Over the past few weeks I’ve shared with you a few ways to make your proposals pop. The first strategy was around using stories. The second was in the way you use your language, and specifically, LESS is MORE.

This last article is about how you start your proposal to change the way you finish.

The key thing to remember is that you must ALWAYS start AND finish by getting straight to the point.

For example, does your bio start by talking about where you started your career? Or do you introduce your company or firm by explaining when it started?

Sorry if this sounds rude...but...WHO CARES?

If you start with facts that aren’t important to your client, then you risk:

1. Boredom. You could lose your reader’s attention span and they just “skim” the rest of the proposal. What they miss they’ll just make up in their minds.

2. Even as they’re reading your proposal, they’re thinking, “someone else could do this better”.

3. Becoming a commodity. You’re doing what everyone does so no wonder the only thing they can distinguish you on is price.

So what do you do instead?

START BY GETTING STRAIGHT TO THE POINT.

Always put yourself in their shoes and ask yourself, what do they REALLY want to know? If they stopped reading after the first 2 sentences, have you gotten enough of your point across?

As an example, in your bio, consider what achievements you’ve created in your career that makes you stand out. Have you won awards, have you worked with some prestigious brands? Or have you achieved some amazing results for your clients. Lead with these things.

By giving them what they want upfront instead of softly introducing yourself, you make an impression. And you give a clear message – that you mean business and by working with you, they can rest assured that your clients needs come first.

I hope this tip was useful for you. For more tips, follow me @jenny_tse or @ltbconsulting

Regards

Jenny