to Write an Effective Marketing Proposal with Templates! //

A marketing plan is not just a set of actions. This is a marketing piece in and of itself, and can have a direct impact on whether a client chooses to work with you or your competitor.

This complete guide will give you everything you need, including templates. Create a marketing plan that will impress prospects, gain their trust, set you apart from your competitors and get signatures.

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Table of Contents

• 
  What exactly is a marketing plan?
  
• 
  Why marketing proposals are important
  
• 
  What should be included in a marketing plan
  
• 
  Tips to create a successful marketing proposal
  
• 
  Marketing Proposal Templates
  

What is a Marketing Proposal?

A marketing proposal is an official document that a marketer or agency provides to their client in order to explain the specifics of a project. These details contain all the information the client or stakeholder needs to make a decision about whether to sign a contract.

The marketing proposal is similar to any good proposal. It comes after the discovery session, where the agency/marketer gathers all the information needed to formulate strategy, timeline and pricing.

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Why you should create a marketing plan

We’ve just discussed the definition and purpose for a marketing plan, but it is more than just information. Part art and part science. The science part includes the metrics, timelines and deliverables. The art is in how you present the information and how you use that information to create intangibles for your clients like excitement, confidence, and relief.

Marketing proposal

• Gives the client all the information they need to say yes with confidence.
• This video shows how to organize and communicate information in an engaging way.
• It gives you the chance to be different from your competitors, and show that you have listened carefully and considered all details.
• Highlight your past achievements and qualifications.
• You can use it to plan your project and keep track of the progress.
• You are protected from scope creep, unpaid invoices and other issues.

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What to include in your marketing proposal

Here is a list of things you could include in your proposal, depending on the services you offer, your client and your industry.

• Cover Page: First impression! Make sure it’s bold, appealing, and tailored to the brand of your client.
• Executive summary Summarizes overarching problems, goals, and solutions; the big-picture concept that will make stakeholders want to hear the rest of your presentation.
• Table Of Contents: This small detail is necessary to assist your clients in navigating through the content.
• Goals – What the client wants to achieve. They should also include the goals of the project and how they fit in with larger marketing goals. These goals should ideally be measurable.
• Challenges What is getting in the path of achieving these goals? You will likely know the majority of your client’s challenges, but you might also be able identify others during the discovery session.
• Solutions: the marketing strategy that you will implement in order to achieve your goals and challenges.
• Scope: The tactics and strategies of the strategies as well as timelines and other operational detail.
• Outcome The deliverables for each phase or strategy and how they relate to the core goals. Also, any additional benefits.
• Pricing : The cost to the customer fully broken down. There may be a variety of options. Return on investment is clear
• Working With Us: A look at the team members, culture and value. Focus on the value that you can deliver to your client.
• Why Us? Any testimonies, success metrics, special abilities, or social proof which makes you particularly qualified for the position.
• Contract: Terms and conditions, and anything else you may need to include. Keep it as simple to read as you can.

How to create a winning marketing plan

Not only the information you include in your proposal, but also how it is presented and delivered, will determine whether or not clients accept your proposal. Here are a few tips for creating marketing proposals that will win clients.

Prepare yourself

After a discovery session, you should have all the information needed to create a proposal. Make detailed notes to ensure that your proposal not only meets their needs but also shows you care and are willing to cater to their preferences.

Information to be gathered during the discovery session

• Goals and challenges for the short and long term
• The source and nature of the problem
• Past/existing strategies/successes/failures (including other agencies)
• What are the existing metrics/what will success look like?
• Priorities
• Emotions (frustrations and desires)
• The team’s personalities and working styles
• The timeline, budget and stakeholders
• The brand message, target audience and customer journey

Additional research

You should do some additional research before and after your discovery session. You should learn as much about your client as possible before the discovery session. This will allow you to demonstrate your diligence and save them time by not having to explain themselves.

You can add stats and examples to your proposal that will strengthen it. You can then add statistics and examples that will help you make your case, and further demonstrate your value.

Visually easy to understand

The same tip that I give to service companies in their service agreements. Avoid using complex or formal language in order to impress your client. Keep it conversationaland easily readable. Refer to their terms and the goals and problems they are focused upon. Visualize your ideas wherever possible, for example, with timelines.

Focus on the client

A marketing proposal can be a great way to demonstrate your value to clients and to set yourself apart from the competition. However, you should always keep it focused on them, not just on yourself. When you are highlighting something about your company, make sure that it is connected to the value this brings to the client.

Take a walk through the experience with them

Do not just send the proposal to your client via email. Schedule a meeting to go over the proposal together. You can then send the proposal to the client after the meeting and give them time to digest it, think about it and ask any questions before signing. After the meeting, you can send them the proposal and allow them to digest, reflect, and ask any questions they may have before signing.

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Marketing proposal templates

These marketing proposal templates are from a variety of sources, including marketing agencies online proposals and marketing blogs.

1. Text-only marketing is the new trend in marketing

Indeed’s marketing proposal template is simple and straightforward. The template is text-only, with brackets that provide guidance as to what should be put in the brackets. Although there is no design assistance, Indeed offers tips, examples, and best practices. This makes it a great resource for agencies or marketers looking to create a proposal copywriting framework.

This marketing proposal template contains:

• Cover page
• Table of Contents
• Summary
• Overview of the Project
  • Problem statement
  • Solution Statement
  • Work scope
• Investments
  • Cost estimate
  • Contractual and payment terms
• Timeline
• Introductions to the project team
• Case Study
• Signatures and agreements

2. Fool.com marketing proposal example

Fool.com’s marketing proposal is also not downloadable. However, the post is formatted to look like a marketing plan, with a description and examples for each section. This template is perfect for a marketer or agency that is just getting started and is unsure what to include in a proposal.

This marketing proposal template contains:

• Summary
• Challenges/objectives
• Strategy/solution
• Work scope
• Financials
• Terms and Conditions

3. Download HubSpot’s marketing proposal template

HubSpot’s marketing proposal template can be downloaded and customized. It does not include any example text but it gives you the format for each section and some tips. This proposal offers many opportunities to differentiate your business and pitch it while keeping the focus on the client. This proposal is for a company that has experience in writing proposals, but would like to add a bit of marketing zing or improve their organization.

This marketing proposal template contains:

• What we do (services, team, relevant qualifications)
• Project Scope (summary of the project, solution proposed, phases/deliverables, etc.)
• Estimated result
• Project schedule
• Contact us
• Signatures and contracts
• Appendix
• Additional Materials

4. Pitch’s marketing proposal slide deck templates

Pitch offers a variety of free presentation builders for different industries. You won’t find much in the way of marketing advice, but you can get pre-designed, attractive slides with interactive features and animations. This is best for marketers with a good grasp of proposal copywriting and who are looking for ideas on how to present it.

This marketing proposal template includes examples of slides for:

• The following is a brief introduction to the topic:
• The Agenda
• Customer personas
• Competitor Analysts
• Market Share
• Charts (linear and bar charts)
• Opportunities
• Total budget
• Timeline
• Question
• Please accept my sincere thanks

5. Jotform’s esignature marketing proposal builder

Jotform has a WSWYG editor for esignature. Jotfrom’s marketing proposal template has the content already there, so you only need to fill out the blanks. The master template can be customized to match your brand and you can make any changes. You can also use Jotform to send the proposal by email and collect electronic signatures from any device. This tool is basic and doesn’t have any examples. It’s best for marketers that know how to create a great proposal but just want a tool to make the document look good and/or allow esigning.

This marketing proposal template includes:

• Cover page
• Cover letter
• Background
• Analyse the current situation and set objectives
• Contract length
• Costs and expenses estimated
• Terms and Conditions
• Sign up for our Newsletter

6. Marketing proposal by Proposify

The marketing proposal template from Proposify is a great tool for online proposal builders. It’s beautiful, but it doesn’t provide much in terms of guidance on what to write or how to write. It’s a good template for marketers who are able to write a great proposal and only need help with the design.

This marketing proposal template includes:

• Overview and goals
• Services offered
• Time Frame
• Your Investment
• Why Us?
• Our team
• Case Study
• Contract
• Sign up for our Newsletter

7. Canva’s marketing proposals template gallery

Canva’s marketing proposal templates offer a wide range of designs. You can change the size of the templates to landscape for a slide-deck style. Some templates have examples of text.

These marketing proposal templates will help you win more business.

A marketing proposal, as I have said, is marketing collateral by itself. It’s a combination of art and science. A good proposal that balances information, metrics and design with delivery can help you win the client’s trust and create a successful project.

How to write a winning marketing proposal (with templates!) The post How to Write a Winning Marketing Proposal (with Templates!) appeared first on WordStream.