What is Proposal Cover Letter

Proposal cover letter is written as escort of a business proposal.  It is a short overview of the proposal itself. It should be professionally written.  One of the mistakes of a business proposal is trying to summarize the whole business proposal in the cover letter. The summary of your business proposal should be written in your executive summary not in the cover letter. The only purpose of your proposal cover letter is to introduce your business proposal.

The first paragraph should thank the recipient, and then the second paragraph should contain something personal but still in professional way.  If the business proposal is for your existing client or customer, don’t forget to mention how you enjoyed working with him in the past. And if your business proposal is for the client or company you have never done business before, make an effort to establish a working rapport through telephone conversations and email. And that way, your cover letter will not being too dry

The last paragraph of your proposal cover letter will be your expectation for the future such as your looking forward for the earning potential of your business being offered as well as the working relationship with the new client or customer.

Before writing a proposal cover letter, the proposal must be completed because the writer may have communication with the recipient that will control the tone and content of your letter.

Practical Proposal Writing Tips

Writing proposal can be a tedious job for someone. The following are some practical tips.

  1. Start early as possible because when you start early you will be able to know the needed data and information.
  2. Identify the problem, need or knowledge to be address properly.
  3. Clearly state your objectives and explain the proposed outcomes to address the problems.
  4. Make sure that you have appropriate rationale for each study. Also, explain the importance of your project.
  5. Define your methodology to be used in order to accomplish your objectives including the activities that will take place.
  6. Include the personnel who will carry out the activity as well as the equipment and facilities to be used.
  7. Don’t forget to include the cost of your project being proposed.
  8. Make sure to organize your project into proper format because it is an effective way of communicating of the details of the proposed work or project.
  9. Don’t forget to read instruction carefully before start writing because reviewer of your proposal will check the designated format as well the required information.
  10. Be simple and concise by removing all unnecessary detail or information.
  11. Make your work well-organized and concise so that it will stand out in the crowd.
  12. Give credits to your sources. If you use several paragraph from any magazine, you can put a quotes and cite the sources.

Characteristics of Good Proposal

A good proposal should be readable, well-organized, understandable and grammatically correct.  Your proposal should clearly explain how the proposed idea made improvements.

Based on my understanding, I listed some of characteristics should a proposal should have.

    • Describe an idea to solve problems in new ways
      • Identify the general and specific objective precisely
        • Rationale costing. Budget should be realistic.  It should be consistent and complete without unambiguous
          • Provide valid assumptions.  It should have detailed information to justify every statement.
            • Detailed schedule of activities to complete the project
              • Follow all the directions given in the proposal guidelines
                • Consist of appendices which serve as evidence of careful planning and previous experience
                  • Clearly communicates the qualification of the personnel involved in the project
                    • Well-organized writing style in such as way that it uses a header to lead the reader
                      • Paginated from beginning to end including the appendix
                        • Use appropriate graphs and figures, charts and other visual materials
                          • Proofreads for grammatical errors and misspelling
                            • Include vitae to demonstrate credentials required
                              • Consists of necessary letter of support and other documentation
                                • Identify potential pitfalls and alternative approaches

                                  Some Tips and Guidelines for your Proposal

                                  Some Tips for Proposal Writing

                                  – Identify the purpose clearly at the beginning of your proposal
                                  – Avoid using technical terms; use a language that everyone can understand
                                  – Use simple and short sentences that are clear and direct to the point
                                  – Make sure that your reader has the necessary information to make a final decision
                                  – Put yourself in the shoes of your reader. Think of what the reader may want to hear
                                  – Get someone else to read your proposal before submit it

                                  Some Guidelines for your Proposal

                                  • Your proposal should define problem and state how to solve it. The reader must assure that your proposal can solve the problem effectively
                                  • Proposed project should research thoroughly. You can provide your reader with examples and facts to assure them that your proposed idea or project is possible.
                                  • Propose project proved that it works. You can include analysis of your plan and possible results of your solution.
                                  • Make sure that your proposed project is financially feasible. Make sure that they can afford the solution you are proposing.
                                  • Last but the least, your proposal must look attractive. The overall appearance of your proposal should be neat inside and out.