How to Write a Software Sales Proposal
How to Write a Software Sales Proposal
If you’re selling software, you know that getting a sales proposal right is important. It can make or break a deal.
Having a process for writing a sales proposal can help you get it right every time. And, as always, it’s best to proofread your final draft before submitting it for review.
Identify the Problem
A good proposal software should start with a page that clearly identifies the problem. This can be a paragraph or an entire section, depending on the amount of information needed to explain the problem. Then, the solution can be described in detail. This can include the benefits of implementing your software, and any other important details that you need to make your offer sound as appealing as possible.
The last thing you want is to spend time writing a beautiful, persuasive sales proposal and then send it out only to have the prospect decline. The best way to avoid this is to follow a clear process and ensure that your sales proposals are free of typos and other errors. Even if the content itself is perfect, a single mistake will create a perception of carelessness and reduce trust, ultimately hurting your chances of making the sale. Share your drafts with colleagues and use a paid proofreading service to ensure that the final version of the proposal is error-free.
If the client does decide to move forward, it’s important that you have a well-defined scope of work (SOW) and project timeline. This will help keep the project on track and ensure that no crucial steps are missed. This is especially true if the project is large or complex, and it may be necessary to schedule additional meetings or phone calls to clarify or fully understand the problem.
Describe the Solution
Once you understand your prospect’s pain points, the next step is to explain how your software solution will solve them. In a sales proposal, this is your chance to show off your expertise and prove that you’re the best choice to help them succeed. A compelling executive summary will grab attention and keep your audience interested.
If you have case studies, datasheets or other sales content that bolsters your pitch, include these in the attachments section of your proposal. However, don’t overwhelm your audience with needless information. Breaking text blocks up with imagery, and adding headlines and subheadings to each section, will make it easier for your reader to follow along.
Your sales proposal should also provide key insights about your company that will make prospects more confident in you. Share metrics like your number of clients, the average length of contract and your client testimonials to demonstrate your credibility.
Finally, don’t forget to include a pricing section that clearly defines your services and packages. A downloadable Excel spreadsheet is an ideal way to present your pricing options, and allows your prospects to easily compare different offerings. You can even track your sales proposal benchmarks using a tool like Proposify to find out which pricing options close at the highest rate. This can inform your decision to tweak your sales process and experiment with different ways of proposing your software.
Describe the Benefits
During your sales process, you’ve likely found that a sales proposal can be a powerful tool for closing deals. Whether you’re selling software-as-a-service or another technology, proposals help you establish credibility and motivate prospects to work with you. To make the most of this sales tool, write proposals that focus on solving prospects’ problems and providing value.
Start with a short introduction about your company to establish your expertise. Then, rely on a mix of content to highlight the features and benefits of your solution. For example, describe how your solution can improve productivity, increase efficiency, or reduce costs for the client. Use persuasive language, such as ‘improve,’ ‘boost,’ or ‘upgrade.’ This will help reinforce to the reader that your product can deliver on its promises.
You should also include a brief overview of your competitors in the initial sections of your proposal. This will give the prospect a clear picture of the competition and their offerings, so they can decide if your solution is the best fit for their business.
Describe the Pricing
When writing a sales proposal, it’s important to have an outline that covers all the elements of your document. It will help you stay on track and write your proposal in a timely manner without missing any crucial information.
To improve the overall quality of your software sales proposal, use persuasive language that emphasizes how the client will benefit from your solution. For example, you can use words like ‘boost’ and ‘upgrade’ to increase the impact of your messaging. Including mini case studies and customer testimonials will also boost your credibility as an expert in the field.
Lastly, it’s critical to have a well-thought-out pricing model for your software as a service (SaaS) solution. You want to be able to charge enough to provide value for your customers and make money to keep your business afloat. But you also don’t want to price your product so high that people are reluctant to purchase it or re-subscribe.
With these tips in mind, you can start to craft software sales proposals that are more compelling and likely to win more deals. If you’re looking for a tool that can help streamline the process of creating B2B SaaS sales proposals, check out Proposify! We’ve built an easy-to-use tool that allows you to create professional-looking proposals in minutes. Get started with a free trial today!
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