Proposal writing is the act of creating a written pitch for a project, contract, or idea. It is a necessary marketing document that outlines a plan of action, request for funding, or proposal of an idea. Proposals can be used in various settings, including business, academia, and government. Good proposal writing requires a lot of forethought, understanding of the audience, and creative writing to persuade the reader. The goal of the writer is not only to persuade the reader to do what is being requested but also to make the reader believe that the solution is practical and appropriate. Proposals are informative and persuasive writing because they attempt to educate the reader and convince them to do something.
When most people discuss proposal writing, they are typically referring to business proposals, also called sales proposals. Business proposals are formal proposals that companies submit to potential clients to pitch their products or services. A business proposal is a physical sales pitch that outlines why they are the best to solve a challenge that the client is facing.
Proposal writing is an inherently collaborative process that often consists of the following basic roles and responsibilities):
- Creator – responsible for creating and editing content.
- Editor – responsible for tuning the content message and the style of delivery, including translation and localization.
- Publisher – responsible for releasing the content for use.
If you want to become a proposal writer, you need to have excellent writing skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work under tight deadlines.
