6 Steps to Write an Informal Letter Proposal

The prospect of preparing a proposal often intimidates many people, but it does not have to be that way. An informal letter proposal is written when people need to ask permission to make a purchase, start a project, or write a paper.

What Is an Informal Letter Proposal?

An informal letter proposal is written to define the necessity of a project. It offers a viable solution to a specific problem. It declares a problem and outlines the steps to solving it, such as offering the method, money, staffing, and management procedures.

Informal proposals are easier to write than formal proposals.

6 Steps to Write an Informal Letter Proposal

Informal proposals follow the format of an informal letter. They are not full letters and have less formality than formal letters, but they have a standard structure.

They are not business letters, but they are sometimes used in this capacity and are similar in many ways to a formal letter. The contents of your proposal letter will differ depending on the project.

Following are six steps to keep in mind when drafting a letter proposal.

1. Define the Purpose of Your Proposal

Begin by defining the purpose of your letter and what you hope to achieve. The purpose of your proposal is to describe what you wish to achieve or what problem you want to solve.

Keep it focused and concise, but still ensure the recipient can understand the stakes of the letter. A proposal for a business agreement would include clear details and basic terms.

However, a proposal to revamp a firm website would consist of your knowledge of their current website issues.

2. Establish Your Goals and Objectives

Define your objective, which might range from securing a meeting to being recruited; it’s critical to be specific.

Describe the long-term outcomes and the goals you plan to achieve. Be as explicit as possible. Outline your plans, discuss how you will accomplish them, and describe why the company should pursue them.

Make it clear why the reader should provide feedback to move the process forward. But don’t mistake assuming the reader will do so automatically.

3. Highlight your Unique Qualities

Don’t be afraid to highlight the things that make you unique. Allow your skills and experience to speak for itself. List some of your unique qualities and why you are the best candidate. This could involve describing a unique technique that produces excellent results or having expertise in a similar situation.

If you’re pitching a company plan, emphasize a few points that set your proposal apart from others.

4. Briefly Discuss the Budget

One of the major factors in decision-making is the cost of the project. Based on your proposal objective, you need briefly discuss the costs.

You may want to provide specifics on how you will use a loan or how much your project will cost investors. You won’t need to offer a detailed cost breakdown, but giving investors a rough notion of the budget can help them assess the project.

5. Follow-up with a Call to Action

The letter should end with an invitation for the recipient to follow through with the action requested. Include a call to action request to create a sense of urgency in the recipients. This may improve the likelihood of their response.

Also, state your interest in following up with them to show that you are serious about your proposal and idea. Let them know when you’ll call or email them again so they know when to anticipate it.

6. End the Letter with Contact Information

As you approach the end of the letter, try to leave your recipient a feeling of comfort and goodwill. Close the letter with how you can be of service to them. Thank the reader for taking the time to evaluate your idea and invite them to contact you with any questions.

To Wrap Up

An informal letter proposal is a letter by a person attempting to illicit a job or a donation of money.

Proposals can be written when a grant or loan is given or when one organization seeks to hire a person as a contractor. These proposals should be brief, to the point, and should provide a personal style that can quickly engage a recipient.