Things To Consider Before Creating a Final Proposal

I had heard of a proposal before throughout college, but I had never formally created one. It wasn't until this fall semester I had to compose one that has ties within my future career. I had absolutely no idea how to start or where to start to make a proposal. After finding more information on how important it is to learn how to conduct a proposal in the legal world, I was thankful I had this challenge presented to me before I actually become an attorney. 

I learned there are many steps to conducting an effective proposal to capture the attention of customers and clients. And, there are many mistakes people make while presenting a proposal and don't realize until it's too late. Here are a few common mistakes people make while creating a proposal.

Word Choices:
One of the many common mistakes people make while conducting a proposal is their word choices. A lot of us feel if we use big fancy words, we will sound more appealing, more professional, and be taken more seriously. Companies and clients want to be able to read proposals easily and effectively. Using professional wording is great, depending on the company it is being presented for. But, the majority of companies what to easily understand the presented proposal and to easily understand the proposal is to break the proposal down in laymen's terms for everyone to understand. Using vocabulary that we would use on a daily basis can help the company see personality and see that our proposal is genuine. No company wants a fluffed proposal that sounds like a robot talking when it's read.

What's Your Value?
Many proposals that are created know exactly who their target audience and company are. They feel they are the right fit because it is in their interest and are always confident. But, what values make you stand out? Why should the company hire you when there are millions of others with the same potential as you? You must be unique and genuine. It is one thing to call yourself original, but calling yourself original doesn't necessarily make you original. To prove you are the right company, you must be willing to do things other companies have never done. Yes, you must meet requirements, but also go the extra mile with being involved with the community, the youth, and creating an opportunity for growth for the people around you, or even being involved with organizations that may not be related to your workforce. Many proposals to companies forget that it is their value that will give them the chance to present their qualities to the target company. Values are valued more when you offer what others cannot.

Have Someone Proofread Your Proposal 
People feel after creating so many proposals, that become blind to their own mistakes. It is always a good idea to have a close friend or professional proofread your final proposal. Constructive criticism should always be wanted when presenting a proposal that will land you a company you've always dreamed of being with. It is better to be corrected with someone who you are comfortable with, rather be denied by a company you wanted to work with and have them tell you why you were not qualified.


Don't Copy and Paste From Old Proposals: 
This is a bad habit a lot of people do. Many companies have rules against copying and pasting from old proposals. It is okay to change up information here and there, but never copy and paste a proposal you made for another company. Different companies have certain needs and want, and if you copy from an old proposal that applies to an entirely different company, it will be obvious. You must create your proposal that fits the companies exact needs and wants. Every company has different expectations and you must live up to them in a proposal made JUST for that company.


Here are some helpful links on what can make your proposal successful: Tips for a Successful Proposal // Different Examples of Proposals For Specific Areas of Careers