.  Using a proper process checklist or a standard template can help you accelerate things. Before writing your project proposal, follow the preliminary steps mentioned above first. Keep your target stakeholders in mind and make a compelling case for your proposal. 

Want to share your thoughts on how to write a proposal for a project ? Let us know in the comments section below. 

Join over thousands of organizations that use Creately to brainstorm, plan, analyze, and execute their projects successfully.

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How to Write a Proposal [ Steps & Examples]

Presenting your proposal to a stakeholder is a crucial opportunity to gain the confidence and support needed to begin realizing your academic dream. Your project proposal is the key to making this happen, so it's essential to ensure it is both professional and persuasive. This will increase your chances of getting the support you need. In this guide, I will show you how to write a compelling proposal, enabling you to successfully achieve your goals.

When do we Need Proposal and its Structure

Understanding when to write a proposal and how to structure it effectively is crucial for success in many professional and academic contexts. Let's explore the scenarios that call for proposals and break down their typical structure.

When Do We Need Proposals?

Proposals are essential documents in various situations where you need to present an idea, plan, or solution to decision-makers or potential collaborators. Here are some common scenarios where proposals are necessary:

Business Projects:

When pitching a new product or service to potential clients

When seeking approval for an internal project from management

When responding to a Request for Proposal (RFP) from a potential client

Funding Requests:

When applying for grants from government agencies or private foundations

When seeking investment from venture capitalists or angel investors

When requesting an increased budget for a department or project

Academic and Research Contexts:

When proposing a research project or study

When applying for research funding or scholarships

When suggesting changes to academic curricula or programs

Community and Non-Profit Initiatives:

When proposing a community development project

When seeking partnerships with other organizations

When requesting support or resources from local government

Policy Changes:

When suggesting new policies or amendments to existing ones in an organization

When proposing legislative changes to government bodies

Event Planning:

When pitching an idea for a conference or large-scale event

When proposing a new company-wide initiative or program

Consulting Services:

When offering solutions to a client's specific problem

When proposing a long-term consulting arrangement

In essence, any situation where you need to persuade others to support your idea, provide resources, or take a specific action may call for a well-crafted proposal.

Typical Structure of a Proposal

When crafting a proposal, understanding the function and importance of each structural element is crucial. Let's break down the most critical components:

1. Executive Summary: The executive summary is arguably the most crucial part of your proposal. It's often the first (and sometimes only) section that decision-makers read thoroughly.

2. Introduction (Problem Statement): The introduction sets the stage for your proposal by clearly defining the problem or need you're addressing.

3. Proposed Solution / Project Description: This section is the heart of your proposal. It's where you present your ideas and plans in detail.

4. Qualifications: In this section, you establish why you or your team are the right choice for this project.

5. Timeline: A clear timeline is crucial for setting expectations and demonstrating your planning abilities.

6. Budget: The budget section is critical, especially for proposals seeking funding.

7. Expected Outcomes / Benefits: This section ties everything together by clearly stating what will be achieved.

Remember, this structure is flexible and can be adapted to suit your specific needs and the expectations of your audience. Some proposals might combine or omit certain sections, while others might require additional components.

Types of proposals

Understanding the different types of project proposals can help you create your document to best fit your audience and objectives. Here are six common types of project proposals with examples to illustrate each one:

1.Solicited Proposals

A solicited proposal is submitted in response to a Request for Proposal (RFP), where a project opportunity is announced, and you’re asked to submit a bid. For example, the city government issues an RFP seeking innovative solutions for sustainable urban development. Your proposal on the topic "Green Infrastructure Development for Urban Sustainability" will need to include thorough research on sustainable practices, detailed design plans, a well-thought-out budget, and a clear demonstration of your team’s expertise. The goal is to stand out among other competitors and convince the city that your plan is the best choice.

2.Unsolicited Proposals

An unsolicited proposal is when you propose a project idea without any prior request. For example, you notice a growing need for a new educational app that can enhance remote learning, and you pitch this idea to a tech company. Your proposal on the topic "Innovative Educational App for Remote Learning Enhancement" must be particularly compelling, showcasing the app’s unique features, explaining its market potential, and demonstrating how it aligns with the tech company’s goals. Persuading them to invest in your idea will require a strong, persuasive argument.

3.Informal Proposals

An informal proposal is submitted when a client shows interest in your services but hasn’t issued a formal RFP. For example, a potential client inquires about your web design services. Your proposal on the topic "Revamping XYZ Company's Online Presence with Modern Web Design" should be tailored to the client’s needs. Include examples of past work, timelines, and cost estimates to highlight your expertise and the benefits of your services. The aim is to convince the client that your approach will effectively enhance their online presence.

4.Renewal Proposals

A renewal proposal is used when you want to extend an existing contract with a client. For example, your marketing firm’s contract with a client is about to expire, and you wish to renew it. Your proposal on the topic "Extending Digital Marketing Services for Continued Growth" emphasizes the successes achieved during the current contract period, such as increased web traffic and lead generation. It also outlines future plans to demonstrate ongoing value, persuading the client that renewing the contract will continue to benefit their business.

5.Continuation Proposals

A continuation proposal is needed to update stakeholders on the progress of an ongoing project. For example, your research project on climate change impacts is progressing, and you need to inform the funding organization. Your proposal on the topic "Progress Update on Climate Change Impact Research" provides a detailed update on completed milestones, current activities, and upcoming steps. It keeps stakeholders informed and engaged by showing how the project is advancing towards its goals, without needing to persuade them of its value again.

6.Supplemental Proposals

A supplemental proposal is used when you need additional resources for an ongoing project. For example, halfway through developing a new AI product, you realize you need more funding. Your proposal on the topic "Request for Additional Resources for Advanced AI Product Development" explains the progress made so far, identifies why additional resources are necessary (such as encountering unforeseen technical challenges), and persuasively argues for the extra investment. The objective is to ensure stakeholders understand the need for more support to successfully complete the project.

How to Write a Proposal in 7 Steps [Higher Efficiency & Better Results]

Learning how to write a proposal for a project or research paper is a vital skill that can open doors to new opportunities, secure funding, or attract clients. However, many students find themselves overwhelmed and confused after browsing various online tutorials and guides. To address this, I’ve created a straightforward guide that outlines how to write a proposal step by step, with examples to ensure that your next proposal achieves the desired results.

1. Introduce Yourself and Define the Problem

The first step in writing a stellar proposal is to set the stage with a strong introduction. This is your chance to make a lasting first impression, so make it count!

Begin by clearly stating who you are and why you're uniquely qualified to address the issue at hand. Provide relevant background information about yourself or your organization that establishes credibility.

For example:

Next, delve into defining the problem. Paint a vivid picture of the issue you're addressing, using data and real-world examples to illustrate its significance. This helps your reader understand the urgency and importance of finding a solution. For instance:

By clearly defining the problem, you're setting the stage for your proposed solution and demonstrating your thorough understanding of the situation.

2. State Your Purpose and Present Your Solution

With the problem clearly defined, it's time to articulate the purpose of your proposal and present your solution. This is where you transition from the problem to the possibility of positive change.

Start by explicitly stating the purpose of your proposal. Are you seeking funding? Approval for a new project? Or perhaps you're offering services to solve a specific issue? Be clear and direct.

Now, it's time to shine the spotlight on your solution. Present it with confidence, highlighting how it directly addresses the problem you've outlined. Be sure to:

Explain your solution in clear, jargon-free language

Highlight the key features and benefits

Demonstrate how it solves the problem more effectively than existing solutions

For instance:

Always strive to make this part as clear as possible, and ensure your solution is both innovative and feasible. It’s crucial to balance ambition with practicality to maintain credibility. If you need help improving your writing, use the WPS AI 'Improve Writing' feature. This will enable you to present your purpose and solution most effectively, helping your readers understand the proposal better.

3. Define Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables

With your solution presented, it's crucial to outline clear goals, objectives, and deliverables. This step transforms your idea from a concept into an actionable plan, giving your proposal structure and measurability.

Start by defining your overarching goals. These are the big-picture outcomes you aim to achieve.

Next, break down these goals into specific, measurable objectives. These should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For instance:

"Decrease average commute times by 30% within six months of system implementation."

"Reduce traffic-related carbon emissions by 25% within the first year."

"Improve emergency vehicle response times by 40% within three months of launch."

Finally, outline the concrete deliverables of your project. These are the tangible outcomes or products that you'll provide. Be specific about what will be delivered, when, and in what form.

By clearly defining your goals, objectives, and deliverables, you provide a roadmap for success and offer decision-makers concrete metrics to evaluate your proposal's potential impact. To enhance the impact of your objectives, consider presenting them in a bullet list or table format . While this may require some effort in formatting, you can streamline the process by using the WPS AI 'Change Layout' feature to quickly adjust the layout.

4. Highlight What Sets You Apart

In a sea of proposals, it's crucial to make yours stand out. This step is all about showcasing your unique qualifications, innovative approaches, or any other factors that make your proposal the best choice.

Start by identifying your unique selling points (USPs). These could be:

Specialized expertise or experience

Innovative technology or methodologies

Proven track record of success in similar projects

Strong partnerships or collaborations

Cost-effectiveness or efficiency of your approach

Don't be afraid to draw comparisons with alternative solutions, highlighting why yours is superior. However, maintain a professional tone and avoid disparaging competitors. Instead, focus on the strengths of your approach:

Remember to back up your claims with evidence whenever possible. This might include data from previous projects, testimonials from satisfied clients, endorsements from industry experts, or findings from research projects. For assistance in quickly gathering such evidence, consider asking the WPS AI chatbot for help.

5. Outline Your Plan, Schedule, and Budget

Now that you've convinced your reader why your proposal is the best choice, it's time to get down to the nitty-gritty details of how you'll make it happen. This step is all about demonstrating that you have a well-thought-out plan for implementation.

Start by outlining your plan of action. Break down the project into clear phases or steps, explaining what will be done in each.

Next, present a detailed project schedule. A Gantt chart or timeline can be an effective visual aid here. Be sure to include key milestones and deadlines. To make it professional, consider using Gantt chart templates available on WPS. These professionally designed templates can save you time, and you can edit and format them directly in WPS Spreadsheet to personalize them as needed.

Finally, provide a comprehensive budget breakdown. Be transparent about costs and how funds will be allocated.

Explain how this budget offers value for money, perhaps by comparing it to the potential savings or benefits the project will bring:

By providing a clear plan, schedule, and budget, you're demonstrating that you've thought through all aspects of the project and are ready to hit the ground running.

6. Tie It All Together and Finish with a Call to Action

As we approach the conclusion of your proposal, it's time to bring all the elements together and leave a lasting impression. This step is about reinforcing the key points of your proposal and compelling your reader to take action.

Start by summarizing the main points of your proposal. Remind the reader of:

The problem you're addressing and its significance

Your innovative solution and how it solves the problem

Your unique qualifications and what sets you apart

The clear goals, objectives, and deliverables you've outlined

Your well-structured plan, timeline, and budget

Next, reinforce the benefits of your solution. Paint a picture of the positive outcomes that will result from implementing your proposal. This helps the reader envision the future you're proposing:

Finally, end with a clear and compelling call to action. Be specific about what you want the reader to do next. This could be scheduling a meeting, approving the proposal, or taking the next step in the decision-making process. Make it easy for them to say yes:

By tying everything together and providing a clear next step, you're making it as easy as possible for the decision-maker to move forward with your proposal. But don’t get carried away; make sure you’re not just talking for the sake of it. Keep it concise and to the point—if it’s too long, the reader might not read it thoroughly. To avoid such situations, try using WPS AI’s 'Make Shorter' feature to condense your content a bit.

7. Close the Proposal and Provide Contact Details

The final step in crafting your proposal is to close it professionally and ensure that you're easily reachable for any follow-up questions or discussions. This step, while often overlooked, is crucial in maintaining the professional tone of your proposal and facilitating further communication.

Start with a brief closing paragraph that expresses your enthusiasm for the project and your appreciation for the reader's time and consideration.

Next, provide your full contact details. This should include:

You might also consider including your availability for follow-up discussions:

If there are any supporting documents or appendices that accompany your proposal, mention them here and explain how to access them:

Finally, end with a courteous and forward-looking statement:

By closing your proposal professionally and providing comprehensive contact information, you're ensuring that the lines of communication remain open. You're making it easy for the decision-maker to reach out, ask questions, and take the next steps toward bringing your proposal to life.

Before sending out your proposal, make sure to use the WPS AI spell check to ensure your proposal is error-free. You don’t want a perfectly structured proposal with a great idea to be communicated with any grammatical errors, as it leaves a bad impression.

Here are some examples of proposal formats to help illustrate how well-structured proposals can look:

1.Research Proposal

2.Project Proposal

3.Business Proposal

Bonus Tips: How to Perfect your Proposal- using WPS AI

Your proposal should convey the message in the clearest way possible, avoiding unnecessary tangents and ensuring your message is simple yet persuasive. This approach helps prevent your proposal from coming across as immature or impulsive. WPS Office ensures your project proposal is well-written, allowing you to clearly state your objectives while leaving the rest to its robust features.

WPS Office can assist you with various proposal-related tasks, including:

Outline Your Proposal:

WPS Office helps you create a structured outline for your proposal, ensuring all key components are covered. This includes sections for the executive summary, project background, proposed solution, deliverables, required resources, and conclusion. A clear outline guides your writing, making sure you don't miss any important points and that your proposal flows logically.

Summarize Key Points:

WPS Office assists in summarizing the key points of your proposal effectively. With its AI capabilities, it can highlight the most important aspects of your project, ensuring that the summary is concise and compelling. This feature helps in capturing the essence of your proposal in a way that grabs the attention of stakeholders and makes them want to read more.

Grammar and Style Check:

To ensure your proposal is professional and polished, WPS Office offers comprehensive grammar and style checks. It corrects grammatical errors, suggests better word choices, and enhances the overall readability of your document. This ensures that your proposal is free of mistakes and written in a clear, professional tone.

Formatting Assistance:

Proper formatting is crucial for making your proposal look professional and easy to read. WPS Office provides formatting assistance, helping you with the layout, font styles, headings, bullet points, and other formatting elements. This ensures your proposal is visually appealing and organized in a way that highlights the most important information.

FAQs about Writing a Proposal

1. why are proposals important.

Proposals are crucial as they provide a clear presentation of an idea and outline your needs in writing, aiding supervisors in making informed decisions. They enable you to make a structured, logical argument, reflecting your commitment and careful consideration. A well-prepared proposal demonstrates that your idea is well thought out rather than a spontaneous suggestion. To maximize its impact, ensure that you thoroughly review and refine the proposal before submission.

2. What is a project proposal?

A project proposal is a comprehensive document that outlines the details of a project. It explains the project's purpose, importance, implementation plan, and estimated costs. It also specifies the team involved and how success will be measured. This proposal is designed to convince stakeholders, including managers, investors, or potential partners, of the project's worth and to obtain the resources needed for its successful implementation.

3. How long should a proposal be?

The length of a proposal depends on how detailed the project is and what the recipient requires. It can be as short as a few pages for straightforward proposals or as long as numerous pages, such as 20, for more in-depth plans.

Create a Persuasive Proposal With WPS Office

When writing a proposal, remember to be confident in what you present because your display of confidence is crucial in impacting your success in getting approval. Research thoroughly and gather all the necessary support to strengthen your proposal. As you build your confidence, don't forget to utilize WPS Office while figuring out how to write a proposal because there is no better tool to help you write your proposal better. Download WPS Office now and create a phenomenal proposal that will astound your audience.

• 1. How to Write a Hook- Steps With Examples
• 2. Professional Proposal Presentation Examples
• 3. How to Write an Argumentative Essay- Steps with Examples
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• 5. How to Write a Call to Action - Steps with Examples
• 6. Free examples of PPT template for research proposal

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Short Business Proposal

Proposal maker.

Writing a short business proposal is a critical step in any business venture. It’s impossible to develop marketing plans without having them approved by the entity in authority first. So to ensure that your business proposal is in tip-top shape, you must have the necessary writing skills , structured content, and clear message in place.

• Secrets of Good Business Writing
• Short Proposal Examples & Samples

5 Reasons Why You Need to Improve Your Writing Skills

Though social networking has become a common channel for communication, we can’t limit ourselves to internet slang, abbreviations, and sloppily-written status updates that make us appear illiterate to working professionals. If you want to succeed in the world of business, then you must enhance your writing skills for the better. You may also see  business proposal examples & samples .

Before we discuss a few techniques to help improve your proposal writing skills, let’s go through a couple of reasons why investing your time and resources to strengthen your skills in writing is important:

1. To Boost Authority.  In the corporate world, respect is something you need to earn. Being respected as a human being is one thing, but being respected as a working professional is a whole other story that every hardworking individual would love to obtain. It’s about leaving an authoritative impression by paying close attention to the tone, style, and form of the message you are writing. It may seem a little inappropriate to judge a person’s capabilities by their writing skill, but it’s a known fact that one’s writing skill is a major factor to consider in the corporate world. You may also like service proposal examples

2. To Express Creativity.  This is especially applicable when it comes to advertising. How are you supposed to convince investors to do business with you if you fail to persuade them through writing, let alone attract prospects without a compelling catchphrase or slogan? Creative writing is an essential part of the craft — be it a college essay or a company tagline .

3. To Make Your Ideas Sound More Convincing.  There are times when a piece of advertising material can sound a bit too forced, mostly due to how some marketers try a bit too hard to persuade customers to buy a given item. If you want to persuade prospects more effectively, then try convincing them through the clever use of words. Persuasive writing is easy to do with the right skills in hand. You’d be surprised how well a good piece of writing can change a person’s perspective entirely. Though some people possess this natural business tone in writing, there are others that still need to master the art with the help of a little practice.

4. To Connect with an Audience.  It’s hard to connect with your readers if you’re having trouble sending a clear message in the first place. Whether you’re an average employee or an ordinary consumer, proper communication is key. You must be able to create the right documents, emails, and messages for your colleagues or recipients to understand you. Otherwise, your credibility could be questioned due to the way you write. You may also check out research proposal examples & samples

5. To Ensure Clarity in Communication.  If your writing causes any form of misunderstandings, this can cause serious damage to you and your team. Not only can this slow down a given process, but this may also affect your proposed project as a whole. For instance, a group of students writing a thesis proposal is bound to encounter problems if chapters of the document aren’t written clearly enough for panel members to understand. You’ll end up risking your student’s goals in the process.

How to Write a Winning Short Business Proposal

1. plan before you write.

Even if you are starting your business proposal with a draft, planning is still an important step to carry out. You must be able to organize your thoughts accordingly before you put anything on paper. Creating an informal outline would be acceptable as long as you state every major point that needs to be emphasized on the final document. You also need to construct a plan on how these ideas must be carried out on paper to make it easier for your audience to comprehend.

2. Understand Your Audience

Your readers play a major factor in selecting the tone and style of your business proposal. Since your audience would likely be composed of business executives and shareholders, then you must maintain a professional tone all throughout your paper. This would include the words used along with the manner in which sentences are constructed. Refrain from using technical or complex words that may confuse them, and stick to layman’s terms that may be understood by the majority. If there is a need to use unfamiliar words, then it would be best to expound its definition accordingly. You may also see simple proposal formats

3. Focus on Content and Style

Writing a short business proposal isn’t an excuse to sound dull and robotic. You need to allow your personality to shine through with every word you write. This is what can help make your piece of writing sound unique and distinguishable from the rest. Once you see your ideas turn into actual content, you’ll soon realize the sheer difference between mediocre writing and superb writing. You may also like policy proposal examples & samples

4. Follow a Proper Format

It’s not enough to send the right message to your audience, as structuring proper sentences, paragraphs, and transitional phrases and sentences must also be of top priority. The overall structure of your content should follow a given business format that is considered acceptable in the said field. From the margins to the page borders, breaks to the line numbers, every single aspect of your proposal must be attended to.

5. Avoid Plagiarism

The golden rule in writing is to never plagiarize another author’s work. Taking excerpts from your references must be dealt with accordingly using quotations and the like. You need to credit the said sources to avoid any conflicts in content ownership. If something you have written sounds familiar or oddly similar to something you have heard before, then look it up before finalizing your document. Messy copyright issues are bound to land you in hot waters with other authors and publishers. You may also check out project proposal examples

Truth is, writing isn’t every person’s forte, even if you’re a professional writing a business document. We all have our fair share of misused words and grammatical inaccuracies that we often oversee in writing. The good news is that these errors may be prevented with a couple of practice sessions and reviews. All it takes is dedication, commitment, and patience to effectively improve your formal writing skills.

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

Generate a proposal for a new school recycling program

Compose a proposal for a school field trip to a science museum.

FactChecking Vice President Kamala Harris

By Eugene Kiely

Posted on July 23, 2024 | Clarification on July 25, 2024

In about 48 hours, Vice President Kamala Harris went from No. 2 on the Democratic presidential ticket to the presumptive presidential nominee, after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race and endorsed her. Here, we fact-check some of Harris’ recent speeches — before and after Biden dropped out:

• Harris repeated the claim that former President Donald Trump “intends to cut Social Security and Medicare,” even though he did not attempt to cut either retirement program when he was president, and he has said that he will not cut them in a second term.
• She referred to Project 2025 — a conservative plan for deeply cutting and overhauling the federal government — as Trump’s “extreme Project 2025 agenda.” Trump has disavowed the project, which he described as “seriously extreme.”
• The vice president repeated one of her favorite talking points when she claimed “Donald Trump openly vowed, if reelected, that he will be a dictator on Day 1.” He said he was joking when he said he wouldn’t be a dictator “except for Day 1.”
• Harris left the misleading impression that Trump was to blame for the loss of “tens of thousands” of manufacturing jobs. The U.S. added more than 400,000 manufacturing jobs under Trump — until the economic effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic reversed all those job gains.

A former U.S. senator from California who unsuccessfully ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, Harris seemingly overnight became the Democratic Party’s last chance to stop Trump from regaining the White House.

Biden, who never recovered from a disastrous debate performance in late June, announced on July 21 that he would not seek reelection, saying it was in the “best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President.” Shortly after, Biden gave Harris his “full support and endorsement” for president.

The party quickly coalesced around Harris, who announced at a campaign event in Milwaukee on July 23: “I’m told as of this morning that we have earned the support of enough delegates to secure the Democratic nomination.”

Harris needs 1,968 delegates to win the nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month, and the Associated Press reported that she has the support of more than 3,000 delegates.

Project 2025, Social Security and Medicare

Since Biden dropped out and endorsed her, Harris has delivered two speeches and both times she referred to Project 2025 — a conservative plan for remaking the federal government — as Trump’s plan, even though the former president has disavowed it.

And in both speeches, she cited Project 2025 as evidence that Trump wants to cut Social Security and Medicare, even though the former president has offered no plans to do so.

Harris, Wilmington, Delaware , July 22: He and his extreme Project 2025 will weaken the middle class and bring us backward — please do note that — back to the failed trickle-down policies that gave huge tax breaks to billionaires and big corporations and made working families pay the cost; back to policies that put Social Security and Medicare on the chopping block; back to policies that treat health care as only a privilege for the wealthy, instead of what we all know it should be, which is a right for every American. Harris, Milwaukee , July 23: But Donald Trump wants to take our country backward. He and his extreme Project 2025 agenda will weaken the middle class. Like, we know we got to take this seriously. And can you believe they put that thing in writing? Read it. It’s 900 pages. But here’s the thing. When you read it, you will see Donald Trump intends to cut Social Security and Medicare.

As we have said before , Trump says he has no plans to cut Social Security or Medicare.

In his four years as president, Trump did not propose cutting Social Security’s retirement benefits, and his budgets included bipartisan proposals to reduce the growth of Medicare without cutting benefits. (For more, see our February 2020 article “ Competing Claims on Trump’s Budget and Seniors ,” which details how Trump as president proposed cuts to the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs, but not to retirement benefits.)

After leaving office, Trump has pledged not to cut Social Security, most recently on July 20 in his first joint campaign appearance with his running mate, Sen. JD Vance of Ohio. “We will not cut one penny from Social Security and Medicare,” Trump said in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

In January 2023, when House Republicans were discussing ways to cut government spending, Trump  said  in a video: “Under no circumstances should Republicans vote to cut a single penny from Medicare or Social Security to help pay for Joe Biden’s reckless spending spree.”

As for Project 2025, Trump described it at his Michigan rally as “seriously extreme.” He added, “I don’t know anything about it. I don’t want to know anything about it.”

Project 2025 lays out “four goals and principles” for Medicare “reform,” but there is nothing in the 900-plus page document that calls for cutting Social Security, which the authors of the project call a “ myth .”

Harris and the Democrats link the project and its agenda to Trump because, as CNN has reported , there are more than 100 people involved in the project who have worked in the Trump administration. Prominent figures such as Mark Meadows , who was Trump’s chief of staff, and Stephen Miller , a top aide who was involved in setting major immigration policy, are associated with conservative groups that advised the project.

Project 2025, which mentions Trump hundreds of times, includes concepts that Trump supports, including — as Harris alluded to — cutting business taxes and rewriting the nation’s health care laws. But it also proposes things that Trump did not do when he was president, such as setting just two individual tax brackets of 15% and 30% (down from seven) and eliminating or transforming entire government agencies.

There is no telling what parts of Project 2025 Trump would implement, if elected. But Project 2025 is not his “agenda” or “plan,” as Harris said.

Trump’s Dictator Remarks

In recent speeches this month, including in Philadelphia on July 13 , Harris repeated a popular talking point that “Donald Trump openly vowed, if reelected, that he will be a dictator on Day 1.”

Harris was referring to a comment that Trump made at a Fox News town hall in December. At the event, Sean Hannity gave Trump the chance to respond to critics who warned that Trump would be a dictator if elected to a second term. “Under no circumstances, you are promising America tonight, you would never abuse power as retribution against anybody,” Hannity said . Trump responded, “Except for Day 1.”

Trump went on to say, “We’re closing the border. And we’re drilling, drilling, drilling. After that, I’m not a dictator.”

Trump later claimed he was joking with Hannity. In a Feb. 4 interview with Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo, Trump said: “It was with Sean Hannity, and we were having fun, and I said, ‘I’m going to be a dictator,’ because he asked me, ‘Are you really going to be a dictator?’ I said, ‘Absolutely, I’m going to be a dictator for one day.’ I didn’t say from Day 1.”

Trump repeated his intention to close the border and drill for oil. “That’s all. And then after that, I’m not going to be a dictator,” Trump told Bartiromo, claiming his “dictator” comment was “said in jest.”

Manufacturing Jobs

In a July 18 speech in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Harris left the misleading impression that Trump was to blame for the loss of “tens of thousands” of manufacturing jobs.

“So, Donald Trump tries to claim he brought back American manufacturing,” Harris said. “The fact is, under Donald Trump, America lost tens of thousands of manufacturing jobs.”

The fact is, those jobs were lost during the global COVID-19 pandemic. As of February 2020, the U.S. had added 414,000 manufacturing jobs under Trump, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But then the economic effects of the pandemic took hold. In April 2020 alone, the U.S. lost 1.3 million manufacturing jobs.

Most of those jobs came back. But at the end of Trump’s four years, the U.S. had lost 178,000 manufacturing jobs since January 2017, when he took office.

Under Biden, the rest of the manufacturing jobs returned and then some. Since January 2021, the U.S. has added  762,000 manufacturing jobs .

Clarification, July 25: We have updated this story to clarify that while Trump did not propose cuts to Social Security’s retirement benefits as president, he did propose cutting the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs.

Editor’s note: FactCheck.org does not accept advertising. We rely on grants and individual donations from people like you. Please consider a donation. Credit card donations may be made through  our “Donate” page . If you prefer to give by check, send to: FactCheck.org, Annenberg Public Policy Center, 202 S. 36th St., Philadelphia, PA 19104. 

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Budget 2024 highlights: New employment-linked incentives for employees; ₹1.48 lakh crore allocation for education, employment, skill

The budget for education scheme for madrasas and minorities has gone down from ₹10 crore to ₹2 crore; standard deduction for salaried taxpayers hiked to ₹75,000 from ₹50,000.

Updated - July 23, 2024 09:10 pm IST

Published - July 23, 2024 07:26 am IST

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressing the post-Budget press conference at National Media Center. | Photo Credit: Sushil Kumar Verma

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her seventh straight Budget on July 23 for the fiscal 2024-25, surpassing the record of former Prime Minister Morarji Desai. This the first Budget by the BJP-led NDA government since it was re-elected in June. Read the Budget highlights here.

What are the most significant announcements?

Presenting the Budget, Ms. Sitharaman said the standard deduction for salaried employees will be hiked to ₹75,000, from ₹50,000 under the new income tax regime in FY25. The Union Budget 2024-25 identified nine priorities for generating ample opportunities — Productivity and Resilience in Agriculture, Employment and Skilling, Inclusive Human Resource Development and Social Justice, Manufacturing and Service, Urban Development, Energy Security, Infrastructure, Innovation, Research and Development and Next Generation Reforms.

Also read | Budget 2024: Mobile phones, gold and silver jewellery to get cheaper

India-funded projects in the neighbourhood received the bulk of the allocation for the Ministry of External Affairs under the Union Budget. Nepal secured an allocation of ₹700 crore, which is a jump of ₹150 crore from previous year’s allocation of ₹550 crore. Sri Lanka, which has a number of India-funded projects, has received ₹245 crore, an improvement of ₹95 crore over last year’s funding of ₹150 crore. 

Also read | Budget in Focus: The Hindu’s series on pre-Budget expectations

Benchmark Sensex and Nifty settled marginally lower in volatile trade on July 23 as the government proposed to hike securities transaction tax on futures & options in the Budget for 2024-25. Recovering most of its intra-day losses of over 1,200 points, the 30-share BSE Sensex settled lower by 73.04 points or 0.09% 80,429.04.

Key Updates

• Budget 2024: Understanding the allocation for Southern States
• Defence budget pegged at ₹6.21 lakh crore for 2024-25
• In charts: Key takeaways from Union Budget 2024-25
• Budget 2024 highlights
• Catch the latest political and industry reactions on Union Budget 2024-25
• Union Budget 2024-25: What is cheaper, what is costlier?
• Stock markets give a thumbs down to Budget
• Revisions in new tax regime
• What does the Union Budget say on personal Income Tax?

Allocation for Space projects - Union Budget 2024-25

A Flourish data visualization by Graphics Team 2

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman allocated about ₹ 1.50 lakh crore to the agriculture sector. Almost all major schemes for farmers see an increase in allocation compared to previous budgets.

However, the fertilisers subsidy is down by about ₹1 lakh crore when compared to the actual expenditure in 2022-23. To address the price rise, the Finance Ministry has also provided ₹10,000 crore to the price stabilisation fund. In the last budget, the allocation was just ₹10 lakh.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget speech has for the first time signalled that polluting industries, such as iron, steel, and aluminium will have to conform to emission targets.

“A roadmap for moving the ‘hard to abate’ industries from ‘energy efficiency’ targets to ‘emission targets’ will be formulated. Appropriate regulations for transition of these industries from the current ‘Perform, Achieve, and Trade’ mode to ‘Indian Carbon Market’ mode will be put in place,” Ms. Sitharaman said in her address.

For deepening tax base the Finance Minister has proposed to increase Securities Transaction Tax on Futures and Options contracts to 0.2% and 0.1%, respectively. This was expected to curb volatility in the market for which everyone including SEBI was concerned. 

Also now income received on buyback of shares will be taxed in the hands of the recipient. As per the budget proposals now unlisted bonds and debentures, debt mutual funds and market-linked debentures will attract tax on capital gains irrespective of holding period.

Budget 2024: Allocation for MGNREGS scheme lower than last year’s actual expenditure, despite BJP’s poll losses in rural India

Union Budget 2024: Despite BJP’s significant losses in rural seats, Budget did not contain any shift for the rural jobs scheme - Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act scheme (MGNREGS).

Union Budget 2024 - Rupee goes to

To address the housing needs of urban poor and middle class families, the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced an investment of ₹10 lakh crore under the PM Awas Yojana-Urban 2.0, including the Central assistance of ₹2.2 lakh crore in the next five years.

While tabling the Union Budget 2024-25, the Finance Minister said that under the PM Awas Yojana Urban 2.0, housing needs of 1 crore urban poor and middle-class families will be addressed with an investment of ₹10 lakh crore. This will include the Central assistance of ₹2.2 lakh crore in the next five years.

The Department of Space received an 18% hike over its expenses in 2023-2024 in the 2024-2025 Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday. The bulk of the hike goes towards the development of space technologies. The allocation increased marginally for space applications, decreased for space sciences, and almost halved for INSAT satellite systems over the budgeted amount in 2023-2024. 

Since successfully concluding the Chandrayaan-3 mission in August 2023, the future road map of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has expanded to include a new ‘next generation’ launch vehicle, more ambitious missions to the moon, and an Indian space station. ISRO is also working on its ambitious human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan. 

The Union government has continued its emphasis on tackling non-communicable diseases, and allocating funds for research in the healthcare sector, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on July 23 announcing customs duty exemptions on three cancer treatment drugs — Trastuzumab Deruxtecan, Osimertinib, and Durvalumab.

“To provide relief to cancer patients, I propose to fully exempt three more medicines from customs duties. I also propose changes in the BCD (basic customs duty) on X-ray tubes and flat panel detectors for use in medical X-ray machines under the phased manufacturing programme,” the Finance Minister said.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed legislative support to provide financing for leasing aircraft and ships in India in a bid to protect airlines from foreign exchange risks.

“We will seek the required legislative approval for providing an efficient and flexible mode for financing leasing of aircrafts and ships,” the Minister said in her Budget speech on July 23. She said legislative backing for “pooled funds of private equity through a variable company structure” would also be explored. 

Union Budget 2024-25: Major expenditures

Railways has been allocated ₹2.62 lakh crore in the Budget 2024-25, which Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw has termed as ‘historic’ and highest ever allocation.

Mr. Vaishnaw said that even as the Kavach roll out has been low (merely 2.14% of the entire railway network), after the approvals for Kavach 4.0 work on deployment of Kavach will be rapid. He also focused on creation of up to 40,000 new railway jobs.

“Recruitments are in progress, railways focus will be on new projects, connectivity with Kashmir and capitals of Northeastern States,” Mr. Vaishnaw said.

The Budget for Ministry of Minority Affairs saw a menial hike of 2.7% but the coaching and allied schemes for minorities was slashed from the allocated ₹30 crore to ₹10 crore this year.

The interest subsidy on educational loans for overseas education for minorities was also reduced. The budget for education scheme for Madrasas and Minorities has gone down from ₹10 crore to ₹2 crore in the budget of 2024-25.

The government has proposed the allocation of ₹1.28 lakh crore for telecom projects and public sector firms under the Telecom Ministry with a majority of funds earmarked for State-owned BSNL.

Of the total proposed allocation, over ₹1 lakh crore is meant for BSNL and MTNL-related expenses, including ₹82,916 crore infusion in BSNL for technology upgradation and restructuring at BSNL.

“The total net allocation for this demand in BE (Budget Estimate) 2024-25 is ₹1,28,915.43 crore (₹1,11,915.43 crore plus ₹17,000 crore). The additional provision of ₹17,000 crore is met from the balances available under Universal Service Obligation Fund and will be utilised for schemes viz., Compensation to Telecom Service Providers, Bharatnet and Research and Development,” the Budget document said.

Kerala’s much-anticipated and decades-long dream of having an All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)-like institution on its soil was dashed yet again when the proposal found no mention in the Union Budget 2024-25 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on July 23.

Unlike in the previous years, the anticipation this year that the project might finally come through was intense, particularly because of the presence of two Union Ministers of State from Kerala at the Centre, one of whom is the BJP’s first-ever elected MP from the State.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on July 23 dubbed the Union Budget 2024-25 as “politically biased and anti-poor” and slammed the Centre for “depriving” the State. The Chief Minister wondered what wrong West Bengal committed that it had been “deprived” by the Centre.

“Bengal has been completely deprived in this Union budget. This doesn’t look into the interest of the poor. The Budget is politically biased. This is directionless and has no vision. It is only to serve a political mission,” she told reporters on the State Assembly premises.

Khelo India, which is the government’s flagship project to promote sports at the grassroots level, was once again the biggest beneficiary in the union budget for the sports ministry as it was assigned ₹900 crore from the overall allocation of ₹3,442.32 crore on July 23.

Khelo India’s share, announced in the budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi, is ₹20 crore more than the revised allocation of ₹880 crore during the previous financial year.

Read details here

The Budget 2024-24 on July 23 allocated ₹1,309.46 crore for census, a significant reduction from 2021-22 when ₹3,768 crore was allocated for the decadal exercise, an indication that it may not be carried out even after a significant delay.

A meeting of the Union cabinet on December 24, 2019 had approved the proposal for conducting census of India 2021 at a cost of ₹8,754.23 crore and updating the National Population Register (NPR) at a cost of ₹3,941.35 crore.

Read the full story here

Budget 2024-25: Taxes

Union Budget 2024-25: Here is a collection of all stories from The Hindu relating to the changes in direct taxes and custom duties.

On Rahul Gandhi’s allegation that that generosity shown towards States like Bihar and Andhra Pradesh is a way to save ‘ kursi ’, FM Nirmala Sitharaman said that the INDIA alliance members couldn’t cross 230 votes but BJP alone reached 240 votes, and with the pre-election alliance, could form the government for the third term. 

“PM Modi is leading free India for the third time. Something that has not happened in the last 60 years has happened now. Party’s that are talking about saving his ‘ kursi ’ should maybe think. Their alliance of almost 37 party’s could not make even 230 (seats) and they are saying that he is doing it to save his ‘ kursi ’. When Mr. Modi became PM for the third time and has been ‘announcing’ to the world about India, putting us at the forefront of the world, helping in development. This time in the Budget, we have allotted ₹1.50 lakh crore for States without any interest for the next 50 years for free. Finance commission did not mention this at all, but we are,” she said.

On TMC’s allegation that the Union Budget reflects the political bankruptcy of Modi Government, FM Sitharaman said if the name of the State is not mentioned in the Budget it doesn’t mean they don’t get anything at all. “As per the proposals, schemes, different projects in different States, every State will get what they have proposed for,” she said.

In a social media post, TMC dismissed the term ‘Union Budget 2024’, renaming it as the ‘Andhra-Bihar Budget’. TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee told reporters in New Delhi that “the net result is zero because Bengal has been constantly tortured and deprived.” “You have seen how Bengal has been consistently deprived by this BJP Government. Has there been a positive outcome of 12 BJP MPs elected from Bengal?,” Ms. Banerjee said outside the Parliament complex.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said the “special help” announced in the Union Budget addressed the State’s concerns, which had previously led to demands for special category status.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman skipped any mention of MNREGA, which is one of the biggest rural employment schemes. The allocated budget once again, falls short of the actual expenditure on the scheme in the last financial year. In 2024-25 FY, government has allocated ₹86,000 crore, while in 2023-24, the expenditure including the pending dues to the States, as per the Rural Development Ministry’s website was ₹1.2 lakh crore.

In a first, Home Ministry sets aside a budget of ₹56 crore to establish Bharatiya Bhasha Anubhag for development of a platform to facilitate the translation of various languages into Hindi and vice-versa. Around ₹88 crore allocated for holistic development of Islands in Union Territories. ₹700 crore has been set aside for the first time for Modernisation of Forensic Capacity, which is a crucial element of the newly implemented criminal laws. The budget for rehabilitation and Relief for migrants, which includes Sri Lankan refugees and Tibetans has been slashed. SPG which only protects the Prime Minister has seen an increase of ₹73 crore in budget allocation.

Over ₹200 crore have been earmarked for expenditure on “examination and selection” of the civil servants by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in the 2024-25 Budget announced.

The Commission conducts the civil services examination annually in three stages -- preliminary, main and interview -- to select officers of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS), among others.

The UPSC has been given ₹425.71 crore for the ongoing fiscal in the Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

The 2024-25 Union Budget has allocated ₹1,248.91 for expenses incurred by the Council of Ministers, the Cabinet Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office, and for hospitality and entertainment of State guests.

The allocated amount is substantially lower than the ₹1,803.01 crore earmarked in 2023-24. A total of ₹828.36 crore has been given for the expenses of the Council of Ministers. It was ₹1,289.28 crore in 2023-24.

The allocation for defence in the Union Budget was ₹6.2 lakh crore for 2024-25, the same as the allocation in the interim budget presented in February and is just a marginal increase from last year. “The capital outlay of ₹1,72,000 crore will further strengthen the capabilities of armed forces. Earmarking of ₹1,05,518.43 crore for domestic capital procurement will provide further impetus to Atmanibharta ,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on social media.

Benchmark Sensex and Nifty settled marginally lower in volatile trade as the government proposed to hike securities transaction tax on futures & options in the Budget for 2024-25.

Recovering most of its intra-day losses of over 1,200 points, the 30-share BSE Sensex settled lower by 73.04 points or 0.09% 80,429.04.

The index gyrated between highs and lows during the day as Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced Budget proposals for 2024-25.

The barometer tanked 1,277.76 points or 1.58% to hit a low of 79,224.32 as the Minister announced a hike in STT on F&O trade and an increase in long-term capital gains tax on equities. However, tax exemptions and customs duty cuts helped boost consumer durables and FMCG shares, aiding stocks to recover from the day’s lows.

When asked whether the Budget has specified anything about Railways, Dr. T.V. Somanathan said, “The expenditure budget for railways for the coming year is ₹2,55,393 crore, which is the highest ever and is a very substantial increase in recent years.”

After Union Finance Nirmala Sitharaman proposed new tax structures for charities, foreign shipping companies, rationalisation of capital gains, she said the tax has been brought down because the govt wants more investments. She also reduced corporate tax on foreign companies from 40 to 35%.

After FM Sitharaman announced the review of the Income Tax Act, she said the govt is working towards a simpler taxing regime and she can’t say right now if the old tax regime will be removed. “Working towards the goal of a simpler taxing regime, we came up with the new tax regime. We need to review about the sunset of the old tax regime and come to a decision,” she said.

FM Sitharaman clarified that ₹15,000 crore for Andhra Pradesh is coming through the multi-lateral development assistance which we borrow from the multi-lateral banks. She added that further assistance will also be extended, however, there is no definitive amount.

The angel tax was introduced under the UPA Government in 2012, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said. “Money laundering issue was being tackled through a tax measure... there is also PMLA act which will tackle the issue,” Revenue secretary Sanjay Malhotra said stressing that angel tax is not required to keep money laundering in check.

India’s tax net will have to be widened, whether it is direct taxation or indirect. There are also now PSU divisions which have been improving because the valuations have gone up and their performance has also substantially increased, the Finance Minister said addressing the press conference. 

She added that revenue mobilisation is not just tax-based, non-tax revenue mobilisations are also coming up. She stressed on asset monetisation -- optimum utilisation of those assets which are lying in the form of unutilised stadiums or lands with PSUs which can be used for better purposes. She added that govt is also looking at generating resources from newer areas and as a result, the revenue forgone will be made up for.

Budget 2024 key takeaways in charts

Union Budget 2024: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her seventh consecutive Union Budget for FY 2024-25. Here are some key takeaways

In her seventh budget presentation , Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced allocating ₹11,11,111 crore towards capital expenditure. This would account for 3.4% of the GDP. Enumerating it as among the policy prerogatives towards investment in infrastructure by central government, she told the house that the significant investments made in previous years have triggered a multiplier effect. 

Read the article here

For every rupee in the government coffer, the biggest pie of 63 paise will come from direct and indirect taxes, according to the Union Budget 2024-25 documents. The remaining 27 paise will come from borrowings and other liabilities, 9 paise from non-tax revenue like disinvestment, and 1 paise from non-debt capital receipts, the Budget documents said. In all, 36 paise will come from direct taxes, including corporate and individual income tax. Income tax will yield 19 paise, while corporate tax will account for 17 paise, it said. 

Among indirect taxes, goods and services tax (GST) will contribute the maximum 18 paise in every rupee of revenue. Besides, the government is looking to earn 5 paise out of every rupee from excise duty and 4 paise from customs levy. The collection from “borrowings and other liabilities” will be 27 paise per rupee, as per the Union Budget 2024-25 presented in Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The Budget documents provide a fractional break-up for ₹1 that comes in and gets spent. 

On the expenditure side, the outlay for interest payments and States’ share of taxes and duties, respectively, stood at 19 paise and 21 paise for every rupee. Allocation for defence stands at 8 paise per rupee. Expenditure on central sector schemes will be 16 paise out of every rupee, while the allocation for centrally-sponsored schemes is 8 paise. The expenditure on ‘Finance Commission and other transfers’ is pegged at 9 paise. Subsidies and pension will account for 6 paise and 4 paise, respectively. The government will spend 9 paise out of every rupee on ‘other expenditures’. 

Staffs carry the Budget copies after they arrive at the Parliament House for the Union Budget 2024-25 during the Monsoon Session, in New Delhi on July 23, 2024.

Shares of telecom infrastructure companies on July 23 declined more than 4% after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government will increase the basic customs duty on specified telecom equipment from 10% to 15%.

On the BSE, shares of HFCL tumbled 4.60% to ₹112.10 apiece, Vodafone Idea plunged 4.15% to ₹15.23, Tejas Networks slumped 2.69% to ₹1,278.95, and ITI declined 2.58% to ₹295.10.

The scrip of Bharti Airtel fell 1.50% to trade at ₹1,442.70 per piece, ADC India Communications slipped 2.14% to ₹1,771.95, and Tata Communications dipped 0.97% to trade at ₹1,768.95 on the bourse.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reacts during the presentation of Union Budget 2024-25 by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Lok Sabha on July 23, 2024.

In the last 10 years, the NDA Government has ensured that the poor and the middle class continue to get tax relief. In this Budget also, a big decision has been taken to reduce income tax and increase standard deduction. TDS rules have also been simplified. These steps will result in additional savings for every taxpayer, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.

This Budget will give a new scale to education and skill. This is a Budget that will give new strength to the middle class. It has come up with strong plans to empower the tribal society, Dalits and backward classes. It will help in ensuring the economic participation of women, Mr. Modi said.

This Budget will provide a new path of progress for small traders and MSMES. There is a lot of focus on manufacturing and infrastructure in the Budget. This will give new impetus to economic development, the Prime Minister said.

This Budget puts emphasis on manufacturing as well as infrastructure; will speed up growth, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2024-25 in the Lok Sabha on July 23. He cited Budget’s stress on youth and said its measures will open many new opportunities for youngsters.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on July 23 announced to fully exempt 25 critical minerals from custom duties, and reduce basic custom duties (BCD) on two of them. “This will provide a major fillip to the processing and refining of such minerals and help secure their availability for these strategic and important sectors,” Ms. Sitharaman said.

Union Budget 2024 highlights: From income tax changes to focus on employment, here are some key takeaways

Union Budget 2024 Highlights: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announces Budget 2024 focusing on employment, skilling, MSMEs, and women-led development with various initiatives.

Simplifying the tax regime for corporate industries, Union Finance Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday, proposed new tax structures for charities, foreign shipping companies, rationalisation of capital gains in her 2024 Budget speech . She also reduced corporate tax on foreign companies from 40 to 35%. Ms. Sitharaman’s speech lasted just shy of ninety minutes

“58% of corporate tax came from the simplified tax regime in 2022-23 and more than 2/3rd of taxpayers have used the new personal tax regime last year,” announced Ms. Sitharaman.

Budget 2024 | What measures were announced for women?

We summarise the various schemes announced for girls and women as part of the Union Budget 2024-25

Click here to read all the political and industry reactions

Budget 2024: What is cheaper, what is costlier in FY25

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposes customs duty cuts in 2024 Union Budget to boost domestic manufacturing and exports.

Seeking to attract more funds into the country, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on July 23 said rules for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) will be simplified. Presenting the Union Budget 2024-25 , the Minister said the government will bring out a five-year vision document for meeting financial needs of the economy.

2024 Union Budget: Nirmala Sitharaman says changes will be made to IBC to strengthen tribunals

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announces changes to IBC, strengthening tribunals, and proposing digital infrastructure for productivity and innovation.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed a reduction in basic customs duty on gold and silver to 6% and platinum to 6.4%. In her budget speech in Lok Sabha, she also proposed reduction of basic customs duty on mobile phones, mobile charger to 15%.

The Congress on said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has taken a leaf out of its 2024 Lok Sabha polls manifesto by announcing an internship programme but “in their trademark style”, the scheme has been designed to “grab headlines with arbitrary targets” rather than a programmatic guarantee.

Read Congress’s reaction here

In an episode of Budget Focus series from The Hindu , we discussed the Budget projections for the Indian Railways. However, there is no mention of the Railways in the Union Budget 2024-25.

Tune in to the podcast here

Budget 2024 | Land reform measures to be undertaken consulting States, says Finance Minister in Budget speech

In the Union Budget 2024-25, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced certain measures calculated to improve land and other factors of production

The Finance Minister introduced the Finance Bill in the Lok Sabha. The Budget Session has been adjourned till July 24, 11 a.m.

Stock markets turned highly volatile amid the Union Budget presentation. Sensex tanked 1,266.17 points to 79,235.91 after FM hikes STT on F&O; Nifty tumbles 435.05 points to 24,074.20.

​​ Read the whole story here ​​

In the new tax regime, the tax rate structure is to be revised, the FM announced. For zero to ₹3 lakh - tax rate is zero. For ₹3 lakh to ₹7 lakh - 5%; For ₹7 lakh to ₹10 lakh - 10%; ₹10 lakh to ₹12 lakh - 15%; For ₹12 lakh to ₹15 lakh - 20%; For ₹15 lakh and higher - 30%. With this, a salaried employee stands to save upto ₹17,500 a year in income tax, the FM said.

The government announced the withdrawal of the 2% equalisation levy. Presenting the Budget for 2024-25 in the Lok Sabha, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the standard deduction for salaried employees will be hiked to ₹75,000, from ₹50,000 under new income tax regime in FY25. The government raised the deduction limit to 14% from 10% for employers’ contribution for the National Pension System (NPS). 

For those opting for the new tax regime, the standard deduction for salaried employees to be increased from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000. Similarly, deduction for family pension for pensioners to be enhanced from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000. This will provide relief to about 4 crore salaried and pensioner individuals, the FM said. 

Read in detail here

Other major proposals in the Finance Bill relate to withdrawal of an equalisation levy of 2%, expansion of tax benefits to certain funds and entities in the IFSC, and changes to the Benami Transaction Act enforcement.

Securities Transaction Tax on Futures and Options contracts is to be increased to 0.2% and 0.1%, respectively, the FM said. Income received on buyback of shares to be taxed in the hands of the recipient. Tax deduction on NPS contributions to be raised from 10% of salary to 14% of salary. This will cover government employees as well as private companies in the NPS.

The FM said that capital gains taxation is proposed to be hugely simplified. Short-term gains on some financial assets will now attract 20%, while those on all other assets will continue to attract the current rates. “For benefiting lower and middle income classes, I propose to increase the limit of exemption on some financial instruments for capital gains to ₹1.25 lakh a year. Unlisted bonds and debentures, debt mutual funds and market-linked debentures, will attract tax on capital gains irrespective of holding period,” she said.

The TDS rate on e-commerce operators is to be reduced from 1% to 0.1%. I propose to decriminalise delays in payments of TDS upto their filing due date. Simplification of reassessment and reopening of returns. From now, this can be done after three years only if the income involved is ₹50 lakh or more, with a time limit of six years, the FM said. 

The government announced that it will undertake a comprehensive review of the Income Tax Act to make it easy to read. Presenting the Union Budget for 2024-25, Ms. Sitharaman also said the government will come out with SoP (standard operating procedure) for TDS defaults and simplify and rationalise compounding of such offences.

She added that two tax exemption regimes for charitable trusts will be merged into one. Also, 58% of corporate tax have come from simplified tax regime in FY23. More than two-thirds of individuals availed of the new income tax regime, Ms. Sitharaman said in the Lok Sabha. The FM further announced that DPI apps will be developed for credit, e-commerce, education, health, law, MSME service delivery, and urban governance.

To bolster the Indian startup ecosystem, I propose to abolish the so-called Angel Tax for all classes of investors, the FM announced.

For customs, we reduced the number of customs duty rates in 2022-23. I propose to rationalise them after a review over next six months, the FM said. She announced that to provide relief to cancer patients, three more medicines will be fully exempted from customs duty. I propose changes in the basic customs duty on X-ray tubes and flat panel detectors for domestic X-ray machines’ production.

The net tax receipts are estimated at ₹25.83 lakh crore, and the fiscal deficit is estimated at 4.9% of GDP for this year. The gross and net market borrowings through dated securities are estimated at ₹14.01 lakh crore and the ₹11.63 lakh crore, respectively, lower than last year. The government is committed to stay the course on fiscal consolidation, with deficit at below 4.5% of GDP in 2025-26, and with sustained reductions thereafter, the FM said.

She added that GST has reduced compliance burden and logistics costs for trade and industry and enhanced revenues. To multiply its benefits, we will strive to simplify and rationalise the tax structure and expand it to cover more goods, she said.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Budget speech proposed creation of employment of about 4.1 crore youth over the next five years. Towards it, the Finance Minister has made an allocation of ₹2 lakh crore.

Similarly, for skilling the citizens so as to generate job opportunities, she proposed ₹1.48 crore. 20 lakh youth will be skilled over a five-year period. A total of 1,000 industrial training institutes will be upgraded, she announced.

She proposed in her speech that a one-time wage would be provided to all first time employees in all sectors. The incentive for first-timers would be provided through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) 

The Finance Minister said that the government will launch internship opportunities in 500 companies to one crore youth in five years. 

Interns will get exposure to real-life environment and an allowance of ₹5000 per month, she said. The companies will bear training and 10% of training cost from CSR funds. Ms. Sitharaman said employment, skilling, MSME, and middle class are among key focus areas of this Budget. 

The Budget proposes to earmark a significant part of the 50-year interest-free loan, to work with the States on following reforms - Land related reforms in both urban and rural areas, that cover land administration, planning and urban planning and building bye-laws. “Rural land-related actions will include assignment of a unique Aadhaar for all lands, digitisation of terrestrial maps, survey of lands, and establishment of land registry. On labour related reforms, our govt. will facilitate a range of services for labour, including employment and skilling.”

She added that open architecture databases for the widely changing job market, and connecting potential employees with industry will be covered. Shram Suvidha and Samadhan portal will be revamped to enhance ease of compliance for industry and trade.

The FM announced that for space economy, with the govt’s continued emphasis on expanding it by 5 times in the next ten years, a venture capital fund of ₹1,000 crore will be set up. “We will formulate an economic policy framework to delineate the strategy for sustaining high growth with next generation reforms. These reforms will cover all factors of production, including land, labour and capital. This will require collaboration of the Centre and States,” she said.

“Tourism has always been a part of our civilisation. Our efforts to position India as a global destination will also create jobs and unlock opportunities in other sectors. I propose Vishnupath temple at Gaya, and Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya, are of immense spiritual importance. We will develop corridors there on the model of the successful Kashi Vishwanath corridor to make them a world-class tourist destination,” the FM said.

She added that a comprehensive development initiative for Rajgir and Nalanda (in Bihar) will be pursued. “We will support tourism in Odisha that has scenic beauty, temples, craftsmanship, natural landscapes, wildlife sanctuaries and pristine beaches,” she said.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that ₹2.66 lakh crore has been allocated for rural development, including rural infrastructure. She also said that three crore additional houses will be constructed under the PM Awas Yojana in rural and urban areas. Presenting the Budget for 2024-25 in the Lok Sabha, she said, “This year I have made a provision of ₹2.66 lakh crore for rural development, including rural infrastructure”.

The FM noted that Bihar has frequently suffered from floods, many of them originating outside the country. “Plans to solve these problems in Nepal have not progressed. We will provide support of ₹11,500 crore for flood mitigation projects. Assam grapples with floods every year from the Brahmaputra river and its tributaries that originate outside India. We will provide support to them. Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh, that suffered due to landslides and floods, will be provided assistance,” she said.

The Finance Minister announced that the Phase 4 of the PM Gram Sadak Yojana will be launched to provide all-weather roads to 25,000 rural habitats.

FM said the Centre has made significant infrastructure investments in years, triggering a multiplier effect. “This will continue over the next five years. This year, I provided ₹11,11,111 crore for capex, which is 3.4% of GDP. We will encourage States to provide support of similar scale for infrastructure development based on their priorities,” she said.

Private investment in infrastructure will be promoted through Viability Gap Funding and a market-based financing framework would be brought out, she added.

Electricity storage solutions will be worked out for renewable energy. Research and Development on smaller nuclear reactors. Our govt. will partner with the private sector for setting up Bharat Small Reactors, and research and development of new technologies for nuclear energy. Advanced Ultra-Super Critical Thermal Power Plants, with much higher efficiency, have been developed indigenously. An 800 MW commercial plant will be set up, with the government providing the required fiscal support, the FM said.

She added that a roadmap for hard-to-abate industries, from energy efficiency targets to emission targets, will be formulated.

We will bring out a document on appropriate energy transition pathways, that balances the needs of employment and development. In line with the Interim Budget announcement, the Rooftop Solar scheme has been launched to enable 1 crore households to get upto 300 units of free electricity every month. The scheme has seen 1.8 crore registrations and 14 lakh applicants.

Read the whole story here

“High Stamp Duty may be lowered, especially for women. This reform will be made essential condition for urban development schemes,” she said.

Building on the PM Swanidhi scheme for street vendors, we plan a scheme over the next 5 years to promote 100 weekly haats in select cities, the FM announced. 

In partnership with States, and MDBs, the Modi-led NDA Government will promote water supply, sewage treatment and solid waste management projects for 100 large cities, the FM announced.

Under the PM Awas Yojana-Urban, the housing needs of one crore poor and middle class families will be addressed with an investment of ₹10 lakh crore. This will include the central assistance of ₹2.2 lakh crore in the next five years.

“For facilitating term loans to MSMEs, a credit guarantee scheme will be introduced. The scheme will operate on the cooling of credit risks of such MSMEs. A self-financing guarantee fund will provide to each applicant cover of up to ₹100 crore while loan amount may be larger...” she said.

Backward region grant will be provided to 3 districts of Andhra Pradesh, the Finance Minister announced. In her Budget for 2024-25, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the Union Government will arrange financial assistance to Bihar through aid from multilateral development agencies.

The government will also set up airports, medical colleges and sports infrastructure in Bihar, she said. The Centre will also formulate plan ‘Purvodaya’ for all-round development of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh .

Ms. Sitharaman further said the government will support industrial corridor for development in the eastern region. The Finance Minister also said the government will provide e-vouchers directly to 1 lakh students every year with interest subvention of 3% of loan amount.

The government said it will launch three employment-linked schemes. While presenting the Union Budget for 2024-25, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government will provide incentives to 30 lakh youth entering the job market by providing one month’s PF (provident fund) contribution.

She announced that working women hostels will be set up in the country to promote women’s participation in the workforce. She added that the government will provide funds to the private sector, domain experts and others for developing climate-resilient seeds.

An already existing scheme -- MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee) -- aims to provide 100 days of wage employment in a particular fiscal year to at least one member of every household whose adult members seek manual work.

The government will bring a National Cooperation Policy for the overall development of the country, Finance Minister Nirmamala Sitharaman said. Presenting the Budget for 2024-25, she said the Centre will promote digital public infrastructure for agriculture in partnership with states, while Jan Samarth-based Kisan Credit Card will be introduced in five States. Also, the government will provide finance for shrimp farming and marketing, she added.

The FM said that large-scale vegetable production will be developed closer to major consumption centres. “We will promote farmer producer organisations, coops and startups for vegetable supply chains...,” she said.

For achieving self-sufficiency in pulses and oil seeds, the govt will strengthen their production, storage and marketing. A strategy is being put in place to achieve aatanibharta for oil seeds such as mustard, groundnut, sesame, soybean and sunflower, the Finance Minister said in the Lok Sabha, presenting the Union Budget 2024-2025.

Ms. Sitharaman said that in the next two years, one crore farmers across the country will be initiated into natural farming supported by certification and branding. Implementation will be through scientific institutions and willing Gram Panchayats. 10,000 need-based bio input resource centres will be established.

“Transforming agricultural research, our govt will undertake a comprehensive review of the agricultural research setup to bring the focus on raising productivity and developing climate-resilient varieties. Funding will be provided in challenge mode including to the pvt sector, domain experts both from the govt and outside and will oversee the conduct of such research,” Ms. Sitharaman said.

She added that 109 new high-yielding and climate-resilient varieties of 32 field and horticultural crops will be released for cultivation by farmers.

The Finance Minister said that the Budget will focus on employment, skilling, MSME and middle class. “Budget for FY25 to provide ₹1.48 lakh crore for education and employment and skill... Implementation of various schemes announced in Interim Budget in February are still underway,” the Finance Minister said. People of India have reinforced their faith in the government led by Mr. Modi and re-elected it for the third term, she said, while presenting the Budget in Lok Sabha.

India’s economic growth continues to shine while the global economy is still in the grip of policy uncertainty, Ms. Sitharaman added. The country’s inflation continues to be stable and is moving towards 4%, and core inflation stands at 3.1%.

On Budget priorities, the Finance Minister said that in the interim Budget the govt promised to present a detailed roadmap for the pursuit of Viksit Bharat. “In line with the strategy set in the interim Budget, this Budget envisages sustained efforts on the following nine priorities for generating ample opportunities for all -- productivity and resilience in agriculture, employment and skilling, inclusive human resource development and social justice, manufacturing and services, urban development, emergency security, infrastructure, innovation R&D, next-gen reforms. Subsequent Budgets will build on these and more priorities and actions,” she said.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is presenting the Union Budget 2024-2025 in Lok Sabha. India’s inflation continues to be low, stable and moving towards the 4% target, the Finance Minister said.

The Budget Session of the Parliament began at 11 a.m. on July 23. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present her seventh budget in the Lok Sabha today.

New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman with a red pouch carrying the Budget documents arrives at the Parliament to present the Union Budget 2024-25, in New Delhi, Tuesday, July 23, 2024. (PTI Photo/Atul Yadav)(PTI07_23_2024_000064B)

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman opted for an off-white checkered handloom saree with a contrasting purple and pink-hued blouse for the presentation of the first Budget on July 23 of the third term of the NDA Government led by PM Narendra Modi.

Indian shares reversed early gains to drop marginally in morning trade on Tuesday, with volatility rising ahead of the union budget, due at 11 a.m. IST, which could have a huge bearing on the trajectory of markets.

The NSE Nifty 50 and S&P BSE Sensex opened about 0.3% higher but were trading about 0.2% lower as of 10:22 a.m. IST. Volatility rose to a six-week-high of 15.79.

“Volatility will remain elevated today as budget announcements will decide the direction of markets in intraday trade,” said ICICI Securities analysts led by Dharmesh Shah.

A market correction cannot be ruled out, given the high valuations, they added.

The Nifty has hit multiple all-time highs through its roughly 13% rally this year, despite a near 6% slide on June 4 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party returned to power but by unexpectedly having to rely on allies. Still, the index has risen in each of the seven weeks since.

The Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the full Budget for 2024-25. Following this, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present her seventh budget in the Lok Sabha.

Ms. Sitharaman, the first full-time woman Finance Minister of the country, has presented five full Budgets since July 2019 and an interim budget on February 1, 2024. This is the first Budget of the BJP-led NDA Government in its third term in office.

“I think the problem is that the government is not recognising the real concerns. The real concerns are inflation, especially food inflation, and rampant unemployment and inadequate job creation,” says Economist Jayati Ghosh.

“If you look at the economic survey, the country has achieved, even post covid, a very stable growth pattern in GDP numbers. There is an uptick in manufacturing, agriculture, there is a bit of subsiding in the consumption patterns in country because of lower middle income people getting hurt due to inflation and having lost wealth during COVID,” ASSOCHAM President Sanjay Nayar said in an interview to PTI. 

“The govt has done a tremendous job, looking at the geopolitical, geographic scenario. India looks like a fantastic place to attract investments. The expectation would be to keep catalysing the infrastructure spending. I have told this to PTI that another couple of years of heightened spending on infrastructure is a good idea,” he added.

Emphasising the need for measures to address inflation, particularly the soaring prices of essential commodities and life-saving drugs, Uttar Pradesh Congress President Ajay Rai has voiced the expectations of the middle class for the Union Budget 2024-25.

Expressing his expectations from the budget, Congress leader Ajay Rai said on Tuesday, “In this budget, inflation should be controlled. The price of garlic is ₹500 per kg, and the prices of vegetables and medicines have gone up. The price of life-saving drugs has increased.

Employment opportunities also need to be generated. All these factors need to be worked upon.”

Shiv Sena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray’s (UBT) faction leader, Priyanka Chaturvedi, echoed similar expectations, stating that the finance minister should concentrate on tackling unemployment and inflation.

More tax benefits for health insurance under the new tax regime, relaxation in payment norms for MSMEs and incentives for the agri-tech sector are among the expectations of stakeholders from the first budget of the Modi 3.0 government .

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to present the full Budget for fiscal 2024-25 on July 23, which will be the first major policy document of the new government.

Anup Rau, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Future Generali India Insurance Company, said the deduction limit on health insurance premiums under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act has remained unchanged for the past nine years despite the fact that there has been a significant rise in healthcare costs across the country.

Watch what women can expect from Budget here

Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi met in Parliament on Tuesday to approve the Union Budget ahead of its presentation by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Parliament this morning to attend the cabinet meeting.On Monday, Prime Minister said the Economic Survey highlighted the prevailing strengths of the economy and identifies areas for further growth and progress as the government “moves towards building a Viksit Bharat”.

Union Ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and Pralhad Joshi were also seen arriving in the Parliament earlier for the Cabinet meeting today.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met President Droupadi Murmu ahead of presenting the Union Budget 2024 in Parliament, as per tradition.

The Finance Minister and her team briefed the President about the provisions of the Budget.

President Murmu then fed the Finance Minister ‘Curd and Sugar’ which is a symbol of wishes for good luck.

GTJVNmibQAE5JC1.jpg

All eyes will be on whether Sitharaman provides the much-expected tax relief for the middle class, leaving more money in their hands, as there is tax buoyancy. Besides, the market also expects staying on the fiscal glide path to lower the fiscal deficit to 4.5 per cent of GDP by 2025-26.

Fiscal Deficit: The budgeted fiscal deficit, which is the difference between the government expenditure and income, for the current fiscal is 5.1 per cent as projected in the Interim Budget in February, against 5.8 per cent in the last fiscal year. The full Budget is expected to provide better-than-earlier projections as there has been tax buoyancy.

Capital Expenditure: The government’s planned capital expenditure for this fiscal year is budgeted at ₹11.1 lakh crore, higher than ₹9.5 lakh crore in the last fiscal year. The government has been pushing infrastructure creation and also incentivising states to step up capex.

Tax Revenue: The Interim Budget had pegged gross tax revenue at ₹38.31 lakh crore for 2024-25, an 11.46 per cent growth over the last fiscal. This includes ₹21.99 lakh crore estimated to come from direct taxes (personal income tax + corporate tax), and ₹16.22 lakh crore from indirect taxes (customs + excise duty + GST).

GST: Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection in 2024-25 is estimated to rise to ₹10.68 lakh crore, an increase of 11.6 per cent. The tax revenue figures will have to be watched out for in the final Budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to create history when she presents her seventh straight budget on Tuesday for 2024-25, surpassing the record of former prime minister Morarji Desai.

Setting the tone for the third term of the Modi government, its focus areas may be boosting consumption by giving tax benefits to the middle class. Other priority areas may include agriculture, capex and infra spending and manufacturing push..

With India emerging as the biggest sweet spot in global growth, the budget is expected to address three major trends: global offshoring, digitalization, and energy transition.

Sitharaman, who will turn 65 next month, was in 2019 appointed as India’s first full-time woman finance minister when Prime Minister Narendra Modi won a decisive second term. Since then, she has presented six straight budgets, including an interim one in February this year.

A total of 39 shipyards have registered, and 18 shipyards utilised the benefits under the Centre’s scheme to provide financial support to Indian shipyards for shipbuilding contracts signed between April 1, 2016, and March 31, 2026, according to the Economic Survey. 

“India’s Maritime Vision 2030 outlines over 150 initiatives to improve ports, shipping, and inland waterways and envisions investments of ₹3-3.5 lakh crore. The Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 outlines over 300 initiatives across 11 key areas to drive growth and development in India’s coastal regions,” according to the Economic Survey 2023-24 tabled in the Parliament on Monday.

“Its vision aims to reduce the average vessel turnaround time (containers) from 25 hours in 2020 to less than 20 hours in 2030. Likewise, it also aims to increase the average ship daily output (gross tonnage) from 16,000 in 2020 to more than 30,000 in 2030.”

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the estimated receipts and expenditure (2024-25) of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (with legislature) in Parliament today.

“I hope that the Budget will face the country’s economic realities. The biggest economic reality is that unemployment rate in 9.2% in the country, inflation is at all time high. Food inflation is particularly very high. Private sector investment is falling. I hope that the government and the Budget will project ways to improve this situation,” TMC MP Saugata Roy.

Indian shares opened higher on July 23, led by financials and public sector companies, as investors brace for policy announcements in the Union Budget due at 11 a.m., which could have a huge bearing on the trajectory of markets.

The NSE Nifty 50 rose 0.24% to 24,568.9, while the S&P BSE Sensex added 0.28% to 80,724.3, as of 9:15 a.m. IST.

• July 23, 2024 09:26 Rupee rises 3 paise to 83.63 against U.S. dollar in early trade

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday again took a digital tablet wrapped in a traditional ‘bahi-khata’ style pouch as she headed for Parliament to present the full Budget 2024-25 in a paperless format just like the previous years.

Draped in a white silk saree with magenta border, she posed for the traditional ‘briefcase’ picture outside her office, along with her team of officials, before heading to meet the President.

With the tablet carefully kept inside a red cover with a golden-coloured national emblem embossed on it instead of the briefcase, Parliament will be her next destination after the call on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Sitharaman, India’s first full-time woman Finance Minister, had in July 2019 ditched the colonial legacy of a Budget briefcase for the traditional ‘bahi-khata’ to carry Union Budget papers. She used the same in the following year, and in a pandemic-hit 2021, she swapped traditional papers with a digital tablet for carrying her speech and other Budget documents.

“There is no direction in the Budgets presented in the last 10 years. Inflation is skyrocketing, unemployment is high, the growth rate is declining fundamentally. This indicates that the economy isn’t in a healthy situation,” says AAP MP Sandeep Pathak says. 

The government’s steps such as mandatory quality norms and increase in customs duties have significantly helped the domestic toy players to boost exports and reduce dependence on Chinese imports, Economic Survey said on July 22.

It said that India’s emergence as a toy exporting nation can also be attributed to its integration into the global value chain and zero-duty market access for domestically manufactured toys in critical countries such as the UAE and Australia.

The industry has long faced challenges in the global trade landscape, consistently being a net importer of toys for many years.

“Rising exports, coupled with declining imports, transformed India from a deficit to a surplus nation in the trade of toys,” it said.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrived at the Ministry of Finance ahead of the Union Budget presentation on Tuesday.

The Finance Minister was pictured wearing a white saree with a violet border as she arrived at the Ministry.

Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present the Union Budget 2024 in Parliament today, marking her seventh consecutive budget and eclipsing the late Moraji Desai’s record of six consecutive budgets, which is likely to focus on changes in the income tax structure and improving the ease of doing business in India.

Sitharaman tabled the Economic Survey 2023-24 along with the statistical appendix on Monday.

Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said that the first Union Budget of the third Modi government will be based on his mantra of “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas”.

“This budget is based on PM Modi’s mantra of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas,” MoS Chaudhary said.

Chaudhary was among the first from FM Nirmala Sitharaman’s team to reach the North Block offices of the Finance Ministry ahead of the Budget Presentation. Vivek Joshi, Secretary, of the Department of Financial Services and Chief Economic Advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran have also reached the ministry ahead of FM Sitharaman.

Extreme weather, lower reservoir levels and crop damage have affected farm output and led to higher food prices over the past two years, the Economic Survey 2023-24 said on July 22.

Unfavourable weather conditions particularly impacted the production prospects of vegetables and pulses, it said.

“In FY23 and FY24, the agriculture sector was affected by extreme weather events, lower reservoir levels, and damaged crops that adversely affected farm output and food prices. So, food inflation based on the Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) increased from 3.8% in FY22 to 6.6% in FY23 and further to 7.5% in FY24,” read the consolidated report on the state of the economy in the previous year.

The fiscal deficit for FY 2023-24 was 5.63% of GDP with a target of 5.1% for FY 2024-25. Given the significant share of personal tax in overall direct-tax collections, the government is unlikely to introduce measures that would greatly reduce tax revenue. Here are key expectations from individual taxpayers and potential government changes to minimise fiscal deficit impact:

Changes in simplified tax regime

• Standard deduction
• NPS employee contribution deduction
• Reintroduction of deduction for investment in infrastructure bonds

Changes in old tax regime

• Affordable housing deduction for interest paid on loan
• Metro cities for HRA

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Economic Survey 2023-24 in both Houses of Parliament on July 22. The Economic Survey is a comprehensive review or annual report of Indian economy during the closed financial year, prepared by the Economics Division of the Department of Economic Affairs of the Finance Ministry under the guidance of the India’s Chief Economic Advisor (CEA).

Here are the charts that show key numbers from the Economic Survey 2023-24:

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to present the Budget for 2024-25 in the Lok Sabha on July 23 . Parliament Session begins on July 22 and will conclude with the passage of the Finance Bill on August 12.

In this series, experts from various fields suggest what the focus of Narendra Modi-led NDA government’s third term should be. Read what the experts have told The Hindu .

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Economic Survey of India 2023-24 , along with a statistical appendix, in both Houses of Parliament on July 22. 

The survey said that the outlook for India’s financial sector appears bright , but it needs to brace for likely vulnerabilities. The Indian financial sector is at a “turnpike moment”, it said, adding that the dominance of banking support to credit is being reduced, and the role of capital markets is rising. 

According to the report, India’s GDP is likely to grow at 6.5 to 7% in the current fiscal year amid global challenges which may impact exports. The growth projected for 2024-25 is lower than the economic growth rate of 8.2% estimated for the previous financial year.

India saw 92 lakh foreign tourist arrivals in 2023, signifying a positive post-pandemic revival, the Chief Economic Advisor has said in the Economic Survey released on July 22.

The survey, which was tabled in Parliament, said India’s tourism industry showed positive signs of revival post-pandemic with an year-on-year increase of 43.5%. The hospitality industry has also met the needs of the increasing numbers of tourists successfully. “In 2023, the highest amount of new supply was created with the addition of 14,000 rooms, bringing the total inventory of chain-affiliated rooms to 183,000 in India,” the survey said.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2024 on July 23 at 11 a.m. It will be a record seventh consecutive Budget presentation for Ms. Sitharaman.

The Budget 2024 presentation will be streamed on various platforms. Viewers can watch the Budget 2024 speech by Nirmala Sitharaman live at The Hindu . Follow our liveblog for all the latest news, reactions, and analysis of Budget 2024. The Finance Minister’s address will also be available to stream live via the Sansad TV .

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be presenting the Union Budget 2024-25 on July 23, 2024.

It will be a record seventh consecutive Budget presentation for Ms. Sitharaman.

Previously, Morarji Desai presented the Union Budget for six times consecutively. Interestingly, Morarji Desai presented budgets for record 10 times followed by former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram 9 times.

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