Question
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Oct 5, 2007, 05:53 AM
| | New Member  | | Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1
| | | a business proposal
Hello I'm eddfoo,
I manage a mom & pop business, and for the first time we have an opportunity to bid on a very large contract that would put us into a different league. I have written plenty of small proposals but I want to make sure this one is more professional. Can anyone give me the format of a proposal and what are the steps in writing it.
Thanks so much
eddfoo
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Answers
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Oct 5, 2007, 08:33 PM
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#2
| | | Arts & Small/Home Business Expert
Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Rock Island, IL
Posts: 11,485
| What is the business, please? If you have already written small proposals have your proposals been accepted? If they have, then I would think that you already know how to write good ones.
But, I did find what is below on the following site that might be helpful to you. Proposal layout and design Quote: Proposal layout, formatting, and design
Layout and design
If there is no written RFP, or if the written RFP does not specify outline or format, then there are no rules for the layout and design of your proposal. The only standard to apply to the proposal’s appearance is whether it fulfills the proposal evaluator’s expectations. If they haven’t told you what they are or written them into an RFP, then all you can do is make your proposal legible. Your proposal layout should be highly readable and make it easy to locate information. You should make extensive use of graphics, because they enhance the readability of the document and convey information well. In the absence of instructions to the contrary, your headings, typefaces, margins, headers/footers, and other formatting attributes can be anything that you want that achieves the goal of your proposal.
So that you don’t have to study typography, we recommend:
-A serif typeface such as Times Roman
-10-12 point type
-A column width of 50-60 characters (either double column or “scholar’s margins”)
-Page margins of at least .5”
-The use of color whenever possible
-Extensive use of graphics
-Full use of front matter (Table of Contents, List of Figures, etc.)
-“Navigation aids” such as a cross-reference matrix
-Appendices for data that must be provided, but disrupts your proposal’s story
If the page count is large enough, use 3-ring binders or other binding
Use tabs that break the content down into sections and make finding material easier
Final production
Final formatting and polish is often reserved for the end of a proposal effort. Indeed, in some environments they wait until all edits to the content have finished before they apply final formatting and perform reproduction. On a large proposal they may allow several days to a week just for final production. Some organizations use sophisticated desktop publishing and artwork, others use MS-Word for their final output. The value of a better-looking proposal must be weighed against the level of effort it takes to achieve it. We recommend that you format your proposal in a layout that you are comfortable with. Keep it simple, and don't overextend yourself by using an advanced layout that you have difficulty producing.
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Nov 2, 2007, 06:38 PM
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#3
| | New Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1
| Quote: |
Originally Posted by eddfoo Hello I'm eddfoo,
I manage a mom & pop business, and for the first time we have an opportunity to bid on a very large contract that would put us into a different league. I have written plenty of small proposals but I want to make sure this one is more professional. Can anyone give me the format of a proposal and what are the steps in writing it.
Thanks so much
eddfoo | hey boy the thing is wat is it about........if its about attracting investments then it should tell them about why should they invest, wats the return they should expect........if u need help contact me on ![[email address]](http://www.askmehelpdesk.com/?emailimage=d494be6d3e2e2e01b767ef0bc9255ba2) | |
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