ABSTRACT
Writing a compelling proposal is critical to succeed in today’s highly competitive business world. Part of the process of marketing is the proposal writing process. This is a consultant’s opportunity to pitch why they are the best choice for the job; it is synonymous to an employee’s job resume, cover letter, and interview. Writing a proposal is one of the most important processes that a consultant 72has to learn. First, you must know who your target audience is. Each proposal should be written differently based on the specific client’s interest. The more knowledgeable you are about the client, the higher the likelihood of getting the contract; this will require research. Next, a consultant must be clear about what role they will have. Approaching a proposal as an organization development (OD) consultant will be very different from a proposal as a management consultant. Furthermore, it is important to understand the type of work you will be doing, whether it is a contractor/vendor, a freelancer, or a consultant. What terms you use is more than just semantics; it has legal and contractual considerations. Another important factor in writing a proposal is what you will be doing. It will be imperative to have a clear understanding of what the job requires, what the client expects, and what the final deliverables are. It will also be important to know when the work will be completed; this will include specific timeline, milestones, and completion dates. Final considerations will be the where and how much. Where will the project be completed? And, most importantly, how much will it cost?
