When you write a business proposal it is important to include a business proposal abstract. An abstract is a brief description that summarizes your business proposal. It gives the company you are presenting your proposal to a brief idea about who you are, what you specialize in, and your strengths as an organization.
An abstract summarizes the information in the proposal. Many people make the mistake of trying to create an abstract before writing their business proposal. Do not write your abstract until you're done with the entire business proposal.
1. The first thing you need to make sure is that the abstract is brief and concise. It should be able to hold the reader’s attention. Keep in mind that this can be a decisive factor as far as your business proposal is concerned. You might have a well detailed proposal, but if the reviewer is not excited with the abstract, chances are high your proposal will be lying somewhere in the stack of files.
2. Make a short checklist of your motivation for the business, the problem it intended to solve, research methods used to solve it, the results and your conclusion. Also give a brief introduction of your company, your strengths and the benefits that the investor would be if he chooses you over others. It should also offer salient features of your sales proposals.
3. Don’t try to entice the reviewer to read on by 'hiding’ some details or the final conclusion. Remember the abstract is a miniature version of the full paper. A quality abstract should plainly summarize how you plan to solve key issues as listed in Request for Proposal'. This will make the reviewer’s job easier since they can easily spot everything proposed in the document and may even cut & paste the abstract into their own reports. If an abstract is badly written, with main objectives buried in the abstract, then you will only make reviewer’s job more difficult, and this will only limit your chances of getting the deal.
4. Avoid using 'weasel words’ such as 'seem’, 'may’, 'could’, 'might’ or any other similar word. Such words only show you’re not sure of your business. Be exact. Give only true and definite information.
5. Brainstorm any search phrases that you would use if you are a stranger trying to find your paper. Where appropriate, include these words in the business proposal abstract.
6. Create your first draft with all the details you have collected. Let your first draft sit for at least a week.
7. Re-read the full proposal and then your first draft of the abstract. Make sure the abstract conveys everything in the business proposal. Your abstract should be around 250-500 words. Write more than one sentence for every problem, objective and method. Also make sure there are sub-headings in your abstract.
8. Have two or more people go through your paper and abstract. Ask them for any recommendations and if you feel the need to revise it, then make all the necessary revisions.
If you follow the tips provided in this article you will write business proposal abstracts that help you win more business.
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