Proposal-palooza
A bunch of the current TPS <http://t.dripemail2.com/c/eyJhY2NvdW50X2lkIjoiNzU5OTgyNSIsImRlbGl2ZXJ5X2lkIjoiMXhhZW11d3RrajAwOGsxb3lwZjYiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vdGhlcHJpY2luZ3NlbWluYXIuY29tIn0> participants joined me today for a live teardown of the proposals we’ve been workshopping.
Unfortunately, I can’t release the recording outside of the TPS community, but there were 3 common themes that I can share with you here:
1) Use clear language
Write short sentences.
Use simple words.
This isn’t about dumbing things down, it’s about being crystal clear.
2) Write like you talk
Don’t try to puff yourself up.
Don’t try to sound professional.
If reading your proposal out loud feels unnatural, rewrite until it doesn’t.
3) Answer every question
The client should have ZERO questions after reading the proposal.
In fact, a STRANGER should have zero questions after reading the proposal.
Show your proposal to a friend who knows nothing about the project. If they have questions, rewrite it until they don’t.
Here’s the thing...
We talked about a bunch of other proposal writing tips, like:
The difference between outputs and outcomes
The difference between the project goal vs your contribution tothe project goal
The importance of incremental options vs ala carte options
...and a jillion other things, too.
I mean, it was two solid hours of me reviewing actual proposals, so yeah... we covered a lot of stuff.
That said...
The writing tips I shared above are probably the easiest to implement and will have the biggest impact on your proposal success rate.
Give ’em a try next time you have a proposal to write, and I think you’ll be pleased with the results.
Yours,
—J
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100% Typo Guarantee—This message is artisanal, free-range, and gluten free. It was hand crafted with love and sent out unfiltered. There was no review queue, no editorial process, no post-facto revisions. Therefore, I can pretty much guarantee that there is some sort of typo or grammatical error or literary snafu that would make my 7th grade english teacher cringe (shout out to Mrs. Nagel!)
My postal address: Jonathan Stark, One Richmond Square, Providence, RI 02906
Unfortunately, I can’t release the recording outside of the TPS community, but there were 3 common themes that I can share with you here:
1) Use clear language
Write short sentences.
Use simple words.
This isn’t about dumbing things down, it’s about being crystal clear.
2) Write like you talk
Don’t try to puff yourself up.
Don’t try to sound professional.
If reading your proposal out loud feels unnatural, rewrite until it doesn’t.
3) Answer every question
The client should have ZERO questions after reading the proposal.
In fact, a STRANGER should have zero questions after reading the proposal.
Show your proposal to a friend who knows nothing about the project. If they have questions, rewrite it until they don’t.
Here’s the thing...
We talked about a bunch of other proposal writing tips, like:
The difference between outputs and outcomes
The difference between the project goal vs your contribution tothe project goal
The importance of incremental options vs ala carte options
...and a jillion other things, too.
I mean, it was two solid hours of me reviewing actual proposals, so yeah... we covered a lot of stuff.
That said...
The writing tips I shared above are probably the easiest to implement and will have the biggest impact on your proposal success rate.
Give ’em a try next time you have a proposal to write, and I think you’ll be pleased with the results.
Yours,
—J
Enjoy this message? Here are more things you might like:
Private Coaching with Jonathan <https://t.dripemail2.com/c/eyJhY2NvdW50X2lkIjoiNzU5OTgyNSIsImRlbGl2ZXJ5X2lkIjoiMXhhZW11d3RrajAwOGsxb3lwZjYiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2pvbmF0aGFuc3RhcmsuY29tL2NvYWNoaW5nIn0> - Has your successful software business plateaued? Break through to the next level with my private coaching program. SOLD OUT but apply now to add your name to the waiting list
Group Coaching with Jonathan <https://t.dripemail2.com/c/eyJhY2NvdW50X2lkIjoiNzU5OTgyNSIsImRlbGl2ZXJ5X2lkIjoiMXhhZW11d3RrajAwOGsxb3lwZjYiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2pvbmF0aGFuc3RhcmsuY29tL2dyb3VwIn0> - Live group video Q&A sessions every other week, instant access to years of previous sessions, and a dedicated Slack for group discussion.
1-on-1 Coaching Call <https://t.dripemail2.com/c/eyJhY2NvdW50X2lkIjoiNzU5OTgyNSIsImRlbGl2ZXJ5X2lkIjoiMXhhZW11d3RrajAwOGsxb3lwZjYiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2pvbmF0aGFuc3RhcmsuY29tL2NhbGwifQ> - Need to get unstuck fast? Book a call and ask me anything. I’ll give you no-nonsense advice that you can put into action immediately, guaranteed.
View in Browser <https://t.dripemail2.com/c/eyJhY2NvdW50X2lkIjoiNzU5OTgyNSIsImRlbGl2ZXJ5X2lkIjoiMXhhZW11d3RrajAwOGsxb3lwZjYiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL2pvbmF0aGFuc3RhcmsuY29tL2RhaWx5LzIwMjEwMzE4LTIyNTYtcHJvcG9zYWwtcGFsb296YT9fX3M9OWo5NXhqaXFzZmU0eGR3aXN0N3YifQ> • Share on Twitter <http://t.dripemail2.com/c/eyJhY2NvdW50X2lkIjoiNzU5OTgyNSIsImRlbGl2ZXJ5X2lkIjoiMXhhZW11d3RrajAwOGsxb3lwZjYiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vdHdpdHRlci5jb20vaW50ZW50L3R3ZWV0P3RleHQ9UHJvcG9zYWwtcGFsb296YSslMEElMEFodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRmpvbmF0aGFuc3RhcmsuY29tJTJGZGFpbHklMkYyMDIxMDMxOC0yMjU2LXByb3Bvc2FsLXBhbG9vemEifQ>
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100% Typo Guarantee—This message is artisanal, free-range, and gluten free. It was hand crafted with love and sent out unfiltered. There was no review queue, no editorial process, no post-facto revisions. Therefore, I can pretty much guarantee that there is some sort of typo or grammatical error or literary snafu that would make my 7th grade english teacher cringe (shout out to Mrs. Nagel!)
My postal address: Jonathan Stark, One Richmond Square, Providence, RI 02906
https://jonathanstark.com/daily/20210318-2256-proposal-palooza
I thought the sections labelled 1, 2 and 3 were important and relevant points. They're similar to things I've said.