Any sales team can tell you the importance of a sales proposal. At its core, it’s a business pitching their products or services to prospective customers and clients. Similar to how a new company might pitch themselves to investors for funding, a sales team will pitch their company’s offering to new leads to try to gain new clients (and more revenue for the business). The proposals are an integral part of the sales process.
Sale proposals are used to demonstrate how your business, brand, service or product will positively influence a buyer, partner company, or investor. For a sales proposal presentation to be successful it must include a straightforward message, be visually impactful, and show specific stats or data that reference your company’s strengths.
So, what exactly should you include in a sales proposal?
The 8 slides every sales proposal needs
We have a fully customizable sales proposal presentation template to help get you started. But it’s crucial to know which slides will speak to your leads, and convert them to new customers. Keep these 8 slides in mind when you’re crafting your next sales proposal to help seal the deal.
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Meaningful metrics
Just like any pitch, you need to start your sales proposal out with a bang. Before you dive into your offering, catch the audience’s attention with a shocking statistic. This could be industry related, or a metric specific to your company, but it should be relevant to your overarching message.
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The problem your prospects are facing
Of course you’ve done your research prior to your meeting, so you’re well versed in the needs of your prospective clients. It’s good to point out the pain points they’re facing in their current workflows so that you can later introduce your offering as a solution.
Your solution
Positioning yourself as a solution to their problem provides them with value. Don’t be afraid to point out their missed opportunities so that you can then show them how your product or service fits into their current business model.
Shortcomings of the current market
Sure, you might not be the only option available on the market. And they’ve likely done their homework and are aware of your competitors. This slide pits you against the competition and shows how you differentiate from other companies in the same industry— and why you’re the best choice.
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Your product
By now you’ve planted yourself in a favorable position, explaining why your product or service is the missing piece in their company. But no sales proposal is complete without showcasing your offering. It’s time to put your money where your mouth is and show them why your company is great. This slide might include screenshots of your product or a demonstration walking them through key features.
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Pricing and offerings
Transparency is key in a sales proposal, so it’s important to include your packages and pricing so that your prospective customers can see how you might fit into their budget. If you want to sweeten the deal, you can choose to offer a special promotion or discount if they onboard a certain number of employees or sign up the day-of the presentation.
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Social proof
Nothing backs up what you’re pitching in your proposal more than social proof. This slide can feature case studies with like-minded companies so your prospects can see different use cases relevant to them, testimonial quotes, or positive reviews to increase your credibility. Something like this could give your leads the confidence they need to go through with the deal.
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Call to action
Every (and we mean every) sales proposal must end with a call to action (CTA). It’s what will motivate your audience to move forward with your offering by either signing up for a subscription, purchasing your product, or onboarding you and your services. This could be the contact information of your sales team, or a landing page with more information where they can sign up themselves. But it’s important to note that this is where you close the deal.
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