My Wild Pitch

The Challenge: You’ve got a brilliant product or service, but no one’s knocking down your door. You need to get in front of potential clients, but cold calling feels outdated. Enter the unsolicited business proposal.

This document is your digital sales pitch, a carefully crafted message that showcases your expertise and convinces prospects that your solution is the answer to their biggest problems.

Crafting Your Unsolicited Business Proposal: A Casual Guide

1. Identify Your Ideal Client

Before you even start writing, you need to know who you’re writing for.

Who are they? What industry are they in? What size is their company? What are their biggest pain points?

What are their goals? Are they looking to increase revenue, improve efficiency, or enhance customer satisfaction?

Where do they hang out online? What websites do they visit? What social media platforms do they use?

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The more specific you can be, the better. This will help you tailor your proposal to their unique needs and interests.

2. Structure for Success

A well-structured proposal is easy to read and understand. Consider this framework:

Executive Summary: A brief overview of your company and the value proposition of your solution.

Company Overview: A concise introduction to your company, including your mission, values, and experience.

Problem Identification: Clearly articulate the specific challenges your ideal client is facing.

Proposed Solution: Detail your solution and how it addresses the identified problems.

Methodology: Explain how you will implement your solution.

Benefits and Value: Highlight the tangible and intangible benefits your client will receive.

Call to Action: Clearly state your desired next steps, such as a meeting or a free consultation.

3. Write in a Conversational Tone

Avoid jargon and technical terms. Use clear, concise language that is easy to understand.

Focus on the “why”: Explain the “why” behind your solution. Why should they choose you over your competitors?

Tell a story: Use anecdotes and case studies to illustrate the value of your solution.

Show, don’t tell: Instead of simply stating your expertise, provide concrete examples of your accomplishments.

4. Keep it Concise and Visually Appealing

Brevity is key: No one wants to read a lengthy, rambling document. Get to the point and keep it concise.

Use headings and subheadings: Break up your text with headings and subheadings to improve readability.

White space is your friend: Use plenty of white space to make your proposal easy on the eyes.

Consider visuals: While this example focuses on text-based proposals, visuals like charts and graphs can enhance your message and make it more engaging.

5. Proofread and Edit

Before sending your proposal, carefully proofread and edit it for any errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Have someone else review it: A fresh pair of eyes can help you catch any mistakes you may have missed.

Read it aloud: Reading your proposal aloud can help you identify awkward phrasing and improve the flow.

6. Follow Up

After sending your proposal, follow up with a phone call or email to see if the client has had a chance to review it.

Answer any questions: Be prepared to answer any questions the client may have about your proposal.

Schedule a meeting: If the client is interested, schedule a meeting to discuss your proposal in more detail.

Unsolicited Business Proposal Example (Simplified)

Subject: [Your Company Name] – Helping [Client Company Name] [Achieve Specific Goal]

Dear [Client Name],

My name is [Your Name] and I’m the [Your Title] at [Your Company Name]. We specialize in [Your Area of Expertise] and have a proven track record of helping businesses like yours [Achieve Specific Results].

I recently came across [Client Company Name] and was impressed by [Specific Achievement or Company Attribute]. However, I also noticed that [Identify a Specific Challenge Facing the Client].

[Your Company Name] offers [Briefly Describe Your Solution] that can help [Client Company Name] [Solve the Challenge and Achieve Specific Benefits].

For example, we helped [Similar Client] [Achieve a Specific Result] by [Explain Briefly].

I’ve attached a more detailed proposal for your review. I’m confident that our solution can significantly benefit [Client Company Name].

I’m available to discuss this further at your convenience. Please feel free to contact me at [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email Address].

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Title]

[Your Company Name]

Conclusion

Crafting an effective unsolicited business proposal requires careful planning, research, and attention to detail. By following these tips and using the provided example as a starting point, you can create a compelling document that captures the attention of potential clients and drives business growth.

FAQs

1. What is the best length for an unsolicited business proposal?

While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, aim for conciseness.

A good rule of thumb is to keep it under 5 pages.

2. Should I include pricing in my unsolicited business proposal?

It depends on the situation.

For initial outreach, you may want to focus on the value proposition and schedule a meeting to discuss pricing in more detail.

3. How can I track the effectiveness of my unsolicited business proposals?

Use a unique tracking link in your email signature and within the proposal itself.

This will help you track open rates, click-through rates, and website visits.

4. What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing an unsolicited business proposal?

Using generic language, focusing too much on your company instead of the client, and making unrealistic claims.

5. Where can I find inspiration for my unsolicited business proposal?

Look at successful proposals from other companies in your industry.

Read articles and books on business writing and sales.

Unsolicited Business Proposal Example