“So who’s going to pull together the proposal?”
Silence… Sinking feeling… It has to be you… Doesn’t it?
Everything you need is in your head, in your inbox, in GDrive, in the finance system, in a strategy document. You just need to:
- put it in a logical order
- write the content in a clear and concise manner
- chase Jim for the financial analysis you asked him for twice already
- make sure you have all the right logos and images
- check that the numbers add up properly
- double check your market stats are correct
- re-do the table Jim sent you because it’s in Excel and won’t format properly in Word
- figure out how to draw a Gantt chart in Word
- decide it might be better in PowerPoint
How amazing would it be to have this all taken care of so all you have to do is brain-dump the information and then check it over?
My Painless Power Package allows you to do just that by following my simple 5 step process:
1. Brain dump
We’ll schedule a 45 minute Zoom call where you will run me through what you need, things like:
Purpose of the proposal: Is it a sales proposal, fundraising pitch, implementation plan etc?
Format: How are you going to deliver the proposal - virtually, in person, email etc?
Look and feel: It’s really helpful to have some examples of other proposals you think have been done well.
Key dates: When is it due with the client? When can key information be delivered? How much time do you need for rehearsal?
Content: How are you going to supply the content to me? And what do you need me to source / create? I can work from scribbled notes and drawings, Word docs or emailed notes, spoken word over the phone, WhatsApp, Voxer etc
Questions: Be warned… I’ll ask lots of questions, I like to be sure I understand what it is you need and why, and would rather challenge you to make sure you get the finished proposal delivers.
2. Template
From our conversation and the content you supply I will create a working template or outline with content dropped into the relevant sections and notes indicating what is missing and who is responsible for providing it.
This is not a thing of beauty, but a starting point to ensure we have a clear and logical path through the proposal and know exactly what each section will contain.
Depending on how you like to work, this can be done in Dropbox Paper, Google Docs or directly in our agreed software: Word, PowerPoint, InDesign etc
3. Collation
I will liaise directly with your team members, consultants and external sources to collate the information we have identified; I am tenacious but charming in my pursuit whether over the phone, on email, Slack…
If desk-research is needed, or reports need to be summarised I can do that too.
4. Creation
This is where I pull everything together and make it look professional and slick:
- turning your scribbled diagrams into neat charts
- Excel spreadsheets into tables
- adding graphics, logos and pictures
- ensuring formatting, styling and tone of voice is consistent
5. Review
you're deliver what is needed. You don't trot off and do as you're told, you're an intelligent outsourcer that delivers professional and effective proposals. You get to the core of what is needed.
I will work with you, throughout the process to ensure that the proposal looks professional and is effective, and that I deliver what you need.
I won’t just go away and do as I’m told:
- if something doesn’t make sense I’ll ask
- if I think something is missing I’ll point it out
- if I think the wording or visual you’ve supplied could be done better, I’ll make suggestions
Once we have a complete document that you are happy with, I send it to you for final approval and supply the agreed formats (open files, PDF etc).
Remember what a headache it was last time creating the proposal fell in your lap? How much of your time it sucked up? You'll be amazed how painless the process is when you work with me.