10 tips: Write an engaging proposal

Create an engaging proposal10 tips by Steve Masters

Would you buy a puzzle without

seeing the whole picture? Read this article

Show them the gainCreate an image in their mind of how they will benefit from adopting your proposal.

Using sensory words

Talk to the senses using words that trigger the senses, such as touch, smell and vision.

“Look at this example” – “Just a touch” – “Good taste” – “See how you feel” – “Here’s the vision” – “Insight” – “Take a view” – “Give you a flavour”

Trigger a feeling of warmth

Research suggests a feeling of warmth makes us happy and that you can create that feeling by using warm imagery and language. Use an image that reminds the reader of a warm sensation. Describe something warm. Use synonyms for “warm”.

Tell a storyWe are conditioned as babies to learn through, and enjoy, stories. Give your proposal a beginning, middle and end.

Encourage your reader to use their imagination.

Use plain English – be obvious

Your message should be easy to spot. Don’t hide it behind the camouflage of verbosity, long sentences and big words.

Be concise

Avoid too much repetition of your argument. Make clear points, back them up, then move on.

Make it easy to scan

Get your ducks in a row. Structure your proposal so that it follows a sensible order.

Ensure the reader can understand the contents and the structure by scanning the document. Don’t make them have to read line by line to work out what it’s about.

A picture

speaks a

thousand

wordsA page full of words is boring.

You can break it up with different font sizes and headings but a great image adds colour, sentiment and emotion.

Sell the

benefits, not

the featuresRemember the puzzle pieces on the first slide? Here’s the full picture.

People are more likely to buy a gadget because of the benefits it brings them, not because of the list of features built in.

“When you connect your know-how and

enthusiasm to your client’s desires, the magic happens.” Henneke Duistermaat

Thanks for

reading

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• Blog: www.stevemasters.co.uk

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All images courtesy of Pixabay.